2/16/2013

M83 - Midnight City Study

I hear this song almost every time I turn on the radio.  It doesn't matter what kind of station it is or whether it is broadcast, satellite, or internet.

And . . . I wrote a group study for it.  This version appeared in Interlinc's Youth Leader's Only Magazine a few months ago.

Artist: M83
Song: Midnight City
Album: Hurry Up, We're Dreaming

By: Kirk Moore
wouldyouever@givingupchurchforlent.com

Teaching Point:
What and where is church?

Opening Question:

Where do you find community and love?

Discussion:
M83's Midnight City is a highly danceable, significantly confusing, and oft-discussed pop song.  Most of the discussions about the song's meaning, (with a few "I'm sure it means this:" statements thrown in) end with all agreeing that they're not sure what it's about.  The video for the song, according to the band, is a tribute to the films Village of the Damned and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. The video expresses themes of exploitation, imprisonment, escape, and community.

One line in the song says, "The city is my church."
  • What is the church?
  • Is it the building where the community gathers to worship God and live God's love?
  • Is it the community who gathers to worship God and to live God's love?
  • Could it be both?
  • Where do you find community?
  • How is the location important?  How is it not important?

  • Where do you see God's love being lived out?
  • How do you see God's love being lived out?

  • What is the church?
  • What else are you thinking about today?
Conclusion: People worship God in many gathered communities and in many places. And in church, folks find community and experience God's love lived out.  Go and be the church. 

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