appreciating secular media more through the eyes of faith
TRANSCRIPT
ENJOYING MEDIA MORE THROUGH THE EYES OF FAITHCHRISTIANITY, MUSIC & MOVIES
Is there such a thing as Christian music?Is there such a thing as a Christian movie ?
DISCUSS
Can a song or movie be a Christian?
1. How should we approach entertainment media?2. What should we value in relation to popular media?
DISCUSS
1. How would you evaluate this clip from a faith perspective?
DISCUSS
1. How would you evaluate this clip from a faith perspective?
DISCUSS
WE ARE TO POSSESS & APPRECIATE LIFE
God’s children possess overflowing life (John 10:10)
They know what it cost Christ (1 Cor 6:20, 1 Cor 7:23)
They desire to give it to others (Matt 10:8)
FOUR WAYS TO APPRECIATE ART & MEDIA
Skill – sheer display of abilityResonance – profound capture of life’s realitiesProphetic Challenge – calling society to a better lifeEntertainment – the sheer fun of being lost in something
1. THE SHEER SKILL OF IT
“Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings.”
- Proverbs 22:29
Who was the first person recorded in scripture as being filled with the Spirit of God?
RACE TIME!
Check out Exodus 35:30-35.
What might this suggest about inspiration and skill? How does the display of skill glorify God?
DISCUSS
Looking through the eyes of faith, what can you appreciate about this song?
Consider the lyrics, the skill, and the context of that time (1975)
DISCUSS
Christians are not famous for being comfortable with secular media. Why do we avoid it?
What do you feel the Bible encourages us to do?
DISCUSS
"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”- Helen Keller
“You cannot find peace by avoiding life”- Virginnia Woolf in The Hours
“Go into all the world…” - Mark 16:5
“The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world…”
- 1 John 4:4
WHAT SCRIPTURE HAS TO SAY
Consider what the following passages suggest about our engagement with the world and its media
“Be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves…”- Matt 10:16
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh…”
- Galatians 5:13
WHAT SCRIPTURE HAS TO SAY
We are called to overcome. You can’t overcome something by avoiding it.
“To him who overcomes I will give the right to eat from the tree of life…”
- Revelation 2:7
HOW DID DAVID OVERCOME GOLIATH?
Take some time going through this passage.Discuss what this means for us in music and movies etc.
DISCUSS: SCRIPTURE’S GUIDELINES
Discuss 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 together.
Young people crave the excitement & power of society’s movies & music
Don’t tell them to avoid it. Teach them to overcome it.
2. RESONANCE – CAPTURES OUR EXPERIENCE
1. What is Lorde talking about? 2. Why does this seem to resonate with so many people?
DISCUSS
1. What do you feel this song achieves? 2. What’s important about a song like this from someone like Elvis?
DISCUSS
“…then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”- 1 Corinthians 13:12
3. CALLING SOCIETY TO A BETTER LIFE
1. What are these two clips calling us up to? 2. What do they invite us to confront?
DISCUSS
1. What challenge does this song acknowledge? 2. What might it invite us to do?
DISCUSS
“Self responsibility appears to have three significant aspects:
…waking up, standing up, and making choices.”
- Peter Cammock, ‘The Spirit of Leadership’.
4. ENTERTAINMENT – THE PURE FUN OF IT
1. How does something like this glorify God? 2. How does it represent the life of the kingdom?
DISCUSS
“...they shouted for joy and fell down.”- Leviticus 9:24
“...there was joy in Israel.”- 1 Chronicles 12:40
“...they ate and drank with great joy in the presence of the Lord.”
- 1 Chronicles 29:22
Plus 215 other references!
“…the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me…”
- Jesus (John 14:30)