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. 

Third Day - Lift Up Your Face Study

The newest Interlinc Music Video Loop (MVL 72) is out digitally!  I wrote a Bible study for Third Day's song, "Lift Up Your Face" for this issue.  Great video.  I also got to give this Bible study a significant UCC flavor -- take a look at the wrap-up line . . .

The published version is available with the link above.  Here's the text -

Artist: Third Day (Featuring the Blind Boys of Alabama)
URL:  thirdday.com
Album: Move
Label: Essential
Video: Lift Up Your Face
Writer: Kirk Moore
Ministry: Union Congregational United Church of Christ
Location: Somonauk, Illinois
Email: kirk@campfiresinger.com

Theme:
Hope, restoration, salvation

Objective:
Students will learn that God offers healing, restoration, and salvation to those who have been rejected by others.

Warm- up
Face Down, Face Up: This is a newly-titled version of a familiar matching game.  Using a deck of cards, (any variety will do) place all the cards in the deck face down in a 13X4 grid. (If you are using a deck with less or more than 52 cards, make a grid that works with your number.)  Participants will take turns flipping over cards two at a time and try to make a match. (There are many possibilities – number, suit, color, etc)  Each time the cards are not successfully matched, the cards are turned back face down. Play a full round until all matches are made.  Then start the game over, but this time place all the cards face up.  Have students take turns making matches from the cards.  They’ll find this way makes for much easier matches.

Transition: 

Say:  It sure was easier to make all the matches when the cards were face up, right?  All too often folks try to find answers to questions and problems without being able to pay close attention to what is right in front of them.  But when they pay attention and look with their faces up instead of down they can see what is right in front of them.  Third Day has a video for a song called “Lift up Your Face.”  It’s about finding hope and encouragement in Jesus.

Play Lift Up Your Face video from Third Day (featuring the Blind Boys of Alabama)

During the song, have students draw pictures of faces with as many emotions as they see in the video.

Transition: 

Say: It’s a story of sadness, rejection, hope, and restoration.  Is that the way Jesus really works?  

Bible Study:
Read together the following Bible passages:

Luke 7:36-50 (A woman anoints Jesus’ feet)
Luke 8:43-48 (Jesus heals a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years and raises Jairus’ daughter)
Luke 19:1-10 (Jesus and Zacchaeus.  Verse 9 has an awesome flavor in The Message Paraphrase)

Say:
In each of these Bible readings, Jesus announces that the people have been saved, restored, healed, or received salvation.  Salvation carries with it meaning that includes all of those descriptions.

Ask:

• What do the others call the woman who anoints Jesus’ feet?  What does Jesus say to her?
• How do you think the woman who had been bleeding was treated by others?  What does Jesus say to her?
• How devastated do you think Jairus was because of what had happened to his daughter?  What does Jesus say to her?
• How do you think the people felt about Zacchaeus?  What does Jesus say to him?

Say:
In each of these readings, Jesus offers healing, restoration, and salvation to the people who had been rejected by others.  The person in the “Lift up Your Face” video has been somehow estranged from his family.  In all the cases Jesus’ salvation was right there with them. 

Ask:
What do you think holds you back from growing in your faith?  How do you think you’d like to lift up your face as Jesus’ healing, restoration, and salvation calls? (This is a question to ponder rather than answer.)

Wrap-up: No matter who you are, or what your situation is, Jesus came to bring your healing, restoration, and salvation.  You are precious to God and Jesus loves you – no matter what.

Closing prayer: Thank you, God, for your healing, your restoration, and your salvation.  Help all of us to be willing to lift up our faces to see the life you have in store for us.  Amen.

The Letter Black - Hanging on by a Thread Bible Study

Interlinc's latest Music Video Magazine is out (MVL 68) and it's available in digital format! In this one, I wrote a study for The Letter Black's (formerly known as Breaking the Silence) song, "Hanging on by a Thread" It's about God's unconditional love and desperation. I love this study.

Update: Interlinc picked this one up for their YLO80 music magazine, too.

Leader Guide

Artist: The Letter Black
URL: myspace.com/theletterblack
Album: Breaking the Silence
Label: Tooth and Nail
Video: Hanging By a Thread
Writer: Kirk Moore
Ministry: Union Congregational United Church of Christ
Location: Somonauk, Illinois
Email: kirk@revkirk.com

Theme:
God’s Unconditional Love, Desperation

Objective:
Students will learn of and discuss God’s limitless and unconditional love.

Warm- up
What’s underneath? Get a thin bath towel or a top sheet folded into about a 4’X4’ square. Pick several differently-shaped items. Place items one at a time under the towel and ask the students to guess what’s underneath. They can look at the shape of the object and ask as many questions as they would like. After each item has been correctly guessed, replace it with another item. Keep playing until all items have been guessed or about 10 minutes have passed. No prizes with this game, but everyone gets a hearty “congratulations” and encouragement.

Transition:

Say: It wasn’t impossible to see what was underneath the sheet, but without asking questions and trying to understand what it was, it was very difficult. It’s also not impossible to know what someone is feeling even if they are trying to hide their emotions. But without getting to know someone, talking with them and listening intently, it is very difficult to understand how they feel. The video we’re going to watch today describes a person who feels desperate, but who is also afraid to be candid enough to let someone else get to know them enough to offer help and understanding. There’s more to it, too. Think of what else you experience while watching the video.

Play Hanging by a Thread from The Letter Black

During the video, have students fill in the blanks of these lyrics or write words describing emotions they feel as they watch.

______ me _____ as I am
I'm ______ _______
I'm ________ so hard to _______
_______ me ________ through my flaws
Know I _______ ______ ______
I'm _________ on by a _________

Transition:

Say: Mark Anthony, the one who plays guitar and sings background vocals in the band (and he’s married to the lead singer, Sarah Anthony, says this about The Letter Black Songs. “Our songs are not always happy, but rather about real life situations. All of us go through different chapters in our lives, and in these chapters we write letters of good and bad times. Some letters in our chapters, we are happy to share. Others, we are not so proud to reveal.” This song is a song filled with sadness, desperation and a longing to be rescued and made safe. It’s the same kind of feelings revealed in many Psalms.


Bible Study:
Invite students to look up, read, and discuss:

Psalm 61:1-4

• What similarities do you see between the song and the Psalm?
• What do you think the Bible says about how God feels about people who have made mistakes and who feel like they are ‘holding on by a thread?’

Isaiah 56:1-7

• Who is included in God’s blessings?
• Who is excluded?

Acts 10:9-16

• What did God call acceptable?
• Peter thought that eating forbidden food was an abomination. How could God call eating the food acceptable?
• What do you think the message of this Bible reading is?

Matthew 7:1-3

• What single word descriptions would you use about this Bible reading?

Wrap-up: God loves everyone. No exceptions. It doesn’t matter what we have done or who we are. God’s love is for everyone. If you’re ever at a place where you feel like you’re hanging on by a thread, please know that God is with you. If you’re ever in a position to share God’s love with someone in a difficult situation, please know that God’s love will be with you as you share it with others.

Closing Prayer: God of unconditional love. Thank you for understanding us and for loving us through the best and worst of times. Help us to share that unconditional love with all. Amen.

Superchick - Cross the Line Bible Study

Interlinc's most recent Music Video Loop Magazine (MVL67) features a Bible study I wrote for Superchick's "Cross the Line" video.

The Superchick people liked it. I hope you do, too.

Leader Guide

Artist: Superchick
URL: superchickonline.com
Album: Rock What You Got
Label: Inpop
Video: Cross the Line
Writer: Kirk Moore
Ministry: Union Congregational United Church of Christ
Location: Somonauk, Illinois
Email: kirk@revkirk.com

Theme:
Courage

Objective:
Students will discuss what holds them back from living their lives fully and completely for Jesus. They’ll be encouraged to cross the line out of their comfort zones to live fully in Jesus’ love.

Warm- up:
The Distance: Draw or mark a line on the ground. Have students stand on the line and jump forward as far as they can. (Do you remember the standing broad jump?) When they have jumped as far as they can, draw or mark a line where they just jumped to. Then invite them to try again – attempting to cross the line and jump past where they jumped before. Remind the students that this is a challenge for each of them to jump farther than they did on the try before – it is not a competition to see who can jump the farthest. Encourage them to try their hardest to cross the line they reached before.
{Alternate activity for folks who aren’t jumpers: Make some paper ‘footballs’ (triangle-shaped folded paper) and invite students to send them (with a flick of the finger) as far as they can. Then invite them to try again – challenging them to cross the line they’ve just reached . . .}
When all have had several chances to jump and jump again, congratulate them for their efforts and invite students back into the group area.

Transition:

Say: The first time you jumped, you may have gone as far as you thought was possible – or maybe you just went as far as you were comfortable trying. What was it like to attempt to go beyond where you were comfortable or where you thought possible? (Allow for some short discussion here if students seem eager.) After a short discussion time, introduce the video.
Superchick’s song, “Cross the Line” is a challenge to look beyond what we are comfortable with or what we think is impossible. It’s got some really cool jumps in it, too! (Leaders: This video is fun and exciting – a blend of a rocking Joan Jett song and a Matrix movie video.)

Play Cross the Line from Superchick

During the video, have students write down phrases that describe what stands out from scenes in the video that they’d really like to see again.

Transition:

Say: “Everybody dies – but not everyone lives.” Is the band’s favorite phrase in the song. Think about your reaction when you hear that. (Allow for a discussion if students are eager.)
Another part of the chorus has the singers talking about riding as if the police were chasing you and living as if you’d just gotten out of jail. What do you think of when you hear those words? (Allow for continued discussion.)

After a short time of discussion, introduce the Bible study.
Jesus lived a life of courage in the face of danger. He gave his life and offers us eternal life. God is the author of our salvation. There’s nothing we can do to earn it. And as sinners saved by God’s grace, we have a natural response. We courageously live God’s love through Jesus! Sometimes doing that isn’t easy and it is even sometimes scary. But it is what God calls us to do as Christians.

Bible Study:

Invite students to look up and read

• 2 Timothy 1:7-9
• Philippians 4:13
• Psalm 56:11
• John 10:10

Discussion questions:

• God hasn’t given us a spirit of fear, yet we’re so often afraid to live out our faith. What are some ways to encourage one another to courageously live with a spirit of power, love and self-discipline?
• God promises that we can do everything with the help of Christ who gives us strength. What strength do you need to love God’s love through Jesus?
• The writer of the Psalm offers words of encouragement to all to trust in God and to be courageous. How does Psalm 56:11 encourage you?
• What do you think it means to have life “to the full” or abundantly?

Wrap-up: Jesus came to give us life – not fear. And through God’s word we’ve found encouragement to live our lives sharing God’s love through Jesus. Let’s leave this place ready to cross that line of timidity and fear to be courageous witnesses of Jesus’ love.

(If students ask, play the video for them once again.)

Closing prayer: God who gives us a spirit of power, love and self-discipline, thank you for always hearing our prayers. Please help us to live courageously as we share God’s love with all we meet. Help us to live lives that you desire for us. We pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Third Day: 'Revelation' Bible study

I just perused a copy of Interlinc's latest Music Video Loop Magazine (MVL 64/65) Here's a Bible study I wrote for this issue:

Leader Guide

Artist: Third Day

URL: thirdday.com

Album: Revelation

Label: Essential

Song: Revelation

Writer: Kirk Moore

Ministry: Union Congregational Church

Location: Somonauk, Illinois

Email: kirk@revkirk.com

Theme:

God’s Guidance

Objective:

Students will learn that following God and seeking God’s guidance isn’t about having it all figured out; rather, it’s about not having things figured out -- and seeking God anyway.

Warm- up:

Show Me What to Do: This “no prop” game asks students and leaders to repeat a sequence of numbers in rhythm. Have students stand in a matter where all can see the leader. Let them know that you are going to show them a number (using digits from 1 to 5) on your hand. All they have to do is repeat that number – with the correct rhythm (with one number rhythm isn’t too important – as you add numbers to the sequence it will get more difficult.) The leader continues adding numbers to the sequence in each proceeding round. (It might be good for the leader to practice this – as it can get confusing even if you’re making up the sequence!) The game is over when all students have missed at least once. (Or when you’ve gone through enough rounds to declare several winners!) As an alternative “props needed” game, find a “Bop-it”, “Bop-it Extreme” or “Brainwarp” game and use the ‘passing’ version of one of the gizmo’s games.

Transition:

Say: Sometimes it’s really hard to follow directions, isn’t it? Everything seems to come at once and it seems impossible to get everything right. And having a leader who keeps messing up doesn’t help things either! (Yes, that line won’t work well if you used the “props needed” games. In that case, you can say “And those electronic games have no forgiveness for your mistakes!”) Life can be that way, too. And following God, while simple in some ways, can get difficult and frustrating when we keep making mistakes and feel like there’s no use in even trying. Today we’re gong to watch a video from Third Day (pause for a few to look at each other with a “Cool! I love that group!”) called “Revelation.” In the song, the group asks for God’s guidance while they know that they keep messing things up on their own.

Hand out Student Guides and then play “Revelation” from Third Day.

During the song, have students fill in the "fill in the blanks" portion of the student guide

Transition:

Say: This song is a request from the singer for God’s guidance. It is also a lament. Do you know what that is? (Let students offer suggestions. If none can describe a lament . . .) a lament – as it applies here, is a song or a poem that expresses grief, sorrow, anger, stress or regret. A lament can have hope for something better in it, too.

Bible Lesson:

There are places in the Bible that are full of laments. Can you name any? (Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Job, Jeremiah and the Psalms) Since today’s song is a . . . song. Let’s look for laments from the songbook of the Bible, the Psalms

Have selected students read the following verses from the Psalms aloud:

Psalm 31:1-5

Psalm 51:1-4, 10-12

Psalm 73:1-2, 22-26

Say: In each of these Psalms, the writer asks for God’s guidance. But all through asking for guidance, the writer also acknowledges how imperfect they are. They don’t come to God with everything together. Instead they come to God just as they are: Flawed and in need of guidance.

Say: If you were to write a Psalm of lament, what do you think you’d put in it? (Let the group offer suggestions - write them on an overhead or a flipchart, etc.)

After a short time, tell the students that they’ll now have a chance to write their own psalms. Let them know that you’re not going to collect them and that you’re not going to make anyone share them with the rest of the group. Give students 5-10 minutes of quiet, contemplative time to compose their psalms.

At the end of the quiet time, give students an opportunity to share their psalms, if they desire. If not move right to the wrap-up.

Wrap-up:

God’s guidance – God’s revelation isn’t something that comes to us because we demand it or because we tell God what we think we should do – it comes from us asking God what God wants us to do. And we don’t have to have everything figured out to ask for God’s guidance. We can ask just as we are. To close, let’s spend just a few more minutes in silence reading the psalms we’ve written. During that time, let’s also ask for God’s revelation.

Close in silent prayer

Downhere: Here I Am Bible Study

Interlinc's released it's newest edition of the ConGRADulations gift CD and DVD for graduating seniors.  They've also featured this year's offering in their latest music magazine (YLO 75)   I wrote a Bible study for one of the songs, Downhere's 'Here I Am.'  It's featured in the Bible study pages of the magazine:

Leader Guide

Artist: downhere

@: downhere.com

Album: Ending is Beginning

Label: Essential

Song: Here I Am

Writer: Kirk Moore

Ministry: Union Congregational United Church of Christ

Location: Somonauk, Illinois

Email: kirk@revkirk.com

Theme:

Mission

Objective:

In this study, students will discuss God’s call to share the good news of Jesus with all the people. They’ll also be encouraged that God’s call extends to us just as we are, warts and all.

Warm- up:

Airmail:  You’ll need paper, (8½  X 11 sheets work best) a paper airplane making instruction book (or an expert in making a few types of planes) pencils and a wide open area (gym, sanctuary, balcony).  Ask students to take their pieces of paper and write a message of life, hope, love, forgiveness and compassion from God. It should be a short sentence, “I have come to bring you life- Jesus.” After students write their short sentence, have them fashion the paper into a paper airplane. If there’s time students can make more than one. After students have finished making the planes, take them to the wide open area and see how far they can send their messages via airmail. Encourage all and remind them that no matter where the planes land, the airmail message has gone. When enough airmail messages have been sent, gather the students back in you meeting place.

Transition:  

We flew a whole bunch of different paper airplanes – carrying all kinds of different messages of life, hope, forgiveness and compassion from God. Imagine if instead of writing the message and sending it on a paper airplane, you took the message and let yourself be sent. Downhere’s song, “Here I Am” is all about that.  

Hand out Student Guides and then play “Here I Am” from downhere. (Leaders will notice the very “Freddy Mercury-ish” vocal quality of downhere’s lead singer. Students probably won’t notice at all.)

During the song, invite students to write more messages of life, hope, love, forgiveness and compassion.

Transition:

This song is about being willing to follow God’s call in our lives even though we struggle, have weakness and live with failure. Let’s look at some struggling weak failures from the Bible who were willing to respond to God’s call with the words, “Here I Am.”

Bible Lesson:

Have selected students read the following verses aloud:

Isaiah 6:1-8

The call of Isaiah – a man of “unclean lips.”

1 Samuel 3: 1-10

The call of Samuel – a boy apprentice to a Rabbi.

 

Acts 9:10-18

The call of Ananias – the one who was the first to encounter Paul after he saw Jesus on the road to Damascus.

Say:  In each of these Bible readings, a person who was somewhat unlikely for a call from God heard that call and responded with “Here I Am.”    

What do you think would hold Samuel back?

Samuel was a mere apprentice but he was willing to respond to God’s call. 

What do you think would hold Isaiah back?

Isaiah didn’t think he was good enough but he was willing to respond to God’s call. 

What do you think would hold Ananias back?

Ananias was afraid of Paul’s reputation for killing Christians but he was willing to respond to God’s call.

Say:  Take a look at the messages of life, hope, love, forgiveness and compassion that you wrote on your paper airplanes and in the student guides. What did you write? (Allow time for students to respond.)

It may be easy for you to think of reasons why it is too hard, too scary or why you feel inadequate to share those messages of God’s life, hope, love, forgiveness and compassion with folks you meet each day. Think about them just a little. As you’re doing that, we’re going to read one more verse:

Read 2 Corinthians 12:9 and have the students repeat this line several times;

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

Wrap-up:

In our weakness, with our struggles, and through our failures, God calls us to share his hope, love forgiveness and compassion. Let’s respond, knowing God’s grace is sufficient, with the words of Isaiah:  "Here I am. Send me!"

Closing prayer:

We fail, we doubt, we’re weak and we’re broken, God. Here we are – send us! Amen. 

Ronnie Freeman - Breakaway Bible Study

Here's the latest Bible study I wrote for interlinc -- it's in the Fall 2008 Youth Leaders Only magazine (YLO 73)


Leader Guide
Artist: Ronnie Freeman
URL: ronniefreemanonline.com
Album: God Speaking
Label: White Apron Entertainment/KOCH Records
Song: Breakaway
Writer: Kirk Moore
Ministry: Union Congregational Church, United Church of Christ
Location: Somonauk, Illinois
Email: kirk@revkirk.com

Theme:
Repentance

Objective:
This study encourages students to examine their life path and to be challenged to change direction from their way towards God’s way.

Warm- up
Turn Around
Have students stand in lines or rows with enough room to stretch their arms fully. All students should be facing in the same direction. (towards you) Tell the students, "On the count of three – simply turn around." After counting and seeing some students turn 360 degrees around and some turn 180 degrees, tell all the students that you meant for them to turn around. (Don’t tell them what exactly you mean.) Say "Let’s try again." On the count of three I want you to jump in the air and try to turn around before your feet hit the ground." After counting and seeing some students jump 360 degrees around and some jump 180 degrees, tell all that you meant for them to turn around. This time explain that you mean turn around and go in the opposite direction. A third time have them lay on their stomachs (in the same places they were standing and jumping) Tell them that on the count of thee you want them to turn around and face the opposite direction- without getting up off of the ground. After counting and laughing as students try to get themselves turned around while still on the ground, say "Tonight we’re talking about turning around – turning away from the things we want and turning towards the things God wants for us."

Transition:
Say: Christian music artist Ronnie Freeman’s song "Breakaway" (Yes, there’s more than one song with the same title! You can use this line to let students know that you’ve heard the Kelly Clarkson tune.) Here’s how he describes the backround of the song, "I’m learning about the responsibilities He gives us in the journey of life—decisions that He has empowered us to make through the person of the Holy Spirit."Breakaway" is an expression of that determination to make those hard—but right—decisions."

Play: Breakaway from Ronnie Freeman
During the song, have students fill in the blanks of a few lyrics from the song. (Want the student worksheet? Ask for it in the comments!)

Transition:
Say: "Do whatever it takes, whatever you need to make a change – to see a new day." Ronnie Freeman’s song is a challenge to take positive steps to change the way we live our lives if that way isn’t the way God wants. Ronnie also says thisabout the song: "I find that I don’t get desperate, hungry, tired or angry enough at all the things I allow to slowly destroy me. Sometimes I feel like I’ve been waiting my whole life for God to part the waters, instead of considering that He might be asking me to take a boat."

Discussion:
Ask: Think about things in your life that God wants you to change. Repentance is a word that literally means "to turn around." For us that means turning away from sin and turning towards God. Let’s look some more at what we can learn from the Bible.

Bible Study:
Say: Before Jesus arrived, John the Baptist was preaching in the wilderness. He talked about repentance.

Invite students to read Matthew 3:1-2 and Luke 3:11-14.
Ask: What was John the Baptist telling the people to do? What do you think he’d be saying to you if you asked him "What should I do?" today?

After a few minutes of discussion, Say: After John was no longer on the scene (If you’d like, you can run through a quick synopsis of John in the wilderness, John baptizing Jesus and then John’s imprisonment before Jesus started his public ministry) Jesus started saying something identical to what John had said.

Invite a student to read either Matthew 4:17 and Mark 1:15
Say: John said it, Jesus said it, it was in the song – and we’ve started talking about it. Can you think of things in your life that you know you need to change, yet you think that you’ve gone so far in the wrong direction that you think it’s too late?

C.S. Lewis (You might know him as the author of the Chronicles of Narnia) wrote this in his book, Mere Christianity: We all want progress. But progress means getting nearer to the place where you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turning, then to go forward does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road;

Think for a little about the road you’re on and how you could make an about-turn to walk back on the right road.

Wrap-up: Turning everything in our lives over to Jesus isn’t an easy thing. And ‘pretending’ to do it because we’re expecting to get it all back isn’t really trusting Jesus with everything in our lives. But Jesus does promise that if we really turn everything about our lives over to him, we’ll find true life.

Closing prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for being someone we can trust with everything about us. Please help us to trust you completely – with everything that we are. Thank you for promising that with you, we’ll find true life. Amen

Dizmas - Yours Bible Study

Here's the last of the most recent articles I wrote for Interlinc's YLO 72.


Leader Guide
Artist: Dizmas
URL: dizmas.com
Album: Dizmas
Label: Forefront
Song: Yours
Writer: Kirk Moore
Ministry: Union Congregational Church, United Church of Christ
Location: Somonauk, Illinois
Email: kirk@revkirk.com

Theme:
Lordship of Jesus

Objective:
By the end of this study, students will have discussed what it means to trust everything in life to Jesus. They’ll also have an opportunity to move forward in their faith journey as they give all that they are to Jesus.

Warm- up
Hold Back Game
Invite three students to participate in this game. Give the first student a dollar, a super-size candy bar and a favorite band CD (Maybe a Dizmas record!) Tell them that to "keep what you keep – give back what you don’t keep." After the student gives back whatever they do, say "Thank you for giving me _________. Since you kept (the other items) instead of giving everything to me, you lose everything. Please give all the items to the next student."
After the student hands everything to the next student, give the same instructions. They will likely give you everything – thinking that they will get everything back. If they don’t, follow the same script as with the first student. If they do give you everything, keep it and say, "I think you gave me everything because you expected to get it all back. Since you gave me everything expecting that you weren’t really giving it to me, you lose everything. Please give all the items to the next student.
After the student hands everything to the next student, give the same instructions. This student will probably be confused, not knowing if they should give everything or nothing. If they say something like, "I don’t know what to do. I think I’ll give it all to you and let you figure it out, " let them keep the items. If they do something closer to what the other students did, thank them for playing and keep the items.

Transition:
Say: Giving everything to Jesus is different than giving parts of yourself to him and keeping other parts for you to run. It’s also deeper than giving everything expecting that you’re going to simply get it back the same way you gave it. Tonight we’re going to discuss what it means to give all that we are to Jesus. Dizmas song, "Yours" explores that theme. Let’s listen now.

Play: Yours from Dizmas
During the song, have students fill in the blanks of a few lyrics from the song.

Transition:
Say: "In the song, the artist is experiencing the joy of life in Jesus, but there are still things that he is holding back. Let’s talk about the things we trust Jesus with and the things we aren’t willing to give up."

Discussion:
Ask: What are the most important things in your life? What things are you sure you could live without? What things could you never give up?


Bible Study:
Say: Jesus had some pointed words for his disciples about the kind of commitment he wanted in a follower. His words are recorded in Matthew, (16:24-25) Mark (8:34-35) and Luke (9:23-24)
Invite a student to read one of the passages:

Ask: What do you think Jesus’ words mean? Talk about the question in a group discussion.
After a few minutes of discussion, Say: Another time, Jesus had a conversation with a rich person who wanted to know what to do to get eternal life.

Invite a student to read either Matthew 19:16-22 or Mark 10:17-22
Ask: Why do you think this person couldn’t give up all his possessions? How is his situation similar to yours? How is it different? Talk about the questions in a group discussion
After a few minutes of discussion, Say: Sometimes we hear that if we trust Jesus with everything in our life, we’ll get much more back. What do you think about the idea of ‘giving it all to Jesus’ so that you’ll get it all back?
After a brief discussion, move to wrap up the meeting.

Wrap-up: Turning everything in our lives over to Jesus isn’t an easy thing. And ‘pretending’ to do it because we’re expecting to get it all back isn’t really trusting Jesus with everything in our lives. But Jesus does promise that if we really turn everything about our lives over to him, we’ll find true life.

Closing prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for being someone we can trust with everything about us. Please help us to trust you completely – with everything that we are. Thank you for promising that with you, we’ll find true life. Amen

The Afters - Myspace Girl Bible Study

I wrote this Bible study -- based on The Afters silly song -- Myspace Girl -- for Interlinc's most recent music video loop (MVL 61)

Leader Guide
Artist: The Afters
URL: theafters.com
Album: Never Going Back to OK
Label: INO/Columbia
Song: Myspace Girl
Writer: Kirk Moore
Ministry: Union Congregational Church, United Church of Christ
Location: Somonauk, Illinois
Email: kirk@revkirk.com

Theme:
Relationships, Honesty, Social Networking sites

Objective:
By the end of this study, students will have discussed and learned a little about safety when it comes to social networking. They’ll also learn about the importance of honesty and integrity in relationships.

Warm- up
Tell me everything you know about ________ in 1 minute or less: You can use this ‘Show and tell’ game to get an idea of the involvement level of your students on social networking sites. Invite volunteers to tell everything they know about the following in one minute or less:
Algebra
Car engines
Makeup
Dating
Boys
Girls
Xanga
Myspace
Facebook
Twitter
(If you don’t know about any of the items from Xanga down, please brush up before this lesson. If you’re doing this Bible study as part of a ‘nostalgia from the turn of the century’ night in the mid 2050’s – then brush up on your history!)

Transition:
Say: We’re in an age where information about just about anything is available on the internet. Many students today have hundreds of friends on their myspace or facebook account. Today we’re going to talk about the opportunities our connectivity has – as well as the downfalls. Let’s start with something light. We’re going to watch a fun video from The Afters. In their words, "Myspace Girl is inspired by the story of how our old bass player met his wife. We were hanging out and a burger joint called In-N-Out after a show in California. And our bass player saw a girl there who was friends with a guy from one of the other bands that played that night. They made eyes at each other all night but he never gathered the courage to strike up a conversation. He was convinced that she was "the one" and was so mad at himself for not talking to her. We just laughed and told him he was crazy to think that he was going to marry her. He did find out her name and searched for her on myspace. He got to know her first through her profile. He knew her favorite movies, music etc. and thought they had alot in common. They started messaging though myspace, talking on the phone and eventually got rid of their personal myspace sites and started a site together... hence the "ourspace." They are now married and are great together." (Alternate quote if you prefer a shorter one) "is inspired by a friend who met a girl at an In and Out Burger in LA, got to know her better via myspace and wound up marrying her."


Play Myspace Girl from The Afters
During the song, have students draw pictures of the low-tech animations from the video. Alternatively, have them describe the most romantic way to meet someone.

Transition:
Say: "We adults are cringing right now as we hear a story about how a myspace romance worked out. We’ve heard so much about the dangers of social networking sites that we have difficulty seeing the good. Today, with your help, we’re going to try to sort things out."
Discussion:

Ask: (Keep track of conversation on a board or large paper pad) What do you think are the top benefits to being part of an online social networking community. (This may go on for awhile.)
Now, what do you think are the biggest dangers? (This may not go on as long.)

After students have had a chance to share their ideas, ask them to take what has been said and make a "top 8" list of benefits and another list of dangers.

(If it hasn’t been offered during the discussion, be sure to work these two nuggets in)
Never write on a blog, myspace, facebook, twitter etc anything that you’d be embarrassed to have a parent read.

A great idea when it comes to online identity safety is to protect your identity – be friends with people you’re friend with in the real world.

Bible Study:
Say: The Bible doesn’t talk about being safe when it comes to online networking sites. It does, however, have much to say about being genuine and telling the truth – good advice when it comes to relationships with others. (Friends, romantic interests and parents, too!) Have four students look up Exodus 20:16, Colossians 3:9, Romans 12:9 and 1 Peter 1:22 and then read the verses aloud.


Ask: What do these verses teach us?
Exodus 20:16 (Uh . . . don’t lie.)
Colossians 3:9 (Hey! Same thing!)
Romans 12:9 (Love one another sincerely and genuinely.)
1 Peter 1:22 (Show sincere love for one another.)


Wrap-up: When it comes to online activity, be safe and smart about what you share with others. Be honest with your parents about what you do online. Most of all, in all situations, remember to live life truthfully and to base relationships on God’s genuine love.


Closing prayer: Loving and caring God, thank you for our relationships with others. Help us to use good judgment and to live our lives truthfully and to base our relationships with one another on genuine love. Help us to live as your children every day. Amen.

Danity Kane - Damaged Bible Study

The newest edition of Interlinc's YLO magazine (YLO 72) just cam out. Here's a short Bible devotion I wrote for the magazine. It's based on Danity Kane's song, Damaged:

Song: Damaged
Artist: Danity Kane
Album: Welcome to the Dollhouse

Kirk Moore
Union Congregational United Church of Christ
Somonauk, Illinois
kirk@revkirk.com

Teaching Point: Heartbreak

Opening Question: What can mend a broken heart?

Discussion: The wounds of a broken heart don’t heal easily. They don’t heal quickly. Sometimes when they feel healed they aren’t healed at all.

This Danity Kane song describes a person who is enduring a broken heart while desperately seeking relief and healing so that they can feel better. The group acknowledges that time can heal their wounds, but they also seek ways to cover up the symptoms of a broken heart while they are waiting for it to heal.

It’s been said that time heals all wounds. Like other well-known bits of wit and wisdom, this one tries to encourage someone to simply wait and things will get better. Sadly, time doesn’t heal all wounds. Time can pass while wounds go untreated, but real healing needs more than just time. A physical wound heals because the body has the built-in response and tools to heal injuries. Emotional wounds need a response and tools as well.

When we’re suffering from heartbreak, words of kindness, support and comfort from family and friends go a long way to helping us heal. Words of comfort and promise from the Bible remind us that God cares for us and will help us heal. Psalm 147:3 reminds us that God heals the brokenhearted. Romans 8:38-39 reminds us that nothing can ever come between us and Jesus’ love for us. Matthew 11:28 offers comforting words as Jesus invites the troubled to find rest in him.

Conclusion: Heartbreak is painful. We all wish that we never had to experience heartbreak, but for most, heartbreak comes all too often. We can seek support and comfort from friends and family in our pain. We can also find comfort in God’s unconditional and unending love.

Tim Hawkins Comedy -- Bible Study?

A Bible study about a comedy routine? How does that work? I put one together for interlinc's YLO 71. Tim has many funny bits on his comedy dvd "Full Range of Motion." The Bible study focuses on the routine, "I Can Only Eat Margarine."

Here it is!

Artist: Tim Hawkins
URL: timhawkins.net
Album: Full Range of Motion DVD
Label: Independent
Comedy Bit: “I Can Only Eat Margarine.” (video embedded at the end of this post)
Writer: Kirk Moore
Ministry: Union Congregational Church
Location: Somonauk, Illinois
Email: kirk@revkirk.com

Theme: Idol Worship

Materials needed: mp3 player, American Flag, Bible

Objective: By the end of this study, students will have talked about idols and recognized that the things we consider more important than God become our idols.

Warm- up: Praise song 'finish the lyric:' Compile about 15 praise songs that the members of your group will be familiar with. Play a segment of each song and invite students to finish the lyric. If possible, include the following songs:
Holiness
Lord, I Lift Your Name on High
Awesome God
Better is One Day
I Can Only Imagine

Transition:

Say: Many of these songs have become so familiar to us that just hearing the melody of it helps us to be inspired and to experience a sense of closeness to God. In the video we’re about to watch, comedian Tim Hawkins wonders what it would be like if corporations took the melodies for these songs and turned them into commercial jingles. Play “I Can Only Eat Margarine” comedy routine from Tim Hawkins.
During the song, while students are laughing – have them write down the names to the songs parodied in the routine. Additionally, invite them to draw a picture or write a few words to describe their emotions as they listen to the routine.

Transition:

Say: What would happen if corporations took the melodies of our favorite praise songs? How do you think the world would react? How would you react? (Spend time in group discussion)

Say: I’m going to show you three items. When you see each item, write down some words describing how you feel about the object. Additionally, rate the objects in order of importance for your life.
Show the mp3 player, the American Flag and the Bible. Let students write down their reactions and then invite discussion.After a few minutes of discussion, say, “Now I’d like you to choose which item you’d destroy if you had to.” (Let students discuss.) After a few minutes, begin the Bible study.

Bible Study: Invite a student to read Exodus 20:3-6.

Ask: What do you think makes something into an idol? If an object, no matter what it is, becomes more important to us than God, do you think that object becomes an idol? (Continue discussion.)

Wrap up:

Say: Books, electronics, fabric, songs - any object, no matter what it represents or how important it is to us, is never more important than God is. Objects are temporary and replaceable, but God’s love endures forever.

Listen to the words of the Psalmist: (Psalm 136:1 NIV) Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.

Closing prayer: God of everlasting and unconditional love, thank you for your blessings. Help us to remember how temporary “things” are and how your love for us never ends. Amen.

LA Symphony - Idle Time Bible Study

Here's a Bible study I wrote for LA Sypmphony's "Idle Time." It's published in the latest Interlinc music magazine. (YLO 70)


++++++++++++++++++
Leader Guide
Artist: LA Symphony
URL: lasymphony.com
Album: Unleashed
Label: Syntax Records
Song: Idle Time
Writer: Kirk Moore
Ministry: Union Congregational Church
Location: Somonauk, Illinois
Email: kirk@revkirk.com

Theme:
Inactivity, mission


Materials needed: overhead or video projector (low-tech solution: posterboard or a chalkboard!), Student Guide handout.


Objective:By the end of this study, students will learn many bits of simple, good advice. They will be encouraged to "get up" and do something with their life. They’ll also be challenged to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others.


Warm- up: Proverb Shout-out: This game works well as a PowerPoint presentation. It can also be used with a basic overhead projector, posters or even written on a chalkboard. Take several well-known proverbs and write them down, leaving out one or two words on each one. Let the group shout out the missing words as you present each bit of simple, good advice: Possible proverbs include: (Use as many as you like – be sure to end with "Idle hands are the Devil's tools." )

• A bird in the hand is worth two in a bush.
• You can bring a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.
• A soft answer turns away wrath: but harsh words stir up anger. (Proverbs 15:1)
• As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools return to their folly. (Proverbs 26:11)
• Hatred stirs up disputes, but love covers all offenses. (Proverbs 10:12)
• The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. (Proverbs 1:7)
• Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by virtuous living. (Proverbs 16:31)
• Train a child in the way they should go; even when they are old, they will not swerve from it. Proverbs 22:6
• Blood is thicker than water.
• Curiosity killed the cat.
• Give someone a fish, and they'll eat for a day. Teach them how to fish and they'll eat forever.
• Honesty is the best policy.
• Many hands make light work.
• Necessity is the mother of invention.
• Silence was never written down.
• While the cat's away, the mice can play.
• You cannot unscramble eggs.
• A fool and their money are soon parted.
• The early bird catches the worm.
• The bigger they are, the harder they fall.
• You can't judge a book by its cover.
• Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
• Idle hands are the Devil's tools

Transition: Proverbs are short, simple and important pieces of advice. In our Bible, the book of Proverbs contains a long list of this good advice. We’ve heard some of them in our game. The last proverb we heard is the one we’ll focus on today. "Idle hands are the Devil’s tools." What do you think that means? (Let students respond and discuss.) After a few minutes of discussion,

Say: Let’s listen to what LA Symphony thinks abut this proverb.

Play: "Idle Time" from LA Symphony
During the song, have students write examples of "Idle Time" and also examples of "Get up" on their student guides.

Transition: Say: "Quit wasting your time – you’re only taking up space." That’s a pretty harsh statement. Do you ever feel like you’re just "taking up space?" What kinds of things did you write down that you could do to be active instead of idle? (Let students share their thoughts.)

Bible Lesson:Toward the end of the song, one of the artists in LA Symphony proclaims: "I play the game for those who choose to seek the name -- Proclaim eternity and keep my mentals in that frame." It sounds like a call to tell others about Jesus. Let’s look at what the Bible has to say about that. (Have students read Isaiah 6:8, Mark 16:15, and Romans 10:15.)

Ask: What do you think God calls you to do as the result of reading and hearing these Bible verses?

Say: Being willing to go and do what God asks and sharing the Gospel of Jesus with sometimes seems like a daunting task. What ways can you think of to reach out to others to share Jesus love?(Let students offer ideas and encouragement)

Say: A couple of organizations that encourage all to get involved all over the world are souperbowl.org, churchworldservice.org and youthworks.com. (Share information about these ministries or others that you prefer.) How could we, as a group, get involved with these organizations to help share Jesus with others? (Have students respond and discuss.)

Wrap-up: Thank you for all of these ideas. Let’s work together to ‘get up’ and make a difference for Jesus in the world.

Closing Prayer: When we’re quiet, God, please help us to think about ways to serve you. When we’re busy, God, please help us to be doing things that serve you. Help us to get up, go and share Jesus’ love with all we meet. Amen.

Feist - 1234 Bible Study

At the back of the Interlinc YLO magazines, there are short Bible devotions based on pop tunes. Here's one I wrote for Feist's "1234." (It's in YLO 70)

=============

Song: 1234
Artist: Feist
Album: The Reminder
Kirk Moore
Union Congregational Church
Somonauk, Illinois
kirk@revkirk.com

Teaching Point: Relationships

Opening Question: How important are the romantic relationships you have when you’re young?

Discussion: Young romance can be intense, emotional, thrilling and sometimes painful.
Feist’s "1234" has a happy, bouncy feel in a song that encourages people not to get so wrapped up in romantic relationships that they lose their identity. It sees young romance as something simple and fleeting, while looking at grown-up relationship as wiser and less prone to drama. It sees intensity-driven romance as fleeting, and looks forward to something deeper and more meaningful. In the end it encourages the listener to remember the importance of being true to themselves.

It’s sad to think this way, but "1234" also reminds us that none of our human relationships are perfect. We have fights, disagreements and endings to so many relationships in our lives. But while realizing that our relationships may not last forever, we can be comforted in knowing that God’s love for us never ends. If we seek to love each other with the love described in 1 Corinthians 13, we can come closer to loving each other with the kind of love that God gives unconditionally. The better we become at living that kind of love, the better we’ll become as individuals, too.

Conclusion: We’re human – and too often we fail at loving each other in a way that lasts. If we practice the unconditional love that God gives to us with each other, we’ll have longer lasting, happier and more genuine relationships. We’ll also be happier with who we are as individuals.

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - Face Down Bible Study

OK -- I promise this is the last post relating to the articles I had published in the latest Interlinc magazine. (YLO 69) I wrote a short study about Red Jumpsuit Apparatus' Face Down. I remember commenting that this was a pretty catchy tune, but a really heavy song. Here's the study I submitted. The published version is really similar.

Song: Face Down
Artist: Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Album: Don’t You Fake It

Kirk Moore
Union Congregational Church
Somonauk, Illinois
kirk@revkirk.com

Teaching Point: Abuse

Opening Question: Is there anything domestic about violence in the home?

Discussion: Violence in the home occurs with couples of all faiths and all walks of life. Jesus called for us to love one another. How do we reach out with love in situations of abuse?

"Face Down" is a catchy pop-punk tune with a message that anything but happy. It calls attention to violence between partners and issues a stern and unapologetic warning to those who abuse others. Red Jumpsuit Apparatus has also been selling t-shirts and wristbands on the subject, donating proceeds to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. (ncadv.org)

Jesus command to us (from Mark 12:29-31) is to love God and to love our neighbor. Abusing anyone violates that command. Jesus also calls us to forgive one another. However, “Turn the other cheek” isn’t an invitation to endure abuse. In a world where everyone did the right thing, it would be easy. Those who abuse would stop (or never start) and those who are victims of abuse would find shelter and safety away from their abusers. Since we do not live in perfect times, our call is to protect those who are abused and to show love for all – even our enemies. Can you think of resources for victims of abuse? Can you think of resources to help those who abuse others?

Conclusion: God never intended us to abuse one another. No one ever deserves to be abused. Be an agent of God’s compassionate and unconditional love. If you know of an abuse situation, or you are in an abuse situation, please tell a leader or an adult you trust right away.

BarlowGirl -- I Believe in Love Bible Study

I wrote a Bible Study for the newest Interlinc music magazine. (YLO 69) It just came out in print. The version in the magazine wraps things up a lot more neatly than the one I originally wrote (It looks like the editors weren't comfortable with a celebration of questions and doubt.) Here's the orginal version -- based on BarlowGirl's song, "I Believe in Love."

Leader Guide

Artist: BarlowGirl
URL: barlowgirl.com
Album: How Can We Be Silent
Label: Fervent/Word
Song: I Believe in Love
Writer: Kirk Moore
Ministry: Union Congregational Church
Location: Somonauk, Illinois
Email: kirk@revkirk.com

Theme:
Doubt, Faith
Materials Needed: Card Deck, Apostle’s Creed handout (using the version most appropriate for your tradition.)

Objective:
By the end of this study, students will have talked about their doubts and shared their beliefs. They will be encouraged to live their lives for Jesus even through their doubts.
Note: Frank talk about doubt can be unnerving to some of us in youth ministry. This study is designed to give students a safe place to talk about their doubts and to grow in faith.

Warm- up:
I Doubt It: Take an ordinary deck of cards (or an "Old Maid" deck or an "Uno" deck or any other kind of card game) and deal out all the cards to every person in the group. Have players take turns putting down their cards, face down, in the correct order. If the player doesn’t have the correct card they have to bluff their way through the turn without someone challenging the truth of their play. The game goes by many names – the least offensive is probably "I Doubt It." If a person is challenged and caught trying to pass off their cards as some other cards, they must pick up all the cards in the discard pile. If the person who challenges them (by saying "I doubt it" after the cards are placed in the discard deck but before someone else begins their turn) finds that the player challenged was telling the truth, the challenger picks up the discard deck. It really is a fun game, though it can last for as little as a few minutes or as long as a few hours (Call the game over and congratulate all players if it goes longer than 10 minutes.)

Transition:
Say: This game lets you doubt the validity of what other people are saying to you. It applauds the idea that doubt may be risky, but not unhealthy. Is that a life rule? Is there a life rule anything like it? Is there a life rule completely opposite of it? Today we’re going to listen to a song from BarlowGirl called "I Believe in Love." It is filled with things the singer believes about God and things that the singer doubts. While you’re listening, try to write down as many things as you can that the song shares about doubt and about belief. Write down other ideas that come to you even if you don’t hear them in the song.

Play "I Believe in Love" from BarlowGirl.
During the song, have students write sentences with the ideas they hear in the song. Some they might come up with are:

• My prayers often seem unanswered
• I think God is silent
• I don’t know if I have enough faith
• Just because I can’t see God doesn’t mean God isn’t real
• Where is God when I’m in pain and when I’m afraid?

Transition:
Say: "I believe in the sun even when it’s not shining. I believe in love even when I don’t feel it
And I believe in God even when He is silent. I believe." Our song expresses belief and faith even in the presence of doubt. But can you believe even when you have doubt? Let’s spend time talking about it.

Bible Lesson:
Have a student (or students) read John 20: 19-31 aloud.
Say: Many of you have heard the Bible passage about "Doubting Thomas." Even if you’ve never heard of these verses before, you’ve probably heard the words "Doubting Thomas" before. Here’s where they come from. After he was resurrected, Jesus came to the disciples and showed them his wounds and he breathed on them. When he breathed on them he told them to receive the Holy Spirit. He told them about forgiving sins. However, Thomas wasn’t with them at the time. When the disciples told Thomas about what they had seen, he wouldn’t believe them until he saw it for himself. And then a week later, Jesus appeared again and showed Thomas. He told Thomas to stop doubting and to believe. He also told everyone that the ones who believe without seeing would be blessed. And therefore we should decide to believe without seeing. We should be moved to go from doubters into believers. We have learned that our questions are signs of doubt and that doubt is the opposite of faith.
Ask: What are your thoughts about the last three things that I said? (Repeat them if necessary) Let students discuss their thoughts.
Say: Jesus didn’t scold Thomas for having doubts. Jesus showed Thomas what he needed to believe. I don’t think that doubt is the opposite of faith.

Let me make some statements to you. Think about whether you agree or disagree with them

• Doubt is uncertainty or skepticism
• Doubt is the absence of faith
• Faith cannot exist with doubt
• Doubt and faith exist together

(Let students respond and discuss their thoughts about the four statements.)

Say: The Apostle’s Creed is a very old testimony of Christian belief. It is said and respected in most Christian denominations today. Let’s say it together: (The text varies slightly from tradition to tradition. Use the version of the creed that is appropriate to your tradition.)

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

Ask: What would it look like if we took some of our thoughts from listening to the song and used them to express our doubts at the same time we express our testimony of belief from the Apostle’s creed? It might start something like this:
I don’t know if I have enough faith but . . .
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

Spend time letting students share thoughts and put together a statement of faith that acknowledges doubt at the same time as affirming faith in God. Have everyone read the composition you’ve come up with together at the end of the meeting.

Wrap-up:
We’re on a faith journey. May our doubt deepen our faith as we continue . . . Let’s share our faith composition together.

Closing affirmation of faith:
Invite students to read their composition. At the end take a deep breath and dismiss the students with a simple, "Amen."

The Showdown - Temptation Come My Way Bible Study

I wrote a Bible Study for the Showdown's "Temptation Come My Way" awhile back. The record didn't get included in Interlinc's music distribution back then -- so I think this Bible study has been in publishing limbo ever since. Until now . . .


Leader Guide

Artist: The Showdown
URL: theshowdownmetal.com
Album: Temptation Come My Way
Label: Mono vs. Stereo
Song: Temptation Come My Way
Writer: Kirk Moore
Ministry: Union Congregational Church
Location: Somonauk, Illinois
Email: kirk@revkirk.com

Theme:
Discouragement, Guilt, Emptiness

Objective:
By the end of this study, students will understand that everyone has feelings of hopelessness and that we are not alone or abandoned in our times of despair.

Warm- up
An Unfair Game of Simon Says
Feel free to play regularly until there are only a few people left. Then start changing the rules at will. Shout out things like, "Rule change! Now you do the opposite of what I do!" (Without saying, "Simon says" first) Be sure that through your continual rule changes that there are no players left. When they are in defeat, lament with them that no matter how hard they tried, they just couldn’t get it right. (If you have a player or players who are simply better at it than you and are still in, end the game announcing your defeat and lament that you could not do it right, no matter how hard you tried.)

Transition:
The game was rigged. Nobody was supposed to win. The game attempted to let everyone experience failure. Failure, Trouble, Tragedy, Trials and Temptation are situations we really can't completely avoid. It seems like no matter what we do – praying hard, willpower, trusting that God will guide us -–we have times where we feel like failures. We have times where we feel like no matter where we turn there will be no relief. The song we're about to hear expresses that. It comes from metal band, The Showdown. The lyrics to this song are dark – seemingly hopeless. "I’m held at the mercy of the unknown" and "I love to love the way that you let me down" express feelings of hopelessness and failure. The song doesn’t offer a hopeful solution or a nice way to avoid the problem. Instead it simply is a lament.

Play "Temptation Come My Way" from The Showdown.
During the song, have students fill in some "fill in the blanks" lyrics sheets that you've made up.

Transition:
Ask: What in particular stood out in this song? How do you identify with the feelings of hopelessness and despair communicated in the song? What do you think about a song that only expresses sadness and hopelessness without any hint of healing and hope?

Bible Lesson:
(Psalms are great at describing the human condition. Whether it is a psalm of joy, celebration, anticipation or lament, the poetic expressions of the writer are genuine and reflective of the way lots of people feel at times.)

We feel like this:

• Psalm 22 (Why have you forsaken me?)
• Psalm 88 (I depressed and in despair)
• Psalm 51 (I’ve really messed up)
• Psalm 143 (Please hear my prayer – I need you!)
  

Temptation, as expressed in the song and as we experience it, is the enticement to do something unwise or just plain wrong

• We sometimes feel alone and abandoned in temptation.
• We are not alone in temptation.
• We sometimes feel alone and abandoned in trying to resist temptation.
• We do not have to be alone in resisting temptation.
• We sometimes feel alone and abandoned when we’ve given in to temptation.
• We do not have to be alone in our sadness and anguish.
  

God’s promise to us is this:

• Hebrews 13:5b (I will never leave you or forsake you)
• Matthew 11:28 (Bring your burdens to me – I’ll give you rest)
• 1 John 1:8-9 (When we acknowledge our sin, God forgives us)
• Luke 11:9 (Ask, seek, knock)
  

Wrap-up:

• Everyone experiences temptation.
• We are not alone in resisting it.
• Everyone has yielded to temptation.
• We’re not alone or abandoned when we fail.

This song we listened to was mostly about temptation. However, the pain, guilt and sadness we feel isn't just related to failing to resist temptation. We've seen in our study that pain and sadness come from many sources.

Whether the issue is temptation, yielding to temptation, feeling abandoned, depression, loneliness, despair or anything else that has us in sadness – we are not alone.

• Others have felt it.
• Others are feeling it.
• We are not alone.
• God hears our cries.
• God’s promises are real.

Closing prayer:
God who never leaves us and who hears us when we’re celebrating, failing, crying and even when we can't find words to describe what's going on with us, thank you for your unconditional love. Help us to find your hope and to remember your promises no matter what the situation. Help us to reach out to others with that same unconditional love. Amen.

Story Beginnings you Rarely Hear

"I was on my way to Bible Study when a stripper showed up at my door . . ."

John Skinner has that story to tell.