Ask:
What is each line about? Is it obvious or is it an underlying reference to something else? Don’t judge the song or the thoughts just go through and help students understand it.
Now have kids look at the song as a whole.
Ask:
If you’re honest, does this song help you think about the Lord and grow in your relationship with Him? (Answers will vary based on the song.)
Say something like:
I’m not attacking your music selection. I’m also not saying you only can listen to Christian music or worship music. But know that what we listen to matters. Lyrics are coming into our heads, even if we think we’re listening only to the “sound.”
Have you ever realized you know the lyrics to a song you don’t even like? At times, music that isn’t written for Jesus makes us think about Him. Love songs can be like that. We must decide beyond Sunday morning what helps us focus on God and learn to live for Him.
Bible Exploration
Read Matthew 5:8 & Philippians 4:8.
Ask:
What do you think it means to be pure in heart? Why will these people see the kingdom of God? Why are we supposed to think on things that are true, pure, lovely, etc.? What does that mean?
Finish by saying:
Being pure in heart isn’t about being perfect. It’s about making choices that help us grow closer to the Lord. Seeing His kingdom is about knowing Him. Everyday we make small choices about what we listen to, watch or absorb. Our media “diet” can bring us closer to or farther away from God.
Then discuss other ways we can focus on the “pure” from Philippians 4:8 in a practical way. Challenge students to pay attention to lyrics during the coming week. Then follow up by asking them about pure, noble, etc.
PRO TIP: You can use this approach for quick youth group lessons on movies, TV, YouTube, etc. It’s best to teach it often. Teens need frequent reminders of what purity is, and that it isn’t just about our bodies.
—Leneita Fix
This article about quick youth group lessons originally appeared here.
