Rihanna - We Found Love Bible Study

My friends at Interlinc and I don't always often agree when it comes to politics or religion.  I appreciate, though, that they still publish things I write!
A couple of months back, the Interlinc Blog published a pretty scathing post about Rihanna's "We Found Love" song and video.

So I wrote this Re:Tuned study.  It's in the latest edition of the YLO 86 magazine.

Artist: Rihanna
Song: We Found Love
Album: Talk Talk Talk

By: Kirk Moore
yellowdiamonds@kirkogitation.com

Teaching Point:
Everyone is precious to God, yet some relationships are toxic.

Opening Question:
What do you miss about your most recent relationship?

Discussion:
Rihanna’s single tells the story of a relationship that seems to be based on thrill and adrenaline instead of a desire to build one another up. The relationship begins with laughter, fun, and attraction. From there, however, the couple spiral into drug abuse, fighting, possessiveness, and sadness. The vivid, graphic, sensual, and sexual video for the song tells the story with powerful emotion even as it displays images that make parents write letters. In the end the two people in this toxic relationship appear broken and defeated.

Can you recall a recent relationship that was toxic to you and to your partner? What would you like to share about it?

When you look back at past relationships, do you ever wish that, as Rihanna says at the beginning of the video, “you could have all that bad stuff back, so that you could have the good.” How does that thought make you feel?

1 Thessalonians 5:11 calls on the reader to encourage one another and build each other up. Can you describe some things that happen in a relationship that encourages and builds up?

Romans 12:10 asks that people give others more honor than they want for themselves. What would it be like if everyone did that?

Hebrews 10:24 invites folk to find ways spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  How do you think you could spur someone else that way? How would you like to be spurred on?

Conclusion: Relationships are rarely perfect, but the best ones are about mutual affection, respect, encouragement, and kindness. Seek relationships like that, and please seek help from a friend, a parent, or a leader you trust if you find yourself in a relationship that is abusive or toxic.

Video link
Bangkok version video link