Youth Leaders Only / Music Resource Book / Volume 87 / Spring 2012 Cover: Switchfoot INSIDE: GRADUATING SENIORS: HELPING THEM FINISH STRONG AND START EVEN STRONGER Maximizing Music & Media in Youth Ministry Avoiding The Ultimate Dropout page 4 Seniors May Be Dangerous To Your Health page 7 ConGRADulations! Class of 2012 Music-Media-Gift Book page 10 Man Up Movie (Feat. Lecrae) page 22 Special Features: Twelve Switchfoot Discussion Guides page 48 Grad Prep Sessions (Finances, Worldview, Relationships) page 10 Heart of the Artist: Thousand Foot Krutch page 19 Switchfoot page 17 Rachel Chan page 16 Nine Lashes page 18 ® >> CONTENTS MAIN/MILD/HOT ARE LISTED ALPHABETICALLY BY ARTIST FEATURE ARTICLES: MAIN: Artist: Album Title: Song Title: Study Theme: MILD: Artist: Album Title: Song Title: Study Theme: HOT: Artist: Album Title: Song Title: Study Theme: DEPARTMENTS: 4 6 7 Avoiding The Ultimate Dropout Tripping With Your Seniors Seniors May Be Dangerous To Your Health 20 116 FEAT. LECRAE ALBUM 22 116 FEAT. LECRAE DVD 10 CONGRADULATIONS! CLASS OF 2012 Authority ConGRADulations! Class of 2012 Grad Prep Sessions Relationships, Finances, Worldview 30 ELIZABETH SOUTH 32 36 LEELAND RACHEL CHAN 26 34 BRINSON 28 CLOSE YOUR EYES Empty Hands And Heavy Hearts Valleys Forgiveness World We View Anthem Of The Lonely Peer Pressure 2 3 54 Man Up Man Up Anthem Biblical Manhood Do It Afraid I Will Trust You Trust O.M.G. He Said He Loved Me Faith Letter From The Editor Man Up The Great Awakening I Cry Dependence How To Use This Resource GO Lame Life; Purpose/Meaning NINE LASHES Thematic Index MUSIC RESOURCE BOOK: Volume 87 • Spring 2012 Maximizing Music & Media in Youth Ministry The Youth Leaders Only Music Resource Book is published quarterly by Interlínc, Franklin, TN Direct any questions or comments to interlínc at 1-800-725-3300 or visit www.interlinc-online.com << Page 1 8 10 16 The Long View CONGRADULATIONS! Class of 2012 Grad Prep Sessions Relationships, Finances, Worldview Heart Of The Artist: Rachel Chan, Switchfoot, Nine Lashes, Thousand Foot Krutch 46 STARFIELD The Kingdom The Kingdom Of Our God Testimony 48 SWITCHFOOT Vice Verses Entire Album Discussion Guides 38 THE REND COLLECTIVE EXPERIMENT Homemade Worship By Handmade People Christ Has Set Me Free Freedom 44 SOUTHBOUND FEARING 52 THOUSAND FOOT KRUTCH 58 64 The Anthem Of Angels Unseen Spiritual Warfare Modern Worship Section 40 RUSH OF FOOLS We Once Were Come Find Me Jesus; The Good Shepherd The End Is Where We Begin Be Somebody Self-Identity; In Christ re:Tuned 67 Ministry Resource Section STAFF: Publisher: Allen Weed • Editor: Ken McCoy • The WriteGroup: Rick Bundschuh, Cindy Engøy, Eric Gargus, Mary Wilson, Dave McGinley, Todd Pearage, Doug Ranck, Paul Turner, Rusty Van Deusen, Jeremy White • Art Direction: Ken McCoy • Cover & Article Design: Thomas Ryan Design • Magazine Layout: Ken McCoy • Production Manager: Glen Allen Green • Proofing: Dale Weed, Jeannine Ugalde, Anne Conley Page >> 2 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR By Ken McCoy I have always had a love/hate relationship with high school seniors. I love seeing the young men and women they have become since that dorky freshman year. I love how they can step up and take leadership responsibilities within youth ministry. And I love watching them take significant steps into the future that God has for them. A Strong Finish her she told me that she had been listening to ConGRADulations! in her car prior to the accident and it was helping to provide the peace of God in the situation.” (Aaron Kennedy) “I’ve been i n student ministry for over 30 years, and I’ve given many types of ‘Grad’ gifts. I’ve been using ConGRADulations! for several years. A couple of years ago my daughter graduated. It was an emotional experience; I recognized her along with the other graduates in our service. I gave her the gift. Fast-forward two years to last week – her sophomore year in college. I had to drive her car and in the player – her grad gift. Thanks for putting together such a great resource.” (Donnie Sisk) And yet I hate seeing some of them drift away from youth ministry once they get that acceptance letter from a college or branch of the military. (Yeah, I live in a military town.) I hate saying goodbye to them once they graduate. I hate not having their training, knowledge, influence, and enthusiasm to help get next year’s ministry going strong. And so I try to finish strong with my young friends who are about to leave high school. I try to give them skills and inf ormation they will need to continue growing in their faith. I hope to give them the encouragement they’ll need when they go off into their future. An important tool in that process has been interlínc’s ConGRADulations! Class of… grad gift. And I’m not the only one. Maybe you can relate to these comments from other youth leaders trying to finish strong. “I have given ConGRADulations! to my graduating senior s for years. Each year I get a couple more than necessary to have one or two to give to seniors that may show up late in the year. It’s also been a perfect opportunity for me to make a connection with some wayward seniors – kind of an excuse to reconnect with them. ‘Hey man, I have a gift for you! Can we get together?’ Who’s going to say no to that?” (Scott Egan) “A few days after receiving ConGRADulati ons! last spring, one of our seniors was involved in a car accident. Thankfully, everyone was okay but our graduate was shaken up a bit considering she only had her driver’s license a few months. When I checked up on This year’s GRAD gift includes a couple of items that are important to me. My friend, Patrick Ivison, graduates this year – his video and testimony are included. And San Diego-based Switchfoot’s song “Afterlife” is a key song included. (Mark Pittman and I are proud of our hometown band!) Those two items, along with the other v ideos, songs, and resources, make this a special GRAD for me. I hope you’ll experience just how important it can be to finish strong with your graduating seniors! ConGRADulations! isn’t the only valuable tool in this edition of YLO. Make sure you check out all the great music with corresponding Bible studies, the awesome Man Up project, the complete-album discussion guides for Switchfoot’s Vice Verses, the t on of leadsheets included in the Modern Worship Section, and more! You won’t find this breadth of resources anywhere else – so make the most of them! Godspeed, Ken McCoy Editor << Page 3 How to Use this YLO MUSIC Resource Book Sure, at first glance you notice how great it looks—very current, very stylish. Go ahead—flip through this book a bit. Notice the helpful design? Did you catch the organizational details? The more you look at this book, the more you will appreciate the functionality that has been built into it. Here is a quick tour… The Cover If you’re like most of us, you keep your YLO (Youth Leaders Only) books stored on a bookshelf. When you want to search for a song or video that deals with a certain topic, slide each book out a couple of inches and read the themes and featured articles for each issue. Cool! The Index Take a look at the index or “table of contents”—notice the colored bars? They represent sections in the book and they clue you in on which albums / Bible Studies are “Main,”“Mild,”or “Hot.” You will notice in the Bible Studies section that each Leader Guide / Student Guide is color-keyed the same way. Wow! Someone’s been thinking! Featured Articles Each issue of YLO has a certain “flavor.” Around that theme are a couple of “Feature Articles” as well as some of the other items you have in your YLO box. These articles give you insight into the heart and ministry of some of the musicians included in the YLO box. Bible Studies What makes Youth Leaders Only more than “cheap music” are the musicbased Bible Study resources provided for you to use in your programming. Finding good Christian music isn’t hard, but coming up with ways to use it in your ministry with teenagers takes time, talent, and energy. Real-world youth leaders write the Bible Studies; the sessions are field-test ed and proven effective with real-world teenagers. Thematic Listing Not every song on every CD has a Bible Study written for it. That doesn’t mean you can’t use those other songs in your ministry with students. Modern Worship Section In this section you’ll find encouraging and enlightening resources to help you develop your youth’s worship ministry. You’ll find articles from recent SPIN versions of YLO or other worship leaders and Lead Sheets of songs from some of the CDs in this YLO. Although they are not really the kind of Lead Sheets most bands use, these pages of “lyrics with chords over them” are a great help when you want to teach the high school praise banda new tune. Many youth leaders tell us that the Lead Sheets are an invaluable resource. re:Tuned Take advantage of some popular secular songs to introduce a theme, supplement your regula Bible Study lesson, or outreach event. Use the opening questions and discussion ideas to get your students talking and thinking about the theme. Reviews Not every available contemporary Christian music CD can make it into the YLO box. So, we try to give you a taste of what else is available in your local store. Since interlínc often gets “pre-release” copies of upcoming CDs, we can give you a “heads up” to new releases that might be just right for you and your young friends. We hope this effort helps you reach and disciple more young people to be go-for-it Christians! Page >> 4 FEATURE ARTICLE Avoiding the Ultimate Dropo ut © 2012, INTERLíNC. INTERLINC-ONLINE.COM / 800.725.3300 << Page 5 By Jeremy White Valley Church Vacaville, California [email protected] Many evangelical watchdogs are sounding alarms concerning a disappointing type of college dropout: those dropping out of the Christian faith the moment they hit their university campuses. “Dropping out” of the Christian faith raises all kinds of theological questions, so I will begin by affirming that I have a strong personal conviction about the doctrine of eternal security. I believe that born-again person can never be lost or un-born, and I respect my Christian brothers and sisters who see it differently. When my wife explained that God is not afraid of her honesty, but rather pleased by it, and that Jesus prioritized the object of faith (Himself) over the amount of faith (i.e. the mustard seed parable), Mary began to take baby steps. She now realizes that, like Thomas, God won’t reject her as she wrestles with questions. But here’s the point: many students arrive on college campuses each year only to walk away from the very faith that once gave them guidance. While many will return to church involvement later in life, even a temporary hiatus can involve grave earthly consequences related to their future hopes and dreams. How can we help nurture a faith that remains strong even in the face of the pressures of college and young adult life? Realize that apologetics is still important – but also changing. I am a natural skeptic, and early on God used the writings of many classic apologists from C.S. Lewis to Francis Schaeffer to Josh McDowell to help solidify my faith. But in addition to evidential apologetics we need to engage in experiential apologetics. Students need to know not only that Christianity is true – but also that it works. Be theologically rich in your teaching ministry. I am surprised at the way I often underestimate the capacity of students to comprehend and apply deep truths of Scripture. With ready-made resources offering to supplement our supposed lack of time for prep and study, we are tempted to allow the canned resources to replace our pursuit of study, meditation, and reflection on the Scriptures. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve thanked God more than once for resources like the one you’re reading now when I’m pressed for time or need something cool for supplement. But, a shepherd cannot guide the flock of God to places where he or she has never been. It works when it’s keeping us from sin and its consequences. And it works when we fall into sin and face its consequences. It works to bring peace among enemies and it works to bring peace in the soul. It works in being realistic about the present and it works to bring hope regarding the future. It works to rescue the soul from the grip of Hades and it works to rescue the body from the grip of poverty. As theology moves from the classroom to the laboratory – as kids have the opportunity to both witness and participate in the “living out” of faith – they are much more likely to embrace Jesus as the holistic answer to all life’s complexities and not simply view him as a “Get out of hell free” card (as important as that is). Theological richness stems from your personal growth with God. Are you growing in both your cerebral AND experiential understanding of God? Students can sense when you’re talking from personal passion and experience versus having read someone’s idea out of a book. Even when you use some of the great pre-written material available, your ambition should be to make it your own. Wrestle with it, think through it, and tweak it until you believe what you’re teaching and are ready to live it out. Be honest about your own struggles with doubt. We’ve communicated to students that “doubt” is the enemy of faith. However, I believe that apathy is the real enemy of faith. Giving up is what quenches the fire of faith. Sharing openly about the questions you’ve struggled with and how you came to various resolutions can go a long way in assuring students that true faith is not the opposite of doubt – but the opposite of apathy. When a student becomes confused and then ceases to care and gives up, he or she is a prime target for believing a false message. That message may come in the form of secular humanistic philosophy or a false religious system or something else – but come it will – and students need to know how to let doubt become a friend to their faith instead of a foe that leads to apathy. Just this morning my wife and I awoke to one of the best text messages we could ever have received. It simply read: “Sunday the 4th of January, I accept Jesus Christ as my savior. I ask him to be a part of my life and in my heart – Mary.” The reason for our joy is obvious, but even more so when you know something of Mary’s story. My wife has been Mary’s small group leader for two years. Mary comes to our youth gatherings regularly and is someone to whom faith has not come easy. She is a skeptic, a doubter, and someone we’ve consistently loved and shared the Gospel with since we met her. She always told us how she felt ashamed to come to God because of her doubt. Partner with Parents. I am amazed at how many youth workers want little or nothing to do with parents. This is one of the great scandals of modern youth ministry. Even non-believing parents want their kids to be solid, healthy, productive members of society. Make your priority to be even MORE available to parents than you are to students. When they walk into the room, acknowledge them. Invite their involvement in any way possible or appropriate. Offer gatherings and training for them. Talk to them about specific struggles they face in the raising of their kids. This will not only earn you much credibility in their eyes, but will keep your finger on the pulse of the home life, enabling you to minister with greater wisdom and sensitivity. John was a likeable kid who I wished would sign up for one of our camps – but he never would. He was friendly, quirky, and a bit immature for his age— but very loveable. Finally, after getting to know John’s dad over a cup of coffee, I was made aware that John’s biological mother had severely abused him as a younger child. Because of this background, John struggled with a few behavioral difficulties that made his dad nervous about sending him away overnight. My new compassion for John and his dad led me to arrange for a handful of male leaders to be brought into the inner circle of awareness so that they could effectively monitor and minister to John – and next month, as a senior in high school, he will be heading to winter camp with us for the very first time! So be encouraged! You ARE making a difference! That appointment you recently squeezed in to make time for somebody; that extra ten minutes you spent to pray with that student; that late night conversation after they had blown it, it’s all working to remind your students that Christianity is not only true – it works. © 2012, INTERLíNC. INTERLINC-ONLINE.COM / 800.725.3300 Page >> 6 FEATURE ARTICLE Tripping WithYour Seniors By: Mark Pittman interlínc San Diego, California [email protected] You know how a “good idea” can get shoved to the bottom of the priority list in a busy youth ministry schedule? I had an idea for a senior trip, but it took a back seat to a confirmation class that I was informed I would “have to do” for four important seniors. Towards the end of the class someone suggested that we take a trip to celebrate, which seemed like a good wrap-up event to me. So we went. After the weekend was over, I drove home stoked about the good conversations we had. Right then and there I knew that the senior trip would become a yearly ministry event. My students were insanely busy, so I scheduled our senior trips to occur about seven weeks before graduation. This made sure that we had an open weekend and wouldn’t infringe on finals or the many grad activities. Doing the trip so early meant I was able to set the table for graduation—the words and memories from our senior trip would be the frame for them as they threw the cap and looked toward life on their own. A good senior trip can be a perfect time to push “pause” and clarify the things in their life that contributed to their spiritual growth. I wanted them to finish the trip with a clear plan to get plugged-in to a church and keep growing after graduation. So the purpose of the trip was both celebration and reflection. We had a lot of fun decorating the vehicles that we used—shoe polish on the windows, streamers inside—we made the trip feel like a party. We even created mix CDs of songs from all four years of their high school and played Name That Tune while we drove. Since we spent most of Friday traveling we didn’t have much time or energy to do a big meeting. I always started with playing a fun grad-focused board game (you can download it from grad2008.com). The game is like “Candyland” or “Chutes and Ladders,” but the players encounter various college situations (“Eat Roommate’s Food, Go Back 3 Spaces”). After the game I had them start on their “written plan” for continuing to grow in their faith after graduation. The paper had these questions: “What are the three biggest questions / concerns you have as you graduate? What way do you think you’ll change the most after graduation? What about who you are do you think won’t change at all? What kind of pressure do you think you’ll feel the most at college / on your own?” On Saturday, we played. I took lots of pictures, had a ton of fun, and made sure that I had some good solid time with each senior. By the end of the day I knew what everyone was doing for the summer, where they were going in the fall, what their major was going to be, and when they were leaving. We also reminisced—I could easily get them going on the “remember when…” stories. Saturday evening or Sunday morning I had a graph that the students filled out. On the horizontal axis was their age (1–18) and on the vertical access was “Close to God” and “Far from God.” The graph helped them see that spiritual growth is not a 45-degree line, but that there are ups and downs. I had the seniors write down two “victories”—times that God showed up in their lives big time. I think it’s very powerful for seniors to see their spiritual progress graphs and be able to look at them again later. I had the students unpack Proverbs 3:5 & 6. I also loaded them up with a bunch of verses about © 2012, INTERLíNC. INTERLINC-ONLINE.COM / 800.725.3300 how we must bring God into our decisionmaking process. I then had them talk through Matthew 21:28–31 and write the answers to: What decisions have you made that helped you live out your faith? What decisions might you need to make before you’re faced with a situation? Finally, I had the seniors write what aspects of church helped them grow, what parts of discipleship helped them grow, what life-values helped them grow, and what service projects helped them grow. They ended up with a list of what to search for and reconnect with in a new church or college ministry. I then had them fold up the paper and stick it in the front cover of their Bible. I tried to have coffee with each senior individually sometime between the trip and graduation. Walking a senior through his or her spiritual growth over the last four years and highlighting gifts or traits that you love about him or her can have a huge impact. In August I called all the parents and got the new addresses and e-mails for the grads. Then I sent encouraging e-mails monthly and asked my former seniors about the church / ministry where they were plugged-in. I also scheduled coffee or lunch with those grads when they came back home for Christmas break. Go to grad2012.com for a pdf of Mark’s Senior Trip “Student Sheet.” << Page FEATURE ARTICLE By Scott Wilcher The UpStream Project Chesapeake Virginia [email protected] 7 Seniors May Be Dangerous To Your Health I have hated graduation time for twenty years now. When all those graduation announcements arrive in the mail, I start to get a little grumpy. Then, well-meaning people say to me, “You must be so proud to see these kids graduate!” I paste on a polite wooden smile and say, “It’s quite a day.” But inside I snap, “No! Can’t you see that I am losing my best kids – the ones I enjoy the most?” Clearly that is too dramatic, but anyone in youth ministry who has a brain, a heart, and three years of experience understands that the job is dangerous to your health. The longer we stay in it, the more we learn the dangerous truth: seniors leave, and it hurts when they do. That loss at graduation may affect our ministry. As each school year begins, fully pouring yourself into the new kids is more difficult because you know they will leave eventually. But every fall, young ones show up, bouncing and smiling, demanding silently, “Love us as you loved them!” We smile back, and then stagger away, unable to remember the recent graduates ever being this goofy. If we pull back just a little each year, at some point we realize that we are closer to the folks in the fading photographs on the wall than the real people standing there in the room. It becomes easy to say that we have “aged-out” of youth ministry. If the loss gets bad enough, someone will eventually find us in some storage closet tangled in volleyball nets, mumbling about pizza toppings. Or worse, we become senior pastors. The normal human response is to go numb or go away, but we are not called to be normal. We are the Christians. More correctly, we are the leaders of the Christians. So how do we respond? Yes, there is need for Sabbath. Yes, there is need for us to take the time to process the grief of loss at graduation. Yes, we need to avoid punishing the new kids for our pain. Every school year, I reread Philippians 2:5-8 and remember that Jesus stepped from His worship-drenched, angel-guarded throne into a dangerous world that assured Him pain and death. He left the safe place to go to a risky place, because He loves us. We, as His weak imitators, must leave the safety of our emotional defenses and love the new kids. Through that process, we better understand the persistence of God in moving toward us, better understand the sacrifice of Jesus for us, and then live it out in front of kids, so they can better understand it by watching us. Have a reunion. After you have been in ministry for a while, have a reunion of your graduates. Make it a big deal or just have dinner and talk. Get some of the influencers from past years to organize it. Show old pictures and videos. Let some of them talk if they want. Invite them all, the “problem children” and the “golden children.” I am not calling for denial or perfection, but rather a measured, intentional fulfillment of our painful calling to love well. I’m suggesting we lay down our lives in imitation of Christ and not allow the fear of future loss to derail our calling and our impact right now. Take a break. Shut your ministry down for August to mark the end of one school year and the beginning of another. Use the break to train leaders and to rest. The rest and the new energy at startup are valuable. Here are some ideas to ease the pain of graduation. Take a personal retreat to reflect on the past year or two of ministry. If you determine that you are called to youth ministry, but are distant from kids, consider asking for a few months or some weeks and pull back to do something completely different. Learn something new. Travel. Do whatever refreshes you. Then jump back in and love those kids with as much Christ-like sacrifice as grace allows. Celebrate the transition. Have a Junior/Senior dinner a few weeks after graduation. Invite your adult leaders, your graduates, and your rising seniors to a nice dinner. Have them dress up. Let the parents come as well. Ask the seniors to talk about their best memory, worst memory, and most significant lesson learned. Just use it as a time to debrief. Tell each one what your best memory was of him or her. Be honest. Tell them it is difficult to send them out. Tell them they will leave holes in the ministry, not to make them guilty, but to value them and their contributions. Then have a graduate challenge the rising seniors to set examples in the group. Have graduates pray over the rising seniors and pass the mantle of leadership to them. Charge the rising seniors to come to group no longer as students but as leaders who have a responsibility to serve and bless the younger kids. (This eases the problem of seniors wandering off because of lack of purpose.) Keep in touch. Keep up with your graduates through email or an alumni website. If they go off to college, consider a road trip with another leader to visit and encourage each one to follow Christ faithfully. Distribute the joy and the grief. If you find yourself unable to bear the weight of persistent loss, get some folks on your team to share the weight of it. You cannot pastor every child. Build a team of leaders who you can talk to and who understand the loss of graduates. Talk to other youth workers about it. Encourage one another to press into new relationships. Meditate on Philippians 2. What would leaving the safe places of your life to move into relationship with your family look like for you? The leaders you work with? The kids in your group? Talk about it with your senior pastor or mentor. How have you withdrawn over the last few years? Do you see a distance forming? Is it a life pattern or just a ministry pattern? Meditate on Philippians 2 in such a way that you may love as Christ loves – without fear. © 2012, INTERLíNC. INTERLINC-ONLINE.COM / 800.725.3300 Page >> 8 FEATURE ARTICLE I sat in the circle, twentyseven years old, two years out of seminary, only a few years into my first full-time youth ministry position. People in ministry know about the circle. The circle is where you often sit with other ministry teammates. In the circle, you go around and share. On this day we were sharing, or more correctly, presenting our ministries. The assignment of the moment, “Tell us about your youth ministry.” What youth pastor/leader, to some degree, has not dreaded this time? In these conversations we hear about the amazing things God is doing at other churches while we fidget, knowing the reality of our ministry, and wonder if we are the right person for the job after all. Whenever we sit in the “circle”, we tend to compare. But when we compare, we lose. We either become proud, or we wallow in martyrdom. The root of this problem is usually found in our need to be successful. We want others to know we are capable and have something great to offer. If we cannot present a positive front, our biggest temptation is to then produce a successful “spin.” What is your definition of “success” in youth ministry? Is success having a full youth room on By Doug Ranck Free Methodist Church Santa Barbara California [email protected] © 2012, INTERLíNC. INTERLINC-ONLINE.COM / 800.725.3300 << Page FEATURE ARTICLE Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings? Is it having the biggest group at your winter camp? Is it having growing and active small groups with students who carry a Bible/notebook and are eager to learn? What do you talk about when people ask you to describe your youth ministry? What would cause you to feel like your youth ministry is effective? Our descriptions, lists, and profiles mostly focus on the “here and now.” For too many years, I defined my success only in terms of temporary fruit. I believed if youth said they wanted to follow Christ and were actively living their faith that we had succeeded and could now move to the next “project.” I also believed the inverse of those kids who rebelled and made a stand against participating in the youth ministry and following Christ. This thinking, I now understand, was shortsighted. We limit ourselves with “small picture” thinking while God is only interested in the “big picture.” After twenty-nine years of youth ministry there are many times I feel that I know less than when I started, but one thing I do know: there is a “long view” to youth ministry. Keeping my eyes on a 9 teenager beyond high school into adulthood gives me a greater glimpse of God’s perspective. Here are three tentative conclusions (with accompanying comments) I have made which helps me navigate a healthy evaluation of success and failure in my own ministry: This is not my ministry. My role is to be a faithful servant/shepherd and to offer opportunities for youth to begin a relationship with Christ, grow in their faith, and serve Him. I cannot make anybody do these things or be a Christian. God completes the work as people choose to follow Him. There are many different scenarios in the faith journey of youth. •Youth may be great Christians throughout their time in the youth ministry but reject it in the college years. •Youth may be growing Christians through middle school and reject it in high school. •Youth may not follow Christ at all through their teen years, but come to Him later in life. •Youth may do one of the first two scenarios and come back to the Lord in college or later in life. No program or even a fully invested relationship can guarantee the path of a teenager in his or her relationship with the Lord. What works for one may not work for another. We are all different, and we have the freedom to choose to follow the Lord. We must accept these different journeys as a part of the youth ministry profile and remember this is God’s ministry. The Long View Long view = Hope view Opening my eyes wide to the possibilities of God’s work in a person’s life, at any time, offers me a whole new frame of reference to assess the “successes and failures” of ministry. I have learned after all these years (twenty-five of them in the same ministry) to never give up hope. Some will measure their success by how many former students are now in full-time ministry, missions, etc. To hear them speak of those youth we would naturally guess they were active, growing Christians in their teen years; carefully groomed and nourished through the loving investment of youth leaders. However, over half of our youth who now serve God full-time in ministry or missions were not even Christians through most of their adolescent years! The next time you sit in the “circle” and wait for your turn, in the moments that you are tempted to second guess your “success” – may God remind you that His work is not yet done. May He affirm in you the passion to continue your walk with youth beyond high school graduation into the rest of their lives. © 2012, INTERLíNC. INTERLINC-ONLINE.COM / 800.725.3300 s p i h 1 s d n# o n i s e s i e r F pS e r g P n d i a r Gr e w o p m E Leader Guide c.com @ma c a nnym • ke rnia o f i l , Ca dido scon E • ries inist rt M a t S mp • Ju cCoy M n e By K Theme Transition Graduates, for the first time in their lives, will have the opportunity to choose their social networks. Previously, friendships were created for them – they just seemed to happen naturally around the kids they grew up with, played sports with, sat with in homeroom, etc. Now students need to learn the skill of searching for, finding, pursuing, and building quality relationships. This video is part of the “CollegeReady” materials. You can find more great resources like this one at collegeready.com. • Can you remember your best friend from 2nd grade? Are you still friends with that person? Objective Grads will learn about the opportunity of choosing with whom to build close relationships, and will understand the value of empowering friendships. Note This session is built around a six-minute video from the ConGRADulations! Class of 2012 “Media Disc.” Even though this session is designed for high school seniors, you can easily do this with your entire group – especially since it uses a cool video. The video clip incorporates an intro voiceover segment that explains the Empowering Friendships theme. If you have any questions, call 800-725-3300 or email [email protected]. Warm Up Start a discussion about choices in life by talking about the things that were chosen for you by your folks when you were younger, but now you have the opportunity to choose for yourself. Use a chalkboard or a large sheet of paper to list similar choices that students can add. (Example: clothes, food, movies, music, time to go to bed, etc.) Transition After creating the list, discuss: • Now that you’re away from home, how much freedom of choice do you have? • John Bryson on the video said, “Life is a team sport. Your circle of friends will determine, to a large extent, your future pathways.” How have you seen the truth of that statement? • How would you describe what “Relational Passivity” is? • What makes someone your friend? • What kind of friend would you say you are? Bible Study Use these Scriptures and discussion questions to guide you through the Bible Study time of your meeting. Have the students look up the verses and then write the answers to the questions before you discuss the Scriptures as a group. 1 Corinthians 15:33 – We can only live life at a high level, and stay there, with a band of good brothers and sisters around us. • Restate this verse by making it a positive statement instead of the negative one. • Why do you think people of “good” character are sometimes attracted to “bad” characters? • What qualities would you notice in someone of “good” character? Proverbs 17:17; 18:24 – The kinds of friendships we build can either be shallow or authentic. • Do you have a friend that is closer than family? What does that kind of relationship feel like? • What is the difference between a shallow friendship and an authentic friendship? • Why is the wise person cautious in friendships? What does the Scripture say will happen if you are unwise? • Is freedom of choice a privilege that is earned or a right that comes by being on your own? What is the difference and why did you pick the statement you did? Proverbs 12:26; 27:6 – We need “empowering” friendships that build us up. The Video • What are “wounds” from a friend? Hand out the Student Guides and explain that while we did get to choose our friends, they were chosen out of those we just happened to be around. Now, as we leave high school for college, the military, or the workforce, we have a completely different opportunity and responsibility to choose our friends. Show the video. • Rewrite 12:26 in your own words. • How can you know if you can trust the hurt you experience from a friend? Wrap Up Discuss: • What’s the common theme from all the Bible passages about friendship? • How are you allowing those close to you to really know you? • What steps can you take to move your friendships from shallow to real and create trust and accountability? s p i h s #1 d n o n i s e i r Ses F p e r P ng i r Grad e w o p Em Student Guide Proverbs 12:26; 27:6 – We need “empowering” friendships that build us up. Rewrite 12:26 in your own words. Proverbs 17:17; 18:24 – The kinds of friendships we build can either be shallow or authentic. Do you have a friend that is closer than family? What does that kind of relationship feel like? What are “wounds” from a friend? 1 Corinthians 15:33 – We can only live life at a high level, and stay there, with a band of good brothers and sisters around us. Restate this verse by making it a positive statement instead of the negative one. What is the difference between a shallow friendship and an authentic friendship? Why do you think people of “good” character are sometimes attracted to “bad” characters? What qualities would you notice in someone of “good” character? Why is the wise person cautious in friendships? What does the Scripture say will happen if you are unwise? How can you know if you can trust the hurt you experience from a friend? Leader Guide p i h s d r a w e rep t P S d a : s Gr e c n a n i F #2 n o i Sess ia iforn , Cal o d i nd Esco ies • r t s i n t Mi Star ump J • cCoy en M By K m ac.co ac@m m y nn • ke Theme The Video With all the attention that “money” gets in the news (government bailouts, stimulus funds, jobs, bills, etc.) you would think that today’s grads would have a good handle on handling money. Unfortunately, grads are as materialistic as ever – maybe more so. Once they get out of high school they will be bombarded with significant money decisions to make: school loans, easy-to-obtain credit cards, entertainment, gadgets, insurance, clothes – and on and on. Grads must learn solid principles for handling money. The decisions they make today will have a huge influence on their financial future. Hand out the Student Guides and show the video to your group. This clip is from the “Next Chapter” Bible study series. Objective • Define “stewardship” in your own words. Transition Discuss: • What message did you get from the video? • How would you respond to a person who says, “I own my stuff and can do what I want with it”? Grads will learn about wise money practices. Bible Study Note God has a LOT to say about handling money – too much to cover in this session, unfortunately. So, focus on these three issues: This session is built around a video from the ConGRADulations! Class of 2012 “Media Disc.” The video is an excerpt from a powerful student Bible study series called “Next Chapter” that offers fourteen weeks of Scripture study, videos, application, resources, and ways to connect with others who will help make the transition out of high school a success. Check out “Next Chapter” resources at nextchapter.bgco.org. Any questions call 800-725-3300 or email [email protected]. Warm Up Hand out 3x5 cards and pencils. Have the students imagine that they have just been given $1000. Instruct the students to list on their cards how they would use that windfall – be sure that they list how every dollar would be used. Inform the group that you’ll be reading the cards aloud, so they shouldn’t write anything silly or embarrassing. When they have finished writing, tell them to put their names at the top of their cards. Collect the cards, then read them to the group. Have the kids try to guess who wrote each card. Transition Love God, Not Money (Matthew 6:24; 1 Timothy 6:9-10) • What is incompatible between pursuing money and pursuing God? • Notice that money isn’t the root of all kindWho or what causes ruin, destruction, and grief? Have a Plan for Your Money (Proverbs 21:5, 20; 27:12) • Describe how you keep track of what you spend your money on. • What are the differences between a “wise sensible” person and a “foolish simpleton”? • How can you strengthen the wise side of your money management and minimize the foolish side? Avoid Borrowing Money (Deuteronomy 28:44; Proverbs 22:7; Romans 13:8) • Do you spend more money than you have? If so, how do you cover the difference? • How will you handle the offers of easy-to-get credit cards? Discuss: • What happens to the person who borrows money? • What did you notice about the way people want to spend their money? Wrap Up • How would you describe the spending habits of people your age? Explain that how a person handles his or her money is an indication of his or her character – wise, smart, and disciplined or foolish, simple, and spontaneous. Remind students that Jesus said, Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21) Although money is necessary, it is not how we determine value. We love God, we plan for our spending and saving, and we live within our means. • What can you learn about a person by observing his or her spending habits? Explain that spending isn’t a problem, but we can spend it wisely or foolishly. God’s advice about this area of life is important to learn now, before foolish decisions cause big problems. Bible Study Love ________________ , Not ________________ Matthew 6:24; 1 Timothy 6:9-10 • What is incompatible between pursuing money and pursuing God? • Notice that money isn’t the root of all kinds of evil. What is that root? • Who or what causes ruin, destruction, and grief? Have a ________________ for Your ________________ Proverbs 21:5, 20; 27:12 • Describe how you keep track of what you spend your money on. • What are the differences between a “wise sensible” person and a “foolish simpleton”? • How can you strengthen the wise side of your money management and minimize the foolish side? Avoid ________________ Money Deuteronomy 28:44; Proverbs 22:7; Romans 13:8 • Do you spend more money than you have? If so, how do you cover the difference? The Video • What message did you get from the video? • How will you handle the offers of easy-to-get credit cards that you’ll receive? • What happens to the person who borrows money? • How would you respond to a person who says, “I own my stuff and can do what I want with it”? • Define “stewardship” in your own words. p i h s d r a p w e e Pr t d S a r : G s e c n Fina #2 n o i Sess Student Guide Leader Guide #3 n o i Sess w e i v ld r o W rep P d a Gr • cCoy en M K y B • ries inist M t r pSta Jum nia lifor o, Ca d i d n Esco m ac.co c@m a m nny • ke Theme The Video “Worldview” is a comprehensive conception of the universe and humankind’s relation to it. A Biblical worldview focuses on the big, basic issues: the existence of God, the nature of reality, the existence and knowability of absolute truth, and the moral and ethical implications of these and other primary questions. The “worldview” that incoming freshmen will encounter in college will be, in many ways, at cross purposes with a Christian worldview. The video is an excerpt from a powerful student Bible study series called “Next Chapter” that offers fourteen weeks of Scripture study, videos, application, resources, and ways to connect with others who will help make the transition out of high school a success. Check out “Next Chapter” resources at nextchapter.bgco.org. Show the video. Objective Christianity doesn’t make sense – (1 Corinthians 1:27) God’s way of thinking is not the world’s way. Grads will be motivated to be prepared to handle the opposition they will experience to their Christian faith. Note This session is built around a video from the ConGRADulations! Class of 2012 “Media Disc.” Any questions call 800-725-3300 or email [email protected]. Warm Up Agree/Disagree – Gather the group into the middle of the room. Explain that you will read a statement. Those who agree with the statement move to the right side of the room, and those who disagree with it move to the left. There is no middle ground. When you have read a statement and the students have chosen a side, call on a few students from each side to explain their thinking. Use provocative statements such as: • Every word of the Bible is literally true. • You can’t prove the existence of God. • What a person believes is truth – for that person. • Faith means believing in something you can’t see. • Evolution is incompatible with Christianity. • Etc. Transition Discuss how truth is not relative, and yet we live in a society that has a vastly different worldview from that of believers. That worldview will be very prominent and persuasive in college. Transition Discuss the students’ reactions to the video. Have they ever experienced anything like what the video portrayed? If so, let them tell their stories. Bible Study Hand out the Student Guides. Use this outline to teach the Bible Study, and encourage the students to take notes. Encourage group discussion around the questions under each point. • What are some “foolish things of the world” that God uses? • What are some “weak things of the world” that God uses? • Why does Christianity pose such a threat to the contemporary way of thinking? Christianity does make sense – (1 Corinthians 15:32) Jesus’ resurrection is proof enough. • How is your life more than what you experience here on earth? • How does Jesus’ resurrection prove the viability of Christianity? • Put Paul’s way of stating today’s worldview into your own words. Christianity won’t make sense unless you know your stuff – (2 Timothy 4:2) – The reason God has us here is to share the good news, to correct false thinking, to rebuke those who’ve crossed the line, and to encourage each other to hang tough. • What can you do to prepare yourself in your first year on campus? • Why is “correcting” someone considered wrong today? • Have you ever been rebuked? Want to tell that story? • Note the last two words: “careful instruction.” What would you need to be able to do what this verse says? Wrap Up Explain that having faith in God is reasonable, not nonsensical. Jesus is a historical figure, who died, was buried, and came back to life. No one can explain the empty tomb except that Jesus was resurrected. Since He did come back to life, He validated everything He did and said, and proved that He is God. Close in a prayer. Christianity ________ _______ make ____ ________ 1 Corinthian ___ s 1:27 What are so me “foolish things of the world” that What are so me “weak th ings of the w orld” that God uses? God uses? Why does C hr of thinking? istianity pose such a threat to the contempora ry way _______ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ y_ Christianit _______ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ make _ here on u experience than what yo e or m e lif How is your ns 15:32 1 Corinthia e the ection prov sus’ resurr Je es do How earth? hristianity? viability of C ds. ur own wor view into yo ld or w s y’ ing toda way of stat Put Paul’s e ________ mak _ _ _ y it n ia st ri h C ou _________ y s s le n u _ _ _ _ _________ _ your ________ on campus? 2 Timothy 4:2 in your first year prepare yourself to do u yo n ca t Wha today? nsidered wrong ng” someone co Why is “correcti en Have you ever be tell that story? rebuked? Want to would you need truction.” What rds: “careful ins wo o tw t las e th Note e says? do what this vers #3 n o i Sess w e i v ld r o W rep P d a Gr in order to Student Guide Page >> 16 HEART OF THE ARTIST Rachel is the teenaged daughter of best-selling author and speaker, Francis Chan. This singer/songwriter recently chatted with interlínc’s Scott Osterbind. Rachel says, “I want to share the message with my peers to go and make disciples and to look different from the rest of the world in our actions.” Hear more about her mission behind her music. As a 16-year-old singer/songwriter, what message do you want to relay to your peers? Teenagers make the excuse that they’re “too young to get serious about God now,” and so they decide to wait until they’re older to truly follow Him, but that’s not what the Bible says. 1 Timothy 4 says that in our youth we are supposed to be examples to all believers. Since God is an awesome Go d, it should be our joy to follow Him. I hope to relay the message that we can’t be lukewarm in our faith if we want to call ourselves Christians. John 14 says that if we believe in God we will do greater things than Jesus did and so, in order to take on the name of Christ, we must be Christ-like. The Bible tells us that God will come back like a thief in the night and therefore my hope is that when He returns His children will be doing His will. At your age, where do you draw inspiration to write such great songs? Mr. Lubben (that’s Dave from the band, Kutless – he produced Rachel’s album) and I are on the same page when I say that the inspiration comes completely from the Lord. Each song involved much prayer and time in the Word. I’ve written many songs about random things, but none of them were as “blessed” as the ones written for the glory of the Lord. Writing for Jesus is such an honor, and God inspires all the words. How did your dad (Francis Chan, the popular speaker and author) contribute to your song, “Prove It”? That song was written to let others know about my fun and intimate relationship with my dad. Dad and I are best friends. I know that so many kids, especially teenagers, struggle wi th obeying their parents. This song gives listeners a peek into how fun my friendship is with my dad and how much he truly loves me – more than any boy could for a long time. The fact that dad rapped on the album was not my idea, and I actually opposed it for a while – until Mr. Lubben convinced me to at least hear it. When I heard the speaking that my dad did, I realized that it was a perfect way to e xpress the fun, dorky relationship we have. The song is also a glimpse into my relationship with Christ in how He allows me to talk to Him and have a relationship with Him, and how He protects me and calls me His “daughter.” How do you hope your music will help students? I want to share the message with my peers that they should “go and make disciples” and to look different from the rest of the world in their actions. My music will only help so much, because the real help has to come from a relationship with Christ. I do hope that it will encourage kids to be bold in their faith and to not be cowardly in obeying God’s commandments. Turning to finite things won’t fill the infinite desire God puts in our hearts to thirst for Him. RACHEL CHAN © 2012, INTERLíNC. INTERLINC-ONLINE.COM / 800.725.3300 Check out the Rachel Chan Bible Study materials on page 36. << Page HEART OF THE ARTIST 17 SWITCHFOOT Maybe it’s because they’re based in San Diego. Or maybe it’s because we’ve been following them since they were still teenagers. Switchfoot always seems to surprise us with their sound and their content. Their latest album is proof that this band keeps growing and thinking. Read on to catch a glimpse of their heart behind the music. With its play on words, Vice Verses, the title of Switchfoot’s new album, coherently suggests the album’s theme: everything has two sides. “Every blessing comes with a set of curses,” singerguitarist Jon Foreman sings on the title track, all the while wondering if “there’s a meaning to it all.” That theme runs through the album’s songs and is even reflected in the album’s black and white cover. “The whole thing is about polarity,” says Foreman. “We wanted to write about the polarity of being human, the lights and darks. I’m intrigued by the tension that exists between life and death. When making Hello Hurricane, there was a graveyard right by the hotel we were staying at while we were mixing it. I spent time there each morning walking through and sorting it out—really, Vice Verses started there. This record is as much about loss as it is about what we still have while we’re living.” One example of that quest for meaning includes the Foo Fighters-like “Afterlife,” in which Foreman contemplates mortality. In the ballad “Thrive,” he muses, “Am I myself, or am I dreaming?” Foreman starts “Dark Horses” by admitting, “I’ve made my mistakes.” And in “Souvenirs,” he sings, “Nothing lasts forever.” But the one track that will really throw fans for a loop is “Selling the News,” a Beck like song with a hip-hop beat that finds Foreman performing spoken word. “I think the song is inspired by a lot of different things,” Foreman says of “Selling the News.” “We are bombarded by a lot of talking heads and salespersons in terms of billboards and television. I began to ponder the idea that these enormous media machines are fed by advertisers, and they are happy when there’s something sensati onal going on in the world. This is a new paradigm that we haven’t seen before. There’s this onslaught of information – the idea that we are raising generations that are completely accustomed to watching wars on TV is a little frightening to me.” The album’s title track was actually one of the last songs the band wrote for Hello Hurricane. But it wasn’t quite right for Hello Hurricane, so it was left on t he cutting room floor. saved it for another record. We decided then that it would be the title for the next record, whatever it would look like. Long before Hello Hurricane came out, Vice Verses was well under way.” Vice Verses expands the band’s sonic palette by experimenting with a variety of sounds. There’s a great rhythm to songs such as the groove-oriented “The Original” and “Blinding Light,” which benefit from a hip-hop beat. “The War Inside” really puts the rhythm section up front, and the snappy “Rise Above It” features a punk-funk vibe. “It’s funny because for us, we’re usually holding back,” Foreman says. “On this record we let a little bit more out.” “We grew up listening to soul music and Motown,” says Butler. “We took that influence and made sure a song like ‘Restless’ has an emotional element to it.” Check out the Switchfoot special section with Discussion Starters for all 12 songs on their new Vice Verses Album on pages 48 - 51. “I was reluctant to put it on Hello Hurricane because it didn’t really fit with the other material,” Foreman says of the song. “So we shelved it and © 2012, INTERLíNC. INTERLINC-ONLINE.COM / 800.725.3300 Page >> 18 HEART OF THE ARTIST Nine Lashes Tooth & Nail Records’ newest band, Nine Lashes, visited interlínc’s home office in Franklin, Tennessee recently. These guys are so excited to get their music into the hands of youth leaders; they have a big heart behind their hardcore music. Here is a portion of their conversation with interlínc staffer, Scott Osterbind. How did a festival promoter help you get a record deal? We were just trying to get a concert scheduled. There’s a promoter who organizes a festival in our hometown, and we sent our album to him hoping he would let us play. He liked the music, but the first thing he asked was, “Can you do it live?” We asked him to come to our next concert and see for himself. He came but had a prior engagement, so when he left in the middle of our set, we thought “He hated it.” Through all this we had no clue that this man had worked with Trevor McNevon from Thousand Foot Krutch, to whom he sent our album – also without our knowledge. Trevor had time to listen to it because he was at home resting from a ruptured appendix. Long story short, God was involved and no TFK singers were harmed during the creation of this story. Your World We View album is a nice blend of indie, modern, alternative, and even screamo rock. How excited were you to work with Ryan Clark of Demon Hunter on the song, “Our Darkest Day”? Very excited. We were really just wishing out loud about him guest appearing on our album. The next thing you know, Aaron Sprinkle was on the phone making it happen. Check out the Nine Lashes Bible Study materials on page 34. © 2012, INTERLíNC. INTERLINC-ONLINE.COM / 800.725.3300 What is the overall theme that ties World We View together? Basically, what you see around you is not your final destination. Dreams can be achieved. Goals can be reached. Worlds can be changed. With God, all things are possible. There are many themes throughout the songs, but this is the one that you see over and over. The name Nine Lashes is a reference to the “Cat of Nine Tails” whip used on Jesus. What Scripture inspired your band name and the album’s title? The Bible speaks of how Jesus’ torture was for our benefit. Everything He went through was to restore us to our Father in heaven. We never want to forget this. When someone leaves your concert or listens to your album, what do you hope they understand? We want them to understand that God is a living being, who understands you, hears you, teaches you, guides you, comforts you, laughs with you, cries with you, and walks with you. He doesn’t want you to have the right words in your prayers or the right answers for your friends; He only wants your honesty. He wants you to be real with Him and trust Him. All other things will fall into place when we do that. << Page HEART OF THE ARTIST 19 Thousand Foot Krutch TFK’s front-man, Trevor McNevan caught up with interlínc’s, Scott Osterbind to talk about their new album. Make sure you read this entire interview to learn the advice that Thousand Foot Krutch has for your graduating seniors! Okay, for what is probably the bazillionth time, what does “Thousand Foot Krutch” mean? The name symbolizes the support system that our faith is to us. It’s the realization that we can’t do it on our own strength. A common misconception is that the name is saying that we should use God as a crutch. Our faith is who we are. Besides what you do on stage, what is Thousand Foot Krutch passionate about? Our live concert is a big part of this band’s identity, and that connection with listeners is such a blessing. We get so excited to team up with great forward-thinking teams like Compassion I nternational; our hearts are both to connect and to love people and there’s nothing more exciting than doing it together. I took a trip with Compassion last year to Uganda – what they’re doing there and all over the world really is incredible. We each proudly sponsor several Compassion children of our own and it’s such a blessing to be a part of. We also work with a suicide hotline called Your Life Counts . How was The End Is Where We Begin made possible by a fund-raising campaign? manager, Tony Patoto, and the Fuel Music team, and we couldn’t be more excited about our new frontier together. We are just getting started! We had many great options and some incredible deals on the table, but we felt like the right thing for us was to go independent, record, and release our music without a traditional music label. Fifteen years ago we sold our records out of our cars and booked ourselves. We used to play 300 concerts a year, driving all night, setting up, playing, tearing down, and heading to the next one – and forgetting to eat and sleep because there was no time! So we’re no strangers to doing things independently. God has brought us a long way. The “War of Change” lyric that sticks out is “Everything’s about the change.” How do you handle change (good or bad) within the band? Doing it on our own also means covering all the cost, so we started the process with a Kickstarter campaign online. It allowed us to create unique packages that people could pledge for, from Skype calls with t he band, to early downloads of the album, even earlier downloads of certain songs, a free song if we hit our goal, a PRS custom TFK guitar, limited edition vinyl, handwritten lyrics, you name it. We weren’t sure what the result would be, but through the faith and trust of our supporters and audience, it finished being the secondlargest Kickstarter campaign to date. We were blown away! We wanted to do thi s together, and they made that possible; we’re so incredibly thankful. We’ve teamed up with our We make the mistake of reacting sometim es, and we’re not perfect, but prayer is the key – trusting God, believing He knows what’s best. If you try to carry the weight, you’ll be crushed. I speak from experience there, haha! “Graduating Seniors” is the focus of this current volume of Youth Leaders Only. What advice would you have for students who are about to graduate into a much bigger world? What I would say is, “Be the change.” Believe, even wh en you feel as though one voice won’t make a difference. Fight for it, even when your hands are tired. Trust Him for the strength and ability to accomplish your calling and dreams. Sometimes you have to take a step even when you don’t see the ground in front of you. God promised that if we do the possible (that’s everything you can do), then He’ll take care of the impossible. Believe it! Check out the Thou sand Foot Krutch Bible Study materials on page 52. © 2012, INTERLíNC. INTERLINC-ONLINE.COM / 800.725.3300 Page Leader Guide 20 116 FEAT. LECRAE Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Study by: 116 FEAT. LECRAE MANUP116.COM MAN UP ALBUM REACH RECORDS MAN UP ANTHEM JOEL VAN DYKE Theme and use a series of targeted questions to allow this group of young ladies to speak to the subject of what it might mean for young men to “man up” in the way our video will to call to attention. Here are four potential questions for the girls. I’m sure you can come up with better ones: Bible Study geous leadership. Also, what kind of reward does the world promise (temporal, superficial, etc.)? Biblical Manhood Objective Your guys will consider seriously the conflicting ideas of what being a man in today’s world means; your girls will be instrumental in helping to make that challenge to the guys. Warm Up Bring a bunch of newspapers and magazines that the students will rip pictures and phrases from. Split into smaller groups, mixing guys and girls or keeping them separate depending on which is best for your group. The assignment is to make a collage of pictures, phrases, images, etc. that encapsulates the way the world defines “manhood” based on its advertising, etc. Post the collages up on the walls of your room and have the students rotate around the room and look at the work of the other groups. When finished, ask them what patterns they noticed in the collages, etc. Transition Select a group of 3-4 of your sharpest (and most vocal) young ladies to be on a panel sitting in front of the rest of the group. Select a female moderator that can keep some lively discussion going •What is the most frustrating thing for you about guys your age? (Let them have some fun with this one to break the ice!) •As a woman, what are your thoughts about the world’s definition of manhood that we see hanging on the walls around us? •How does the way you have personally been treated by men your age or older make you feel as a woman? •Share an example of a man truly acting as the kind of man you trust, respect, and admire. (This can be from real life or an example from a movie or book.) The Video Show the “Man Up Anthem” video by 116. Transition Ask your students about their general impressions of the video. What imagery caught their attention most? What stood out most to them from the lyrical content? What would they have done differently if they were in charge of producing this video? ©2012, interlínc / interlInc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Hand out the Student Guides. Explain that Robert Lewis, a well-known pastor, has written and taught extensively on Biblical manhood. He defines a real man as someone who “rejects passivity, accepts responsibility, leads courageously, and expects the greater award.” In light of the “Man Up Anthem” video that we just watched, in what ways were the guys affirming this definition? This definition comes from comparing Adam in Genesis with Jesus (as second Adam). Take a look with your students at Genesis 3 and point out the ways that Adam lived out the exact opposite of the above definition. For example, he was passive in 3:6, refused to take responsibility in 3:12, etc. This seems to be what KB is getting at in the second stanza of the Man Up Anthem when he spits out this theologically astute rhyme: Right after Adam every atom in our anatomy had to make adamant after what Adonai is against let me take you back to the Trinity never really just Seen the evil deceit but Adam is the one who let it in. (Man up) Standing Leading no… Ask your students to look around the room again and point out from the collages the ways that the world encourages men to be passive, to refuse to take responsibility, and to avoid coura- CENTER FOR TRANSFORMING MISSION GUATEMALA CITY, GUATEMALA [email protected] Now, contrast the second Adam (Jesus) with the Genesis 3 Adam. Jesus lived out the above definition of manhood all over Scripture but nowhere is it more pronounced than in the last few hours of His life: •Rejected Passivity: Luke 22:7-38 (especially vs. 14-16) •Accepted Responsibility: Luke 22:3946 (especially vs. 42) •Led Courageously: Luke 22:47-53 (especially vs. 51) •Expected the Greater Award: Luke 23:32-43 (especially vs. 43) We need to “Man Up” and follow the model given to us by the second Adam! The world pushes us to follow the first Adam, but Jesus showed us that to “Man Up” means to reject passivity, accept responsibility, lead courageously, and expect the greater award. Wrap Up Read through the final Man Up video scene with your students under the Man Up heading on the Student Guide. Then, close in prayer. Student Guide 116 FEAT. LECRAE Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Theme: 116 FEAT. LECRAE MANUP116.COM MAN UP ALBUM REACH RECORDS MAN UP ANTHEM BIBLICAL MANHOOD Definition A real man is someone who… The First Adam Genesis 3 Man Up! All: Man Up! Leader: Let the process begin, separate the boys from the men R___________________ P___________________ All: Man Up! A___________________ R___________________ L___________________ C___________________ Leader: Doesn’t matter how you started, partner, it’s about how you end The Second Adam All: Man Up! R___________________ P___________________ (Luke 22:7-38) Leader: Jesus is the model, follow us we go follow Him E___________________ the greater All: Man Up! A___________________ A___________________ R___________________ (Luke 22:39-46) Leader: We the last of a dying breed, it’s time that we… All: Man Up! L___________________ C___________________ (Luke 22:47-53) E___________________ the greater A___________________ (Luke 23:32-43) interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Page Leader Guide 22 116 FEAT. LECRAE Artist: Album Title & Record Company: 116 FEAT. LECRAE MAN UP DVD MANUP116.COM Note Know The Content And Materials: We asked Maina Mwaura, youth pastor at Greenforest Community Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia to write up a “How To Do A Man Up Event” guide for you to use in your ministry. Maina has been closely involved with the Man Up campaign, and much of the video on the Man Up DVD was shot at his church. In addition to Maina’s “How To” ideas, we have included one of the six lessons that are a part of the Man Up curriculum. For more information, check out manup116.com! Hosting A Man Up Event Three Key Facts in implementing the “Man Up” campaign with your group: 1. Know the content/materials 2. Know the director/creator of the project: Sho Baraka interview 3. Plan a meaningful event Now we holding you to Man Up ’cause we were made in His image. Start looking at what you came from. – Lyrics from the “Man Up Anthem” The Campaign Confusion over what manhood is has plagued our cities, families, and lives. The concept of a Biblical man has been lost in our generation. Unfortunately, many churches struggle to provide its members, much less those beyond their walls, with a tangible definition of a real man. Man Up is a campaign calling men of all races to rise up and understand the true Biblical manhood that comes thru Jesus Christ. It a call for men to repent for their failure to become the men that God has created them to be and for believers to live as whom they truly are in Christ. The campaign is made up of three parts: soundtrack, short film, and small group curriculum. ©2012, interlínc / interlInc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Song: Study by: MAINA MWAURA Greenforest Community Baptist Church Decatur, Georgia [email protected] The Short Film And Curriculum The short film and curriculum are made up of six areas: Authority, Responsibility, Envy, Courage, Sexual Temptation, and Repentance. The Soundtrack The soundtrack is made up of songs from the artists of Reach Records: Lecrae, Trip Lee, Tedashi, Pro, KB, and Sho Baraka. Where the men at? Seems like they all lost, none of them are on the scene, Seems like they died off. They extinct but my dream is to rise up, We chasing the prize of the King the divine boss, But we fell away, now we ungodly We lose and we really got the blues like Navi, I wanna celebrate the dudes that’s beside me Fellas let’s elevate we through with the lobby – Trip Lee, from the “Man Up Anthem” Meet the Creator of the Man Up Campaign: Interview with Sho Baraka: Director of Man Up What inspired the Man Up project? I wanted the focus of the project to be on manhood and healthy relationships. I hoped to provide encouragement for fathers and sons, or mothers and sons. What should churches expect to get out of this project? Every church should be able to look at the six focus points of the project and curriculum and be able to dialogue around them. If you were planning a man up event what would it look like? I would play the soundtrack, watch the movie, and dialogue about what people just watched. If you could say one thing to youth pastors about this project, what would it be? Don’t allow the curriculum to dictate what the students watch. Everyone can feel challenged. Every student is dealing with one of the six focal points. Student Guide 116 FEAT. LECRAE Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Theme: Plan A Man Up Event: Eight steps to plan an eventful Man up campaign: • Start With Prayer – Prayer is often the one thing that we seem to leave out when planning event. Man up is too powerful of a resource to not ask God to use. “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24) • Know The Event – I know this sounds so simple, but knowing the purpose of an event is very important. Man Up is an event that every student, no matter which region or location, needs to participate in. Knowing the event and the purpose of why you are doing it is very important. • Know The Group Dynamic – Knowing whom you are targeting the event or campaign for is HUGE. Are you using the Man Up resource to reach young men and women, or just men? Will middle schoolers be allowed to be a part of it, or is it just for high schoolers? Knowing the answer to these questions will help you go a long way in using the Man Up resource. • Promotion – Making sure you use the interlínc promotional materials is important – young men are very visual, so promotional materials are a must. Don’t forget to make use of the soundtrack! • Reflect/Questioning – Don’t forget to reflect on the importance of the campaign and short film. • Commitment/Challenge – Asking students to make a commitment is not the end of the Man Up campaign – it’s the beginning. Young men can take the challenge to use tools that can help them become Men of God versus Men of the World. What make the “Man Up” series powerful is asking students the powerful questions that take place in the short film, such as “What makes you a real man?” Being a man got nothing to do with age. You can be a boy till the day you lay in your grave. None of us behave in the image of who were made, ‘cause • Date And Time – What time of year will this resource be beneficial for your ministry? Knowing when students will be more receptive is very important. We fallen the ways it’s better known as the prey. Running from responsibility Really we crave the easy way out of places that call us to pull our weight. Man they’re going through everyday decisions are made, • Location – What will be the best place to kick off the campaign or watch the short film? Make sure you plan BIG for this campaign and event! Responding to the call God’s giving ’em from the Man Up! interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Page Leader Guide 24 116 FEAT. LECRAE Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Man Up Curriculum Lesson: Song: Study by: 116 FEAT. LECRAE MAN UP DVD MANUP116.COM AUTHORITY MIGUEL DAVILLA Warm Up Transition Discuss: Discuss: •Look at verse 4. What was the choice that David had in this moment? Jesus As The Man •Who is the hardest person for you to obey in your life? Why? •How were his friends pressuring him? Rubber Band Activity – Each young man will receive a rubber band. Ask the group, “What is a rubber band designed for?” The rubber band was designed to flex and stretch to hold things. At its resting state, no one will ever want to use it. But, when it yields to the force/will that its user exerts on it, it will then be used in the way it was created. The rubber band’s desire is to be at rest and not be stretched, but it is not accomplishing the purpose for which it was made. It was made to yield to the force of its owner and do the work its owner wants it to do. It is only here when it is stretched that it is doing what it is created to do. In the same way, we are like the rubber band. We like to be lazy and stay at rest--to do what we want. We were created to yield to the owner and creator of our lives and do what he desires. He will stretch us as we yield to him and his will, but we will be doing what we were created to do and glorify him in the process. •What are the different areas of our lives where we have someone over us who tells us what to do? •How do you feel about those people? •Do they ever abuse their power? How? Bible Study •See verse 5. How did David respond to King Saul, who was an authority in his life? Why do you think he responded that way? •Imagine someone was trying to harm you. How would you respond? How should a real man respond to this? 1 Samuel 24:1-13 – Background info: The DVD •En Gedi is a wilderness area 30 miles south of Jerusalem on the western shores of the Dead Sea. Watch Video clip of Authority. Discuss: •Who are the authorities and laws in Brian’s life? •David was on the run from King Saul. Saul did not like David and thought if he could just kill him, all of his problems would be over. Saul thought David wanted to harm him, so Saul launched a big campaign with many men to hunt David down and kill him. Saul even sent hit men to wait outside David’s house to kill him. •Who are the different voices influencing Brian to obey or disobey the authorities? What were they saying? •Remember, David had already been anointed by Samuel to be the next king of Israel. The Holy Spirit had left Saul and was now with David. ©2012, interlínc / interlInc-online.com / 800.725.3300 •Who does he listen to and why? •What are the consequences for not obeying the authority? •Do you think his consequences were fair? Why or why not? ReachLife Ministries Atlanta, Georgia [email protected] •Can you think of a story of when Jesus had to obey His parents? (Luke 2:41-52) •Can you think of a time when Jesus had to obey the government? (Mark 12:14) •Read Matthew 27:38-44. Jesus always had a choice to do what His Father in heaven wanted or to do what He wanted or others wanted. What was His choice in this situation? Why would this be hard to obey His Father and not the people yelling at him? Student Guide 116 FEAT. LECRAE Artist: Album Title & Record Company: 116 FEAT. LECRAE MAN UP DVD MANUP116.COM Song: Theme: AUTHORITY 1 Samuel 24:1-13 DVD Video Clip Jesus As The Man •Look at verse 4. What was the choice that David had in this moment? •Who are the authorities and laws in Brian’s life? •Can you think of a story of when Jesus had to obey His parents? (Take a look at Luke 2:41-52.) •How were his friends pressuring him? •Who are the different voices influencing Brian to obey or disobey the authorities? •Can you think of a time when Jesus had to obey the government? (Read Mark 12:14.) •See verse 5. How did David respond to King Saul, who was an authority in his life? •Why do you think he responded that way? •Imagine someone was trying to harm you. How would you respond? •What were they saying? •Who does he listen to and why? •Read Matthew 27:38-44. Jesus always had a choice to do what His Father in heaven wanted or to do what He wanted or others wanted. What was His choice in this situation? •What are the consequences for not obeying the authority? Why would this be hard to obey His Father and not the people yelling at him? •How should a real man respond to this? •Do you think his consequences were fair? Why or why not? interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Page Leader Guide 26 BRINSON Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Study by: BRINSON GODCHASERZ.COM O.M.G. GODCHASERZ HE SAID HE LOVED ME JEFF WILLIAMSON faith in their peers. When the person jumps off of the board, he or she will likely crumple to the group because the group was so much closer than expected. Everyone should get a good laugh, and you should make your volunteer into a hero! Bible Study Theme Faith Objective The objective of this lesson is to help students work through their doubts and fears. Warm Up You will need a strong board that will not break when a kid stands on it. Send some students out of the room and explain to the rest of the group what you will be doing. Have four of the strongest youth grab the ends of the board and hold it about six inches off the ground. One at a time let the youth back in, blindfold him or her, lead him or her over to the board and have him or her step onto it while holding onto your head for balance. Tell him or her to jump from the board. Now have them step back onto the board and explain that you will have the youth on the end of the board to raise it higher. This time the students holding onto the ends of the board will gently shake the ends as though they are raising it while you bend your knees so that the person blindfolded thinks that the board is really being raised. Now, tell the person on the board to jump. The students may doubt this activitywill work because they may not have Transition Explain that faith in God is not a blind faith. Faith is not something that you just decide to have one day. You acquire faith as you experience God at work. The Song Have students listen carefully to “He Said He Loved Me.” Encourage them to pay close attention to any concepts or ideas that jump out at them about being focused on God’s love and how we should respond to it. Transition Do you believe these words: “A man of faith even had fear”? The artist talks about having doubts that God was around while his mother was in the hospital. When was the last time you let your doubts and fears overcome your faith? With the Lord on our side we can kick fear to the curb and let faith stay inside. ©2012, interlínc / interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Remember that faith is not something you just decide to have one day. Faith is something that you acquire – as you see God at work, as you experience Him in your life, and as you see the amazing things He does! • Elijah was a prophet – a man who could hear God very plainly and communicate these words of God to other people. During Elijah’s lifetime, a man named Ahab became the king of Judah. • Ahab wasn’t such a bad guy on his own, but his wife was another story. She came from a culture that worshipped the Phoenician god, Baal. When she came to Judah, she convinced Ahab to build altars and temples to worship Baal. • Elijah challenged Ahab to gather all the prophets of Baal and meet him on Mount Carmel for a big showdown. After the showdown, Ahab went back and told sweet little Jezebel everything that had happened, and she got pretty mad. She vowed to kill Elijah, no matter what the gods (or God) would do to her. Elijah was afraid, and so he went and hid in a cave. •At Elijah’s bleakest moment, God spoke to him, but not in a way that we would expect. When we think of God’s power, we think of big, powerful, loud, obvious things – winds, UNION AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE [email protected] earthquakes, fires, etc. God does sometimes use those things to get our attention, but more often He speaks to us in stillness and quiet. A wind tore through the mountain; then an earthquake rocked the mountain, but that wasn’t God. Next, a fire came, but again – not the Lord. Finally, a gentle whisper came – and in that gentle whisper, Elijah heard God speaking to him, and he found his strength from and faith in God again. Wrap up Have the students complete the exercise. Have the students reflect on a time when they heard the gentle whisper of the Lord. This moment was their opportunity to experience “His Strength and Faith” and no longer have their “Doubts and Fears”! Close in prayer. Student Guide BRINSON Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Theme: BRINSON GODCHASERZ.COM O.M.G. GODCHASERZ HE SAID HE LOVED ME FAITH Faith is not something you just decide to have one day. Faith is something you acquire… • as you see God at work, Bible Study ______________________ was a prophet – a man who • as you experience Him in your life, could hear God very plainly and communicate these • as you see the amazing things He does. words of God to other people. During Elijah’s lifetime, The Song Listen carefully to the song “He Said He Loved Me” by Brinson. Pay close attention to anything that reflects your “Doubts and Fears”. Write them down if you’d like. Think It Through When was that time in your life that you recall hearing the gentle whisper of the Lord? a man named ______________________ became the king of Judah. – ______________________ wasn’t such a bad guy on his own, but his wife was another story. She came from a culture that worshipped the Phoenician god ______________________ . When When do you recall feeling His presence? she came to Judah, she convinced Ahab to build altars and temples to ______________________ ______________________ . – ______________________ challenged ______________________ to gather up the prophets of ______________________ , and meet him on Mount Carmel for a big showdown. After the showdown, ______________________ went back and told sweet little ______________________ everything that had happened, and she got pretty mad. She vowed to This moment was your opportunity to experience “His Strength and Faith” and no longer have your “Doubts and Fears”! kill ______________________ , no matter what the gods (or God) would do to her. Elijah was afraid, and so he went and hid in a ______________________ . interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Page Leader Guide 28 CLOSE YOUR EYES Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Study by: CLOSE YOUR EYES FACEBOOK.COM/CYEBAND EMPTY HANDS AND HEAVY HEARTS VICTORY RECORDS VALLEYS DEREK MANSKER Theme Transition Bible Study Wrap Up The Song Philippians 3:12-14 Transition •What is your motivation for pressing on in Christ? Is it the same as Paul lists? Why or why not? Forgiveness Objective Students will be challenged to live in the forgiveness of Jesus Christ instead of dwelling on their mistakes. Warm Up Hand out the Student Guides and pencils. In small groups have the students come up with the top ten list of things Christian teenagers promise but don’t actually do. For example, “I will read my Bible every day.” “I will show gratitude to my parents.” These could be things that retreats or conferences bring out, or just things that they have on their minds. Once they have compiled their list, have them share their list with the group. Explain that we often have good intentions about how we want to live as Christians. Too often those good intentions are met with everyday life and are more of a challenge to fulfill than we think. Trying to obey God can be even harder. Living with our unfulfilled promises and our sin can be discouraging. Play the song. Have the students focus on the struggle that the artist is experiencing. How would you describe the struggle that this artist is experiencing? Scripture gives us a clear picture of the struggle of not doing what we know we should do. This outline takes a look at three examples from the New Testament. For each verse, have someone read it through aloud a few times before the students answer the questions. •What does Paul say needs to happen in order for you to truly understand what Jesus Christ has done for you? Romans 7:18-25 •What is the tone behind this writing of Paul? (happy, sad, frustrated etc) •Why do you think Paul felt the way he did? •How do you relate to this? John 3:16-17; Romans 8:1 •In light of what Christ has done for you, how should your life be described? •What role should your past failures play in your current relationship with Jesus Christ? •How have you experienced selfcondemnation by punishing yourself for your mistakes? ©2012, interlínc / interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 CAPE COD BIBLE ALLIANCE CHURCH BREWSTER, MASSACHUSETTS [email protected] Condemning yourself for all the times you have tried and failed can be so easy to do. But, you don’t need to dwell on your mistakes. Rather, grab hold of all that Jesus Christ has for you. Every moment you live is an important one when God can work His plan in you and shape you into the person God intended you to be. This does not mean you will never sin again, but as you fall you get back up again and pursue Him. Do not give up because you have sinned, but rather press on for a better life that will one day be fully realized in Jesus Christ. You have been forgiven in Christ, so live life knowing this is true! Before closing in prayer, have each person write a simple prayer to God. “God, I need to stop condemning myself for __________________ and receive Your forgiveness.” Close in prayer. Pray that any sense of condemnation would be removed and that the forgiveness and freedom of Christ would take over. Pray that all would press on toward Jesus Christ and desire Him above all else. Thank God for that life and forgiveness and that trying more or trying harder is not the issue anymore – it is all about faith. Student Guide CLOSE YOUR EYES Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Theme: CLOSE YOUR EYES FACEBOOK.COM/CYEBAND EMPTY HANDS AND HEAVY HEARTS VICTORY RECORDS VALLEYS FORGIVENESS Top 10 Commitments Never Kept 1. 2. 3. 4. Bible Study Philippians 3:12-14 What does Paul say needs to happen in order for you to truly understand what Jesus Christ has done for you? What is your motivation for pressing on in Christ? Is it the same as Paul lists? Why or why not? Romans 7:18-25 5. What is the tone behind this writing of Paul? (happy, sad, frustrated etc) 6. Why do you think Paul felt the way he did? 7. How do you relate to this? 8. John 3:16-17; Romans 8:1 9. 10. In light of what Christ has done for you, what should characterize how you live? What role should your past failures play in your current relationship with Jesus Christ? How have you experienced self-condemnation for your mistakes? Wrap Up God, I need to stop condemning myself for _______________________________ and receive Your forgiveness. interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Page Leader Guide 30 ELIZABETH SOUTH Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: ELIZABETH SOUTH ELIZABETHSOUTH.COM DO IT AFRAID ELIZABETH SOUTH MUSIC I WILL TRUST YOU Theme Transition Bible Study Objective •Did fear influence your decisions? Trust Your students will think about the fears that keep them from doing what they know God wants them to do, and they will read about some young people who made the right choices despite their fears. Warm Up Create your own game of “Deal or No Deal” meets “Fear Factor.” Have at least three “prizes” and three “risks.” (You may want to take a few of your interlínc CD’s and create a prize stack of music or simply use a one, five, or ten-dollar bill. The risk can be retrieving worms from a plate of dirt or a note requiring them to eat a biscuit held in the youth leader’s armpit.) Start by giving the volunteer(s) the choice of a lunch bag or box (old tin lunch boxes are great for this if you want to use volunteers to re-create a set like “Deal or No Deal”) and allow them to open their choice. Then give them the option to keep their “prize” or “risk” or trade for one of the unopened lunch boxes/bags. Use the phrase, “You can walk away now with what you have or take a chance on what is inside bag #1, bag, #2 or bag #3...” Play as long as you have prizes and risks. Have your students discuss: •What were you afraid of? •Do you like taking chances? •If you finished with a worse option than what you started with, how did that make you feel? •Do you like knowing what you are getting? Why or why not? •How often does “fear of the unknown” affect your choices? The Song Have your students listen to the song and then make two lists on their Student Guides: •Things they know God wants or calls them to do. •Fears that keep them from acting. ©2012, interlínc / interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Shadrach/Meshach/Abed-nego, Mary, and David were all young people faced with the choice of doing what God wanted them to do or giving in to their fears. Read about them and answer the questions. Daniel 3:13-18 •Did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego know what God wanted them to do? •Were they afraid? •What was their answer to king Nebuchadnezzar? Luke 1:26-38 •Did Mary know what God was asking of her? •Was she afraid? •What did she say to the angel? 1 Samuel 17:20-27; 32-40 •Did David know what God wanted him to do? •Was he afraid? •What did he say to Saul? Study by: MARY WILSON UNKOMMON MEDIA MACON, GEORGIA [email protected] Wrap Up Have a large deep bucket of water in the room, 3-5 large light-colored stones per student, and enough nonpermanent markers for every student. Ahead of time, write Luke 1:37 from the New American Standard Version – “For nothing will be impossible with God” in permanent ink on enough stones for each student to have one. Place a pile of stones near the bucket of water and tell your students to grab a stone for each of the “Fears that keep me from acting” they listed on their Student Guides. Have them write one of those fears on each pebble/stone with a non-permanent marker. Allow time for each student to take their pebbles/stones to the bucket of water and drop them in, and, as they do, hand them a Luke 1:37 stone to keep. Close by having everyone read from his or her “Luke” stone in unison. Student Guide ELIZABETH SOUTH Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Theme: ELIZABETH SOUTH ELIZABETHSOUTH.COM DO IT AFRAID ELIZABETH SOUTH MUSIC I WILL TRUST YOU TRUST While You Watch Fill in these two lists: Things I know God has called me to do Fears that keep me from acting Bible Study Daniel 3:13-18 Did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego know what God wanted them to do? Luke 1:26-38 Did Mary know what God was asking of her? 1 Samuel 17:20-27; 32-40 Did David know what God wanted him to do? Was he afraid? Were they afraid? Was she afraid? What did he say to Saul? What was their answer to Nebuchadnezzar? What did she say to the angel? For nothing will be impossible with God. – Luke 1:37 interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Page Leader Guide 32 LEELAND Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Study by: LEELAND LEELANDONLINE.COM THE GREAT AWAKENING ESSENTIAL RECORDS I CRY JOEL JACKSON Theme Transition might be going through a rough situation and may feel many of the same emotions expressed throughout ‘I Cry.’ God has given us a great gift in the book of Psalms. The Psalms are praise songs that interact with real life. Many of the Psalms are expressed by people who question their faith, struggle through the heartaches in life, feel a lack of God’s presence in the midst of their situation, and yet continue to live out their faith in God. Psalm 22 is such a Psalm. The words expressed in it are so raw and honest that even Jesus Christ uttered words from this Psalm as He died upon the cross.” Dependence Objective Students will realize that God is present in all moments of life, even when they feel that He has forsaken them and feel that their prayers seem to bounce off the sky. Warm Up Ask for a volunteer, and have him or her leave the room. Instruct the rest of the students to create a maze using chairs, other objects in the room, and themselves as the boundaries of the maze and as obstacles within the maze. Remind them that there must be a discernible entrance and exit to the maze and that there should be a number of wrong paths. When the maze is complete, invite the volunteer back. Blindfold the volunteer and lead him or her to the beginning of the maze. Instruct the volunteer to make it through the maze as quickly as possible, and explain that you will time the run. After the volunteer has completed the maze, record the time. Have another volunteer leave the room, have the students remake the maze, and then have the student who left the room walk the new maze blindfolded in order to beat the previous time. Repeat this with as many students as time allows. Say, “Sometimes life can feel like a maze. Finding the right path is sometimes easy, and we feel that we can just see our way through. Other times we cannot really see the right path, but we feel that God is right there showing us the way. And sometimes we feel as though we cannot see the path, and there is no one there to guide the way. We may feel as though God has left us in the middle of the maze – there is no light, – and yet we still have to make it through the maze. We might pray for guidance, but it seems our prayers just hit the sky and bounce back down to the ground. We might look to Scripture for encouragement, but the verses we read just don’t seem to apply. We cry out to God, somehow trusting He is still there. Yet, the silence remains.” The Song Hand out the Student Guides. As the song plays, have students write their answers to the questions under The Poetry Of Song. Transition Ask for volunteers to share their answers to the questions. Say, “This singer is obviously going through something rough. You all had some great ideas about what the singer might be experiencing. You yourself ©2012, interlínc / interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Bible Study Have the students answer the questions in the Student Guide and then discuss them together as a group. Use these notes as you lead the discussion of each question. •While the writer of the Psalm feels forsaken, he looks at the experience of the Israelites and knows that God has proven Himself in the past. The writer is perplexed because the stories he has heard do not measure up to his experience. This is an important point for youth to realize. As the Psalm continues, the writer realizes God’s presence even amid the pain and questions. •“I am a worm” implies a state of decay and unpleasantness. A worm ST. THOMAS CHURCH BERNVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA [email protected] would have been despised in Israel because of the agrarian economy. “Animals stalk me” – the bulls mentioned would have been strong and potentially menacing. The roaring lions would be a threat as lions often attacked shepherds and outlying settlements in Israel in that day. Dogs were filthy scavengers, not the nice house pets that we have today. “Poured out like water” – the experience of a drought. “Bones out of joint.” “My heart has turned to wax.” “My tongue sticks to my mouth” – I am tired of yelling out my prayers. “I am pierced” – like a criminal sentenced to death. •a. God is our strength; b. God is our deliverer; c. God is our Rescuer; d. God is our Savior •b. He listens; c. All people, the rich, the dead Wrap Up Have the students turn over their Student Guide and write a personal poem that explores the same issues as those mentioned in both “I Cry” by Leeland and Psalm 22. Encourage them to explore their own feelings of forsakenness or sorrow within this poem. Encourage them to conclude the poem by making statements of praise similar to the statements of the writer of the Psalm. Once everyone has finished, close in prayer. Student Guide LEELAND Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Theme: LEELAND LEELANDONLINE.COM THE GREAT AWAKENING ESSENTIAL RECORDS I CRY DEPENDENCE The Poetry Of Song As you listen to “I Cry” by Leeland, answer these questions: •List the 4 attributes of God that are mentioned in verses 19-21. How do these attributes help you to depend on God in the midst of your tears? a. What emotions does the singer express throughout the song? b. What kind of situation do you think the singer might be going through? c. d. How is faith in God expressed throughout this song? •The final verses of the Psalm express praise toward God along with assurance of God’s presence. Think on the following: The Poetry Of Psalm 22 Read through Psalm 22 and answer these questions: •In verses 1-5, how do the experience/feelings of the writer battle with the writer’s expression of faith? How does life contradict what the writer has learned through faith? a. Do you declare the name of the Lord to others even amidst your struggles? b. According to verses 24-26, why do we praise the Lord? c. Who will praise the Lord? •Why do you think Jesus referenced this Psalm while hanging on the cross? •How can knowing this Psalm grant us comfort when we cry out to God? •In verses 6-18, the writer explores his pain through a number of images. Read through the Psalm and list as many images of pain you can. The Poetry in Your Heart On the other side of this paper, write your own personal poem that explores the same types of feelings found in “I Cry” and Psalm 22. Think about times when you have struggled to experience God. Do your best to conclude the poem with thoughts of praise. interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Page Leader Guide 34 NINE LASHES Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Study by: NINE LASHES NINELASHES.COM WORLD WE VIEW TOOTH & NAIL RECORDS ANTHEM OF THE LONELY CHRIS KEATING Theme Transition Peer Pressure Objective •Have you ever felt as though your friends were pulling you in opposite directions? Students will learn what the Bible has to say about peer pressure and how to overcome it. •What did you do? Warm up Nine Lashes explains, “This story was playing out in my head and I tried to capture the feeling of the person having to stand strong on their own. For me, this was salvation: a treasure I had to hang on to for dear life, being surrounded with friends and enemies alike pulling me in different directions.” Play “Anthem Of The Lonely” and encourage your students to think about what pulls them in different directions. Case Study – Brad is a kid at school who is awkward and doesn’t have many friends. One day, several popular kids decided to include Brad in their group by inviting him to the movies . However, this movie was known for having a lot of profanity and an explicit sex scene. Brad really wanted to fit in and be a part of the popular group but he also didn’t want to compromise his beliefs. If you were Brad, what would you do and why? The Song Optional Activity – Give every student a banana and explain, “Just like this banana, when we are all in a bunch we are together and protected – but when we are separated, we become vulnerable and can easily become peeled and eaten. As Christians we need to stick together so we can stand strong against peer pressure.” ©2012, interlínc / interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Bible Study Have volunteers read these Scriptures. Use the questions to generate discussion. •1 Corinthians 15:33 – Who do you think “bad company” refers to in this passage? How can your friends corrupt your character? Would your character be positively or negatively affected in the following examples? Why or why not? (Cheating at school, Abstinence, Telling the truth, Making a stand for what is right, Not entertaining gossip) •Romans 1:16 – Do you need courage to stand and not be ashamed of being a Christian? Why or why not? What does “power of God for the salvation” mean to you? •Hebrews 12:1-2 – What does being “entangled” mean? (cause to become twisted together with or caught in) What hindrances do we have that entangle us? How will fixing our eyes on Jesus help us take our stand for him? How do we get the strength and endurance to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us”? FAITH ASSEMBLY OF GOD CARTHAGE, TEXAS [email protected] Use this outline to help the message sink in. •Think Eternally (Romans 8:18) Sometimes making a stand for what is right may require us to stand alone, but it will be worth it when we are enjoying God’s presence in heaven. •Think Like Jesus (John 2:23-25) Jesus wasn’t concerned about what other peoples’ opinions of him were. He was solely focused on doing the will of God. •Think About Others (Proverbs 29:25) When we say no to peer pressure, we are actually an example giving strength to those who are watching us. Wrap Up Discuss and come up with three ways we can say no to peer pressure. When you have identified your three ways, close in prayer. Student Guide NINE LASHES Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Theme: NINE LASHES NINELASHES.COM WORLD WE VIEW TOOTH & NAIL RECORDS ANTHEM OF THE LONELY PEER PRESSURE Case Study Brad is a kid at school who is awkward and doesn’t have many friends. One day, several popular kids decided to include Brad in their group by inviting him to the movies. However, this particular movie was known for having a lot of profanity and an explicit sex scene. Brad really wanted to fit in and be a part of the popular group but he also didn’t want to compromise his beliefs. If you were Brad, what would you do and why? Bible Study 1 Corinthians 15:33 Who do you think “bad company” refers to in this passage? How can your friends corrupt your character? Would your character be positively or negatively affected in the following examples? Why or why not? •Cheating at school? •Abstinence? •Not telling the truth? •Making a stand for what is right? •Not entertaining gossip? Romans 1:16 Do you need courage to stand and not be ashamed of being a Christian? Why or why not? What does “power of God for the salvation” mean to you? Hebrews 12:1-2 What does being “entangled” mean? What hindrances do we have that entangle us from being all that Christ wants us to be? How will fixing our eyes on Jesus help us take our stand for him? How do we get the strength and endurance to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us”? Think __________________________________________ (Romans 8:18) Think Like __________________________________________ (John 2:23-25) Think About __________________________________________ (Proverbs 29:25) Come up with three ways you can say no to peer pressure. 1. 2. 3. interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Page Leader Guide 36 RACHEL CHAN Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Study by: RACHEL CHAN RACHELCHANMUSIC.COM GO IN:CIITE LAME CINDY ENGØY Theme Transition Objective The Song the wisest person ever, thought that everything is meaningless—everything is lame. So if he, in all his wisdom and knowledge, came up with that outlook on life, what do we have to look forward to? Does anything in life really matter? Is everything is meaningless and lame? Let’s see what the Bible has to say. lives. Even King Solomon came to that same conclusion; that what we do for God is what is important and what is meant to last forever. Ecclesiastes 3:14 says, I know that everything God does will endure forever… Life; Purpose/Meaning Your group will understand that while what is going on around them may seem important now, those things and issues will pass. What they do for Jesus is what is really important. Warm Up What I Think Is Lame – Have chairs sent up in a circle. Everyone will be seated with one person in the middle. The person in the middle will say, “I think most things are lame, but what I really think is lame is…” – and that person will say something that he or she thinks is lame. Everyone who agrees runs across the circle and sits in an empty chair. Whoever is left standing must go in the middle and be the “it” person. Play this Lame Game for a while. Have student discuss why they though certain things were lame. Hand out the Student Guides and tell the students that they are going to listen to Rachel Chan’s song called “Lame.” They will listen to what she thinks is lame. Have them write on their Student Guides what they agree with Rachel are lame. You might need to play this song a couple of times. Transition After listening to the song a couple times, have students share the lame things they agree with Rachel and why. It might be good that if you have a white board, write these things down. Bible Study There is a lot that is lame. You guys mentioned some, and Rachel Chan mentioned some in her song. You know, if we focus only on the lame stuff, life could get pretty depressing. Believe it or not, even people in the Bible felt the same way. What does King Solomon say about it? Let’s read Ecclesiastes 1:2, 8, 9, and 14. Everything is meaningless. Wow! Talk about a bummer – talk about being depressed! King Solomon, who was ©2012, interlínc / interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Read Isaiah 1:17 – Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. Okay, helping the helpless isn’t so lame. Who has Luke 6:31 and what does it say? Do unto others as you would have them do to you. That sounds like a good suggestion that isn’t lame. Treating others the way you wanted to be treated. What does Romans 10:15 say? How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! Now that doesn’t sound so lame does it? Bringing the good news of Jesus to others is definitely NOT lame. So really, what the Bible is saying is that when we take our attention from ourselves and instead focus on what Jesus wants us to do, then life isn’t so lame. This really brings life into perspective and gives meaning to our YESWESERVE LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA [email protected] Wrap Up Brainstorm ways in which your students can do something for Jesus that will last. Have the students get into their groups (or brainstorm as a whole group) to come up with ways they can do God’s will to be His hands and feet. Some ideas maybe to help out at a senior citizen’s home, do a canned food drive for a local shelter, help with an after school program. Have them write their suggestions on their Student Guides and then share them with the rest of the group. Close with, “See, those suggestions aren’t so lame! Let’s plan these activities into our program!” Then, close with prayer. Student Guide RACHEL CHAN Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Theme: RACHEL CHAN RACHELCHANMUSIC.COM GO IN:CIITE LAME LIFE; PURPOSE/MEANING Oh, that’s so lame… What I think is lame! Bible Study Ecclesiastes 1:2, 8, 9, & 14 What King Solomon thought was lame: On second thought – not so lame… Isaiah 1:17 Luke 6:31 What Rachel thinks it lame – and I agree! Romans 10:15 “Un-lame” Suggestions: interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Page Leader Guide 38 The REND COLLECTIVE EXPERIMENT Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: THE REND COLLECTIVE EXPERIMENT HOMEMADE WORSHIP BY HANDMADE PEOPLE KINGSWAY MUSIC CHRIST HAS SET ME FREE Theme our sin. Each one of us, from the day we are born, is trapped within our corruption. It is nearly impossible for us to find the freedom we long for, the freedom that we need. We can only find freedom through Christ! Listen carefully to this song by The Rend Collective Experiment. As you listen, consider the things the singer lists from which we can be set free through Christ. Bible Study RENDCOLLECTIVEEXPERIMENT.COM Freedom Objective Students will realize the freedom they receive through Christ’s sacrifice and, if they have not done so already, accept Christ into their lives so they might experience the fullness of the freedom He gives. Warm Up Form pairs. Have each twosome face each other. Then give each pair a couple of three-foot-long strings to tie their hands together. Have leaders help them tie their hands together. One person’s string should be intertwined behind their partner’s string so that they are linked. Then challenge them to get free from each other without untying the strings or breaking the strings. (Secret: To escape, pass the center of one partner’s string through the wrist loop and over the hand of the other partner.) After the students have struggled for a while you can give them the secret or cut them loose. Transition Ask the students how difficult it was to get free from the strings. Then explain that we are all slaves, we are all trapped, and we are all tied up in The Song Hand out the Student Guides. As students listen, have them list the items from which the singer is set free by the work of Christ. When the song is over, have the students come up with other things from which we are set free by Christ’s sacrifice. Transition Say, “Jesus Christ came so that we could be set free from the sin that entangles us. Each of us has been trapped in our own selfish lifestyles since day one. God wants nothing but that we might be set free and able to live a life of freedom in relationship with Him. We will look at a passage from Romans that explains the action of Christ on our behalf. As we learn what Christ has done for us, please consider if you have truly experienced the freedom that Christ offers to you.” ©2012, interlínc / interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Read Romans 7:24-8:4 to the group. Explain, “The book of Romans was written by Paul. Within the book, he develops the fullness of the Gospel message and what it means for everyone. In this passage we are nearing the apex of his argument in which he declares that it is only through Christ that we can be set free. Paul tells us in chapter 7 that he tried to depend on the law, his own efforts, and acts of obedience – but failed miserably. In fact, the law only opened his eyes to the fullness of his depravity and his need for some other method of deliverance. In enters Jesus Christ our Lord. Like Paul, many people think they can reach heaven on their own efforts, by acting the right way, or by making the right choices. We fail because of our wretchedness. In enters Jesus Christ our Lord.” Allow students time to answer these questions in their discussion guide: •Re-list some of the things from which we need to be set free from our discussion about the “Christ has Set Me Free” song. This is what Paul refers to when he declares he is a wretched man. We are all wretched because of the sin that entraps us. •Where did Paul find his freedom from those things that entrapped him? (In Christ Jesus the Lord) Study by: JOEL JACKSON ST. THOMAS CHURCH BERNVILLE, PA [email protected] •What happens when we are in Christ Jesus? (We are no longer condemned, we are set free) •Why do you think it was important for Jesus to come in the likeness of man? (Because only a man can take the punishment – death – of those who are trapped in our sinfulness) •What does this passage say in your own words? •If you believe in Jesus Christ and follow Him, what does His sacrifice do for you? Wrap Up Have a time of silence – encourage students to contemplate their relationship with Christ. They should ask themselves whether they have taken advantage of the freedom that He offers them. If they already have then they should come forward and take a string and a 3x5 card. (Six-inch pieces of string should be tied to 3x5 cards that say “I have freedom through Christ.”) If they want to make a decision now they should be encouraged to talk to a leader about the decision and then receive a string and a card from that leader. Each student who receives a string with a card tied to it should be encouraged to display it on their book bag, purse, or elsewhere where it declares their freedom. Student Guide The REND COLLECTIVE EXPERIMENT Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Theme: THE REND COLLECTIVE EXPERIMENT HOMEMADE WORSHIP BY HANDMADE PEOPLE KINGSWAY MUSIC CHRIST HAS SET ME FREE FREEDOM RENDCOLLECTIVEEXPERIMENT.COM The Song As you listen to the song, write down anything the singer declares he is now freed from because of Christ. After the song is over, write down other things from which Christ sets you free: Freedom Declared Romans 7:24-8:4 Re-list some of the things from which we need to be set free from our discussion about the “Christ has Set Me Free” song. This is what Paul refers to when he declares he is a wretched man. We are all wretched because of the sin that entraps us. Response To Christ In this time of silence please consider your relationship with Christ. Do you experience the freedom that Christ grants to those who believe in Him? If you do great, praise God. Come forward to receive a testament to your belief. If not, please consider belief in Him and come talk to one of the adult leaders. Where did Paul find his freedom from those things that entrapped him? What happens when we are in Christ Jesus? Why do you think it was important for Jesus to come in the likeness of man? What does this passage say in your own words? If you believe in Jesus Christ and follow Him, what does His sacrifice do for you? interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Page Leader Guide 40 RUSH OF FOOLS Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Study by: RUSH OF FOOLS RUSHOFFOOLS.COM WE ONCE WERE EONE MUSIC COME FIND ME DAVE WEISS Theme Transition Bible Study Jesus; The Good Shepherd Objective In this lesson we will look at how Jesus cares for us. Warm Up Before your group arrives, set up a series of safe obstacles in the room and place three bags of candy or other snacks on the opposite side of the room. Have your students group up in teams of four. Blindfold three of the four students on each team. These players will be the Sheep and the other student will be the Shepherd. The object of the game is for the shepherd to shout instructions to the sheep to get them to the other side of the room, to get the snack bags, and to return back to the starting point. Time each team, and at the end of their round return the snack bags to the other side of the course. The team that gets the best time wins the snacks. To make the game more interesting, the other teams are also allowed to shout false instructions to try to slow down their opponents. The point of allowing the other students to shout false instructions is simple – in order to get through the obstacles of life, we have to learn to listen to the right voice and pick that voice out from all the others bent on slowing us down and keeping us from our goals and dreams. The Song Hand out the Student Guides. Have the students fill in the blanks for the lyrics as they listen to the Rush of Fools song, “Come Find Me.” Transition Say something like, “The songwriter speaks of being a sheep that’s gone astray, leaving the other 99. Have you ever felt that you’ve gone astray – you’ve listened to the wrong voices, gotten way off track, and needed help to get back on the right path? The Bible tells us that Jesus is the good shepherd who lay down his life for His sheep. Today we’re going to look at two passages of Scripture that explain what that means to us.” Have your students read Luke 15:3-7. Discuss: •When the man in the story lost one of his sheep what did he do? (He left the 99 to go and find the one.) •What did he do when he found it? (He picked it up and carried it back to the rest of the flock, and he rejoiced to the point of throwing a party.) •Verse 7 gives the moral of the story. What does this tell you about Jesus’ feelings toward the people who have gone astray? (He loves them and wants them back and He celebrates when they come home.) The have them read John 10:1-15 and answer these questions: •Remember in the game when others were shouting out trying to keep you from reaching the goal? What “voices” in your everyday life do the same thing? (These could be any “voice” that draws us away from God and His will for our lives.) •What did Jesus say (in verses 1-5) about those conflicting voices? (They are thieves and robbers.) •How can you avoid following the wrong voices? •What should you do instead of following those voices? ©2012, interlínc / interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 NEW CREATION FELLOWSHIP READING, PENNSYLVANIA [email protected] •How can you know the voice of the good shepherd? (By getting to know Jesus through prayer and the Word; learning to follow what He said.) •What did Jesus say in verse 8 about your conflicting voices? (Once again, they are thieves and robbers – don’t listen to them.) •What’s the difference between the good shepherd and the hired hand? (The hired hand is not invested and runs at the first sign of trouble. The good shepherd lays down his life for His sheep.) •How do we know that Jesus is the good shepherd? (He laid down his life for His sheep.) Wrap Up Revisit John 10:10 and say, “Why is following the right voice so important? One voice leads to destruction, but the good shepherd – the one who laid down His life for you, the one who left the 99 to come and find you – wants to give you a full and meaningful life.” Ask your students which voice they have been following. Give an invitation of prayer for anyone who wants to say to Jesus, “Come Find Me.” Student Guide RUSH OF FOOLS Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Theme: RUSH OF FOOLS RUSHOFFOOLS.COM WE ONCE WERE EONE MUSIC COME FIND ME JESUS; THE GOOD SHEPHERD The Song Leaving The 99 Come Find Me In a _____ that can’t seem to find what it _______ •When the man in the story lost one of his sheep what did he do? •Remember in the game when others were shouting out trying to keep you from reaching the goal? What “voices” in your everyday life do the same thing? Fill in the blanks. Luke 15:3-7 Give me ______ in a ________ that my _______ have John 10:1-15 not ______ •What did Jesus say (in verses 1-5) about those conflicting voices? Walk in to the ______ of my _______ •How can you avoid following the wrong voices? Take hold of the _______ that are •What should you do instead of following those voices? So _________ like ________ gone astray And if you ever leave the ___________ •What did he do when he found it? •How can you know the voice of the good shepherd? •What did Jesus say in verse 8 about your conflicting voices? Come __________ _______ Come shine Your light in my __________ •What’s the difference between the good shepherd and the hired hand? Come __________ _______ Put consuming fire in my heart In a _____ that can’t seem to find what it _______ •How do we know that Jesus is the good shepherd? Give me ______ in a ________ that my _______ have Reread John 10:10 not ______ _______ since the day I __________ Learning how to _______ for Your _______ You’re _______ this _________ gone astray •Verse 7 gives the moral of the story. What does this tell you about Jesus’ feelings toward the people who have gone astray? •Why is following the right voice so important? •Consider the choices you’ve been making. Which voice have you been following? •Are your choices destructive to you and/or others? Why or why not? And I pray You’ll leave the ______________ •Are your choices leading to an abundant meaningful life? Why or why not? Come __________ _______ •Is it time to call out to the Good Shepherd and say, “Come Find Me”? interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 In less than 120 days, yours grads will be on their own. You’ll hand ‘em the keys and watch as they drive off into their future. Your grads will be in the driver’s seat, going down the road at freeway speeds. They’ll need all the direction you can give them between now and then. Right now, their lives are filled with big questions. Now, more than ever, it’s time to give them big answers. 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GRAD2012.COM 1.800.725.3300 Page Leader Guide 44 SOUTHBOUND FEARING Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Study by: SOUTHBOUND FEARING SOUTHBOUNDFEARING.COM THE ANTHEM OF ANGELS RED CORD MUSIC UNSEEN MARY WILSON Theme The Song Bible Study Wrap Up Spiritual Warfare Objective Students will consider standing up to the unseen forces in their lives. Warm Up Have your students pick a partner (or pair them off yourself by height) and decide which one will be blindfolded and which one will have their hands tied behind their back. (A cheap bag of XL men’s tube socks work well as blindfolds and hand ties.) Give each pair of students a task such as putting together a Mr. Potato Head or a child’s floor puzzle. They must work as a pair to complete the task – one blindfolded, and one with hands tied behind their back. (You may need to serve as quality control for the restraints.) The first pair to finish wins. You may provide a small prize for the winner. Transition •How did not being able to see affect your ability to complete the task? •Did having “another set of eyes” help? Hand out the Student Guides and have your students answer the questions as they listen to “Unseen.” •By the way, how is he? •What is fighting him? (Demons) •What does he want to feel? (Something more) •What does he want to fight? (The unseen) •What is he giving away? (It all) •What is crashing around him? (Waters) •What does he know? (What he’s been told) •Who does he feel by his side? Listen to the song again and then answer these questions: •What keeps you awake at night? •What demons are you fighting? •What does the water represent to you? •What if all you knew was what you’d been told? •Is there anything (including demons) that can separate you from God and His great love for you? (Read Romans 8:38-39.) •Who got the most frustrated? ©2012, interlínc / interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Read 2 Kings 6:15-18 and then discuss: •Why was the servant afraid? •Who could see the truth? UNKOMMON MEDIA MACON, GEORGIA [email protected] Close the meeting by reading Romans 8:38-39 as a responsive reading. (You may need to adapt the participant categories to your specific group.) •How were the servant’s eyes opened? All: For I am convinced •Who did he see was there to fight for them? Leader: that neither death •Do you need God to open your eyes? •What battles in your life do you need God’s help to fight? Guys: nor life Girls: neither angels Leader: nor demons All: neither the present nor the future Guys: nor any powers Girls: neither height Guys: nor depth Leader: nor anything else in all creation All: will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Student Guide SOUTHBOUND FEARING Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Theme: SOUTHBOUND FEARING SOUTHBOUNDFEARING.COM THE ANTHEM OF ANGELS RED CORD MUSIC UNSEEN SPIRITUAL WARFARE Listen To It Unpack It Learn About It Wrap It Up Answer these questions as you listen to the song: What keeps you awake at night? 2 Kings 6:15-18 Why was the servant afraid? Romans 8:38-39 By the way, how is he? All: For I am convinced What is fighting him? What demons are you fighting? Who could see the truth? Leader: that neither death Guys: nor life What does he want to feel? How were the servant’s eyes opened? Leader: nor demons What does the water represent to you? What does he want to fight? All: neither the present nor the future Who did he see was there to fight for them? What is he giving away? Guys: nor any powers Girls: neither height What if all you knew was what you’d been told? Guys: nor depth Do you need God to open your eyes? What is crashing around him? What does he know? Girls: neither angels Is there anything that can separate you from God and His love? (Check out Romans 8:38-39) What battle in your life do you need God’s help to fight? Leader: nor anything else in all creation All: will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Who does he feel by his side? interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Page Leader Guide 46 STARFIELD Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: STARFIELD THE KINGDOM STARFIELDONLINE.COM THE KINGDOM OF OUR GOD Theme The Song not have to rely on our own power to do this; we can call on God to give us strength. God will provide and make our efforts successful. Ask, “What does being successful in sharing Christ mean to you?” Testimony Objective Students will learn that the best way to proclaim the greatness of God is through their own testimonies. Warm Up Have your students write about something exciting that has happened to them. Instruct them to give as many details as possible, but keep it anonymous. When they’re finished, collect all the papers and read them aloud. See whether anyone can guess who might have written each story. Transition Say, “We know, inside ourselves, that God is great. However, the Bible commands us to share the greatness of God with everyone we meet. (Acts 1:8) We are always willing to share about our exciting events, but not as willing to share about the greatest event ever: our salvation when Christ entered our lives.” Hand out the Student Guides. As “The Kingdom Of Our God” plays, encourage your students to describe under the My Testimony section how they came to Christ. Note: If unsaved students are present, you could encourage them to listen to the words and focus on the fact that they can experience the greatness of God that the song mentions. Transition Say, “This song points out that not only is God great, He wants to live in each of us. Part of the way we experience that is by our sharing the story of how He changed our lives. This song serves as a call to all believers to sing the praises of God.” Bible Study We all want to be part of something great. No one wants to fail and then share about those failures. Rather, we seek to share our accomplishments and those things that we are really excited about. Acts 1:8 tells us that we can be part of something great. God will empower all His children with the Holy Spirit for the cause of telling about Him. Believers tell about God by sharing their testimony – simply sharing what God has done in them. We do ©2012, interlínc / interlInc-online.com / 800.725.3300 There is no way to fail when you obey God’s command to witness. God does not measure success as the world does—the world forces people to not only act, but also produce results. God calls His people to act, and He produces the results (1 Corinthians 3:6). When we obey Him and share our testimony, not only is His will being accomplished, but we become successful – regardless of the results – by way of our obedience. If someone accepts Christ because of our testimony, we receive an added blessing from God. Someone accepting Christ after we share our testimony is simply an added blessing that God has given us. Ask, “What are some reasons people are afraid to share their testimonies?” (Discuss answers) The best way to overcome our fear is to pray for boldness. We need to follow the examples of Peter and John in Acts 4. Peter and John acknowledged the importance of sharing their testimonies (vs. 20) and prayed that God would give them boldness to take a stand (vs. 29). God is faithful and keeps His promises. Peter Study by: DAVE JONES FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH MILTON, PENNSYLVANIA [email protected] and John’s request for boldness was answered in Acts 4:31. All we need to do is obey and pray since we know that God will answer our prayers, too. Wrap Up Say, “God truly is great; but how will the world know that truth if believers fail to share it? God has promised us the Holy Spirit. God has promised to take care of the results Himself. All believers need to be willing to share what God has done in their lives, praying for boldness in the process. Let us not miss out on the fact that God wants to build His kingdom by utilizing His people.” Encourage students to sign the Testimony Commitment Card, then tear it off and keep it in their Bibles or some other place where they will not easily forget it. Before closing in prayer, you may want to encourage those who are unsure of their salvation to stay after. Some youth leaders are not comfortable giving an altar call at each youth service. However, this study provides a natural progression to an altar call and could be adapted to most any youth group settings. Student Guide STARFIELD Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Theme: STARFIELD THE KINGDOM STARFIELDONLINE.COM THE KINGDOM OF OUR GOD TESTIMONY My Testimony In the space below, describe who, when, where, and any other details surrounding how you came to know Jesus as your Savior. Bible Study Acts 1:8 How can believers be great? What is the difference between success according to the world and success according to God? Testimony Commitment Card I commit to sharing my testimony with people that God brings into my life. I will call upon God to equip me with the Holy Spirit to accomplish His work. Signature:_____________________________________ Date:__________________________________________ 1 Corinthians 3:6 How can believers partner with God in the building of His kingdom? Acts 4 What can be learned from the example of Peter and John? interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Page >> Switchfoot • Vice Verses 48 discussion GUIDES Switchfoot’s Vice Verses is about questions and hope. It’s a dichotomy between the now and the not yet. It sums up the life of everyone, especially a teenager’s life. Switchfoot challenges us to look at life as a whole and not just its parts. God has made an art form of painting pictures of things that don’t go together – a servant king, a king savior born in a manager, and dying to live. The students in your group don’t just need to hear these songs, they need to wrestle with them, use their Bibles as a high-wire walker uses a pole to balance himself 100 ft. off the ground. After all the wrestling, they can lay on their backs, look up in the sky, and see hope. Paul Turner, a longtime Youth Leaders Only member, interlínc WriteGroup member, and the youth pastor at the tornado-ravaged Pleasant Grove Assembly of God Church in Birmingham, Alabama created a Discussion Starter for each song on Switchfoot’s latest album. Use these Discussion Starters in small Bible study groups, car rides with a bunch of kids, or even as the basis for cabin discussions at retreats or camps. Afterlife When you were little, what could you not wait until you were old enough to do? There are so many things we have to wait to do until we are old enough: drive a car, date, get married, get a job, vote, join the military, collect Social Security. Play the song. Character Study: Peter (Matthew 14:22-33) Peter lived life large. He acted or spoke first and thought later. Contrast James and John – who argued about the afterlife and who would be next to Jesus (Matthew 20:20-21) with Peter – who wanted to experience the power of the afterlife now, as seen in his jumping out of a boat to go to Jesus. Like the song says, “I’m ready now, I’m not waiting on the afterlife.” Discuss: •Have you ever done something without thought – maybe even recorded it and put it on YouTube? Explain. •What was the difference between Peter and the two brothers James and John? •How can we move from talking about the afterlife to experiencing it here and now? The good news is that Jesus wants us to know Him, enjoy Him, and live for Him now. Have a student read John 10:10. Jesus said that He came to give life “more abundantly.” Ask the students: •How do you know something is alive? •Is there a difference between living and being alive? What? •How can we enjoy the abundant life Jesus is talking about here, right now? Jesus came to show us how to live life to the fullest. He hung out with the wrong crowd to show them the right way, performed miracles, and showed us what living out our faith to the fullest is like. There is a line in the song that says, “And I wonder why would I wait to come alive, I’m ready now.” What are you waiting for? The Original Which Is Better? – Name a re-made movie, re-mixed song, or updated product, and ask, “Which is better, the original, or the new? Why?” “Which movies do you like, the old or the new?” “Which do you like when it comes to music?” The War Inside Jesus was one of a kind. He is the only religious figure of any religion to die for the sins of the world and rise from the dead. Jesus did things in a new way. Where hate was the way, He showed love. Where judgment was the way, He showed mercy. Jesus was an original. From the time we get up in the morning we face small battles such as, “Should I get out of bed, or sleep a little later?” The war within us is made up of many small battles, but the battles intensify the further we go into our day. The choices get harder: “Should I talk to that new girl, or should I sit with that lonely kid at lunch?” The battles get even more intense when we are deciding major issues of life such as whether we should do drugs, or drink just to get along with everyone, or have sex although we know it’s wrong. These battles all spring out of the original battle between Adam and Eve and Satan. Play the song. Play the song. Character Study: The Centurion (Matthew 8:5-13) You would think it would take a lot to blow Jesus away, but a simple request from a Roman soldier did just that. The Centurion’s servant was sick. He knew Jesus was a healer, so he went to ask for healing for his servant. Jesus offered to come to his house and heal him, but the Centurion told Jesus, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” Jesus said, in essence, “I have found an original!” Switchfoot sings, “Ain’t no killer like pride, ain’t no killer like I, no killer like what’s inside.” What do you think Switchfoot means by “the war inside”? •What made the Centurion an original in Jesus’ eyes? •Would you call yourself an original or would you consider yourself a copy when it comes to faith? Explain. Read Matthew 7:15-20. Jesus said you could tell the original from a copy by the fruit (actions, speech, etc.) of a person’s life. The question is, do we look like the original Jesus or have we become a poor knock off version of Him? Read 2 Timothy 3:1-5. What does Paul say about these copycat Christians? “One essential ingredient for being an original in the day of copies is courageous vision.” (Charles Swindoll) Let’s pray that we will choose to be an original when it comes to our faith. ©2012, interlínc / interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Character Study: Paul (Romans 7:14-20) – (Read this in multiple versions, e.g. The Message paraphrase, so the youth know exactly what Paul was trying to get across.) Paul knew the evil that was in him. As a former persecutor of the church, he was a man who would drag believers to court, to prison, and possibly to their deaths. There was a battle within him – not to go back to the old life, but to pursue what he knew was right. For most of us, going back to bad is easy. It’s easy to sin and disobey God. What is not easy is our pursuit of good and the best God has for us. Paul knew it then and we know it now. •Does this war continue today? How so? •How does Satan continue the war today in our lives? Read Galatians 5:16-18 and James 1:13-14. Although Satan can become a convenient scapegoat whenever something goes wrong (“The devil made me do it.”), the Bible is clear that we have a major scar from the original battle. After receiving Christ we now have a choice to make: the old way or Christ’s way? Have a bowl of sand available. Have students pass the bowl of sand around. Ask the students to, one at a time, draw a line in that sand and pray to pursue the side of the line that represents Christ. After they have said a silent prayer, have them erase their line and pass the bowl. <<Page Switchfoot • Vice Verses discussion GUIDES Restless Augustine was an early church father, a Bishop in Africa who wrote a book called City of God that includes this quote: “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in You.” This song would have been Augustine’s favorite song. Play the song. Ask, “Which of these metaphors that the song uses most relates to when you are feeling far from God?” •Broken, leaking pipes (your desire for God is a constant, almost annoying, drip) •A raindrop seeking the deepest part of the earth (always wanting more of God) •The breaking seas try to reach shore (a tumultuous heart waiting to reach God) Character Study: David (Psalm 77:1-6; 102; 22; 37; 43; 130) David, the giant killer and the writer of many of the Psalms, was restless for God. He often wondered when God would vanquish his enemies or when his trouble would be over. We all become restless when life does not seem like it’s coming together, or worse, it’s completely falling apart. Restlessness is not bad; it is our soul’s signal that we are connected to something great than this earth and we have a divine nature created by God. We ultimately won’t be happy until we are connected with Him in this life, and we will not be satisfied until we are with Him in the next. •What are some things that David was restless about in these Psalms? •How are you like David? •Finish this statement: “I get restless (inwardly dissatisfied) with my spiritual life when…” Play the song again, and encourage the kids to reflect on the lyrics and on their own restlessness. Blinding Light In this song, a young man and young lady are encouraged to be themselves and not buy into the false promises of the American Dream. It is said that a young person will see or hear over 3,000 media messages a day – most of the messages are trying to sell something. Ads on YouTube, games, and cellphones are trying to define their habits based on a product or a way of life. It’s as old as the promise made by Satan himself in the Garden of Eden; he told Eve, “If you eat this, you will become this.” Play the song – encourage your students to identify what each young person is being sold. 49 Selling The News Recently, the “supreme leader” (the dictator of North Korea) passed away. Kim Jung Ill’s son Kim Jung Eun took his place. Here is what the Korean people were told of the former dictator: a bright star lighted up at his birth; he made five hole-in-ones in the same golf game and shot a 38; his fashion was a global trend; people celebrate his birthday all over the world and throw festivals in his honor; he invented the hamburger; if he gets addicted to a drug, so does everyone else; and finally, the whole world loved him. The people of North Korea had no way to disprove this. Play the song. •What are some of the promises being made to the young people in the song? •Do you watch the news? If not, how do you find out what is going on in the world? •What are some of the things that advertise promises? (e.g. If you use this product, you will become this.) •Are news shows biased one way or the other? What do you think? •Have the world’s ideas and promises of success come through for America’s youth? Why or why not? Character Study: The Rich Young Ruler and the Prodigal Son (Mark 10:17-27; Luke 15:11-32) The song continues, encouraging youth that they are better than what the world paints them and better than a cheap promise, but they respond they are still hopeful that the world will give them what they are looking for. In the two stories above, each young man looked to riches as the answers. The Rich Young Ruler could not do without them, and the Prodigal son could not hang on to them. In each case, riches played a part separating a young person from God’s best. •Do you think they received what riches promised? •Why are we so easily fooled by false promises? Read 2 Peter 1:4; Matthew 7:26-28; 1 John 2:17; Psalm 145:13. Discuss: •What contrast do these Scriptures offer between the promises of God’s and the promises of the world? •Even if the world could make good on its promises, would people be better off than with God’s promises? Why or why not? Have each student empty their pockets or wallets of money and place it in front of them. Ask, “Is what is in front of you enough to separate you from God? Why or why not? Is there an amount that could separate you from God? Let’s pray that there is not!” Ask the students to take their money, hold it in their hands, and pray this simple prayer, “Father, do not let riches or the false promises of riches come between me and You.” •Do you think the news exploits or takes advantage of people? Why or why not? Character Study: Solomon (1 Kings 3:6-28) Solomon wanted to please God more than anything. He could have asked God for anything, but he asked to be able to tell the difference between good and evil. That’s called “discernment.” Right after Solomon’s dream he had two women come to him and asked him to solve a dispute involving a baby. Solomon had to choose wisely. He did not just want to make a decision, he wanted to provide justice – to do the right thing based on the information he had. •Do you filter the information you hear to make sure it’s true, or do you believe what everyone says? •Does everyone on the news/YouTube tell the truth? Why or why not? •What do you use to help you tell the different between what is right and wrong in God’s eyes? •Is the Bible more reliable than the news? Why or why not? Read Philippians 4:8. Discuss. •If this verse became your standard for watching the news or any other show, for that matter, how would this change your viewing habits? •Why do you think God wants you to have such a high standard for what goes through your eyes and ears? The message of Jesus is called the “gospel”, a Greek word that means “good news.” Consider the news Jesus offers the next time you are presented with the bad news of man’s opinion. ©2012, interlínc / interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Page >> Switchfoot • Vice Verses 50 Thrive This song is the story of us all. We have days where we don’t feel like ourselves. We have to take a long look in the mirror to know whether we are thriving or surviving. Once we’ve stared down our image, we have to make a declaration to do one or the other. The person in the song is very honest; he openly admits that he is not right. That is the trouble with us all. Let’s examine the song and see if we can figure out a way to thrive and not just survive. Play the song. •Can you relate to this song? Explain. •What is the definition of someone who is just “surviving” in life? •What is your definition of someone who is “thriving” in life? •The song says, “A warm body does not mean I am alive.” What does this mean to you? Character Study: Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) You might say that Zacchaeus was tired of surviving and he wanted to thrive. He knew of Jesus but had never seen Him. So he climbed in a tree to get a better look. Jesus noticed him and called him down. Zacchaeus was a wealthy man, but wealth was not enough. From his brief encounter with Jesus, Zach’s life went into thrive mode. His heart changed to the point where he returned money to those he had cheated, and Jesus ate at his house that day. Sounds like thriving to me! Read Matthew 23:27. Jesus called out the Pharisees, the religious leaders of the time, as only looking alive on the outside. •Do Christians have this problem today? •What are some of the activities we paint ourselves with to show others we are alive, when we are really dead inside? discussion GUIDES Dark Horses Have you ever heard a sportscaster talk about a team being a “dark horse”? The term “dark horse” was first used in the 1800’s to describe an unknown horse winning a race. Later the term came to mean an unlikely political candidate who could possibly win an election. Sportscasters use the term to describe teams who are unlikely to make it to the championship but are still possible contenders. The definition from the Dictionary of Cultural Literacy is: “an unexpected winner.” The Bible is filled with dark horses— winners who did not expect to win. Souvenirs Whenever I travel to a state I have never been to, I pick up a deck of cards from that state for my daughter. The souvenir is for her, not for me. We often pick up souvenirs to remind us of great trips and fun times with friends and family. Every time we look at the souvenir, we are reminded of those moments. Describe your favorite souvenir. Where is it from? What makes it special? •How do you know if you are winning with God? The song describes looking back to a time of youth and inexperience. For many college students, faith is a memory, something left behind because they suddenly outgrew it. Youth Camp, prayer meetings, Bible studies, and great times with the Lord become souvenirs instead of milestones. How can we keep from putting our faith in a box in the attic? Play the song. Play the song. Character Study: Peter (Luke 5:1-11), the woman at the well (John 4), and the woman to be stoned (John 8:1-11) Discuss: Salvation is an unexpected gift. The Bible says we cannot know God unless the Holy Spirit draws us to Him (John 6:44). Jesus often popped into people’s lives and declared them winners, although they did not look like winners and did not even know they were in the race. Have you had this experience? Character Study: Peter, James, and John (Matthew 17:1-13) Peter, James, and John went on a day trip with Jesus. On this trip they did a little mountain climbing. On the mountain, something amazing happened. Moses and Elijah appeared to them! The guys’ response was to want to build three altars there – one for Moses, one for Elijah, and one for Jesus. It was a good idea, but Jesus was not interested. The disciples missed the point. Then the voice of God thundered, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” Maybe we’ve built an altar to Jesus at camp, or we built Jesus an altar at church, and we only hear from Him when we visit those places. The song declares to “not count us out.” Don’t count yourself out; God doesn’t. •Is there a place you sense Jesus more than others? Where? Discuss: •How do you know if you are wining with your parents? •How do you know if you are winning in relationships? •In the world’s eyes, what made these people losers? •According to Jesus, what made each of them winners? Read James 2:22-25. The song says, “The stranger in the mirror is wearing my clothes.” Could we feel like strangers because we look in God’s Word but don’t see ourselves? Part of thriving as a believer is spiritual authenticity. Let’s not be afraid to look in the mirror. The truth hurts but dishonesty hurts us worse. Hand out a paper and a pen to each student. Ask the students to divide the paper into two columns: Surviving and Thriving. Ask them to write in the Surviving column everything that makes them feel they are “surviving” in life., In the Thriving column, ask them to write whatever makes them feel they are “thriving”. Close in prayer and challenge students to live by the list that makes them feel alive in Christ. ©2012, interlínc / interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 •The Father’s command to the disciples was to listen to Jesus. How can we do a better of that when we are not at the special place? Read Hebrews 10:32. The writer of Hebrews says we should remember those days when we strongly felt God’s presence during hard times. If you were asked about your faith five years from now, what would you be able to look back on that made a difference in your life? Being young is a short trip; pick up a few souvenirs of faith along the way, but don’t stop travelling. <<Page Switchfoot • Vice Verses discussion GUIDES 51 Rise Above It Vice Verses Where I Belong The world is real, but not reality. The reality is that life is brief. If we are blessed enough to live 80 years, it still does not seem enough, does it? What do these Scriptures say about this life? (James 4:14; Job 7:7; Psalm 39:5; 78:39) Water is used throughout the song and album to describe the fluidness of faith. Like the tide, we are up and down, in and out, searching, reaching, and crashing. The tide never disappears. The tide is erratic but is always present. If you could describe your faith in terms of water (it’s bigger than the ocean, it’s cold like an Arctic fishing hole), how would you describe it? •How important to you is belonging to the “right group”? Sometimes, life feels phony, as though we’re playacting. Shakespeare said in As You Like It, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” Do you sometimes feel that way? Why? Play the song. What is the song asking us to rise above? This song can be a just another slogan or it can be a lifestyle. In truth, we’re either rising above life’s difficulties and phoniness or sinking deeper into it. A line from the song says, “Hear us sing tonight like it’s the last night on earth.” Live this life to the fullest but let’s not forget that this life is not all there is. Character Study: The Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) Have you ever wondered why you born in America and not elsewhere? Have you ever wondered why you have all you need and someone is barely getting by? We cannot control where or when we are born, but we can control how we live the life we are given by the choices we make. We don’t know why Lazarus was born and wound up this way, and the same for the rich man. If Lazarus lived in our time we’d say, “Get a job!” Well, we know that is not so easy anymore. We don’t know why Lazarus could not “rise above.” The rich man had everything, and by all accounts looked as if he had risen above everything—everything, except pride and arrogance. In the end, Lazarus did rise above and the rich man did not. •If the rich man heard this song how do you think he would interpret it? •If Lazarus heard this song how do you think he would interpret it? •How do you interpret the song for you? •What do you need to rise above? Read 1 John 2:27 – “The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” Close in prayer. There are quiet times when we think deep thoughts such as, “Why am I here?” or “Where is God?” Those are good questions that lead us to diverse answers and possible solutions. Character Study: Solomon (Ecclesiastes 1) Does this sound like your experience? Before you think of jumping off a cliff because of these somewhat depressing statements, consider that Solomon asked many questions and eventually came up with Ecclesiastes 12:13-14. Let’s ask all the questions we can. Let’s meditate and daydream. Let’s complain and moan like in the song, “Where is God in the earthquake?” These questions will always exist until we see Jesus face to face. In fact, that will be the only time when we will have all the answers. Read 1 Corinthians 13:12 – “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” •If you were allowed to ask Jesus a question right now and receive a direct and immediate answer, what would you ask Him? •Why is that important to you? Solomon tried many things in his life and came up empty. When we are young, we usually do the same. Sometimes it takes time to separate the worthwhile and the worthless. The song says “a little resurrection every time I die.” There are blessings and there are curses. Solomon discovered both and so shall we. Knowing where we belong is an important issue in life. If we know where we belong we can get on with whatever we think we are supposed to do. Unfortunately, for many teens and adults, this search goes on too long. •Why do we spend so much time trying to find the “right group”? What do we think it will gain? •Is there a place (looking at the stars, the ocean, the mountains, etc.) that makes you feel as if earth is not the final place you belong? The song reminds us of something very important while we are searching, “This skin and bones is a rental.” The Bible is clear to remind us that earth is not our final resting place. Character Study: Jesus (Matthew 26:36-46) The reality of where we belong hits home when we read about Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. I do not know what Jesus was thinking but His words are clear. He wanted to know whether this painful place was where He belonged. He had seen crucifixions before. He knew His death would be painful. But He knew, after prayer, that this was where He belonged. Sometimes we can feel that we do not belong in this place, this home, this family, this church – and yet, we may be exactly where God wants us. Jesus had to be at this place, at this time for our sakes – to take our sin so He could one day say, “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2) He is preparing a place where we all belong. Read 2 Corinthians 5:1; Job 4:19; and 2 Peter 1:1314. The joy of being a Christian is our hope – life with God. The song says it well when it says, “Where the weak are finally strong, where the righteous right the wrongs.” •What are you looking forward to most about heaven? •What wrongs do you want to see righted? To quote the song again, and to encourage you to live out your faith to the end, “And when I reach the other side, I want to look you in the eye, and know that I have arrived, in a place where I belong.” Heaven is the place where we all belong. Play the song again, and ask students to think about heaven and eternity. Gather everyone together and hold hands or put hands on each other’s shoulders for prayer. Ask for volunteers to pray for any needs in the group. Instead of asking everyone to say “Amen” ask students to say, “We belong.” ©2012, interlínc / interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Page Leader Guide 52 THOUSAND FOOT KRUTCH Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: THOUSAND FOOT KRUTCH THOUSANDFOOTKRUTCH.COM THE END IS WHERE WE BEGIN THE FUEL MUSIC BE SOMEBODY Theme Transition Bible Study Self-Identity; In Christ Objective Your students will realize that they are loved and valued by God. Warm Up Clumps – Tell the students to form groups or “clumps” based on height, hair color, number of cavities, number of siblings, shirt color, month of birth, grade, school you attend, etc. Once they are in their groups, read a question from the list below (or write your own) and ask everyone to answer within their group. When the groups have finished, tell the students to mingle again. Sample questions: •What is your favorite cartoon (or cartoon character)? Ask, “What did you learn about our group?” (They should say things like, although we are similar in some areas, we are still very different and unique.) The Song Hand out the Student Guides and say, “We’re going to listen to ‘Be Somebody’ – a new song by Thousand Foot Krutch. This is TFK’s seventh studio album, and after 15 years they still know how to RAWK. As I play this song, listen to the words and fill in the blanks on your handout.” Transition Say, “What did you think of the song? Okay, let’s split up into small groups and talk more about this song and what it means.” •Who do you most admire? •What animal is most like your personality? •What would you do with $100,000? •What do you hope to be doing in ten years? As the students get settled, have them share their names and discuss: •If you could trade places with anyone in the world, who would it be, and why? •Take a look at the chorus; did you get all the blanks filled in? (Answers: down, sound, chemistry, me, fire, I really am, somebody, far) •What do you think when you hear the phrase, “We all want to be somebody, we just need a taste of who we are”? What do you think the band is trying to tell us with that statement? (Allow students to respond and get them to say something like we are somebody, but sometimes we don’t realize it.) The Bible tells us that we are someone. God is crazy about us. (Read Psalm 139:13-17.) Discuss: •What does this passage tell you about how God sees you? •Has anyone ever sent you a card, email, or text message that just said something like, “Hey just wanted to let you know I’m thinking about you; have a great day”? If so, how did that make you feel? •The last line of that passage says, “How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!” How amazing that God thinks about us continually, and that they are good thoughts! ©2012, interlínc / interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Study by: TODD PEARAGE THE GATHERING DAYTON, OHIO [email protected] Wrap Up I want you to think about two things: •We all want to be somebody – and in Christ, we are somebody. So write your name in that first blank. Who do you think gets his or her name in the second blank? (God) •You probably know someone who doesn’t think they are somebody. What can you do to share this lesson with them? What do you think would happen if you sent them a quick text message that says, “THINKIN BOUT U! U R AWESOME!” If they ask why you sent that, are you willing to share with them some of the things we talked about here tonight? Let’s pray for God to use you to share with your friends that they are SOMEBODY. Then, let’s text our friends! Student Guide THOUSAND FOOT KRUTCH Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Theme: THOUSAND FOOT KRUTCH THOUSANDFOOTKRUTCH.COM THE END IS WHERE WE BEGIN THE FUEL MUSIC BE SOMEBODY SELF-IDENTITY; IN CHRIST Fill In The Blanks Psalm 139:13-17 After all the lights go _________________, I’m just the words, you are the _________________, A strange type of ________________, How you’ve become a part of ________________ And when I, sit alone at night, Your thoughts burn through me, Like a ________________, ...you’re the only one, Who knows, who, ________________ ____________________ is SOMEBODY, because ______________ says so! We all want to be ________________, We just need a taste of who we are, We all want to be somebody, TXT: THINKIN BOUT U! U R AWESOME! We’re willing to go, but not that ________________ interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 >> Page THEMATIC LISTING 54 These are the themes represented by all the songs in this volume of Youth Leaders Only. The songs listed in red type have complete Bible study sessions writ- Acceptance Determination Distractions Ambition Devotion Doubt Brinson O.M.G Last But Not Least Outro Dominic Balli ConGRADulations! Class of 2012 American Dream (feat. Sonny Sandoval) Biblical Manhood 116 FEAT. LECRAE / Page 20 Man Up Album ConGRADulations! Class of 2012 Man Up Anthem Brokenness Brinson O.M.G Breaking Down (feat. Jermel Forehand) Commitment Brinson O.M.G Don’t Rap No More How they are listed: Theme Artist Album Title Song ten for them. The page number for these studies are listed after the artist’s name. For a comprehensive list of the Scripture verses for each theme, point your Switchfoot Vice Verses Rise Above It Brinson O.M.G Going God (feat. Aye Day Fothousand) Devotion; Seeking God Rachel Chan GO Show Me More Switchfoot Vice Verses Restless Difficulties; Hope Within Close Your Eyes Empty Hands And Heavy Hearts Keep The Lights On Complacency Diligence Confidence, In Christ Thousand Foot Krutch The End Is Where We Begin This Is A Warning Southbound Fearing The Anthem Of Angels Drums Brinson O.M.G Beastmode / F.S.A. (Favor Shield Activated) Contentment Brinson O.M.G Green Grass Theory 80/20 Dependence Leeland / Page 32 The Great Awakening I Cry Rachel Chan GO Resting In You Nine Lashes World We View Our Darkest Day Discipleship Jamie Grace ConGRADulations! Class of 2012 You Lead Discipleship, Cost Of The Rend Collective Experience Homemade Worship By Handmade People The Cost Starfield The Kingdom Innocence And Other Things Lost ©2012, interlínc / interlÍnc-online.com / 800.725.3300 web browser to the “What The Bible Says About...” (http://wbsa.logos.com) and type in the theme. Switchfoot Vice Verses Blinding Light Rush Of Fools We Once Were Help Our Unbelief Dreams & Desires Nine Lashes World We View The Intervention Emptiness Nine Lashes World We View The Void Eternity Owl City ConGRADulations! Class of 2012 Galaxies Evangelism; God’s Representatives Starfield The Kingdom Light Of The World Thousand Foot Krutch The End Is Where We Begin We Are Evangelism; Witnessing Nine Lashes World We View Write It Down Thousand Foot Krutch The End Is Where We Begin Let The Sparks Fly Faith Brinson / Page 26 O.M.G He Said He Loved Me (feat. Nitty) Nine Lashes World We View Believe Your Eyes Family; Parents Rachel Chan GO Prove It Forgiven Brinson O.M.G Dirty Laundry (feat. Readywriter) Forgiveness Close Your Eyes / Page 28 Empty Hands And Heavy Hearts Valleys Thousand Foot Krutch The End Is Where We Begin The End Is Where We Begin Freedom The Rend Collective Experience / Page 38 Homemade Worship By Handmade People Christ Has Set Me Free Friendship; Support Nine Lashes World We View My Friend Frustration Southbound Fearing The Anthem Of Angels 200K Miles << Page THEMATIC LISTING Glorifying God God’s Love God’s Patience God’s Eternal Nature Rachel Chan GO Even Here Rachel Chan GO Ready And Waiting The Rend Collective Experience Homemade Worship By Handmade People You Are My Vision Rush Of Fools We Once Were Beginning To End God’s Faithfulness Close Your Eyes Empty Hands And Heavy Hearts Carry You Rush Of Fools We Once Were Inside And Outside God’s Forgiveness Close Your Eyes Empty Hands And Heavy Hearts Erie Elizabeth South Do It Afraid Still God’s Intimacy The Rend Collective Experience Homemade Worship By Handmade People True Intimacy God’s Judgment Leeland The Great Awakening Pages Elizabeth South Do It Afraid Higher Rachel Chan GO You And Your Love Rachel Chan GO You Must Love Me Rush Of Fools We Once Were No Other Love Rush Of Fools We Once Were You’re The Medicine Nine Lashes World We View Get Back God’s Plan Elizabeth South Do It Afraid Arms Of The Savior God’s Presence Leeland The Great Awakening I Can See Your Love Rachel Chan GO So Close Rachel Chan GO Still Singing 55 God’s Sufficiency Starfield The Kingdom All I Want Is You God’s Word Southbound Fearing The Anthem Of Angels Never Fails Grace Grace Brinson O.M.G Light Club (feat. Young Chozen & Dre Murray) Rush Of Fools We Once Were Grace Found Me Heaven; Citizenship Southbound Fearing The Anthem Of Angels This Is Not My Home The Rend Collective Experience Homemade Worship By Handmade People Keep Me Near Switchfoot Vice Verses Where I Belong Switchfoot Vice Verses Souvenirs Leeland The Great Awakening Holy Ghost Thousand Foot Krutch The End Is Where We Begin All I Need To Know Holy Spirit Hope; In God Close Your Eyes Empty Hands And Heavy Hearts Heavy Hearts Humility Newsboys ConGRADulations! Class of 2012 I Am Second ©2012, interlínc / interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 How they are listed: Theme Artist Album Title Song >> Page THEMATIC LISTING 56 These are the themes represented by all the songs in this volume of Youth Leaders Only. The songs listed in red type have complete Bible study sessions writ- Inspiration Close Your Eyes Empty Hands And Heavy Hearts Paper Thin Jesus Incarnation The Rend Collective Experience Homemade Worship By Handmade People Shining Star Jesus; Lordship Elizabeth South Do It Afraid Surrender Starfield The Kingdom Speak Now Jesus Jesus; The Good Shepherd Rush Of Fools / Page 40 We Once Were Come Find Me Life; Purpose/Meaning Thousand Foot Krutch The End Is Where We Begin Fly On The Wall How they are listed: Theme Artist Album Title Song Rachel Chan/ Page 36 GO Lame Switchfoot Vice Verses Thrive Switchfoot Vice Verses Vice Verses ten for them. The page number for these studies are listed after the artist’s name. For a comprehensive list of the Scripture verses for each theme, point your Love For God The Rend Collective Experience Homemade Worship By Handmade People Desert Soul Thousand Foot Krutch The End Is Where We Begin So Far Gone Money Next Chapter / Page 12 ConGRADulations! Class of 2012 Stewardship: Finances Obedience Elizabeth South Do It Afraid Do It Afraid Peer Pressure Nine Lashes/ Page 34 World We View Anthem Of The Lonely Perseverance Rush Of Fools We Once Were Won’t Say Goodbye Thousand Foot Krutch The End Is Where We Begin Down Perseverance; Endurance Elizabeth South Do It Afraid Desert Rose Elizabeth South Do It Afraid Don’t Give Up On Your Love Nine Lashes World We View Adrenaline Nine Lashes World We View Memo Thousand Foot Krutch The End Is Where We Begin Courtesy Call ©2012, interlínc / interlÍnc-online.com / 800.725.3300 web browser to the “What The Bible Says About...” (http://wbsa.logos.com) and type in the theme. Perseverance; Obedience Close Your Eyes Empty Hands And Heavy Hearts Injustice Positive Attitude Me In Motion ConGRADulations! Class of 2012 Yes We Can Prayer Brinson O.M.G Every Knee (feat. Knine) Salvation, Redemption The Rend Collective Experience Homemade Worship By Handmade People Second Chance Salvation; Regeneration TobyMac ConGRADulations! Class of 2012 Changed Forever (feat. Nirva Ready) Priorities Salvation; Sanctification Procrastination Self Sacrifice Relationships Self-Confidence Brinson O.M.G Fully Persuaded (feat. Knine) Close Your Eyes Empty Hands And Heavy Hearts Hope Slips Away College Ready / Page 10 ConGRADulations! Class of 2012 Empowering Friendships Nine Lashes World We View Afterglow Restoration Southbound Fearing The Anthem Of Angels Bring It Back Revival Leeland The Great Awakening The Great Awakening The Rend Collective Experience Homemade Worship By Handmade People Build Your Kingdom Here Salvation Brinson O.M.G O.M.G. Cypher (feat. Bless’ed, Big R, H.E.A.V.Y., Tha Mic, Readywriter, D.King & Oppose) Leeland The Great Awakening Chains Hit the Ground Rush Of Fools We Once Were End Of Me Switchfoot Vice Verses Dark Horses Self-Identity; In Christ Brinson O.M.G Over The World (feat. Rossi & Cstraight) Thousand Foot Krutch / Page 52 The End Is Where We Begin Be Somebody Self-Image/ Uniqueness Switchfoot Vice Verses The Original << Page THEMATIC LISTING 57 Servanthood Spiritual Warfare Trust Worship; Praise Starfield The Kingdom Burn For You Leeland The Great Awakening Not Afraid Anymore Starfield The Kingdom Just Surrender Elizabeth South Do It Afraid Holy Holy Holy Starfield The Kingdom I Have Decided Southbound Fearing The Anthem Of Angels Fighting Words Skillet ConGRADulations! Class of 2012 Hero Sin, Confession Of Starfield The Kingdom Natural Disaster Close Your Eyes Empty Hands And Heavy Hearts Wormwood Sin; Consequences Of Close Your Eyes Empty Hands And Heavy Hearts Scars Close Your Eyes Empty Hands And Heavy Hearts Wolves Sin; Repentance Rush Of Fools We Once Were The Wrong Things Sin; Struggle With Switchfoot Vice Verses The War Inside Social Action Leeland The Great Awakening While We Sing Close Your Eyes Empty Hands And Heavy Hearts Empty Hands Southbound Fearing / Page 44 The Anthem Of Angels Unseen Thousand Foot Krutch The End Is Where We Begin I Get Wicked Surrender Rush Of Fools We Once Were A Civil War Testimony Starfield / Page 46 The Kingdom The Kingdom Of Our God The Bible Brinson O.M.G The Stereotype (Skit) Transformation Rush Of Fools We Once Were We Once Were Elizabeth South / Page 30 Do It Afraid I Will Trust You Victory Leeland The Great Awakening All Over the Earth Wisdom; Discernment Switchfoot Vice Verses Selling The News Elizabeth South Do It Afraid Fall To My Knees Southbound Fearing The Anthem Of Angels The Only Word Starfield The Kingdom Heart And Flesh Zeal Worldview Southbound Fearing The Anthem Of Angels Irresistible Worship Switchfoot Vice Verses ConGRADulations! Class of 2012 Afterlife Next Chapter / Page 14 ConGRADulations! Class of 2012 Worldview Jeremy Camp ConGRADulations! Class of 2012 Unrestrained Leeland The Great Awakening I Wonder Thousand Foot Krutch The End Is Where We Begin Light Up The Sky Leeland The Great Awakening Unending Songs The Rend Collective Experience Homemade Worship By Handmade People Alabaster The Rend Collective Experience Homemade Worship By Handmade People Praise Like Fireworks Southbound Fearing The Anthem Of Angels Beautiful ©2012, interlínc / interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 How they are listed: Theme Artist Album Title Song Page >> 58 modern worship section The Creative Journey By Will Herron The Rend Collective Experiment In May 2010, Ali, Pat and I went to see Gareth and Chris compete in the Belfast marathon. We found ourselves a good spot by the finish line to see our athlete friends complete the marathon hand in hand! The finish line, although the most glorified of all stages of the marathon, is but a fraction of the journey up to that point. Much blood, sweat, and tears were shed through previous months of training in the build up to that moment. I say all of this because it bears similar resemblance to the creative process. The completed work, whether a song, sermon, or book, is a finish line of sorts but it bears only a fraction of the creative journey as a whole. Over the past couple of years we have been writing and crafting songs for our second album, Homemade by Handmade People. Having had time to reflect post-writing/recording, I have a few thoughts of how we should approach the creative process as followers of Jesus. In no way do I think that we, as a band, have cultivated the optimum environment for pursuing creativity. However, I do think that we are learning something of where creativity can reach its greatest potential. Jesus’ teachings carry a heavy emphasis on the quality of our relationships. The most important commandments He highlighted relate to our relationship with God and those around us. So often we can get caught up in the pursuit of creativity while losing sight of these fundamental commands. However, these were given as principal directives within every area of life including the creative process. Alabaster The Rend Collective Experiment The process of creativity must be found within the greater context of our pursuit of God. If we pursue creativity outside of this context, we open ourselves up to self-indulgence and competitiveness where the end product can impede, rather than aid, the church. As we pursue God, the Spirit crafts His heart within us. The desire for selfrecognition and attention dwindle in the light of the divine desires for God’s glory and the beauty of His bride. Writing within a group brings the added dynamic of our relationships with one another. In the context of a band, this often calls for honesty and compromise in regards to lyrical or musical ideas. (Which, for creative people, can often be a challenge!) The best environment for this kind of dialogue is in the midst of relationships founded upon trust and humility. This is why the continual dynamic of our relationship with God is so important. These characteristics come only through intimacy with God as the Spirit forms in us the heart of Christ. A creative environment of trust and selflessness is formed, the product of which lies parallel to the heart of God. The prospect of the church pursuing creativity and originality is an exciting one. However, if we are to echo the heart of God to the world within what we create, we must first hear the initial sound of His voice. Intro: Bm7, A/C# / D (2x) Verse 1: Bm7 Bm7 Bm7 Bm7 A/C# D I am broken at Your feet A/C# D Like an alabaster jar A/C# D Every piece of who I am A/C# D Laid before Your majesty Chorus: D A/C# Em D Bm7 I will bow my life at Your feet G A At Your feet D A/C# Em7 D Bm7 My lips, so lost for words, will kiss Your feet G A Kiss Your feet Verse 2: Oh the gravity of You Draws my soul unto its knees I will never be the same I am lost and found in You (Repeat Chorus 2x) Thanks for reading and journeying with us! Written by The Rend Collective Experiment. © 2011 Thankyou Music (PRS) (adm. worldwide at EMICMGPublishing. com excluding Europe which is adm. by Kingswaysongs) All rights reserved. Used by permission. ©2012, interlínc / interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 << Page 59 ALL Over The Earth AS CLOSE Beginning to End Leeland Rachel Chan Rush Of Fools Intro: D, Bm, A, G Gm Gm/F We’re as close as we wanna be C7 EbM To resting in a perfect peace Gm Gm/F C7 EbM We’re as close as we wanna to be to God Gm Gm/F We’re as far as we wanna be C7 EbM From living for eternity Gm Gm/F C7 EbM We’re as far as we wanna to be from God Intro: D D/F# G/B G Chorus: EbM BbM Jesus came to seek and save Cm Gm To make a friend out of a slave EbM BbM Cm D To bring us close though we were far away EbM BbM God is with us every place Cm Gm His open arms are filled with grace EbM BbM Cm D He’ll draw us near as we draw near by faith Pre Chorus: Em D C Now Your glory has opened up the skies Verse: D Bm Oh, we give you praise A G for You alone are holy D Bm Jesus, your name is Greater A G for you alone are holy Chorus: Bm-A We wanna see Bm-A Your victory Bm-G All over the earth Bm-G All over the earth Bm-A Your kingdom come Bm-A Your will be done Bm-G All over the earth Bm-G G-G D All over the earth Break: Bm, G, Bm, D - D, A Bridge: Bm G Bm D - D A All glory in the highest Verse 1: Bm D/F# Nothing was created G Not a mountain or the ocean, without You there Bm D/F# Before there was a heaven G You were bound to nothing, but You were there Chorus: D G From beginning to end, God You reign, You reign Bm D/F# G Over time and space You stand as You remain, sovereign over all Intro Verse 2: No one could have formed You Although many hands have tried to, and mine were there No one had to save You Cause You alone have stayed true, and I’m aware We’re as lost as we wanna to be If we were blind but now can see We’re as lost as we wanna to be today We’re as down as we wanna to be If the joy of Christ has set us free We’re as down as we wanna to be today Pre Chorus: Em D C That You’re the one who opened up my eyes Chorus 2x Chorus Gm Gm/F We’re as close as we wanna be C7 EbM To resting in a perfect peace Gm Gm/F C7 We’re as close as we wanna to be to God Bridge: C G/B Em All the things I can’t control,and all the dreams I’ve tried to hold C G/B Em G All the times I’m losing hope, You’re never letting go D G Chorus x3 Outro: D D/F# G/B G - Bm D/F# G D Words and Music by Leeland Mooring & Jack Mooring © 2011 Meaux Mercy/The Devil Is A Liar! Publishing (BMI) (adm. at EMICMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Written by Rachel Chan and Dave Lubben ©2011 Tent Creative Songs/ Rachel Chan publishing designee/ Indelible Creative Songs (ASCAP). All rights reserved. Used by permission. Words & Music by Wes Willis, Kevin Huguley, Jason Ingram & Matt Bronleewe. © 2011 Meaux Hits / Wes Willis Music / Songs For Sinners (ASCAP) (Admin. at EMICMGPublishing. com) / Sony ATV/Timber Publishing / West Main Music / Windsor Hill Music (SESAC) / SonyATV/Cross Keys Publishing / Songs From The Science Lab © 2012, interlínc / interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Page >> 60 modern worship section Build Your Kingdom Here Dark Horses Grace Found Me The Rend Collective Experiment Switchfoot Rush Of Fools Verse 1: G D G D Come set Your rule and reign in our hearts again G D A Increase in us we pray, Unveil why we’re made G D Come set our hearts ablaze with hope G D Like wildfire in our very souls G D A Holy Spirit come invade us now Intro: A5 C5 F5 D5 (x4) Verse 1: A5 F5 D5 I’ve made my mistakes, I’ve seen my heart cave in A5 F5 D5 I got my scars, I’ve been to hell and back again Verse 1: D G Bm I never thought that I would amount to anything D at all G Bm I get that things have changed yet I still feel the same D/F# G but I’m not alone Pre-Chorus 1: G D A G D A D We are Your Church, We need Your power in Us Chorus: Verse 2: We seek Your kingdom first, We hunger and we thirst Refuse to waste our lives, For You’re our joy and prize To see the captive hearts released The hurt; the sick; the poor at peace We lay down our lives for Heaven’s cause Pre-Chorus 2: WE are Your church, We pray revive this earth Chorus: A Bm7 G D Build Your kingdom here, Let the darkness fear A Bm7 G A Show Your mighty hand, Heal our streets and land G Bm7 G D Set Your church on fire, Win this nation back A Bm7 G A D Change the atmosphere, Build Your kingdom here we pray Verse 3: Unleash Your kingdom’s power Reaching the near and far No force of hell can stop Your beauty changing hearts You made us for much more than this Awake the kingdom see in us Fill us with the strenghth and love of Christ Pre-Chorus 3: We are Your church We are the hope On earth Written by The Rend Collective Experiment © 2011 Thankyou Music (PRS) (adm. worldwide at EMICMGPublishing. com excluding Europe which is adm. by Kingswaysongs) All rights reserved. Used by permission. Pre-Chorus: A5 F5 D5 Born for the blue skies, We’ll survive the rain A5 F5 Born for the sunrise, We’ll survive the pain A5 C5 We’re singing hey, you can’t count us out F5 D5 We’ve been running up against the crowd A5 C5 F5 D5 Yeah, we are the dark horses A5 C5 We’re singing wait, it’s not over now F5 D5 We’ve been down but we’ve never been out A5 C5 F5 D5 Yeah, we are the dark horses Verse 2: We found a way out, The city takes everything it can But outside the crowds, I can feel my lungs again Pre chorus Chorus Tag: A5 C5 F5 D5 We’re singing la, la la, la la la la A5 C5 F5 D5 La, la la, la la la la Interlude: A5 C5 F5 D5 (x2) Bridge: A5 C5 F5 D5 Born for the blue skies (repeat) A5 F5 D5 Born for the sunrise, We’ll survive the pain Interlude Chorus Tag (Remove “We’re singing”) Interlude (x1/2) Outro (whispered): Keep running with the dark horses Hope makes the blood change courses Keep running with the dark horses Stand up for the dark horses Written by Jonathan Foreman and Tim Foreman. © 2011 Publishing Schumblishing/ (ASCAP) ©2012, interlínc / interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Chorus: G D A ’Cause your grace found me, I thought I wasn’t breathing G D A my heart now sings G D A Bm ’Cause you chased for me, I never saw you coming G D A My eyes now see your grace found me Turn: G D A - G A D Verse 2: If you had given me up I would have nothing left, at all Nothing to give of myself and no one to take my place but you came along Chorus Bridge: D/F# G I’m covered over Bm I’m so wrapped up A It’s all your love E G It’s all your love G D A Your grace found me, when I wasn’t breathing G D A grace found me Chorus Words & Music by Wes Willis, Kevin Huguley, Jacob Chesnut, Jacob Blount, and Jamie Sharpe. © 2011 Meaux Hits / Wes Willis Music / Songs For Sinners (ASCAP) / Meaux Jeaux Music / Rush Of Fools Music (SESAC) (Admin. at EMICMGPublishing.com) << Page 61 I Have Decided I Will Trust You I Wonder Starfield Elizabeth South Leeland Verse 1: C Am I have decided to follow Jesus F C I have decided to follow Jesus Am F I have decided to follow Jesus C/E G C No turning back, No turning back [Capo 4] Verse 1: G D You are God forever and ever Em C Evermore my friend G D You’re my refuge always in trouble Em C Guide me to the end Verse 1: D At the stars in the night, I wonder Bm At your lightning in the sky, I shudder A G D Your glory is a blanket that covers every living thing D Chorus: F G Am I will follow You, I will follow You, F Dm Am C/B C I will follow You my God Am Verse 2: Though none go with me still I will follow Though none go with me still I will follow Though none go with me still I will follow No turning back, No turning back Chorus (2x) Verse 3: The world behind me, the Cross before me The world behind me, the Cross before me The world behind me, the Cross before me No turning back, No turning back Chorus (2x) Verse 2: I’m in awe at the majesty of who you are Bm Your love is a seal burnt inside my heart A G D All of the day I want to be where you are, Holy Father Pre-Vhorus: Em D C G C So I will trust you Lord with all my heart Em D C I’ll lean on Your Word for understanding Em D C And You will guide me home Chorus: G D I will trust You, I will love You Am C I won’t be afraid anymore G D Em C I will trust You, You will always be my strength G D Em C I will trust You Verse 2: You are love, You died for me You Heal my weary soul You lift me up and keep me from falling Forgive and make me whole Bridge: G D Em C You are the Maker of the heavens and the earth G D Em C You are the only One who knew me before birth Chorus Pre-Chorus: G D And it feels like there’s not enough praise inside of me G D With all these words, all my heart can sing is “Holy” A You are Holy Chorus: D Jesus Christ, you bled your love, Bm laid down yourself and gave me life Em In naked shame you hung and you were lifted high D D7 Here I lay in awe and wonder D I am afraid, for no one’s ever sacrificed Bm and loved me this way Em So on my face I fall under your heavy grace D Here I lay in awe and wonder G D Ohh, Ohh, and I wonder Verse 2 Pre-Chorus Chorus Chorus Written By Tim Neufeld/Jon Neufeld. © Neufeld Music) (SESAC) Written by Elizabeth South & Billy Smiley © 2011 by Elizabeth South Music / ASCAP and Mission Group Music / ASCAP (adm by Alex Morris at musicservices.org) Words and Music: Leeland Mooring. © 2011 Meaux Mercy/ The Devil Is A Liar! Publishing (BMI) (adm. at EMICMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. © 2012, interlínc / interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Page >> 62 modern worship section Restless Second Chance Switchfoot The Rend Collective Experiment Intro: B Bsus4 B Bsus4 (x2) Verse 1: B I am the sea on a moonless night Bsus4 Calling falling, slipping tides B I am the leaky, dripping pipes Bsus2 The endless, aching drops of light B I am the raindrop falling down Bsus4 Always longing for the deeper ground B I am the broken, breaking seas Bsus2 Even my blood finds ways to bleed Pre-Chorus 1: Abm Even the rivers ways to run E/G# Even the rain to reach the sun Abm Even my thirsty streams E/G# Even in my dreams Chorus: B E/B B E I am restless, I am restless, I am restless, Looking for You B E/B Abm I am restless, I run like the ocean to find your shore E Looking for you Verse 2: I am the thorn stuck in your side, I am the one that you left behind, I am the dried-up doubting eyes, Looking for the well that won’t run dry, Running hard for the other side, The world that I’ve always been denied, Running hard for the infinite, With the tears of saints and hypocrites Bridge: Intro: D / A / G / D, A B E I can hear you breathing, I can feel you leading B E More than just a feeling, More than just a feeling B E I can feel you reaching, Pushing through the ceiling B E ’Til the final healing, I’m looking for you Verse 1: D My future hangs on this A You make preciousness from dust G D A Please don’t stop creating me D Your blood offers the chance A To rewind to innocence G D, A Reborn, perfect as a child Pre-Chorus 3: Abm G#m2 Until the sea of glass we meet E At last completed and complete Abm Where tide and tear and pain subside E And laughter drinks them dry Refrain: B (E) I’ll be waiting, Anticipating, B F# All that I aim for, What I was made for Abm E With every heartbeat, All of my blood bleeds B E B Running inside me, Looking for you, Looking for you Bsus4 B Bsus2 Looking for you, Looking for you, Looking for you Chorus+ B (lead into interlude) Looking for you Interlude: B E (x3) B Bsus4 Bridge Outro: B E B E I’m looking for you Pre-Chorus 2: Oh, blood of black and white and grey Oh, death in life and night in day One by one by one, We let our rivers run Chorus: Bm7 G D Oh Your cross it changes everything Bm7 G D A There my world begins again with You Bm7 G D Oh Your cross it’s where my hope restarts Bm7 G D A second chance is Heaven’s heart Verse 2: When sin and ugliness Collide with redemption’s kiss Beauty awakens by romance Always inside this mess I have found forgiveness Mercy, as infinite as You Chorus Bridge: (2x) D A Countless second chances G D We’ve been given at the cross Verse 3: Fragments of brokenness Salvaged by the art of grace You craft life from our mistakes Black skies of my regrets Outshone by this kindness New life dawns over my soul Chorus Bridge Chorus Written by Jonathan Foreman. © 2011 Publishing Schumblishing/ (ASCAP) ©2012, interlínc / interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Written by The Rend Collective Experiment © 2011 Thankyou Music (PRS) (adm. worldwide at EMICMGPublishing. com excluding Europe which is adm. by Kingswaysongs) All rights reserved. Used by permission << Page 63 The Kingdom YOU AND YOUR LOVE You Are My Vision Starfield Rachel Chan The Rend Collective Experiment Intro: Em D/F# G Em C G Ab What’s the point of chasing after Fm Bbm Eb dreams that never satisfy my soul? Ab Fm Once I reach the place I’ve longed to be Bbm Eb Bbm Eb I finally see, my deepest need is You and Your love Intro: E Oh, oh, oh (2x) Verse 1: Em Oh Oh Oh D/F# G We have come to testify Em C Oh Oh Oh G Our God is surely Great Em Oh Oh Oh D/F# G His love is like a river wide Em C So let everyone beneath his skies G Lift their voice and sing Chorus: Em D/F# G For the Kingdom of our God Em Carries on C Carries on G Carries on Verse 2: Oh Oh Oh His kingdom is inside of you Oh Oh Oh It’s everywhere you are Oh Oh Oh Celebrate your life made new Come on let His freedom bloom Lift your voice and sing Bridge: G Everybody sing Hallelujah G Everybody sing Hallelujah C Everybody sing Hallelujah G Everybody sing Hallelujah Written By Tim Neufeld/Jon Neufeld/Allen Salmon © Neufeld Music)(SESAC) Chorus: Ab Eb You make me happy Fm Bbm Eb You take all my cares away Ab Eb Your love completes me Fm Bbm Eb Now I search for what to say AbM Words can be so shallow Fm Bbm Eb And it’s easier to borrow what I say Ab Fm So listen to my heart and take me far away Bbm Eb From what keeps us apart Db Eb I need You and Your love Verse 1: E You are my vision, O King of my heart B A B Nothing else satisfies, only You Lord A C#m E/G# A B You are my best thought by day or by night E C#m A B E Waking or sleeping, Your presence my light Verse 2: You are my wisdom, You are my true word I ever with You, and You with me Lord You’re my great Father, and I’m Your true son You dwell inside me, together we’re one Verse 3: You are my battle-shield, sword for the fight You are my dignity, You’re my delight You’re my soul’s shelter and You’re my high tower Come raise me heavenward, O power of my power Verse 4: I don’t want riches or man’s empty praise You’re my inheritance, now and always You and You only, the first in my heart High king of Heaven, my treasure You are 2nd Chorus: You make me happy You take all my cares away Your love completes me Now I search for how to say, I love You. Db Eb Jesus, I love You. Ab Bbm Jesus, I love You. Db Bbm I love you Verse 5: High king of Heaven, when victory’s won May I reach Heaven’s joy, O bright Heaven’s Son Heart of my own heart, whatever befall Still be my vision, O ruler of all (Repeat last 2 lines) You make me happy You take all my cares away Your love completes me Now I search for how to say that Repeat 2nd Chorus What’s the point of chasing after dreams that never satisfy my soul? Written by Rachel Chan and Dave Lubben. ©2011 Tent Creative Songs/ Rachel Chan publishing designee/ Indelible Creative Songs (ASCAP). All rights reserved. Used by permission. Written by The Rend Collective Experiment © 2011 Thankyou Music (PRS) (adm. worldwide at EMICMGPublishing. com excluding Europe which is adm. by Kingswaysongs) All rights reserved. Used by permission. © 2012, interlínc / interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Page >> 64 RE:TUNED Unavoidable. Pervasive. Inescapable. Secular pop music is everywhere. Even if you can get your young Christian friends to switch their listening habits from secular to sacred, they are still going to hear the top popular songs everywhere they go. In this section we provide you some Artist: ideas to take advantage of some of the most popular secular songs. Use the opening questions, the thematic concepts and discussion ideas to spice up your Bible study, Sunday School lesson, camp/retreat meeting or outreach event message. The Black Keys Artist: Breathe Carolina Artist: Song: Lonely Boy Album: El Camino Song: Blackout Album: Hell Is What You Make Of It Song: Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) Album: Stronger By: Benjamin Squires [email protected] By: Jeff Williamson [email protected] By: Doug Ranck [email protected] Teaching Point: The best wisdom learned is to seek the wise choice. Teaching Point: Perseverance Teaching Point: Jesus experienced lonely moments in order to save us. Opening Question: When have you been most lonely? Discussion: The Black Keys serve up some greasy, blues-infected rock on “Lonely Boy.” At first glance, the song seems to be about a man who loves a woman who doesn’t feel the same way about him. He keeps waiting for her to love him, so he’s a “lonely boy.” •Have you ever been in a situation when you had affection for someone who didn’t feel the same way about you? •What makes that a lonely feeling? Take a second glance at the song. Could it be Jesus singing the blues about you? Jesus left His place in the throne room of Heaven to save us. Well, I’m so above you/And it’s plain to see/But I came to love you anyway. His people rejected Him and sent Him to the cross. So you tore my heart out/And I don’t mind bleeding. When people refuse to believe in Jesus, or when we don’t follow in His way, we’re keeping Him waiting. Jesus is a “lonely boy” who longs to take us to be with Him. (Luke 13:34). The song then gets specific about someone whose father left her. Jesus, though, says that God should have left us; all people should have been judged to death for sin. Yet, God in His mercy put the punishment on Jesus, so that we could be forgiven. (Ephesians 2:1-5) The song asks, Am I born to bleed? Jesus was born to bleed for us. •How do you feel about thinking of Jesus as the “lonely boy” who is waiting for you to return His love? •Does it help you to know that Jesus can relate to your loneliness when people turn away from you because you are a Christian? •When have you wandered and caused Jesus to keep waiting for you? •What does knowing that Jesus has “a love that keeps [Him] waiting” for you, that He will continue to work in your life to forgive you and draw you closer to Him, mean to you? Conclusion: Jesus overcame the “lonely” place of being rejected and killed. He conquered death so that our lives could be transformed and have the hope of life after death. Jesus waits with us for that day when we will love Him with new, pure hearts. Discussion: Breathe Carolina invokes the easiest answer given by most teens after a moment of destruction: “I thought I was in control!” In the song, a group of friends are hanging out, the music is loud, the beat is perfect, and the temptations begin. But the singer is convinced that he is in control; this time he will not blackout. The lyrics speak the rhetoric well; the music video shows the environment as the perfect “sought after” party atmosphere. But come on, how “real” is this? Are you really in control? The title of the album is a very appropriate reality based on the choices played out in the song. •When was the last time you said, “But, I was in control”? Ok, so maybe you have never said it, but when was the last time you heard someone allude to being in control? •If you have ever participated in something that led to a “blackout” or an “I forgot that night” moment– was the experience really worth it? So often we ask, “What is the wise decision? Everyone expects so much of me; what should I do?” Remember, we can over-indulge, overconsume, and over-do it: however we cannot and will not over-live! Psalms 90:12 (HCSB) Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts. Ephesians 5:15-17 (MSG) Watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times! Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants. Conclusion: In light of past experiences, current responsibilities, and future dreams, what is the wisest way to invest your time? What is the best choice for you to make that will highlight the nonvaluable things in your life, but rather focus on the valuable thing: Christ? ©2012, interlÍnc / interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Kelly Clarkson Opening Questions: What is the most difficult experience you have had in life? Though it was hard, what are one or two things you learned as a result? Discussion: We will all face challenging situations or even tragedies. This is the reality in our world of sin and death. Knowing how to respond to each of these different circumstances is difficult. Our culture offers a few options to our pain: 1) Deny it. Tell everyone you are okay and it’s not that big of a deal; 2) “Milk” it for all it’s worth. Let everyone know you are suffering and continue using this as an excuse for every choice you make; 3) Blame it on God or somebody else. Run with the philosophy that there is always a logical reason for any pain or tragedy in your life. Kelly Clarkson sings about a busted relationship: Think you left me broken down/Think that I’d come running back? The response she offers is, What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger/Stand a little taller. In fact, she sings, Thanks to you I got a new thing started. Thanks to you I’m not the broken-hearted. Thanks to you I’m finally thinking about me. The songwriter actually took the Biblical approach. The Bible is littered with sad, discouraging, and tragic stories – but through all and in all the characters were encouraged to endure because their life was in God’s hands. In James 1:2-4 we learn to “consider it pure joy” when hard times come. How does that work? Joy is not a feeling. Joy is the attitude that comes from knowing that no matter what happens, something good will come either in this life or in our heavenly reward of eternal life. Our trials will produce greater perseverance. We will be stronger! We can finish well. Conclusion: Are you practicing what you learned from your painful experiences? How are they helping you to be stronger? How could you take what you have learned and be an encouragement to somebody else? << Page RE:TUNED65 Artist: Artist: Artist: Lil Wayne Maroon 5 Taylor Swift Song: How To Love Album: Tha Carter IV Song: Moves Like Jagger Album: Hands All Over Song: Ours Album: Speak Now By: Chris Keating [email protected] By: Kirk Moore [email protected] By: Eric Gargus [email protected] Teaching Point: Jesus showed us how to love by His words and actions. Teaching Point: Sometimes nothing feels right. Teaching Point: Healthy relationships require maturity, hard work, and God. Opening Questions: •What is love? •How do you know if you are in love? Discussion: Lil Wayne’s song is about a girl who has had a lot of crooks tryna steal your heart but who never seemed to find the right guy. Bad relationships in the past led to her current insecurities. Those relationships left her lonely, confused, trying to find love and acceptance anywhere she can – from alcohol to stripping. She felt her self-worth was tied up in other people’s opinion of her. •Do you know someone like that? •Have you ever felt that way? •What would you say to someone like the girl in the song? •What do you think Jesus would say to the girl in the song? Read John 8:3-11 – the incident of the woman who was caught in the act of adultery (oh my!) who was brought to Jesus. The woman’s arrest had to have been a set up, because they didn’t bring her partner along. •What do you think the phrase had a lot of crooks tryna steal your heart means? •Do you think the crooks were trying to steal her heart or her body? Why? God has created us with a need to love and to be loved. In a perfect world we would first give our love to God and then to our husband or wife. However, we often give our love away to others who don’t love us with a nurturing, sacrificial love like God has for us. So we are broken and disillusioned. What are some ways we try to fill our hearts other than with a relationship with Jesus? Conclusion: The only way we can truly learn “How To Love” is to first accept Jesus’ love and to live our lives as an expression of God’s love to others. What do you think Romans 6:13 means? Opening Question: What makes you feel better? Discussion: “Moves Like Jagger” is about sex. And dancing. And sex. And Mick Jagger. And sex. And kissing. And sex. Oh, and sex. The video shows scenes from a Mick Jagger impersonation event. The video and the song are catchy, sensual, and sexy. And in the middle of all the lyrics and visuals about sex, a simple question arises. What makes you feel better? For the song performers, it seems that the answer is in relationships and sex. But what else in life makes you feel better? Luke 14:12-24 describes a banquet where the “acceptable” invited guests didn’t show up, so the host invited the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame to the event. When there was still more room, the host called for everyone on the roads and country lanes to come to the banquet. They arrived just as they were. The scene doesn’t describe any of them “getting better” from the banquet, only that they were invited and welcomed. God loves people just as they are. You are acceptable to God just as you are. •How does that make you feel about yourself? •How does that make you feel about God? •What does it make you want to do? Conclusion: You may have the moves; you may not. What you do have – every last thing about you is precious to God. You are loved. You are accepted. You are God’s child. Opening Questions: •What are the main things you look for in someone to date? •Whose opinion do you seek about relationship choices? •Is it important that the people you love and trust the most approve of your date? Explain. Discussion: Taylor Swift explained, “[‘Ours’] is about being in love with someone, and people don’t necessarily think it is a good idea. Everybody’s giving you a hard time about it, but you don’t really care. It says, ‘the stakes are high, the water’s rough but this love is ours.’” In the first verse, Swift declares: Seems like there’s always someone who disapproves, they’ll judge it like they know about me and you. •Who is most likely to give you the “blunt truth” about your new dating interest? •What are some reasons a friend might approve or disapprove of your relationship choices? •What factors determine whether or not you respect a person’s opinion of you and your date? Swift cautions: You never know what people have up their sleeves. Ghosts from your past are gonna jump out at me. •What does a person need to know about the past of a new relationship interest? •Is dating a person with a bad reputation wise? Why or why not? •Which is better: trying to change a person or finding a person more compatible from the start? Explain. 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 cautions us to be “equally yoked” in our relationships. This means a guy and girl need to be like-minded about matters of faith. Dragging a person into the mud is easier than dragging a person out of the mud. Are you being selective enough with whom you date? What makes dating someone who shares your beliefs wiser than dating someone who does not? Be specific. Conclusion: Relationships are never a good place to be rebellious. Consider these three questions before you embark into the minefield of teenage romance: •Can I handle breaking up if things don’t work out? •Will I honor and respect the other person, even on bad days? •Will I keep God both above and in the middle of this relationship? ©2012, interlÍnc / interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Page >> 66 RE:TUNED Unavoidable. Pervasive. Inescapable. Secular pop music is everywhere. Even if you can get your young Christian friends to switch their listening habits from secular to sacred, they are still going to hear the top popular songs everywhere they go. In this section we provide you some ideas to take advantage of some of the most popular secular songs. Use the opening questions, the thematic concepts and discussion ideas to spice up your Bible study, Sunday School lesson, camp/retreat meeting or outreach event message. Artist: Artist: Song: Red Solo Cup Album: Clancy’s Tavern Song: Tattoo Album: Clancy’s Tavern By: Kirk Moore [email protected] By Paul Turner [email protected] Teaching Point: It’s all fun and games until someone… Teaching Point: This song is about tattoos and how some people use them to communicate and identify themselves to others. God want us to do the same thing, minus the ink. Toby Keith Opening Question: What makes a good party? Discussion: Toby Keith’s whimsical party song celebrates the oft-seen prop at many parties – a Red Solo Cup filled with a beverage. The song also celebrates what the artist sees as a typical weekend celebration – filled with booze, sex, smoke, and inflatable swimming pools. •What do you like to put in your Red Solo Cup? •What things are necessary for you to consider a party as successful and fun? •What kinds of things do you think are best to stay away from at parties? Ecclesiastes 9:7-10 talks about living life as a celebration, grabbing all the fun you can before you die. Proverbs 23:19-21 cautions the reader to be wise and to stay away from eating and drinking too much, lest things will go poorly for them. Romans 13:13 offers encouragement for living wisely – staying away from drunkenness and promiscuity. •Can you be a Christian and also have fun? •What guidelines do you think are best for you to follow when it comes to parties? Conclusion: The Bible describes celebrations that may have gone overboard. It encourages folks to celebrate their lives. It also encourages wisdom and smart choices. So have fun. Be smart. And remember to write your name on your Red Solo Cup! Van Halen Opening Questions: How many people do you know with tattoos? What is the weirdest tattoo you’ve ever seen? Did you know someone who got a tattoo and it changed him or her? How? Do you think tattoos are cool or trashy? What are some reasons people get tattoos? Discussion: The earliest culture to use tattoos was in Egypt, 2,000 years before Christ. The most recent find was on a body that was 5,200 years old! Tattoos have been around a long time. Artist: Like interlinc on Facebook Like interlínc for great FREE resources, info and fun! on facebook for great FREE resources, info, and fun! Tattoos communicate without saying a word. The interlinc-online.com song says tattoos “speak” and “scream.” interlinc-online.com/blog •What is someone “screaming” when they get 800-725-3300 a tattoo? •As Christians, how do our actions and speech act as a tattoo? Tattoos don’t just share a message; they communicate identity such as, “I’m a Marine” or “I used to be in jail” or “I’m in or used to be in a gang, so you’d better back up.” •What do the “outer markings” of your life tell others about your faith or relationship with Christ? •Read John 13:35. What is the “mark” of a believer and follower of Christ? Christians should being showing off their “love tattoo”! A line in the song says that getting a tattoo can take a mom from mousewife to momshell. Getting a tattoo is a way of telling others, “I am different now; something has changed in me.” Jesus wants our lives to be marked by transformation. Read Matthew 12:33 and Acts 11:23. •How has God transformed your life? •How does that show? Conclusion: 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 says that when we come to Christ, God “tattoos” us (“sets His seal of ownership”) with His Spirit. Ephesians 4:30 says, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” A seal is a spiritual tattoo from the king. The question is will we wear it on our hearts and not just our skin? ©2012, interlÍnc / interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 facebook.com/interlinc.resources Like inte on Face for great FREE resourc interlinc-online.com interlinc-online.com/blog 800-725-3300 Get y "BehindoTur interlinc he Scene Youth Brother's Worker Guide tosu" brothersk Keeper in your m se eeper.in rlinc-onlininistry. or 800-7te 25-3300 e.com GO RACHELCHANMUSIC.COM in:ciite.com 6 S D R O W LIFE IN gospel message e pl m si e th of hs ut tr ep de e th Help your teens unpack tries. is in M e ar Sh 2 re Da om fr um ul ic with this 7-week DVD curr Based on the popular YouTube video Life in 6 Words: The GOSPEL In Life in 6 Words: The GOSPEL Explored, Explored Greg Stier and spoken word artist Jason Petty (“Propaganda”) explore the theology of the gospel message, unpacking key terms and concepts every follower of Jesus needs to grasp to understand the good news. As teens explore the theology of the gospel, they’ll come away personally transformed and better prepared to share the Good News with their friends. Check out a sample lesson at dare2share.org/lifein6words Energizing a Generation to Evangelize their World Join Creation and 10th Avenue North for a pre-show Youth Pastor Meet N Greet at these Following events CREATIONFEST.com Stop by the Creation booth & an autographed PRS guitar by MAR 01 Taco Bell Arena MAR 02 Portland, OR Rose Garden Arena MAR 03 Seattle, WA Key Arena MAR 04 Spokane, WA Spokane Arena MERCYME TENTHNORTH AVENUE LDISCIPLE ECRAE HAWK NELSON SIDEWALK PROPHETS AND Boise, ID SPECIAL SPEAKER BART MILLARD / LIGHTS UP ACT: THE REND COLLECTIVE EXPERIMENT AT THE DOOR! NO TICKETS REQUIRED GENERAL ADMISSION SEATING THEROCKANDWORSHIPROADSHOW.COM CHRISTIAN LARGEST THE NATIONS CREATION FEST.com T S A E H T R O N , PA - MT.UNION M R A F E P A AG JUNE 27-30 T S E W H T R O N E THE EXPERIENC R EXPO CENTE ENUMCLAW , WA ENUMCLAW JULY 18 -21 CREATIONFEST.com WILLMAR, MN JULY 11-14 2012 Switchfoot ·Casting Crowns ·Third Day ·Newsboys ·Relient K ·Red ·Family Force 5 ·Tenth Ave North ·Thousand Foot Krutch ·Fireflight ·Group 1 Crew ·Oh Sleeper ·Chris August ·Stellar Kart ·Remedy Drive ·Me in Motion ·Manic Drive ·The Museum ·Hyland ·Rapture Ruckus ·Reilly ·The Great Commission ·Sleeping Giant ·The Lost Colors ·Soldiers of God ·And many MORE!!! TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT SONSHINEFESTIVAL.COM facebook.com/Sonshinefest twitter.com/Sonshinefest #sonshine2012 FEATURING THE HITS GRACE FOUND ME, BEGINNING TO END & HELP OUR UNBELIEF AVAILABLE IN STORES & ONLINE NOW / rushoffools / therealfools Bring Rush of Fools to your event, contact: Greg Oliver Agency @ www.goa-inc.com blog Some of our thoughts on music, media, and student ministry interlinc-online.com/blog interlinc-online.com/75 MORE RESOURCES FROM INTERLINC-ONLINE.COM INTERLINC-ONLINE.COM The interlinc website is the best online resource for your ministry when it comes to music and media! You can listen to samples of all the music included in each volume of Youth Leaders Only, watch video clips from the Music Video Loops and read artist interviews and bios. You can also download articles on how to use music in your ministry, scope out our up-to-date Music Comparison Chart and check out other amazing resources to keep your youth ministry rockin’! REGIONAL PROMOTION interlínc is all about relationships. That's why we have three regional directors: Mark Pittman in the SouthWest Region (San Diego Office), Troy Hargrave in the SouthCentral Region (Dallas Office) and Chris Renzelman in the NorthWest Region (Seattle Office). They are long-term youth ministry guys who love kids and are passionate about helping you use music in your ministry. Contact them for all your youth ministry music needs. Mark: [email protected] Troy: [email protected] Chris: [email protected] NEED2KNOW EZINE Don’t miss out on free resources, downloads and more in our everyother-week e-newsletter. You’ll get “Heart of the Artist” interviews, music and video downloads, event information and more—all delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up at interlinc-online.com/email YOUTH LEADERS ONLY Youth ministry's original low cost music subscription service. Get all the tools you need to use music and media to connect with students. YLO Original: 36 CDs each year plus DVDs, posters, chord charts, music videos and Bible studies all for just $279.95 plus $40. shipping. YLO Works: 56 CDs each year plus DVDs, posters, chord charts, music videos and Bible studies all for only $429.95 plus $70. shipping. YLO Access: 60 songs on 4 compilation CDs with corresponding Bible studies, DVDs, posters and chord charts for just $75.95 plus $24. shipping. Find out more at interlinc-online.com/ylo TO ORDER CALL 1-800-725-3300 OR GO ONLINE AT INTERLINC-ONLINE.COM INTERLíNC SURVIVING MIDDLE SCOOL BOOK AND MUSIC SOUNDTRACK VERSION 2.0 Middle School (some people know it as “Junior High”) is a whole new world full of new people, new schedules, weird situations and bizarre relationships. It’s a time of life when “transmogrification” takes place in kids’ bodies, homes, friendships, and brains. Middle School is when they learn to navigate the important issues of life. Surviving Middle School Version 2.0: The Book & 9-Song Soundtrack has a plethora of tips, tunes, advice and wisdom to guide the middle schooler. Family Force 5, Relient K, and Stellar Kart join surfer-author Rick Bundschuh in bringing the wisdom—and the fun! CONGRADULATIONS! MUSIC-MEDIA-GIFT BOOK With over 1.2 million copies given to graduates by 25,000 churches, ConGRADulations! is the #1 grad gift of this decade. BRAND NEW for 2012 it is a New Music (CD or Download 21 powerful songs from the top names in Christian music Switchfoot, Tobymac, Lecrae, Skillet, Jeremy Camp, Newsboys), New Media (DVD or Download artist, author, and grad video greetings and advice, grad books, online Bible), New 48 Page Gift Book, New recycled paper Personalizable Gift Package, plus Class of 2012 Wristband. Also includes Ministry Resource Website (transition ministry weblinks, grad devotionals). CLICK.LOOK.LISTEN. ORDER GRAD2012.COM BRAND NEW CONGRADULATIONS! COMING JANUARY 2012 YLO SPECIAL EDITIONS Several recent volumes of Youth Leaders Only are available as Special Editions. Topics include building and training your worship team (Rock'N U), evangelism (How To Bring It Up Without Throwing Up), middle school ministry (Making Impressions While The Cement’s Still Wet), the new sexuality (The Naked Truth: The New Sexuality and Youth Ministry). You can get each DVD, Bible studies and discussion starters, plus 15+ songs and corresponding Bible studies for only $29.95 plus $7.00 shipping. Call 1-800-725-3300 to order. FCA AND INTERLÍNC’S PUMP’D WORKOUT AND PRE-GAME MUSIC PUMP’d #1 and #2 are aggressive, powerful collections of songs that prepare athletes and coaches for competition — and fans for the big game. All songs are original recordings by the top names in Christian music. Special pricing as low as $7.95. INSIDERS GUIDE TO HIGH SCHOOL The Insiders Guide to High School Version 2.0 is a great gift for new kids coming into your ministry as well as for freshmen and sophomores! Multi-Media Disc features: seven great songs from top Christian bands, video student testimonies, Biblical answers to questions like, “Where do I fit in?”, clear Gospel presentation, and powerful Columbine High School video clip. Special pricing as low as $2.99 TO ORDER CALL 1-800-725-3300 OR GO ONLINE AT INTERLINC-ONLINE.COM JOIN YOUTH LEADERS ONLY AND YOUR KIDS WILL LOVE YOU! YLO ORIGINAL MEMBERSHIP (360+ SONGS ANNUALLY) $279.95 plus $40.00 shipping Make the style of my membership: ____ Hot ____ Mild ____ Alternating DIGITAL $279.95 plus $20 shipping— Make the style of my membership: ____ Hot ____ Mild ____ Alternating for digital Canadian orders add additional $70 USD s/h; all other countries add add’l $120 USD s/h YLO WORKS MEMBERSHIP (560+ SONGS ANNUALLY) DIGITAL $429.95 plus $70.00 shipping $429.95 plus $20 shipping— YLO ACCESS MEMBERSHIP (50+ SONGS ANNUALLY) $75.95 plus $24.00 shipping Canadian orders add additional $70 USD s/h; all other countries add add’l $120 USD s/h Canadian orders add additional $52 USD s/h; all other countries add add’l $88 USD s/h Other Great Resources from interlínc PURCHASE A SINGLE BOX OF YLO (extra shipping outside US) YLO ORIGINAL SINGLE BOX choose: ____ Hot ____ Mild YLO WORKS SINGLE BOX YLO ACCESS SINGLE BOX PUMP’D OR PUMP’D 2 WORKOUT CD Order 1–4 CDs for $10.95 each Order 5–19 CDs for $8.95 each Order 20+ CDs for $7.95 each $72.50 plus $10.00 shipping $110.00 plus $17.50 shipping $29.95 plus $7.00 shipping (circle one) ____ x $10.95 = ____ + $4 s/h = ____ TOTAL ____ x $8.95 = ____ + $6 s/h = ____ TOTAL ____ x $7.95 = ____ + $10s/h = ____ TOTAL Transition Tools for Your Students CONGRADULATIONS! CLASS OF 2012 CD, DVD AND GIFT BOOK Order 1–9 CD, DVD and Gift Book Sets for $12.95 each ____ x $12.95 = ____ + $4 s/h = ____ TOTAL Order 10–19 CD, DVD and Gift Book Sets for $10.95 each ____ x $10.95 = ____ + $8 s/h = ____ TOTAL For orders of 20 or more, please call 800-725-3300 or go to grad2012.com CONGRADULATIONS! CLASS OF 2012 “ADD A HARDBACK BIBLE” PACK Get the ConGRADulations! Class of 2012 CD, DVD and Gift book PLUS a Hardback The Message Remix: Bible _________ or NIV Student Bible _________. Order 1–9 CD, DVD, Gift Book + Bible Packs for $23.95 each ____ x $23.95 = ____ + $15s/h = ____ TOTAL Order 10–19 CD, DVD, Gift Book + Bible Packs for $21.95 each ____ x $21.95 = ____ + $30s/h = ____ TOTAL For orders of 20 or more, please call 800-725-3300 or go to grad2012.com INSIDERS GUIDE TO HIGH SCHOOL CD Order 1-9 CDs for $5.99 each ____ x $5.99 = ____ Order 25-99 for $3.99 each ____ x $3.99 =____ + $0.50 each s/h; max of $20 ____ x $0.50 = ____ s/h Order 10-24 for $4.99 each ____ x $4.99 = ____ Order 100+ for $2.99 each ____ x $2.99 = ____ TOTAL = _________ SURVIVING MIDDLE SCHOOL BOOK AND CD SOUNDTRACK Version 2.0 Order 1–9 Book and CD sets for $12.95 each ____ x $12.95 = ____ + $4 s/h = ____ TOTAL Order 10–19 Book and CD sets for $10.95 each ____ x $10.95 = ____ + $8 s/h = ____ TOTAL For orders of 20 or more, please call 800-725-3300 TOTAL ORDER COST: ___________ Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. Prices subject to change. 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