Challenge of the Sexes

Home , Already There, Anberlin, Ayiesha Woods, A Skylit Drive, Beach Street Records, Ben Glover

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Youth Leaders Only / Music Resource Book / Volume 86 / Winter 2011–2012 Artist: Casting Crowns

Special DVD! Videos & Sessions For Guys/Girls Ministry pages 17–21 Articles by Chap Clark page 8 Mark Hall page 4 INSIDE: Heart of the Artist: Newsboys page 13 Family Force 5 page 15 TobyMac page 12 Special! Twelve Casting Crowns Discussion Guides page 26 Expanded Modern Worship Section: Shane & Shane, Phil Wickham, The City Harmonic, Newsboys, Jamie Grace, and Casting Crowns page 58

TRD page

CHALLENGE Maximizing Music & Ministry Media in Youth OF THE SEXES: ® MINISTRY TO GUYS AND GIRLS •YLO86_Layout 1 11/7/11 2:37 PM Page 88

>> CONTENTS MAIN/MILD/HOT ARE LISTED ALPHABETICALLY BY ARTIST

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FEATURE What I’ve Learned My Guy-Centric Heresy Found: Untangling A Young ARTICLES: About Ministering Girl’s Shame To Guys And Girls

MAIN: 17 26 38 CHALLENGE Artist: OF THE SEXES CASTING CROWNS JAMIE GRACE Album Title: Come To The Well One Song At A Time Song Title: You Lead Study Theme: Discussion Guides Entire Album Discussion Guides Discipleship

MILD: 30 32 40 TRDTHE CITY page Artist: HARMONIC CORY LAMB MIKESCHAIR Album Title: I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home) Break The Cycle A Beautiful Life Song Title: Manifesto Break The Cycle Someone Worth Dying For Study Theme: Life; Purpose/Meaning Sin; Struggle With God’s Love

HOT: 22 24 34 THE Artist: AMBASSADOR BRAILLE FAMILY FORCE 5 Album Title: Stop The Funeral Native Lungs III Song Title: Crumbs Death In Me Paycheck Study Theme: Heaven Sin; Forgiveness Humility

MUSIC RESOURCE BOOK:

Volume 86 • Winter 2011–2012 The Youth Leaders Only Music Direct any questions or comments to Maximizing Music & Media Resource Book is published quarterly interlínc at 1-800-725-3300 or visit in Youth Ministry by interlínc, Franklin, TN www.interlinc-online.com •YLO86_Layout 1 11/7/11 2:37 PM Page 88 •YLO86_Layout 1 11/7/11 2:37 PM Page 1

>> << Page CONTENTS 1 MAIN/MILD/HOT ARE LISTED ALPHABETICALLY BY ARTIST

4 5 6 8 10 11

FEATURE What I’ve Learned My Guy-Centric Heresy Found: Untangling A Young Identity Discovery For Guys A Fresh Look At Sin, Grace, Heart Of The Artist: ARTICLES: About Ministering Girl’s Shame And Girls “At The Margins” and Salvation Jamie Grace, TobyMac, Newsboys, Mark Hall, To Guys And Girls Family Force 5, Cory Lamb

MAIN: 17 26 38 44 52 CHALLENGE Artist: OF THE SEXES CASTING CROWNS JAMIE GRACE NEWSBOYS SHANE & SHANE Album Title: Come To The Well One Song At A Time God’s Not Dead The One You Need Song Title: You Lead I Am Second Liberty Study Theme: Discussion Guides Entire Album Discussion Guides Discipleship Humility Freedom

MILD: 30 32 40 46 50 THE CITY TRD page Artist: HARMONIC CORY LAMB MIKESCHAIR PHIL WICKHAM RACHAEL LAMPA Album Title: I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home) Break The Cycle A Beautiful Life Response All We Need Song Title: Manifesto Break The Cycle Someone Worth Dying For At Your Name (Yahweh, Yahweh) All We Need Study Theme: Life; Purpose/Meaning Sin; Struggle With God’s Love God’s Character Peace

HOT: 22 24 34 36 48 THE Artist: AMBASSADOR BRAILLE FAMILY FORCE 5 ICON FOR HIRE PHINEHAS Album Title: Stop The Funeral Native Lungs III Scripted Thegodmachine Song Title: Crumbs Death In Me Paycheck The Grey I Am The Lion Study Theme: Heaven Sin; Forgiveness Humility Faith; Assurance Idolatry

DEPARTMENTS: 2 42 58 69 Letter From The Editor Comparison Chart Modern Worship Section Reviews

3 54 66 80 How To Use This Resource Thematic Index Compilation re:Tuned Ministry Resource Section

MUSIC RESOURCE BOOK: STAFF:

Volume 86 • Winter 2011–2012 The Youth Leaders Only Music Direct any questions or comments to Publisher: Allen Weed • Editor: Ken McCoy • The WriteGroup: Rick Bundschuh, Cindy Engøy, Eric Gargus, Dave McGinley, Todd Pearage, Doug Ranck, Maximizing Music & Media Resource Book is published quarterly interlínc at 1-800-725-3300 or visit Paul Turner, Jeremy White, Mary Wilson • Art Direction: Ken McCoy • Cover Design: Thomas Ryan Design • Bible Study Layout: Ken McCoy in Youth Ministry by interlínc, Franklin, TN www.interlinc-online.com Production Manager: Glen Allen Green • Proofing: Anne Conley, Jeannine Ugalde, Dale Weed •YLO86_Layout 1 11/7/11 2:38 PM Page 2

Page >> 2 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

By Ken McCoy

Up For The Challenge

Working effectively with both teenaged guys and girls is a real challenge, that’s for sure.

When I was a rookie youth pastor, my It’s the Challenge Of The Sexes, and group consisted of a ton of girls and that’s what this Special Edition of Youth several guys. As the group grew, the Leaders Only and DVD are all about. ratio of girls-to-guys continued to shift more to the girl side of the equation. Most youth ministries plan for a “guys That’s not all that bad—at least I didn’t only/girls only” program at least once get tackled and hurt when playing each year. Some youth leaders do football with the kids! TRD pageovernighters, some designate a few weeks for their program, and others Being a rookie, I was always on the use a split-out meeting at camp or prowl for youth ministry advice. One retreat to deal with guy-only and girl- Saturday morning I drove to a town only issues. thirty minutes away to talk to a seasoned pro. As I entered the church, The Challenge Of The Sexes Special I couldn’t help noticing how many Edition DVD is loaded with gems teenaged guys were in the youth room. from Chap Clark, Greg Stier, Rick They were playing ping-pong, swapping Bundschuh, Sarah Hill (Bethany jokes, having belching contests, and Hamilton’s youthworker), Doug & Jon, generally just hanging out. As I sat down and Michele Pillar. Each video has an in the youth pastor’s office, I asked, accompanying Discussion Starter that “How’d you get so many GUYS to be a can help you in your ministry to guys part of your group?” His answer has and girls. shaped my youth ministry thinking ever since. The great new music (from Casting Crowns, Newsboys, Jamie Grace, “I aim all my programming at a skeptical Family Force 5, Shane & Shane, and 16-year-old guy.” others), articles, comparison chart, worship lead sheets (there are 19 this I found out that the programming I was time!) in this Special Edition Youth running was attractive and effective with girls, but not with guys. Leaders Only are aimed to help you be more effective in using So, I learned—and I’m still learning—and the ministries that I’m music and media in reaching and discipling young guys and girls responsible for are now much more balanced between guys to be studly followers of Jesus. We’re praying for you to be up and girls. for the challenge!

Working effectively with both teenaged girls and guys is a real challenge, that’s for sure. The nature of the adolescent period— Godspeed, when girls mature at a different rate than guys, when hormones are more than percolating, and when the thinking skills of teenagers are expanding at incredible rates—makes trying to minister to both sexes a real issue for youth leaders. Ken McCoy Editor •YLO86_Layout 1 11/7/11 2:38 PM Page 2 •YLO86_Layout 1 11/7/11 2:38 PM Page 3

Page >> << Page 2 LETTER FROM 3 THE EDITOR

How To Use This By Ken McCoy YLO Music Up For The Challenge Resource Book Working effectively with both teenaged guys and girls Sure, at first glance you notice how great it looks—very current, very is a real challenge, that’s for sure. stylish. Go ahead—flip through this book a bit. Notice the helpful design? When I was a rookie youth pastor, my It’s the Challenge Of The Sexes, and Did you catch the organizational details? The more you look at this book, group consisted of a ton of girls and that’s what this Special Edition of Youth several guys. As the group grew, the Leaders Only and DVD are all about. the more you will appreciate the functionality that has been built into it. ratio of girls-to-guys continued to shift more to the girl side of the equation. Most youth ministries plan for a “guys Here is a quick tour… That’s not all that bad—at least I didn’t only/girls only” program at least once get tackled and hurt when playing each year. Some youth leaders do football with the kids! overnighters, some designate a few weeks for their program, and others Being a rookie, I was always on the use a split-out meeting at camp or prowl for youth ministry advice. One retreat to deal with guy-only and girl- Saturday morning I drove to a town only issues. thirty minutes away to talk to a seasoned pro. As I entered the church, The Challenge Of The Sexes Special I couldn’t help noticing how many Edition DVD is loaded with gems teenaged guys were in the youth room. from Chap Clark, Greg Stier, Rick They were playing ping-pong, swapping Bundschuh, Sarah Hill (Bethany jokes, having belching contests, and Hamilton’s youthworker), Doug & Jon, generally just hanging out. As I sat down and Michele Pillar. Each video has an in the youth pastor’s office, I asked, accompanying Discussion Starter that The Cover Bible Studies Modern Worship Section Reviews “How’d you get so many GUYS to be a can help you in your ministry to guys If you’re like most of us, you keep What makes Youth Leaders Only more In this section you’ll find encouraging Not every available contemporary part of your group?” His answer has and girls. your YLO (Youth Leaders Only) books than “cheap music” are the music- and enlightening resources to help you Christian music CD can make it into stored on a bookshelf. When you want based Bible Study resources provided develop your youth’s worship ministry. the YLO box. So, we try to give you a shaped my youth ministry thinking ever to search for a song or video that deals for you to use in your programming. You’ll find articles from recent SPIN taste of what else is available in your since. The great new music (from Casting with a certain topic, slide each book Finding good Christian music isn’t hard, versions of YLO or other worship local store. Since interlínc often gets Crowns, Newsboys, Jamie Grace, out a couple of inches and read the but coming up with ways to use it in leaders and Lead Sheets of songs “pre-release” copies of upcoming CDs, “I aim all my programming at a skeptical Family Force 5, Shane & Shane, and themes and featured articles for each your ministry with teenagers takes time, from some of the CDs in this YLO. we can give you a “heads up” to new 16-year-old guy.” others), articles, comparison chart, issue. Cool! talent, and energy. Real-world youth Although they are not really the kind releases that might be just right for you worship lead sheets (there are 19 this leaders write the Bible Studies; the of Lead Sheets most bands use, these and your young friends. I found out that the programming I was time!) in this Special Edition Youth The Index sessions are field-tested and proven pages of “lyrics with chords over them” running was attractive and effective with girls, but not with guys. Leaders Only are aimed to help you be more effective in using Take a look at the index or “table of effective with real-world teenagers. are a great help when you want to teach We hope this effort helps you reach So, I learned—and I’m still learning—and the ministries that I’m music and media in reaching and discipling young guys and girls contents”—notice the colored bars? the high school praise banda new tune. and disciple more young people responsible for are now much more balanced between guys to be studly followers of Jesus. We’re praying for you to be up They represent sections in the book Thematic Listing Many youth leaders tell us that the Lead to be go-for-it Christians! and girls. for the challenge! and they clue you in on which albums / Not every song on every CD has a Sheets are an invaluable resource. Bible Studies are “Main,”“Mild,”or “Hot.” Bible Study written for it. That doesn’t Working effectively with both teenaged girls and guys is a real You will notice in the Bible Studies mean you can’t use those other songs re:Tuned challenge, that’s for sure. The nature of the adolescent period— Godspeed, section that each Leader Guide / Student in your ministry with students. Take advantage of some popular when girls mature at a different rate than guys, when hormones Guide is color-keyed the same way. secular songs to introduce a theme, Wow! Someone’s been thinking! supplement your regula Bible Study are more than percolating, and when the thinking skills lesson, or outreach event. Use the of teenagers are expanding at incredible rates—makes trying Featured Articles opening questions and discussion to minister to both sexes a real issue for youth leaders. Ken McCoy Each issue of YLO has a certain “flavor.” ideas to get your students talking Editor Around that theme are a couple of and thinking about the theme. “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. •YLO86_Layout 1 11/7/11 2:39 PM Page 4

Page >> 4 FEATURE ARTICLE

What I’ve Learned About Ministering To Guys And Girls I’ve been a youth pastor for 20 years, and most of what I’ve learned came from doing it wrong.

Melanie and I have seen almost 170 of our students to knees and nose to nose. Most youth workers go on to serve in church ministries as youth pastors never were discipled themselves. I wasn’t. I had and leaders, worship leaders, and senior pastors. seven youth pastors in six years and had to run When we look back over those students, we see with the herd and learn as I went. When we hear disciples. I’m not called to grow a youth group. I’m some big Christian leader talk about discipleship called to grow a disciple. Youth groups graduate. we have little context. So it comes down Disciples don’t. Disciples take it with them. to obedience. When I look back over what grewTRD these disciples, Right now I’m discipling, one-on-one,page 21 students. I see two common factors: That is about four or five a day Sunday through Wednesday. I meet with them for about thirty 1) All of these students had ministries of their minutes each. own—something in which they could discover their own gifts and purpose. For the first ten minutes, we talk about three things: 2) They all enjoyed a one-on-one discipleship family, friends, and school. That is their life. If I’m relationship with a godly adult. going to be a discipler, I need to at least know and like my kids, so there needs to be a friendship. As a young youth pastor, I thought, “Man, if I could just get a student in every one of these chairs and The second ten minutes, we dive into Scripture. We fill up this room, it’d be so awesome.” Now, I’m usually go through James or Philippians, a shorter starting to understand that if I don’t get kids out book that isn’t intimidating. We both have a study of their chairs before they graduate, they’re not Bible. We’re not picking apart verbs in Greek, but going to graduate with faith. They’re just going we do take our time. I tell them our goal is not to to graduate from church when they graduate complete the book but to walk with God through from school. Scripture. So we’ll hit two or three verses, chew on them, and see what the study Bible says about it. Some traditional ministries are obvious—drama teams, interpretative dance teams, youth choirs, Finally, we talk about how the passage applies to ensembles, bands, and puppet teams. All of these what’s going on with their family, friends, and are great because they get our kids up and serving. school (remember the first ten minutes?) and then But our students should understand that painting, we pray about it. Thirty minutes once a week can karate, and yard work also can be ministry. We last a lifetime. have a group of eighth-grade boys called the Yard Squad. Once a month they go to senior adults’ Some of these same students now meet with middle homes to mow their lawn and hang out. Sure, schoolers to disciple them, taking them through they’re helping people, but they’re also accidentally James or Philippians, because it’s doable. It’s not discovering their spiritual gifts. They’re not going somebody else’s program curriculum. It’s fulfilling to discover those gifts by watching me talk. the definition of discipleship: Walking with Jesus and taking somebody with you. Next, one-on-one discipleship is the engine God uses to drive authentic transformation. Knees

By: Mark Hall Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church Casting Crowns Founding Member McDonough, Georgia •YLO86_Layout 1 11/7/11 2:39 PM Page 4 •YLO86_Layout 1 11/7/11 2:40 PM Page 5

Page >> << Page 4 FEATURE FEATURE 5 ARTICLE ARTICLE MY GUY-CENTRIC What I’ve Learned Why Youth Ministry About Ministering HERESY Should Be GUY Oriented

Let’s get the nasty part over with right away. I think that youth groups should To Guys And Girls intentionally orient themselves toward males. Let me be clear. I am NOT suggesting that we ignore girls or refuse to throw support towards ministries aimed at girls. Neither am I suggesting that males I’ve been a youth pastor for 20 years, and most are superior, more spiritual or somehow more worthy than females. I am making the claim that youth groups will grow faster, be stronger, be more of what I’ve learned came from doing it wrong. attractive to both genders and serve the best interest of the church at large if we aim our sights strongly toward guys.

Melanie and I have seen almost 170 of our students to knees and nose to nose. Most youth workers Now, for those of you who haven’t torn up this page in disgust, let me explain go on to serve in church ministries as youth pastors never were discipled themselves. I wasn’t. I had why I make those bold and politically incorrect statements. and leaders, worship leaders, and senior pastors. seven youth pastors in six years and had to run When we look back over those students, we see with the herd and learn as I went. When we hear My first reason is that girls tend to attract other girls to a youth group (and disciples. I’m not called to grow a youth group. I’m some big Christian leader talk about discipleship maybe a couple of lotharios), but guys attract both girls and other guys. called to grow a disciple. Youth groups graduate. we have little context. So it comes down Here’s why… Disciples don’t. Disciples take it with them. to obedience. The hobby of guys is activity: skateboarding, basketball, hunting, skiing, When I look back over what grew these disciples, Right now I’m discipling, one-on-one, 21 students. surfing, wakeboarding, football, biking,TRD snowboarding, video gaming, etc. page I see two common factors: That is about four or five a day Sunday through The hobby of girls is relationship. (Yes, I know that girls do have other interests, Wednesday. I meet with them for about thirty but I am painting with a broad brush—girls are far more relationship oriented 1) All of these students had ministries of their minutes each. in their middle school and high school years than are most boys.) own—something in which they could discover Get the guys and you will get the girls too. their own gifts and purpose. For the first ten minutes, we talk about three things: 2) They all enjoyed a one-on-one discipleship family, friends, and school. That is their life. If I’m Another reason is that guys bring an important balance and energy to a youth relationship with a godly adult. going to be a discipler, I need to at least know and group. A youth group that has mostly girls will have a decidedly feminine feel like my kids, so there needs to be a friendship. that will tend to drive off stronger males and dominate weaker ones. Guys As a young youth pastor, I thought, “Man, if I could usually sense this, and are hesitant to join this kind of group. However, a group just get a student in every one of these chairs and The second ten minutes, we dive into Scripture. We that is evenly balanced or even tilted towards males will generally have a fill up this room, it’d be so awesome.” Now, I’m usually go through James or Philippians, a shorter different kind of energy and dynamic, which tilts the excitement level up a bit. starting to understand that if I don’t get kids out book that isn’t intimidating. We both have a study In order to attract “Alpha” males or strong all-boy types the youth group needs of their chairs before they graduate, they’re not Bible. We’re not picking apart verbs in Greek, but to be a place that welcomes them; the kind of youth groups that are girl heavy going to graduate with faith. They’re just going we do take our time. I tell them our goal is not to are a good place for male predators, but not male participants. to graduate from church when they graduate complete the book but to walk with God through from school. Scripture. So we’ll hit two or three verses, chew on A third reason is that the leadership for the church of the future is often them, and see what the study Bible says about it. developed in places where youth ministry takes place. And the leadership of Some traditional ministries are obvious—drama the church in America could surely use some strong males. Look at your youth teams, interpretative dance teams, youth choirs, Finally, we talk about how the passage applies to group. Are the girls running the show? Do they outnumber the guys 2 to 1? ensembles, bands, and puppet teams. All of these what’s going on with their family, friends, and This is a picture of your future church—where weak men ineffectively try to be are great because they get our kids up and serving. school (remember the first ten minutes?) and then leaders in a world of strong, dominant women. But our students should understand that painting, we pray about it. Thirty minutes once a week can karate, and yard work also can be ministry. We last a lifetime. Now I know that girls are easier to work with—they are far more responsible, have a group of eighth-grade boys called the Yard respond much more spiritually, smell better and leave much less of a mess Squad. Once a month they go to senior adults’ Some of these same students now meet with middle than the guys. Plus they are far easier to reach. Get one and the whole homes to mow their lawn and hang out. Sure, schoolers to disciple them, taking them through network will come with them. they’re helping people, but they’re also accidentally James or Philippians, because it’s doable. It’s not discovering their spiritual gifts. They’re not going somebody else’s program curriculum. It’s fulfilling Boys, on the other hand, are far more volatile. They are harder to come by and to discover those gifts by watching me talk. the definition of discipleship: Walking with Jesus a challenge to keep involved. They get distracted more easily and won’t sit and taking somebody with you. passively if the Bible study turns boring. But without them or with only a few Next, one-on-one discipleship is the engine God malleable ones, a youth group is not only lopsided, but it also pretty much uses to drive authentic transformation. Knees insures a future church where guys are noticeable by their absence.

By: By: Mark Hall Rick Bundschuh Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church Kauai Christian Fellowship Casting Crowns Founding Member Kauai, Hawaii McDonough, Georgia [email protected] •YLO86_Layout 1 11/7/11 2:40 PM Page 6

Page >> 6 FEATURE ARTICLE Found Untangling A Young

This is an excerpt from Untangled, an upcoming (2012) non-fiction Circa: 1973. falling off my Stilettos and into the novel based on real-life events of Michele Pillar, the successful judges’ laps. Little did they know it songwriter and Christian concert artist who lost her way, lost her I had on powder-blue shorts. Any felt more like walking a ship’s plank to marriage and was ready to toss even her own life because of sorrow, shorter and they’d have qualified as me. “Steady on. You can do this, guilt and shame. Sitting on a bed, a bottle of sleeping pills in her bikini bottoms. I sat there in a little Michele. They’ll never have to know hand, one pill already dissolving in her mouth, Michele heard the metal chair, bouncing my knees up your secret,” I said to myself, putting gentle voice of the Holy Spirit calling her back from the edge, back and down, trying to stay warm. The one foot in front of the other. What I to trust and to see her life for the first time through the eyes of God. backs of my legs on the cold metal didn’t count on was catching my sent shivers up my spine and made mother’s eye in the audience. The my teeth chatter with every bounce. moment our eyes met, I broke into In reality, it was a big, bad case tears for reasons I hoped she would TRD pageof nerves. never know. I covered my tracks by placing my hand over my heart, My cuffed, crisp linen shorts came as throwing her a kiss, pretending I was part of a suit with a really cute, overtaken with joy. I deserved more matching jacket, but I left that part at than a crown last night—I deserved home, not wanting to draw attention an Academy Award. to myself. My skin had a healthy glow, ten watts Too late for that. brighter than all the other contestants in the pageant, a glow that doesn’t I wore the skimpy number twelve come from good eating habits or hours earlier when I won the title of amazing genes but from the genetics Miss Westminster. When they called growing alive and well inside of me. out my name as the new city queen, I strutted the runway like a gazelle with Walking through the doors of this a Pepsodent smile! My long, sun- dank pit was much harder than I kissed legs pouring out of those little thought it would be. It made last shorts helped seal the deal, but sexy night’s stroll seem like a cakewalk. It gams also can walk a girl straight into was like putting on a wet bathing suit. big trouble. And that’s what I was in this morning, big trouble. The glory “If the judges knew I was here this of the night before faded into the dingy, morning, they'd never have given me army green walls now surrounding me. the crown,” I thought. Who in their I sat flipping through the pages of a right mind wears the very shorts she beaten-up Seventeen magazine. It was wore in the pageant to a place like stained and dog-eared from countless this? I mean, the same shorts that other girls who’d sat here killing time appeared on the cover of today’s before me. I sighed and replayed last newspaper— for goodness’ sake? night’s victory, remembering what a A pair of jeans or even baggy sweats nightmare it was. and large sunglasses would have been a smarter choice, but I didn’t know any Blinded by the spotlight and deaf better—that’s how lost I was. from the sound of the roaring crowd, it was all I could do to walk that runway without slipping, tripping or •YLO86_Layout 1 11/7/11 2:40 PM Page 6 •YLO86_Layout 1 11/7/11 2:40 PM Page 7

Page >> << Page 6 FEATURE 7 ARTICLE Found Untangling A Young Girl’s Shame

This is an excerpt from Untangled, an upcoming (2012) non-fiction Circa: 1973. falling off my Stilettos and into the I kept telling myself there was no other Miss California and hopefully go on to novel based on real-life events of Michele Pillar, the successful judges’ laps. Little did they know it way but to come here to this God- win the coveted Miss America crown. songwriter and Christian concert artist who lost her way, lost her I had on powder-blue shorts. Any felt more like walking a ship’s plank to forsaken place. My mother would When the judges placed that scepter marriage and was ready to toss even her own life because of sorrow, shorter and they’d have qualified as me. “Steady on. You can do this, be devastated if she knew I was in my arms last night, they didn’t guilt and shame. Sitting on a bed, a bottle of sleeping pills in her bikini bottoms. I sat there in a little Michele. They’ll never have to know pregnant. She had disappointments picture a baby beside it. Believing I hand, one pill already dissolving in her mouth, Michele heard the metal chair, bouncing my knees up your secret,” I said to myself, putting enough to last a lifetime. She didn’t was the future Miss America, they gentle voice of the Holy Spirit calling her back from the edge, back and down, trying to stay warm. The one foot in front of the other. What I need another one. were already patting themselves on to trust and to see her life for the first time through the eyes of God. backs of my legs on the cold metal didn’t count on was catching my the back for their ability to choose sent shivers up my spine and made mother’s eye in the audience. The I would be graduating from High a winner. my teeth chatter with every bounce. moment our eyes met, I broke into School in a couple of months and In reality, it was a big, bad case tears for reasons I hoped she would would enroll in Golden West College These cold, hard facts were obstacles of nerves. never know. I covered my tracks by TRD page next week. The first-ever Commercial I couldn’t see around, sitting in the little placing my hand over my heart, Music Department was kicking off at metal chair. That’s why I came here My cuffed, crisp linen shorts came as throwing her a kiss, pretending I was GWC in the Fall, and the staff to The County Abortion Clinic to make part of a suit with a really cute, overtaken with joy. I deserved more members were proud of their new it right... to buy myself more than time, matching jacket, but I left that part at than a crown last night—I deserved curriculum. They’d courted me for to buy myself the future I wanted. home, not wanting to draw attention an Academy Award. months and were thrilled I was I was kicking myself for being stupid to myself. coming. I couldn’t wait to get there. enough to wind up pregnant. My skin had a healthy glow, ten watts Too late for that. brighter than all the other contestants Besides all that, how does a girl stand To read the rest of Michele’s in the pageant, a glow that doesn’t on a moving float and wave to the amazing and powerful story go to: I wore the skimpy number twelve come from good eating habits or crowd if she’s green with morning interlinc-online.com/untangled hours earlier when I won the title of amazing genes but from the genetics sickness? I could just see it now: Miss Westminster. When they called growing alive and well inside of me. “Excuse me, mister float chauffeur. Also watch Michele’s video “Am I out my name as the new city queen, I Can we pull over for a second, so I Enough?” on the Challenge Of The strutted the runway like a gazelle with Walking through the doors of this can bow at the waist and barf Sexes DVD in YLO 86. a Pepsodent smile! My long, sun- dank pit was much harder than I curbside, please?” kissed legs pouring out of those little thought it would be. It made last shorts helped seal the deal, but sexy night’s stroll seem like a cakewalk. It And I doubted the Westminster gams also can walk a girl straight into was like putting on a wet bathing suit. Chamber of Commerce would big trouble. And that’s what I was in welcome the idea of gown alterations this morning, big trouble. The glory “If the judges knew I was here this to accommodate my ever-changing of the night before faded into the dingy, morning, they'd never have given me belly. Ribbon-cutting ceremonies army green walls now surrounding me. the crown,” I thought. Who in their could get sticky, too. During my last I sat flipping through the pages of a right mind wears the very shorts she trimester, I’d have a heck of a time beaten-up Seventeen magazine. It was wore in the pageant to a place like reaching over my tummy to maneuver By: stained and dog-eared from countless this? I mean, the same shorts that those extra large pretend scissors. I’d Michele Pillar other girls who’d sat here killing time appeared on the cover of today’s never heard of a beauty queen who michelepillar.com before me. I sighed and replayed last newspaper— for goodness’ sake? looked as if she swallowed a night’s victory, remembering what a A pair of jeans or even baggy sweats basketball. Besides, the biggest nightmare it was. and large sunglasses would have been responsibility and honor a queen is a smarter choice, but I didn’t know any asked to perform is representing her Blinded by the spotlight and deaf better—that’s how lost I was. fair city in the Miss Orange County from the sound of the roaring crowd, Pageant, the largest County in the it was all I could do to walk that State of California. Should she win runway without slipping, tripping or Miss O.C., she’d be the top seed for •YLO86_Layout 1 11/7/11 2:40 PM Page 8

Page >> 8 FEATURE ARTICLE IDENTITY DISCOVERY FOR GUYS AND GIRLS “AT THE MARGINS”

In most suburban youth ministry programs, the kinds of kids we work with tend what that community—whether parents, neighbors, coaches, teachers, or other to have parents who are driven by cultural definitions of success. Generally, adults—sees as the emerging self of the child. This naming has great power— these kinds of kids have grown up being constantly told that they are better, power that can be either productive in affirming a child’s growing sense of self smarter, and more gifted than the general population. Granted, this is a huge or destructive in negatively determining his or her identity. Depending on the generalization, but in my experience, suburban youth ministry in the US has lots source and relationship of the messenger, negative labeling has great power to and lots of kids that I include under the heading privileged. become a curse that a child must overcome in order to move into healthy adulthood. When a vulnerable child, for example, is labeled a failure (by being In this excerpted new chapter “Kids At The Margins” from Hurt 2.0, I examine either explicitly told or implicitly treated as such), that child will learn to live into the issues kids who are either vulnerable or privileged face. Here we are looking the label that the community confers. When such labels are harmful, damaging, at the issue of “autonomy,” that aspect of growing up where a kid comes to or demeaning, because they come from those with the power of authority and believe that he or she has and trusts gifts and talents. Some call this developing the weight of the community, children often embrace this tag as the definition of a “sense of self,” and what we found is that today’s privileged kids have a much who they are. harder time discovering and living out of who they are instead of what others expect them to be (including, then, Christian kids). The issues related to vulnerable youth have been well documented in academic TRD pageliterature, and occasionally have made their way into our national discourse, Identity Discovery For Vulnerable Kids mostly through political posturing. But the actual plight and environment of Every culture desires its children to grow up into healthy, productive, and vulnerable kids is rarely engaged by the general populace, especially with any contributing adults. In order for a child to become such an adult, however, it is credible data driving the discussion. When an acquaintance found out I had essential that adults are present, available, and committed to providing the spent time with some members of the Los Angeles gang reduction staff and environment where each child can discover and live out of their unique sense of visited some of their sites, he flippantly remarked, “They just need to get with self. To take this obvious assertion one step further, every child deserves the the program, and improve their lives. Nobody ever helped me out when I was opportunity to have the chance to grow up in such a way as to realize their growing up.” This type of attitude is common today, especially among those distinctiveness as a member of society. This is a much more difficult task for who have never had to endure the realities that vulnerable kids face every day— vulnerable kids than for those growing up in the mainstream. Part of the from violence and drugs to systemic economic and racial oppression. What I community’s role in identity formation and self-discovery is to name, or label, saw at an urban public school versus at an elite religious private school, for

By: Dr. Chap Clark Fuller Seminary Pasadena, California chapclark.com

FOR GIRLS There remains a gender stigma that is verbally discounted but in practice tends to constantly remind girls that the best they have to offer is related to how attractive they are to guys, especially in the church. Even our brightest, mostce confidenttheir own youngsense women are forced to reckon with a culture that communicates mixed messages at best. As our young women internally seek to discover and embra of self, they also are well aware that they must maintain the carefully crafted image of a successful, competent individual by appeasing the hoops and agendas thrown at them throughout high school. •YLO86_Layout 1 11/7/11 2:40 PM Page 8 •YLO86_Layout 1 11/7/11 2:42 PM Page 9

Page >> << Page 8 FEATURE 9 ARTICLE IDENTITY DISCOVERY FOR GUYS AND GIRLS “AT THE MARGINS”

In most suburban youth ministry programs, the kinds of kids we work with tend what that community—whether parents, neighbors, coaches, teachers, or other example, made it impossible not to notice the differences in how our society evaluated, and judged. They learn from a very young age that their life is and to have parents who are driven by cultural definitions of success. Generally, adults—sees as the emerging self of the child. This naming has great power— cares about our young—discrediting the myth that in the United States we all will always be measured by externals, especially how they look, adapt, and these kinds of kids have grown up being constantly told that they are better, power that can be either productive in affirming a child’s growing sense of self have the same opportunity. perform. smarter, and more gifted than the general population. Granted, this is a huge or destructive in negatively determining his or her identity. Depending on the generalization, but in my experience, suburban youth ministry in the US has lots source and relationship of the messenger, negative labeling has great power to As we grow up our identity is shaped by the interaction between those voices Just as labeling can reinforce a negative perception of one’s sense of self, it can and lots of kids that I include under the heading privileged. become a curse that a child must overcome in order to move into healthy and messages we receive and our internal conception of ourselves. Vulnerable also undercut the healthy development of the self. There is no doubt that on adulthood. When a vulnerable child, for example, is labeled a failure (by being kids often receive negative or destructive messages, which sets the course for average privileged kids are able to perform at a higher level than their peers. In In this excerpted new chapter “Kids At The Margins” from Hurt 2.0, I examine either explicitly told or implicitly treated as such), that child will learn to live into their identity development. Our default perspective toward vulnerable young discussing the impact of labeling on vulnerable kids, Vasudevan and Campano the issues kids who are either vulnerable or privileged face. Here we are looking the label that the community confers. When such labels are harmful, damaging, people is that it is their fault that they have a hard time finding their way out of assert that labeling at either extreme invariably results in a hierarchy for all at the issue of “autonomy,” that aspect of growing up where a kid comes to or demeaning, because they come from those with the power of authority and economic, educational, and societal circumstances that hold them back. So we young people. The privileged, then, grow up believing that they are better than, believe that he or she has and trusts gifts and talents. Some call this developing the weight of the community, children often embrace this tag as the definition of as a culture often ignore the needs of our most vulnerable and implicitly join in smarter than, and more capable across the board than their peers. The a “sense of self,” and what we found is that today’s privileged kids have a much who they are. the chorus of those negative influencers. It is no wonder we are a divided educational culture we have allowed to control the defining of our young has harder time discovering and living out of who they are instead of what others nation; we simply do not offer everyone a level playing field, and then we try to used labels to separate them by employing phrases like “gifted and talented.” expect them to be (including, then, Christian kids). The issues related to vulnerable youth have been well documented in academic rationalize the inequities in order to make ourselves feel less responsible. As a result, privileged kids are conditioned to believe that they have an external literature, and occasionally have made their way into our national discourse, Vulnerable kids are told that they willTRD never amount to anything, that they are pagestandard and expectation they are destined to attain, while vulnerable teens are Identity Discovery For Vulnerable Kids mostly through political posturing. But the actual plight and environment of not as smart, or as talented, or as gifted as those of privilege, and the cycle rolls conditioned to expect that they have no chance in life because they are not Every culture desires its children to grow up into healthy, productive, and vulnerable kids is rarely engaged by the general populace, especially with any on. Our children are the losers, and therefore so are we all. gifted and talented, according to the prescribed definition. contributing adults. In order for a child to become such an adult, however, it is credible data driving the discussion. When an acquaintance found out I had essential that adults are present, available, and committed to providing the spent time with some members of the Los Angeles gang reduction staff and Identity Discovery For Privileged Kids This is an excerpt from Hurt 2.0 Inside the World of Today’s Teenagers by Chap environment where each child can discover and live out of their unique sense of visited some of their sites, he flippantly remarked, “They just need to get with While identity discovery is not an easy task for most adolescents—especially Clark, published by Baker Academic, a division of Baker Publishing Group. self. To take this obvious assertion one step further, every child deserves the the program, and improve their lives. Nobody ever helped me out when I was given the profusion of disparate messages bombarding them throughout their ©2011. Used by permission. All rights to this material are reserved. Material is opportunity to have the chance to grow up in such a way as to realize their growing up.” This type of attitude is common today, especially among those young lives— most kids have the opportunity to explore the interaction of not to be reproduced, scanned, copied, or distributed in any printed or distinctiveness as a member of society. This is a much more difficult task for who have never had to endure the realities that vulnerable kids face every day— external messages and internal sense of self. For privileged kids, however, this electronic form without written permission from Baker Publishing Group. vulnerable kids than for those growing up in the mainstream. Part of the from violence and drugs to systemic economic and racial oppression. What I dance becomes even more complicated as their environment becomes more community’s role in identity formation and self-discovery is to name, or label, saw at an urban public school versus at an elite religious private school, for controlled and manipulated. They know that they are constantly being watched,

By: Dr. Chap Clark Fuller Seminary FOR GUYS Pasadena, California Their sense of self is so tied to performance. No surprise to anyone, the most chapclark.com obvious place to demonstrate someone’s worth is on the athletic field, and if not there, then they must be extraordinary somewhere else (music, humor, intellect, power, etc.). Adolescent guys are not nearly as relationally intuitive as their female FOR GIRLS peers, but, especially the There remains a gender stigma that is verbally discounted but in practice tends privileged do understand how important it something that they are good at in order to be noticed. That’s the realis to tragedy find to constantly remind girls that the best they have to offer is related to how attractive for our privileged kids, and especially boys: as growing people they want so badly they are to guys, especially in the church. Even our brightest, most confident young to discover and embrace their own sense to be encouraged and affirmed for who they are, and to be included as a valuable women are forced to reckon with a culture that communicates mixed messages at member of the community best. As our young women internally seek from the time they could walkfor thatto know reason that alone without. But a they marketable have been skill—a conditioned of self, they also are well aware that they must maintain the carefully crafted image club team, an outstanding student, a first class evangelist—they are nothing. of a successful, competent individual by appeasing the hoops and agendas thrown star on a For boys an internal sense of self is so difficult to discover because everything at them throughout high school. they’ve ever known is about the externals of performance. •YLO86_Layout 1 11/7/11 2:42 PM Page 10

Page >> 10 BONUS ARTICLE A Fresh Look At Sin, Grace, and Salvation

It’s the undead within. A rotting spiritual corpse That’s just one way this sinful nature inside leftover from your former life. It takes part of its influences you. It influences your mind, emotions identity from the person you were before you and will. Your friendships, relationships, family became a Christian. Some Christians have a decisions—everything. “before and after” story of conversion that includes some pretty dramatic escapades. But if You soon become frustrated with yourself. Upset. you trusted Christ at an early age,TRD you may have pageConfused. Wondering why a Christian would some difficulty seeing yourself as a former “child have this much trouble following God. Other of Satan”. I mean, how bad can a 5 year old be? Christians seem to be doing fine, or at least It’s not like you were doing drugs, sleeping much better than you. This creates doubt, around or robbing convenience stores. leading to more confusion. You question your Nevertheless, the Bible says that you were born faith, your maturity, and like Amber, even your with the same rotten, sinful nature as the rest of salvation. You wonder which one is the real you us. What’s more, as we grow and mature, that old and which one is the imposter. You feel totally nature, sometimes called the ‘flesh’, ‘self’, ‘old comfortable with being both the new you and the man’ or ‘sin nature’—continues decaying and old you—depending on your mood or rotting in its character. circumstances. Sometimes you feel so close to God that it takes your breath away. Then other Just like a zombie. times (often just minutes later) you find yourself embracing the very sin you hate. And you get this It never gets better. Only worse. More sinful. More brain glitch thing in your head that goes wicked. More grotesque. More vile. More something like this; detestable. Thing is, this zombie goes with you wherever you go. Not always visible or vocal, but “Wait, just a little while ago I was talking about he or she is still there. With you at school, on the Jesus and loving God and feeling like life couldn’t job, hanging with friends, at the dinner table with get any better. And now I’m totally into this sin. family, on a date, in a meeting, on the playing I’m thinking/doing something I know makes God field, in the locker room and when you’re alone at sad. But that’s really not me. But I’m still really night in your room. It never leaves you because it loving it. But not really. I love God, not sin. But is you. Or a big part of you. I’m not really wanting to love Him right now, and I feel guilty about that. But not so guilty that I’m And it knows you well—your tendencies, habits, gonna stop. Gosh! This is crazy! How am I patterns, thoughts and weaknesses. It’s had all supposed to make any sense of this? How do I your life to study and mold you. And it lives for make sense of me?! nothing more than to turn you away from your Savior. If it can’t do that it will draw you into a lifestyle of self-pleasure. And if it can’t do that, it will lull you into becoming An excerpt from The Christian Zombie Killers Handbook by Jeff Kinley, ©2011 religious, trading in spirituality for self-serving, consumer-driven Christianity. Thomas Nelson. Used with permission. For more information, visit But therein lies the deception. Catering to self—whether it’s in church or in the thomasnelson.com world—is still self-worship.

By: Jeff Kinley Little Rock, Arkansas MainThingMinistries.com •YLO86_Layout 1 11/7/11 2:42 PM Page 10 •YLO86_Layout 1 11/7/11 2:42 PM Page 11

Page >> << Page 10 BONUS HEART 11 ARTICLE OF THE ARTIST A Fresh Look At Sin, JAMIE GRACE Grace, and Salvation This past summer the world was introduced When I was 11 years old I was diagnosed with confused. I had been serving God my whole life, to new Gotee artist Jamie Grace, by none Turrets Syndrome, OCD, and anxiety. Tourette’s is a now I have this big thing I’m dealing with. Music other than Gotee Records founder TobyMac. condition that makes you make movements and really gave me that outlet to let that pain and Here is a condensed version of a sounds that you can’t control because your brain frustration out on the drum set. I started to sing conversation that took place during an doesn’t work in a normal way. I do normal stuff; I more, to play the guitar and the ukulele. I eventually interlinc “talk back” session. We think you’ll just tend to do it with a couple additional started writing songs, making youTube videos, and discover why TobyMac and all of us at movements. You always have to be guarded around this is how all this stuff started to happen. interlínc are excited about Jamie Grace. me, you never know what is going to happen! I feel very blessed now that I can joke and laugh about it. TobyMac: I found out about Jamie Grace originally Before I got to that point I was very stressed and Check out the Bible Study for the Jamie Grace song, on YouTube. She did thirteen TobyMac songs in angry about it. I was mad at God and very “You Lead” on page 38. three and a half minutes—a massive medley of my songs! I began to research her and see what she was about. She began to not only do cover songs but to write her own songs as well. What I heard and the joy on her face caught my attention. I met It’s the undead within. A rotting spiritual corpse That’s just one way this sinful nature inside with her and her mom in a coffee shop in Franklin, leftover from your former life. It takes part of its influences you. It influences your mind, emotions Tennessee and fell in love with her family. She stays identity from the person you were before you and will. Your friendships, relationships, family at our house when she comes to town to record, became a Christian. Some Christians have a decisions—everything. and my wife loves her too. I want to invest my time “before and after” story of conversion that in artists that look like the future, artists that will includes some pretty dramatic escapades. But if You soon become frustrated with yourself. Upset. build God’s kingdom with their talents. So, ladies you trusted Christ at an early age, you may have Confused. Wondering why a Christian would and gentlemen, I introduce you toTRD Jamie Grace. page some difficulty seeing yourself as a former “child have this much trouble following God. Other of Satan”. I mean, how bad can a 5 year old be? Christians seem to be doing fine, or at least Jamie: Hi! My name is Jamie Grace; I’m 19 years It’s not like you were doing drugs, sleeping much better than you. This creates doubt, old and a senior at Atlanta Christian College/ around or robbing convenience stores. leading to more confusion. You question your Point University. Nevertheless, the Bible says that you were born faith, your maturity, and like Amber, even your with the same rotten, sinful nature as the rest of salvation. You wonder which one is the real you Toby Mac: I was a freshman at 19 years old in us. What’s more, as we grow and mature, that old and which one is the imposter. You feel totally college… (Laughter) nature, sometimes called the ‘flesh’, ‘self’, ‘old comfortable with being both the new you and the man’ or ‘sin nature’—continues decaying and old you—depending on your mood or Jamie: I’m studying child and youth development rotting in its character. circumstances. Sometimes you feel so close to with a focus on Children’s Ministry. As much as I God that it takes your breath away. Then other love singing, playing instruments, and writing Just like a zombie. times (often just minutes later) you find yourself songs, I love to speak and share with young embracing the very sin you hate. And you get this people. I remember being 7 or 8 years old and It never gets better. Only worse. More sinful. More brain glitch thing in your head that goes asking my parents if I could help out with the wicked. More grotesque. More vile. More something like this; Middle School program because I have always had detestable. Thing is, this zombie goes with you a heart for young people. wherever you go. Not always visible or vocal, but “Wait, just a little while ago I was talking about he or she is still there. With you at school, on the Jesus and loving God and feeling like life couldn’t I think what you youth leaders do is so amazing. It job, hanging with friends, at the dinner table with get any better. And now I’m totally into this sin. takes a lot of time and preparation. I’m a pastor’s family, on a date, in a meeting, on the playing I’m thinking/doing something I know makes God kid and there may be times when the person who field, in the locker room and when you’re alone at sad. But that’s really not me. But I’m still really normally teaches isn’t there so I may have to night in your room. It never leaves you because it loving it. But not really. I love God, not sin. But randomly go teach a lesson. When you are is you. Or a big part of you. I’m not really wanting to love Him right now, and I teaching kids you can’t just go think up a subject feel guilty about that. But not so guilty that I’m and talk about it for a while—you have to have And it knows you well—your tendencies, habits, gonna stop. Gosh! This is crazy! How am I some type of lesson plan, be prepared, and prayed patterns, thoughts and weaknesses. It’s had all supposed to make any sense of this? How do I up. My parents were my youth pastors, so I your life to study and mold you. And it lives for make sense of me?! definitely know the hard work that they put into it, nothing more than to turn you away from your so I commend you guys. Savior. If it can’t do that it will draw you into a lifestyle of self-pleasure. And if it can’t do that, it will lull you into becoming An excerpt from The Christian Zombie Killers Handbook by Jeff Kinley, ©2011 religious, trading in spirituality for self-serving, consumer-driven Christianity. Thomas Nelson. Used with permission. For more information, visit But therein lies the deception. Catering to self—whether it’s in church or in the thomasnelson.com world—is still self-worship.

By: Jeff Kinley Little Rock, Arkansas MainThingMinistries.com •YLO86_Layout 1 11/7/11 2:43 PM Page 12

Page >> 12 HEART OF THE ARTIST TobyMac We caught up with TobyMac and asked a couple questions about his powerful book, City On Our Knees. His responses are followed by an excerpt from his book.

Page >> << Page 12 HEART HEART 13 OF THE ARTIST OF THE ARTIST TobyMac We caught up with TobyMac and asked a couple questions about his powerful book, City On Our Knees. His responses are followed by an excerpt from his book.

City On Our Knees was inspired by your I recently received a letter from a song of the same title. How did the song woman who had just walked out of a develop into a book? marriage-counseling session with her husband, completely resolved to end We saw impact the song was having and we heard her marriage. She got in her car and many cool stories about what God is doing around sped away. the world. So we wanted to highlight stories of people who stepped across lines and allowed God On the car radio, a song was playing. to use them to be a mechanism of love and hope. One of my songs. “City on Our Knees.” We searched for stories with the thread of hope and love until we had enough for a book. When this woman heard the lyrics “If TRD page you gotta start somewhere, why not Is there one story in City On Our Knees here / If you gotta start sometime, that has impacted you the most? why not now,” something happened. God used those words and the spirit There is no way to pick one that inspired me the of the music, somehow, to change most, but I can highlight one: “Into the Jaws of her heart. NEWSBOinterlínc Northwest Regional Director, Chris be easier for guys like us whose workplaceYS is among other believers. Most Hell.” In this story, you have the Bellavista prison others do not work in a Christian environment, where I’m always in a Christian that is the worst of the worst. It is supposed to hold She started crying and committed to Renzelman, had a chance to lead a environment. It’s great to have those guys around you who have your back. 1500 prisoners but there are over 6600. It averages trying again to heal her marriage. youthworker “talk back” session with the It’s like a marriage of sorts being in a band. I’m with these guys sometimes 45 murders a month and is basically a training more than my wife. ground for dangerous criminals. God sent a woman When I read letters like this, when I Newsboys at the Creation West Festival. Here to share about His steadfast love and over time the see God move on people’s hearts are some excerpts from that meeting. What do you have to say to encourage those kids who want to do prison is transformed. Today there is a Bible when tragedies happen or just when what you do? training school within the prison and the murder people reach out to people in need, I Was the adjustment of Michael replacing Peter easy or tough? rate is less than one a year. am more hopeful than ever about Jeff Frankenstein: My youth leader is a really big reason why I’m here people coming together. About Duncan Phillips: It was actually very tough for us. Transitioning a new today. My youth leader wanted to bring the Newsboys to our church gym— How do you want City On Our Knees humanity loving well. member into a band can be difficult. What was odd for about six months this was in 1992. He needed someone that knows the area to drive the band to challenge the reader? many promoters said they wanted Peter to be there. The weird thing is it’s like around while they were in town. He knew that my mom had a killer Chevy I am fortunate to be able to see God being married to a new wife, but still have your girlfriend there, it was really Astro mini-van that would be perfect. I got drafted to drive the band around. Hopefully, the reader will see that God can use one moving in some of the people right odd (Laughter). Not that I’ve ever done that or would encourage anyone to do Through that I was talking to Peter and some of the guys, and Jody was there person or one small group to make great change. around me—people who are making that, but I’m trying to put it in terms that most people would understand, and too. Three months later I was in college, and I got a message on my Hopefully, they will be challenged to not rely on choices daily to bring people together. it was very awkward. answering machine. It said “Jeff, we remember you and we need a keyboard their gifts and strengths but to rely on God. player right away. Would you want to come audition in three days?” Within One of those people is Susannah Michael Tait: My first concert with the Newsboys was nearly three years three days I drove to another city and auditioned with the band during their Parrish, a graphic designer who has ago—that was wild. The promoter wasn’t too sure of Michael Tait being the sound check. I played the sound check and the concert with them later that An excerpt from City on Our Knees by TobyMac, done a lot of artwork and design for us over the We are family; we are parts of a body, and each lead singer of the Newsboys; he knew me as one of the founders of DC Talk, night. The next day I went home, dropped out of college, moved to © 2010 Bethany House Publishers. years. During the Nashville floods in May 2010, part is needed. Sometimes, when one part of the but this was Newsboys. He actually brought Peter Furler there too, just in Tennessee, jumped on a bus, and did like 280 concerts that year. My youth Used with permission. Susannah designed a T-shirt to raise money for the body is weak, fatigued, or injured, the other parts case I didn’t deliver. I had Peter come out on “Breakfast”—it was one our best leader was behind the scenes making phone calls, always encouraging me. For more information, visit bethanyhouse.com. relief efforts. The design caught on—in fact, it have to kick in to help. Susannah saw herself as concerts and the promoter came to me afterwards and said we didn’t even Being in that youth group, in my parents’ church, playing in tons of church caught the attention of more than 25,000 people on one small, humble part of the body, but her unique need Peter after all. services and having to learn all this music, was God was preparing me. I think Facebook. Susannah never dreamed her small artistic skill led to a much greater result than she sometimes for you guys it’s just being there in that kid’s life. You guys are effort would make such a difference, but she sold could have imagined. What are some things you do these days to stay fresh spiritually? pretty rare in a world where there are so many negative influences. You stand more than 18,000 shirts and donated over $22,000 What are some of the demands that challenge that and how do you out more in your kids’ lives than you think. You lead by example just as a to relief organizations in the Nashville area. handle it? parent would. I hope that is an encouragement to you guys. That is what happened to me. Duncan Phillips: That is a great question. I think with anybody it is a daily walk. My iPod is full of sermons from my home church. I make sure I get into it every day, and at least pray every day—just the same as anyone else. It may Check out the Bible Study for the Newsboys song, “I Am Second” on page 44. •YLO86_Layout 1 11/7/11 2:44 PM Page 14

Page >> 14 HEART OF THE ARTIST CASTING CROWNS Allan Hardin, longtime music industry If youth leaders were to spend a week with you and observe your executive and leader of interlínc’s Artist youth ministry, what would they discover? Services Group caught up with YLO’s most They’re gonna see teenagers who are brand new believers, wading through famous member, Casting Crowns’ Mark Hall. this new life, feeling the forgiveness of God, and they’re also feeling the conviction of God—they’re wrestling through all that. We have some students Here are excerpts from their discussion. who are rocking, walking closely with God, and discovering His calling on their lives. We have some students that are totally determined to destroy themselves—they’ve chosen that they don’t want to hear it and they’re going to do what they want to do no matter what. Youth leaders will see every end of the spectrum.

How did the concept for the “Come To The Well” album and your TRD pagebook “The Well: Why Are So Many Still Thirsty?” come about? The theme came from a sermon I shared with my teenagers and their families about the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4.

What is that thing, that “Well” from which you truly draw strength? Your friends aren’t the “Well”—they aren’t always going to do the right thing or be there for you. Your athletic scholarship can’t be the “Well”—if your knee goes out, your well runs dry. We need to draw from Jesus, pour His life into everything we do.

When Jesus met the woman at the well, He talked to her about spiritual water, symbolic of eternal life in Him. She responded as lost people do. She related everything to the physical, to the here and now. When He offered living water, she hoped He meant providing her a shortcut to the daily chore of drawing water, and she likely was a little cynical in her response. Jesus said, “I’ll give you water and you’ll never thirst again.” The Samaritan woman was like, “Oh, yeah? Well, give me some of that water so I won’t have to come back to this well anymore.”

This woman thought she was standing by a well and talking to a man, but really she was standing by a hole in the ground and talking to the Well!

You’ve been a YLO member for years. What are some of your thoughts about Youth Leaders Only?

We know how important music is in a teenager’s life. Their music’s either urging them toward the life they’re trying to live or it’s dragging them back toward the life they’re trying to leave. So my conviction is, if a youth leader can show students that Christian music has totally caught up culturally, and encourage students to give their music to God and to let Christian music be what they go to for their entertainment as well as for their growth, it will change everything about them. It’s hard to do that if you don’t have all different styles of music available, which most of us don’t. To me, YLO has been a great resource to find out what Christian music is out there that I might not find on my own. And, with YLO, I get to hear the heart of the band and what they’re about. YLO has definitely been a great tool for us.

Check out the Discussion Guides for the entire Casting Crowns album “Come To The Well” starting on page 26. •YLO86_Layout 1 11/7/11 2:44 PM Page 14 •YLO86_Layout 1 11/7/11 2:44 PM Page 15

Page >> << Page 14 HEART HEART 15 OF THE ARTIST OF THE ARTIST CASTING FAMILY FORCE Mark Pittman, interlinc Southwest Regional In addition, we’re all tremendously active on social As you can imagine, all of those factors put quite a Director and life-long FF5 fan, caught up networks, and have built an amazing rapport with strain on our marriages and relationships, many of with Derek (aka “Chap Stique”) to talk about the kids and adults who listen to Family Force 5. which are still under intense repair. We missed the band’s heart for ministry to students. The conversations in which we engage over more weddings, funerals, and little-league games Great Questions. Great Answers. myspace, facebook, and twitter have blossomed then we ever dreamed we would, and as a result, into friendships that we never thought were we’ve made a tremendous effort to structure our FF5 has received some amazing possible between a band and its fans. As a united touring schedule in a much healthier manner. opportunities to play in front of non- team, we do the best we can to share the love of CROWNS Christian crowds. I know that some people Christ in each encounter, and although may not In addition, the five of us faced the biggest scare of Allan Hardin, longtime music industry If youth leaders were to spend a week with you and observe your are only looking for your message to come always succeed, we consider it a tremendous our lives when Fatty, our bassist, spent 5 weeks in executive and leader of interlínc’s Artist youth ministry, what would they discover? from the stage, but please share how you honor to have the opportunity to pour that joy into the hospital over Christmas of 2009. A lethal as a band purposefully pour into kids' lives the hearts of so many people. combination of anxiety, stress, and a previously Services Group caught up with YLO’s most They’re gonna see teenagers who are brand new believers, wading through off-stage. unknown medical condition caused his kidneys to famous member, Casting Crowns’ Mark Hall. this new life, feeling the forgiveness of God, and they’re also feeling the Could you share some of the challenges you shutdown, and his near-death experience put all of conviction of God—they’re wrestling through all that. We have some students Derek: Family Force 5 views our behind-the- guys have faced as a band this past couple us in a delicate state for quite some time. Here are excerpts from their discussion. who are rocking, walking closely with God, and discovering His calling on their scenes interactions and relationships as the heart years (traveling almost non-stop, band Fortunately, he is back to full health, and we could lives. We have some students that are totally determined to destroy and soul of our ministry. Our band tries very hard to members in the hospital, etc)... and how not be more thrilled to have him back. themselves—they’ve chosen that they don’t want to hear it and they’re going make an impact that reaches far deeper than any can youth leaders pray for you. to do what they want to do no matter what. Youth leaders will see every end of concert could. Following in the footsteps of some We’re gracious for any emotional support, and the spectrum. of our mentors, youth-pastors, and parents, we Derek: We’ve been through a lot. For the past six would be appreciative if youth leaders would pray work hard to make certain that FF5 is available and years, the five of us (plus Xanadu) have traveled for our endurance, our families, our relationships, How did the concept for the “Come To The Well” album and your accessible, unlike most of the rock bands with anywhere from 180 to 300 days a year…the hard and our ability to connect with the listeners. book “The Well: Why Are So Many Still Thirsty?” come about? which we grew up. Before and afterTRD our shows, you way. Most of that time waspage spent sleeping on will often find the five of us engaging with fans by random people’s floors, fixing broken-down vans in Knowing your commitment to take Christ to The theme came from a sermon I shared with my teenagers and their families signing their T-shirts for hours, going to IHOP with the snow, eating one meal a day (at either Wendy’s places that are secular venues and crowds, about the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4. their youth-groups, making s’mores at their or McDonald’s depending on who won in the fight how should youth leaders listen to your new campsites, DJ’ing their dance-parties, playing between Nadaddy and Fatty that day), and album (and use it)... knowing that there are What is that thing, that “Well” from which you truly draw strength? Your friends basketball with them, going to movies with them, or performing in front of about eight people…on a a number of "have fun/dance" songs on aren’t the “Well”—they aren’t always going to do the right thing or be there for simply taking the time to talk to them. good night. there? you. Your athletic scholarship can’t be the “Well”—if your knee goes out, your well runs dry. We need to draw from Jesus, pour His life into everything we do. Derek: Personally, if I was a youth leader, I would listen to III with the perspective that “This crazy When Jesus met the woman at the well, He talked to her about spiritual water, band who’s singing about wobbling my knees symbolic of eternal life in Him. She responded as lost people do. She related back-and-forth and bobbling my head might everything to the physical, to the here and now. When He offered living water, somehow be the only band in the world that can she hoped He meant providing her a shortcut to the daily chore of drawing convey God’s love to the kids who might not water, and she likely was a little cynical in her response. Jesus said, “I’ll give otherwise ever step foot in a church.” you water and you’ll never thirst again.” The Samaritan woman was like, “Oh, yeah? Well, give me some of that water so I won’t have to come back to this We believe in the body of Christ, and we know that well anymore.” 5our role in the body is non-traditional. But that is a role we take very seriously. This woman thought she was standing by a well and talking to a man, but really she was standing by a hole in the ground and talking to the Well! A good while down the road, when FF5 has played its last show, what do you want You’ve been a YLO member for years. What are some of your people to remember about you as a band? thoughts about Youth Leaders Only? What kind of legacy do you want to leave with the people that listened to your music? We know how important music is in a teenager’s life. Their music’s either urging them toward the life they’re trying to live or it’s dragging them back Derek: Last show? That’ll never happen!!!!! Haha. toward the life they’re trying to leave. So my conviction is, if a youth leader can Realistically, we want to be remembered as the first show students that Christian music has totally caught up culturally, and band that played on the moon. But if that doesn’t encourage students to give their music to God and to let Christian music be work out…or even if it does work out…we want to what they go to for their entertainment as well as for their growth, it will change be regarded as the band that taught people how to everything about them. It’s hard to do that if you don’t have all different styles smile, how to laugh, and how to dance! If you’re of music available, which most of us don’t. To me, YLO has been a great doing those three things, you’re obviously resource to find out what Christian music is out there that I might not find on experiencing a very profound sense of joy! my own. And, with YLO, I get to hear the heart of the band and what they’re about. YLO has definitely been a great tool for us. Check out the Bible Study for the Family Force 5’s song, “Paycheck” on page 34. Check out the Discussion Guides for the entire Casting Crowns album “Come To The Well” starting on page 26. •YLO86_Layout 1 11/7/11 2:45 PM Page 16

Page >> 16 HEART OF THE ARTIST

interlínc staffer Scott Osterbind caught up with new artist Cory Lamb for this exclusive YLO interview.

How did growing up in a close family in Your new album is titled Break the Cycle. delivered a treatment for the video with his vision of Arkansas help build your foundation musically? How does that title play an important role the song which I really liked, so we moved forward. in your life? Cory: They always gave me encouragement and Beyond the success of your music, you told me to never give up on my dream. They were Cory: I believe that the world is becoming darker have a strong desire to reach kids outside completely honest with me and that element gave and darker. I feel we need to change things to of the church. How have been able to live me the strength I needed to pursue my music career. make it a brighter place. By “breaking the cycle” out this calling in your career? of how things are now, we can do just that. You were in a band at the young age of 16. Cory: Since it's early in my career and my touring, How was that experience and when did you I understand you had the opportunity to I feel I have just scratched the surface. It will take eventually decide to become a solo artist? work with Stephen Baldwin on your music years of connecting with my audience in order to video for the single “Break The Cycle”. How truly reach this goal I set for myself. Cory: Being a part of that band was awesome, did your two worlds come together? I loved every second of it. The experience gave me the confidence that I needed to perform and Cory:Yes he did direct my video for “Break the Check out the Bible Study for the Cory Lamb’s confirmed how much I loved being on stage Cycle”. Stephen and I connected through a mutual song, “Break The Cycle” on page 32. and in a band. colleague. He knew Stephen wanted to direct videos so he jumped on the opportunity to direct my music video. When Stephen heard the song, he TRD page

Cory Lamb •YLO86_Layout 1 11/7/11 2:45 PM Page 16

<< CHALLENGE OF THE SEXES DVD Page Page >> INTRODUCTION 17 16 HEART OF THE ARTIST

interlínc staffer Scott Osterbind caught up with new artist Cory Lamb for this exclusive YLO interview.

How did growing up in a close family in Your new album is titled Break the Cycle. delivered a treatment for the video with his vision of Arkansas help build your foundation musically? How does that title play an important role the song which I really liked, so we moved forward. in your life? Cory: They always gave me encouragement and Beyond the success of your music, you told me to never give up on my dream. They were Cory: I believe that the world is becoming darker have a strong desire to reach kids outside completely honest with me and that element gave and darker. I feel we need to change things to of the church. How have been able to live me the strength I needed to pursue my music career. make it a brighter place. By “breaking the cycle” out this calling in your career? CHALLENGE of how things are now, we can do just that. You were in a band at the young age of 16. Cory: Since it's early in my career and my touring, How was that experience and when did you I understand you had the opportunity to I feel I have just scratched the surface. It will take eventually decide to become a solo artist? work with Stephen Baldwin on your music years of connecting with my audience in order to OF THE video for the single “Break The Cycle”. How truly reach this goal I set for myself. SEXES Cory: Being a part of that band was awesome, did your two worlds come together? I loved every second of it. The experience gave Ministry TO GUYS AND TO GIRLS me the confidence that I needed to perform and Cory:Yes he did direct my video for “Break the Check out the Bible Study for the Cory Lamb’s confirmed how much I loved being on stage Cycle”. Stephen and I connected through a mutual song, “Break The Cycle” on page 32. By: Ken McCoy and in a band. colleague. He knew Stephen wanted to direct JumpStart Ministries videos so he jumped on the opportunity to direct Escondido, California my music video. When Stephen heard the song, he [email protected] “Egalitarian.” When I look up the definition of that word using my word processor, I get: maintaining, relating to, or based on a belief that all people are, in principle, equal and should enjoy equal social, political, and economic rights and opportunities.

There’s no doubt that we live in a No. No. And yes. “Yes” because, even though society that really really really wants the differences between to be “egalitarian.” “No” because being male or the genders are abundantly female has nothing to do with evident, our society really The ideals of equality are honorable our relationship with God. He really wants to be “egalitarian” and Biblical. The Message para- does not look with more love on so badly that somehow phrase of Galatians 3:28 reads, either gender. We are all equal at even acknowledging those “In Christ’s family there can be no the foot of the cross, and we are all differences is, to some people, division into Jew and non-Jew, slave adopted children into His family. He wrong. interlínc’s WriteGroup and free, male and female. Among does not have a favorite gender. decided that this issue is too us you are all equal. That is, we are important to youth ministry to all in a common relationship with “No” because anyone who be cowed by a few politically Jesus Christ.” works with people (especially correct naysayers. Therefore, teenagers) knows that there are you have this Challenge Of The So, aren’t we being anti-biblical significant differences between Sexes Special Edition of YLO, by having a Challenge Of The the genders. Girls and guys along with a specially produced Sexes flavor in Youth Leaders mature at different rates in their DVD that has some cool videos Only? Haven’t we stepped across teenage years; they learn different and Discussion Starters for you some boundary in dealing with skills at different times, and have to use in your ministry with girls the differences between teenaged different interests and different and guys. girls and guys? Isn’t even the idea relationships. They’re different. that differences exist between the Are you up for the challenge? genders not politically correct?

HURT GUYS, HURT GIRLS

In this video excerpt from The Hurt Conference, Dr. Chap Clark (Professor of Youth, Family, and Culture at Fuller Theological Seminary) speaks to a mainstream audience of parents and educators about the needs of “hurt”adolescents in our culture. This twenty minute excerpt could be a very strong foundation for a meeting with the parents of the students your youth ministry. Chap speaks on this subject throughout the year and can be booked at special events. For more information go to chapclark.com.

When kids are honest about their lives, we find that they feel as if every- 2. To Provide Boundaries one’s got an agenda for them. Everyone has an idea about what they • Are you more of the person who sets absolute and solid boundaries or should do, be, and become. They feel abandoned by their parents and do you adapt your boundaries to the individual child? other adults in their lives. • Which is better? • How do you react to those statements? • What boundaries do you have? • Do you feel that kids are spoiled or do you think we have abandoned 3. To Chart and Guide The Course them? • In what ways do you guide and work with your child as they navigate • Are we ever able to fully drop our own agendas with our kids? their teenage years? • In what ways are you currently falling short and feel you could do better? As you heard Chap say “Don’t do it alone”, he gives us the encouragement to gather up other caring adults to be in the lives of our children. Each child needs 5 adults who care and who are reinforcing character in their life. Who are the five people you are partnered with in your child’s life right now? 1. ______2. ______3. ______4. ______Chap said that kids find worth within three areas: 5. ______1. Family Stability: A Safe Haven If you have blanks, it’s your responsibility to make sure those get filled in order to add ‘Convergence’ and ‘Congruence’ to your child’s life. 2. A sense of attachment which moves from Gentleness in childhood and develops into Encouragement and Comfort in adolescence. In terms of boundaries, Chap tells us to do the “Dance of Negotiation,” have a “Tapestry of Consequences,” and to go with the “Drama of Authen- 3. Create them to be Individuated, Independent, Healthy, Powerful People. tic Relationships.” • Did these three make any impact on you? • Out of these three, which one are you most comfortable with carrying out? • Did things come to your mind that spoke directly to you? • Which one are you most challenged by and why? • If there was one thing that needs to be focused on in your house, what • What is your experience in these three boundaries? would it be and why? To end this video segment, Chap gave a list of “Six Specific Ways to Understand and Boundary.” Chap identifies the role of parents in three areas: • What stood out to you in this list? • Did you hear anything new or something you need to work on as a family? 1. To Offer Compassion (Begin and End with Compassion) • How do you show compassion to your children? How can the church help you to reach “The Ultimate Goal of Parenting”? • Does your child feel that you have compassion about their life “To care in such a way that your child is convinced that he/she is fully capa- experiences? ble of making a positive impact on the world.”

chapclark.com

discussion starters 19

FOR GIRLS: LOVE TROUBLE FOR GIRLS: AM I ENOUGH?

In this Doug & Jon Show video about finding real love, Kara points out This transparent video from Michele Pillar’s Untangled Event gives us a problems with looking for love in guy after guy. The story will help your girl glimpse into her childhood of being raised by a single mom who was an students see that we are all looking for true love that only Jesus can give. alcoholic, and how she came to grips with feeling she was not enough.

Opening Questions: Scripture: What would others learn from all of your family’s laundry displayed on a Hosea 2:14-20; John 15:13 clothesline? What would be the most embarrassing garment for you to have to hang? Do you remember getting your first bra? How did you feel about it? Opening Questions: • What do most magazines, TV shows and popular music say love is? Video: Show the video. Have your students write their emotional response to the • How many of you have thought you were in love at on point? following quotes from the video by completing the “bio-poem” statements • What makes you feel loved? (the answers may be real/literal or imagined). • “When you hold on to a secret you think that everybody knows what it is… Video: those panties were the first time that I felt true shame, I mean every time I This is a video about a girl named Thalia who is having some love trouble. hung them every time I touched them I thought, they all know, they all must Let’s watch and learn from her story. know, and I learned what shame felt like.” I feel ______, I see ______, I believe ______, I hide ______, I want ______. Discussion Questions: • “Every time I got under that bed, I said the same prayer, dear Lord, please • What was Thalia’s love trouble? don’t let anything happen to me, please don’t let her find me, please keep • Why did she feel used like a paper cup? me safe. And, under there with the spiders and the cobwebs and the filth and the fright of my heart beating so loud I couldn’t hear anything past my • Purity doesn’t just mean not having sex. What else do you think purity can ears, I felt God’s peace cover me like a blanket.” include? (physical touches, dress, speech, what we watch on TV, etc.) I feel ______, I hear ______, I taste ______, I fear ______, I need ______. Read Hosea 2:14-20 • “I’m not enough. That was the first time I felt like, truly honestly felt like I was not enough. No guy in the world is gonna want to be with a girl who • God wants a deep, loyal love relationship with you. In this passage God wears a bra like that…So just like that—twenty-five hundred bucks and I is talking about his people, Israel, but we can get a clear picture of God’s walked out the door with a new bra … why do we think we know better heart and desire for our love. than God? Why in the world do we do this stuff to ourselves? • Why do you think God wrote this in the Bible for us to read? Which parts I feel ______, I think ______, I wonder _____, I shout _____, I desire _____. stuck out to you and why? Discussion Questions: Read John 15:13 Read Psalm 139:7-12. Discuss: Can you hide from God? Can someone else take you from God’s presence, where He can’t find you? When you • Jesus is the only way to have that deep, loyal love relationship with God. feel like you are surrounded by darkness, who is there with you? Who He demonstrated what TRUE love really is and died for our sins so that we holds your hand? could be forgiven and made right with God. • Have you asked for Jesus’ blood to pay for every mistake you’ve made? Read Psalm 139:13-18.Discuss: Who created you? Did He pay attention to detail? How are you made? Does God make junk? • Have you started your relationship with him? There is no special prayer you have to say. You just have to turn your life over to him. Closing: Read Psalm 139:7-18 as your students fill in the statements below. Encour- Closing: age them to read what they have written aloud. (They may be hesitant to God created us to love, but there is no one in the world that will not let share what they have written but there is power and healing in speaking out you down. God is the ONLY one who will love you unconditionally without loud; be prepared to lead by example.) failing. Don’t settle for something that only sort of resembles love. Enjoy God’s beautiful love and he will show you true love. I praise Him because I am fearfully and wonderfully made! God feels ______, God sees ______, God believes ______, God hides ______, God wants ______.

I praise Him because I am fearfully and wonderfully made! God feels ______, God hears ______, God tastes ______, God fears ______, God needs ______.

I praise Him because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. God feels ______, God thinks ______, God wonders ______, God shouts ______, God desires ______.

I praise Him because I am fearfully and wonderfully made!

dougandjonshow.com michellepillar.com

FOR GIRLS: BEING BETHANY FOR GIRLS: GOD GIRL HAMILTON’S YOUTHWORKER MUSIC VIDEO Sarah Hill has been Bethany Hamilton’s youth leader and friend for many years. This lyric music video by Gotee artist Jamie Grace is her “anthem for girls In this video interview, she describes the events surrounding the shark attack, 16 and under.” In her words, “The lyrics are what got me through my how their youth group responded, and the impact since that morning. In addi- elementary, middle school, and even high school years. Answering the tion to this being a strong resource for the girls in your group, it is great tool to share with your youth ministry leadership team, and even with parents. You question: ‘Am I gonna look like them, or am I gonna be my own person?’ might want to show the whole video at once (it’s less than fifteen minutes long), This one is for all my sisters out there, one to sing at the top of their lungs. or pause along the way to discuss. I’m God’s girl, for the whole world to see.” The Attack Describe your initial reaction to hearing about the shark attack on Bethany The Song: and those first few days after the attack from a youth leader’s perspective. Have your students answer these questions after they listen to “God Girl.” • As you know, when a traumatic event happens on campus or to a student, the school goes into “crisis mode” – with special meetings, counselors • What lights up? Her eyes brought in, etc. How did your youth ministry move into “crisis mode”? • What’s she got? Something she can’t explain • You mention that the entire group held a worship service in Bethany’s hos- • What is she? A God girl (that’s who she be) pital room. That’s very cool! How did that come about? • From where to where? From the top of her head to the soles of her feet Since The Attack • What’s her biggest dream? His name in lights I can imagine that there might have been some “push back” reaction to • What is all she needs? God Bethany’s instant stardom. How have you handled having a celebrity in the group? How have the kids responded to the attention Bethany has • Who is she holding hands with? The master of creativity received? • What does she want her Facebook friends and foes to see? That she is a • Being a female youth leader, how do you attract and lead those “alpha God girl male” guys? • What is she? A God girl that’s who she be • What do you say to comfort someone, when you’re not okay with what’s • From where to where? From the top of her head to the soles of her feet happened to them yourself? • What kind of world is it? Crazy • When have you been at a loss for words to comfort someone? • Who does she want to see that she is God’s girl? The whole wide world • Why is the presence of others important during difficult circumstances? • What’s she waiting for? The right boy Sarah quotes Jeremiah 29:11 and explains, “The Lord said to me, ‘I’m • Who’s voice is she listening to? Only God’s voice going to use her as a voice.’” • When does she listen to God? Every day • Have you had an experience when the Holy Spirit brought a specific Scrip- ture to mind? • What is she? She’s a loved girl (that’s who she be) • What Scripture comes to your mind the most? Bible Study: “Within an hour, fifty people were there. I’ve never seen such a power team Read Mark 12:13-17. Discuss: of prayer come together so quickly.” • The coin in this verse bears Caesar’s image – according to Genesis 1:26- • When Christians go into crisis mode, prayer is usually the first thing they 27, in whose image are you created? do. Why? • How does that make you feel? • How can we be more focused in prayer, as a youth group? • How can you give yourself to God? • “I definitely had a lot of kids emotionally affected… so it was a good opportunity to encourage them that God is faithful, no matter what happens.” Read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Discuss: • What is the first question that comes to mind when a tragedy has • What does the statement that your body is to be the temple of the Holy occurred? (“Why?”) Spirit mean to you? • How did Sarah’s actions turn that question around? • Who bought you and what was the price? Sarah describes the worship service in Bethany’s room. “What a lesson we • How can you honor God from the top of your head to the soles of your can learn from these kids: they clung to Christ.” feet? • What lesson would we learn from our group at this time? • How can you honor God on Facebook? • How can we make worship singing more important in our group? Wrap Up: “Going through this made us a stronger youth group.” Watch the clip from Toy Story where Buzz Lightyear realizes that Woody is right about the importance of having Andy’s name on his boot. Have your • How would you describe a “strong” youth group? students label the sole of their right foot or shoe to indicate that they belong • How “strong” would you say our group is? to God. Sit in a circle and give each student the opportunity to share what being a child of God means to her/him. Take a creative picture of the soles “Bethany doesn’t like being a celebrity – but she’s anxious to share her faith.” of their feet or shoes and, with their permission, post them on Facebook. • Who in our group is anxious to share his or her faith? • How can we encourage each other to be like that?

jamie-grace.com bethanyhamilton.com Gotee Records From the album One Song At A Time

discussion starters 21

FOR GUYS: DEALING WITH SEXUAL TEMPTATION FOR GUYS: COURAGE

In this video, which is an excerpt from a Dare2Share Conference, Greg, Zane and Derwin discuss principles to help students deal with sexual temptation based on the story of Joseph in Genesis 39. This video by Rick Bundschuh is an excerpt from the multi-session “Pass Thru Fire” curriculum for middle school guys from Standard Publishing.

Talk about… Joseph’s story. After seeing this clip, what are the top three areas where huge amounts of Joseph was a young stud, attractive in appearance, popular, and good at courage would be needed and discuss why they feel that way. his job. The boss’s wife tried to seduce Joseph, and he refused. When she persisted, he ran. She managed to grab his robe and accused Joseph of Discuss the concept of courage and bravery by asking questions such molesting her. That landed Joseph in jail. (Genesis 39) as these: • How does a person know if he is brave or if he is a coward? What are the three keys that Greg says helped Joseph? • How do you feel about a person who cuts and runs when things get difficult, scary or dangerous? • How do the guys you know prove to each other that they are brave? How do you get strong, spiritually? • What is the fine line between bravery and stupidity?

The oldest guy in this film was a member of the most highly decorated company in military history. In light of all they have gone through, did Which spiritual disciplines are already in place in your life and which ones anything they said surprise you? need a lot of work? (Bible Study, Prayer, Fasting, Journaling, Meditation on • What did these warriors conclude takes as much or more courage than God’s Word, Solitude) being in battle? • What is the difference between the courage shown in combat and the courage needed to stand for Christ or for Christian principles? • Each of these old warriors faced different but determined enemies. 1 Timothy 4:8 says that while physical training is of some value, godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life • What kinds of enemies are seeking to destroy young warriors like you? to come. • We all know that some men turn and run in battle. How do men turn and run in the Christian walk? How do you get tough, spiritually? Divide into groups and assign each group a man from the Bible who showed courage and bravery. Some possibilities include: • David (1 Samuel 17:32-50) What are some of the boundaries you have now in your life and what boundaries do you need to put into place? • Daniel (Daniel 6:6-16) • Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 3:8-18) • Gideon (Judges 6:25-32) • David’s mighty men ( ) How do you know when you should “get out” of a situation? 2 Samuel 23:8-23 Let’s take some time to think of situations in everyday life where we are called to be men of courage and bravery.

Talk about… your “Potiphar’s Wife” situations. Challenge each of your groups to come up with an example of a situation where it takes some guts to go against the flow or do something that What do you need to do to get out of those situations? nobody else is willing to do. Let’s write them all down. Why do you think Greg says, don’t depend on your parameters (boundaries), depend on God? Where does it come from?

How is it created?

Distribute pens and small business-size cards and ask each student to 1 John 1:9 says that when we confess our sins, God will forgive us and write out the words of Isaiah 40:29-31 as a reminder and encouragement purify us from all unrighteousness. Compare this verse to Greg’s state- whenever they feel they don’t have the courage to do the right thing. ment, “He did not just pay the penalty for your sin—He broke the power of your sin.”

dare2share.org standardpub.com

22 THE AMBASSADOR

Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Study by:

THE AMBASSADOR STOP THE FUNERAL CRUMBS DAVE MCGINLEY THEAMBASSADORONLINE.COM 220 ENTERTAINMENT/XIST MUSIC GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE [email protected]

Theme Warm Up Bible Study The Song Heaven Begin your session by having a little We will be talking about three stories Introduce and play the song by The candy taste test. Purchase a variety that are also told in the song. Chal- Ambassador called “Crumbs.” of candy bars like Snickers, Reese’s, lenge your students that as they read Objective Milky Way – any chocolate. (This game the questions, what do all three stories Students will learn that Jesus pre- will work better if you buy regular-sized have in common? You can read these Wrap Up formed many miracles but that is candy bars.) Ask for volunteers to help as a large group or split them up. Here Jesus healed all those who came to only a taste of what eternity will be you distinguish what each candy is. are the Scriptures and questions: Mark Him, but that was not their final desti- like with him. Have your volunteers blindfolded so 7:24-30; Luke 7:1-10; Mark 5:25-34. nation – it was a part of their journey. Give the rest of the candy bars to that determining which candy bar is • What does this story tell you about those who volunteered to participate in which is more difficult. The trick is to God? only give them a small piece of the big the Warm Up activity. Make sure that bar. Once they have figured it out do • What does this story tell you about you emphasis that God does miracu- not reward them; that will come later. humans? lous things, but being with Him for • What does God expect of you? eternity is by far the best gift that was ever given. Read Philippians 3:20-21. Transition The common theme is that while Ask your students what they imag- Jesus healed those in need, it is ine heaven is like. Then ask, by their only a crumb compared to what is to knowledge of the Bible, what will come in the future. Notice how Jesus heaven look like? healed those people and it seems almost like no big deal. Use a personal story to illustrate this truth.

Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Theme:

THE AMBASSADOR STOP THE FUNERAL CRUMBS HEAVEN THEAMBASSADORONLINE.COM 220 ENTERTAINMENT/XIST MUSIC

Heaven Mark 7:24-30 Luke 7:1-10 Mark 5:25-34 What do you think heaven will be like? What does this story tell you What does this story tell you What does this story tell you about God? about God? about God?

What does this story tell you about humans?

What does this story tell you What does this story tell you about humans? about humans?

What does God expect of you?

What does God expect of you? What does God expect of you?

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself. – Philippians 3:20-21

interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Page Leader Guide

24 BRAILLE

Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Study by:

BRAILLE NATIVE LUNGS DEATH IN ME CINDY ENGØY HUMBLEBEAST.COM HUMBLE BEAST RECORDS YESWESERVE LONG BEACH, CA [email protected]

• Proverbs 6:16-19 – “There are six • John 3:16 – “For God so loved the Theme The Song things the Lord hates, seven that world that He gave His one and Sin; Forgiveness Hand out the Student Guides. Tell the are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, only Son, that whoever believes in students that they will be listening to a lying tongue, hands that shed Him shall not perish but have eter- “Death in Me” by Braille. Let them know innocent blood, a heart that devises nal life.” Because of God’s great Objective that you will be playing the song twice. wicked schemes, feet that are quick love for us, Jesus took our sin Your students will understand what Ask them to write on the Student to rush into evil, a false witness who upon Himself and died a horrible sin is and that Jesus’ death covers all Guide what they hear from the song pours out lies and a person who stirs death for our sinful selves. their sins. that Jesus did about their sin. up conflict in the community.” What • John 19:30 – “When He had received does “haughty” mean? (Webster the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ Warm Up defines haughty as “proud.”) Anyone With that, He bowed His head and Transition here ever lie? Are there other ways to gave up His spirit.” Why do you think Divide the students into pairs. Before Have students share and discuss “shed innocent blood” besides with He said, “It is finished”? What was fin- they arrive, write “Jesus Died For Me” what they heard from the song of what a weapon? What are those ways? ished? He said it is finished because using “invisible” ink (invisible ink is Jesus did to pay the price for their sin. What could “wicked schemes” mean He had finished God’s plan to shed made with equal parts water and bak- today? What are examples of “feet His blood and die in our place for ing soda.) on enough pieces of white that rush into evil”? What are ways our sins. paper to give one to each pair. Take Bible Study that a person can stir up conflict? a cotton swab or brush and write the Ask students for a good definition of • Romans 3:23 – “…for all have sinned “secret” message on the paper and let “sin.” Write their responses up on the and fall short of the glory of God.” Wrap Up it dry. (Have grape juice concentrate whiteboard/newsprint/butcher paper. We see from this Scripture and from Tell the students that Jesus has on hand for the Wrap Up). When the Tell the students that they will be look- the things that God hates that all already paid the price for the conse- students are in pairs, give a paper to ing up Scriptures about sin and about of us are filled with sin. No one can quence of their sins. Through His each pair and a purple color pencil to the price paid for it. Group the stu- say that he or she has never sinned. blood we are forgiven. Now take the each person. Tell them to write on the dents for this activity. Have each group This sounds pretty dismal, but there grape juice and wipe it over the papers paper things that they have done that look up one of these Bible references is hope. one by one and the “secret” message are wrong. and read it to the group. will appear. Close in a time of prayer • Romans 5:8 – “But God demon- and commitment. strates his own love for us in this: Transition While we were still sinners, Christ Discuss with the group if some actions died for us.” Wow, God loves us so or sins are worse than others and why. much that even in our sinful state, Write their responses on a whiteboard/ before we even knew anything about newsprint/butcher paper. Then collect Jesus, His Son died in our place! everyone’s papers.

Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Theme:

BRAILLE NATIVE LUNGS DEATH IN ME SIN; FORGIVENESS HUMBLEBEAST.COM HUMBLE BEAST RECORDS

What did Jesus do Romans 5:8 John 19:30 for my sins? What was God’s plan for our sin? Why did Jesus say, “It is finished”?

Proverbs 6:16-19 What does God hate?

John 3:16 Though it is no secret, Why did God send His Son to die for us? what’s the “secret” message? Romans 3:23 Who are the sinners?

interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Page >> Casting Crowns • Come To The Well 26 discussion GUIDES

A long-time Youth Leaders Only member and youthworker, Mark Hall happens to be the frontman for one of the biggest bands in Christian music: Casting Crowns. We are thrilled to be able to provide these Discussion Guides for each song on Casting Crown’s new Beach Street Records / Reunion Records album, Come To The Well. HUGE thanks go to interlinc WriteGroup member, Todd Pearage ([email protected] ) of The Gathering in Dayton, Ohio for writing these guides.

Courageous City on a Hill Jesus, Friend of Sinners Mark from Casting Crowns said, “We all have a Mark from Casting Crowns said, “The song draws Talking about this song, Mark said, “The world desire for significance, to know that we matter and a picture of two old men talking, trying to remem- doesn’t know enough about what believers stand that we count for something. But, the best way to ber what happened to the city on the hill because for, and too often they only know what we’re against. count for something is to stand for something—or it’s not there anymore. They remember the warriors This song is a reminder that we all need to do some- better yet, for Someone. And the only way we’ll ever who thought that everyone was weak so they went thing about that.” The song is meant to lead us to stand is on our knees with lifted hands.” off and started their own city. The dancers didn’t the prayer within the chorus: Lord, open our eyes to • What do you think being “courageous” means? think everyone had enough spirit so they went off the world at the end of our pointing fingers and let and started their own city. This is an allegory of our hearts be led by mercy. If we’re to do nothing • Who are some people that you think are the factions of the modern Church, the result of else, it’s to do justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly courageous? predominantly like-minded people often dwelling before our God. (Micah 6:8)” upon non-essentials and personal taste to go their Read Joshua 1:6-9. Discuss: • Have you ever been criticized? What did people say own direction.” about you? Did it hurt? • How often does God tell Joshua to be courageous? • Obviously, we all have had disagreements, fights, • Did you know Jesus was criticized? • Why do you think He kept saying that phrase? or arguments. What were some of the dumber arguments you’ve had? (Start by sharing a • Do you know who criticized Him the most? (the • What do you think Joshua was afraid of? religious leaders) (Joshua 1:1-5) personal example.) • What do you do when you disagree with someone? Let’s take a look at one of those times when the reli- Yeah, Joshua was afraid. His best friend, mentor, Think about that question as we listen to “City on a gious leaders criticized Jesus. Read Mark 2:15-17. and father figure had just passed away. He felt alone. Hill” by Casting Crowns. Try to fill in the blanks from Plus, he had just been given the huge responsibility the first verse. • What were the religious leaders so upset about? of leading an entire nation into the “Promised Land.” • How do you think those people felt when the reli- • Can you imagine how he was feeling? You see, the poets thought the dancers were… gious people called them “scum”? And the soldiers thought the poets were… • Have you ever felt like that? Have you ever been • How do you think they felt when Jesus treated them And the elders saw the young ones as… more like a friend then like scum? afraid? Have you ever had one of those days when And the rich man never heard the poor man… everything goes wrong? Read Romans 5:10-12. What happened? We’ve all been afraid, we’ve all had bad days, and • How many of you are on Facebook? How many we all need to be encouraged as Joshua was that Each one ______that they knew bet- friends do you have? Who is the most famous per- day. We all need to be encouraged to be strong and ter, that they were ______by design. son who ever sent you a friend request? How did courageous. Listen to “Courageous” by Casting Instead of standing ______that make you feel? Crowns. Throughout the song they sing, “We were They let their differences ______• When the God of the universe came to the earth, He made to be courageous.” What do you think they wanted to have lunch with people like you and me. mean by that? So let’s take a minute and translate those characters How awesome is it knowing that God sent you a into the characters in our school. friend request? Read 2 Timothy 1:7. Paul tells us that we don’t need to be afraid, so what are some ways we can be cou- • What do we do with that friend request? God wants rageous this week? to be our friend. He wants to use us to make an The poets are ______The dancers are impact in our world. Let’s look at the chorus again ______and see why.

The soldiers are ______The elders are Oh Jesus friend of sinners, open our eyes to the ______world at the end of our pointing fingers. Let our hearts be led by mercy. Help us reach with open And the young ones are ______hearts and open doors. Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks Yours. No matter where you go, you will experience conflict. So how do you live in peace with others who don’t Are you willing to be His friend? Are you willing to let see the world the way you do? Read Philippians Him use you? Are you willing to allow your heart to 2:1-4. be broken over the things that break His? • What does Paul tells us to do to live in peace? • What could the song’s characters have done to get along? (They could have realized that it was the rhythm of the dancers that gave the poets life. It was the spirit of the poets that gave the soldiers strength to fight. It was the fire of the young ones, the wisdom of the old, the story of the poor man that needed to be told.)

Take a few minutes to discuss ways you can be a city on a hill. Close in prayer.

Already There The Well Spirit Wind The heart of the entire album is this song that came This is one of the first songs Mark ever wrote. Have you ever been lost? Tell us what happened. from a sermon Mark shared about the Samaritan Before now it was only available on a CD that he put woman at the well. That message to his youth group together for his youth group years ago. He says it Our future sometimes can feel like being lost. We on a Wednesday night turned into a book and then was inspired by a country preacher’s sermon on the don’t know which way to go, which decision to into this song. Take a moment and read the story of story of Ezekiel and the valley of dry bones. Read make, or what we should do. What are some of the the Samaritan woman in John 4. that story in Ezekiel 37:1-14. biggest questions you have about your future? • When Jesus met the woman at the well, what time In your own words, tell the story of Ezekiel and the The beginning of the song says, From where I’m of the day was it? Why is that significant? valley of dry bones. standing Lord it’s so hard for me to see where this is • That woman was alone and a social outcast. And going and where you are leading I wish I knew how Jesus initiated a conversation with her. How did that Mark recounted when that country pastor was all my fears and all my questions are gonna play out conversation go? preaching his heart out in front of his church. “The in a world I can’t control when I’m lost in the mystery • Why do you think the woman was so excited whole time he preached about Ezekiel shouting to you my future is a memory… ’cause You’re already when Jesus said, “I’ll give you water and you’ll down to these dead bones, I realized I was sitting in there… Standing at the end of my life, waiting on the never thirst again”? one of the deadest churches I had ever experienced. other side. It dawned on me that I was watching a genuine man Listen to what Mark said about her reaction: “We’re of God preach to these pews full of dead bones. The Bible says it this way: (Read Psalm 139:16) Most all like this woman. We come to Jesus and we think It saddened me, and my reaction was a prayer of of us have wished that we knew the future. People we already have our wells that sustain us. Our wells revival that turned into this song.” spend millions of dollars every year to have some- are called control, power, approval, talent, or even one try to predict their future. Yet no one knows the • What comparisons does he make between the val- entitlement. When we already have what we think will future—but God does! Mark from of Casting Crowns ley of dry bones and his church? fulfill us, we usually come to Jesus only to ask Him to said, “In the midst of a rough stretch, God gave me a sprinkle blessings on our thing so our thing will work • What is the prayer for both groups? Send your gentle reminder that whatever we face ahead of us, even better. But Jesus isn’t life enhancement. Jesus ______into this valley. Breathe the breath He’s already there. And He’s in control. When I deal is life.” of life into their ______. And raise them with high school seniors who are trying to figure out again a ______. Soon these risen what their future looks like, I always tell them, ‘God is • What is your well? warriors will ______again, because already sitting at the end of your life looking back on • Do you know that Jesus wants you to realize that they have ______with the Spirit Wind. it. He’s not stressed, so let’s not stress on it now.’” your well is nothing but a dry hole in the ground? He • Do you think we should pray that prayer for our wants you to leave it all behind and come to the one group? God tells us not to get stressed out but to trust Him. true Well. But how do we not stress out over big decisions and Make the last line of the song your prayer for this stressful situations? week: Read Philippians 4:6-7. Holy Spirit ______on me. Breathe your No matter what is coming your way, always remem- ______in me. ber that God is already there.

Just Another Birthday Wedding Day Angel Mark said that this song has two purposes. “Hope- In this song, Casting Crowns looks at the future This is a love song that Mark wrote for his wife, fully, it’ll shake up some fathers and remind them of events of the rapture of the Church and the second Melanie. They met when they were in the fifth grade, their true priorities. It’s also meant to encourage kids coming of Christ. What is the Wedding Day? The and the song references the first time they saw each who don’t have an involved dad. I wanted to remind Bible refers to the Church as the Bride of Christ and other. Mark said, “I still remember being at church, them that God is the Father to the fatherless. The describes an amazing event called the Marriage Sup- running around with a bunch of guys, and seeing this chorus of this song hit me one night at a restaurant. per of the Lamb. Mark said, “When I pictured that big, long car pull into the parking lot. Melanie’s family I had spent time with some of my students that imagery and remembered that Paul says we are an stepped out of the car, and when I saw her, I thought, day, and their familiar plight gripped me until these adulterous people who go our own way and do our ‘WHO is THAT?’ They were moving to Montgomery, words came out. Throughout the song, the girl tells own thing, I realized that we are cheating on Jesus. Alabama for her dad to serve as minister of music at her story as she’s growing up and trying to reassure We need to look upon our relationship with Christ our church.” herself: ‘It’s okay, it’s just another birthday. He’s not for what it is—a union that should remain holy and here, but he will be next time.’” undefiled.” The song then fast-forwards to their wedding day • When you think of a wedding, what images come more than a decade later, where they promised to As we listen to the song, fill in the blanks of the cho- to mind? love each other for the rest of their lives. They have rus. There are a few words that change every time, been married for almost 20 years, and Mark is still in so fill it in and we’ll discuss it after the song. Read Revelation 19:6-9. love with her. • The verse tells us that his bride has prepared herself. • What can we learn from this song and from their I know I know it’s just another birthday relationship? But I guess I ______this would be the She has been given the finest of pure white linen to ______wear. What does the pure white dress symbolize? • Who else do you get advice from? He would ______me, ______me, • On a scale of 1-10 (1 being icky and 10 being über ______me and ______me pure) how pure do you think we as a collective Here are three things to keep in mind about dating: But it’s just another birthday and church are? Why? • Proverbs 11:14 – Why date? What are some good ______or right reasons to date? What are some wrong Read this comment from Mark: “Though the Bride reasons? Read Psalm 10:14. knows she’s undeserving and bears the shame of her • Philippians 2:3-4 – Who to date? Describe the kind • Did you know that the word translated “orphan” history, this worn and weary maiden is not the bride of person you want to date. Does he or she need to or “fatherless” originally meant “to be lonely” or that He sees. She wears white, head to toe, and, be a Christian? Does he or she need to share your “bereaved”? It was used 41 times in the Old Testa- praise the Lord, only He could make it so.” values and standards? ment. What does the number of these references to • 2 Corinthians 6:14 – How does God fit into your the fatherless tell us about God’s heart for them? Truthfully, we are probably a less than 1 on that scale. We have tarnished and stained our reputa- dates? What does a typical date look like? Think of • Imagine for a moment that you are an orphan. What tion. But God has declared us pure and worthy of some ways God can be a part of your date. Some characteristics of God would be a comfort to you? the white dress. possible ideas are: • Pray together at the beginning of the date and invite Read Psalm 68:4-6. Read Titus 3:7. Him on the date with you. • What is her prayer in the song? • How can we live like the pure Brides He declares • Pray together over the meal. • How can Jesus be a father to the fatherless? us to be? • End the night with a prayer. • What can we do to share that message with others who are saying, “It’s just another birthday; I’ll be The best way we can include God on our dates is fine”? seen in how we treat the other person.

Read Galatians 5:13.

Close by reading Proverbs 4:23.

My Own Worst Enemy Face Down So Far to Find You Talking about this song, Mark said, “Every believer Have you ever tried to do something really creative, Mark wrote this song with Steven Curtis Chapman knows what grappling with the flesh feels like. We something that has never been done? What was it? for Meeka Hope, a little girl Mark adopted from all struggle with desires welling up within us that, if How did it go? China. When they traveled to China to get Meeka acted upon, would lead us away from God. Some- Hope, Steven’s wife, Mary Beth, accompanied him times we’re our own worst enemy.” The opening line of this song says, I try to find a new and his family. They took all their kids, and they got way to tell you, some way to show you just what you to play with their new sister, which was great. But Before you play the song, have the students read mean to me. But there is nothing new. Mark said, Meeka Hope didn’t want Mark to hold her. Most James 1:12-15. “I tend to try to write or create something new and white men that Chinese orphans see are doctors • Where does temptation come from? extraordinary to bring to God – who already has the coming to do surgery on them. So she was petrified world and little me in His hands. When I realize that of him. • What happens if we give in to temptation? HE is the creator and I am the creation and He alone makes things new, I am humbled before Him and Mark honestly shared his emotional experience. After you listen to the song, read these words from most usable by Him to bring Him glory. What He “Only after a tearful session of pouring out my heart Mark: “Though we’ve been made new through wants from us is a humble heart.” to God about Meeka Hope’s refusal to come to me redemption in Jesus Christ, as long as we’re did I realize that I often had done the same thing to wrapped in our fallen flesh we’re going to have a Read these verses: Genesis 17:2-4; Leviticus 9:23- my Lord. It took several weeks before Meeka Hope fight on our hands.” We know what that daily battle 24; Numbers 22:30-32; 1 Kings 18:39; Ezra 10:1; warmed up to me, and in the process I came to is like. Even Paul struggled with doing the right Matthew 17:5-7. the realization that I need Jesus way more than His things and not doing the wrong things. • Based on those verses, what do you think being blessings. We are so quick to run to Him for what “face down” means? He can do for us. We’re so slow just to sit with Him Read Romans 7:18-25. and enjoy His presence, and my crying out to Him in • Have you ever felt as Paul did? • Have you ever experienced a “face down” moment? China was really a God moment for me.” What happened? (Be prepared to share a personal • Have you ever wondered if you would win this battle? story.) As you listen to the song, fill in the blanks of the chorus: • So who will free you from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Read James 4:6. Mark said, “Face down in reverent Will you let me ______you in my arms • What can you do this week to stop being your own posture before the Holy of Holies is where I know I ______worst enemy? belong, and I pray with grace that this world sees in I have come so far to find you, so far to find you me someone humbled and broken at Jesus’ feet.” Will you take my ______and give up the ______Close by having everyone get “face down” on the I have come so far to find you, so far to find you ground and praying. Mark said, “The lyrics are directed to Meeka Hope, but the parallels of God reaching out to bring us home to Him are evident throughout the song. We enjoy our relationship with God only because of how far Jesus was willing to go for us. To Him be the glory.”

Read the Fall Story found in Genesis 2:15-17 and Genesis 3:1-13. • What did God tell Adam? • How did Satan trick or deceive Eve? • What did Adam and Eve do when they were tempted? • What did they do after they sinned? • Why did they run and hide?

Now read Romans 5:12-20. Mark traveled to China and said, “I have come so far to find you” but God traveled from Heaven to Earth and since the beginning of time has been saying, “I have come so far to find you.” We need to stop hiding in fear and embrace the love, grace, and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.

Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Study by:

THE CITY HARMONIC I HAVE A DREAM MANIFESTO ANDY MOORE THECITYHARMONIC.COM (IT FEELS LIKE HOME) GOLDEN PRAIRIE CHURCH KINGSWAY MUSIC BURNS, WYOMING [email protected]

Theme The Song Wrap Up Life; Purpose/Meaning Play the song. How do we know we are free? There Say, “Think about what God has done are three reasons: for you and how much He truly loves 1. Because Jesus died, rose again you. Under the My New Manifesto Objective Bible Study and is alive today! (1 Corinthians heading, rewrite who you are, the Students will evaluate their purpose in A manifesto can be called a statement 15:1-8) direction you want to go, and how you life and write out a personal manifesto. of belief about yourself or a cause. 2. We are free from sin because of will get there.” (Ex: Receiving God’s gift What was the statement of belief that His sacrifice on the cross for us! of salvation. Trusting Him with my life’s was presented in the video? (Romans 8:1-2) goals. Desiring to serve Him always.) Warm Up 3. We are free to enjoy a kingdom that My Manifesto – A manifesto is a Right at the beginning the band has no end! (Luke 1:32-33) When the students are finished writing, declaration of what you believe: your stated the focus of their declaration: close with a prayer. goals, your direction, and how you We believe in the one true God. That That should be reason enough to make will achieve those goals. Pass out the is where our faith must begin. If our us celebrate and praise God. Student Guides to your students and faith begins anywhere else, it leads have them write about who they are to problems in our lives. All we have The word “Amen” is used often in the and where they are going in their lives to do is look at the world around us video. Amen means, “so let it be.” – their goals and expectations. to know that faith in our abilities and When we say “Amen” to God, we are our own personal wisdom gets things saying, “Let Your full will be done in After they are finished writing this, ask messed up. my life and in all of Your creation.” That for volunteers to read their personal is what the Lord’s Prayer is all about. manifestos for the group. You might So the question has to be, “Who Read Matthew 6:9-13. (Use a transla- want to record on a white board do we believe in?” If we believe in tion that includes the doxology.) Our or other large display some of the ourselves, we will fail. If it is God, belief leads us to the way we should thoughts that are mentioned. we will succeed. We believe in the live. The way we live reflects and gives Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. praise to God for what He has done for (Matthew 28:19) The Holy Trinity us by sending His Son to die for our Transition is involved with our lives and will sins. He also sent the Holy Spirit that A manifesto can be long or short. It encourage us through life’s challeng- we may always have a perfect guide can be very complex or just a few es. We know we will succeed when with us to help us live for Him. words. Let’s watch a declaration of we submit ourselves to God, and we belief by The City Harmonic. (You can celebrate all that He is through will want to get the lyrics for the worship. Life no longer has us tied up song ahead of time and distribute because Jesus has set us free. after the video.)

THE CITY HARMONIC

Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Theme:

THE CITY HARMONIC I HAVE A DREAM MANIFESTO LIFE; PURPOSE/MEANING THECITYHARMONIC.COM (IT FEELS LIKE HOME) KINGSWAY MUSIC

My Manifesto Bible Study Write your “manifesto” about who you are and where you are going in life – your We believe in: goals and expectations.

How do we know we are free? 1. Because Jesus ______, __

and is ______today! (1 Corinthians 15:1-8)

2. We are free from sin because of His ______on the

______for us! (Romans 8:1-2)

3. We are free to enjoy a ______that has no

______! (Luke 1:32-33)

Amen! Matthew 6:9-13

My New Manifesto

interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Page Leader Guide 32 Cory Lamb

Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Study by:

CORY LAMB BREAK THE CYCLE BREAK THE CYCLE JEREMY WHITE CORYLAMB.COM BLACK SHEEP ENTERTAINMENT VALLEY CHURCH VACAVILLE, CALIFORNIA [email protected]

DNA” is identified in Scripture as a “sin • Even without godly leaders in place, to “live for Jesus” when the Christian Theme nature.” Because of sin, we can get how can Christians to go against the life is about Jesus “living through us.” Sin; Struggle With caught up in “cycles” of wrong thinking flow and break the cycle of evil in the To be a follower of Jesus does not and wrong behavior – cycles that can culture? Be specific. mean, “trying hard to be like Him.” be passed down from generation to Rather it means “giving up” or “sur- Objective generation. Explain that Jesus came to Read Galatians 2:20. Explain that rendering” to allow Him to live through Students will realize that Jesus Christ free us from that sin-cycle so that we we have been given infinitely better us by His Spirit.) came not only to save them from could live at a higher level. resources than the ancient Israelites the penalty of sin – but also from the were given in terms of breaking the power of sin and from passing that sin cycle of sin, evil and injustice. Discuss: Wrap Up The Song Tell students they will watch a video from generation to generation. • What did Paul teach us about the Hand out the Student Guides and interview with Stephen Baldwin (who power source within us? In what encourage the students to pay directed the “Break the Cycle” video) sense does Christ live “in” us? (The Warm Up attention to the lyrics and any and Cory Lamb. After showing the Holy Spirit is now infinitely available Where Did You Come From? – Gather concepts communicated visually in the video, discuss: through His indwelling presence, and childhood photos of some of the video. Play the song. After listening to accepting the fact that He is there is • Think about some of the “non-phys- parents your students. At the start of the song, have students share which an act of faith.) ical” things you have been handed your gathering, split your group into lyrical lines impacted them most. which have contributed to your habits, • What does being “crucified with two teams by gender. Display the attitudes, personality and general out- Christ” mean, practically? (The Greek photos one at a time, and the groups look on life. Try to name one positive Bible Study tense signifies a past action with should take turns guessing whose and one negative part of your “DNA” Briefly explain that Israel’s story in ongoing results.) parent belongs to whom. Make sure in the spiritual or emotional realm. you have an even numbers of photos the Old Testament illustrates what • If believers have been crucified with • Are we victims of the things we’ve so each team gets to guess an equal Christ’s followers experience today. Jesus – literally “placed in Him” at His been handed? Why or why not? number of times. This will take a little By God’s grace, they had been given death – then why do we still struggle Explain how a genuine relationship work in advance, but is fun and well the Promised Land and had become a with temptation and sin? (Our “sin with Jesus can break the cycles of sin worth the effort. nation that worshiped God. But, after nature” has been put to death in and its effects. only a few generations they had fallen Christ and we have received a brand- from their godly roots. Read Judges new nature in its place – 2 Corinthi- • “There is on one Person who can live Transition 21:25. Discuss: ans 5:17. However, we still have a the Christian life successfully – and Explain that we don’t have a choice • When you read that description of lingering “flesh” – which is the part of His name is Jesus. Therefore, let Him about the physical DNA we received ancient Israel, do you get a sense that us that has trained itself to follow self live it through you.” Do you agree or from our parents. Just as we have history is repeating itself? Explain. rather than God.) disagree with that statement? Explain. inherited physical DNA from our • What does this description tell you • How does Galatians 2:20 differ from parents, the Bible says we have also Close with a prayer that asks for God’s about the importance of godly the way many Christians view what inherited “spiritual DNA” from our first help to surrender every cycle of sin leadership? being a “follower of Jesus” means? parents – Adam and Eve. This “spiritual and brokenness to His healing power. (Many are wrongly focused on striving

Cory Lamb

Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Theme:

CORY LAMB BREAK THE CYCLE BREAK THE CYCLE SIN; STRUGGLE WITH CORYLAMB.COM BLACK SHEEP ENTERTAINMENT

The Song Look It Up Talk It Over Live It Out Take note of any words that you notice. Judges 21:25 Galatians 2:20 • Think about some of the “non-phys- • When you read that description of • What did Paul teach us about the ical” things you have been handed ancient Israel, do you get a sense that power source within us? In what which have contributed to your habits, history is repeating itself? Explain. sense does Christ live “in” us? attitudes, personality and general out- look on life. Try to name one positive and one negative part of your “DNA” in the spiritual or emotional realm.

• What does being “crucified with Christ” mean, practically?

• What does this description tell you • Are we victims of the things we’ve about the importance of godly been handed? Why or why not? leadership? Explain how a genuine relationship with Jesus can break the cycles of sin • If believers have been crucified with and its effects. Jesus – literally “placed in Him” at His death – then why do we still struggle with temptation and sin?

• “There is on one Person who can live • Even without godly leaders in place, the Christian life successfully – and His name is Jesus. Therefore, let Him how can Christians to go against the • How does Galatians 2:20 differ from flow and break the cycle of evil in the live it through you.” Do you agree or the way many Christians view what disagree with that statement? Explain. culture? Be specific. being a “follower of Jesus” means?

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34 FAMILY FORCE 5

Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Study by:

FAMILY FORCE 5 III PAYCHECK DAN SCHEWE FAMILYFORCE5.COM TOOTH & NAIL RECORDS FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH MONTICELLO, MINNESOTA [email protected]

Many of us feel that we need to earn Theme Transition Bible Study salvation, and think that we have it Humility After a few minutes of playing, pull the Ask the students to think of one time all together. The reality is we are all group together. Ask, “Why do people when they could help someone and messed up and no one has it all fig- like playing tag? How is freeze tag dif- another person helped them. Be sure ured out. The Bible clearly reminds us Objective ferent? What was more fun - freezing to do this yourself. The more you are that we are saved by nothing we do Students will understand how humility people or unfreezing them? When you willing to share, the more the students but what Jesus did for us. Jesus gives is necessary in our relationship with were frozen, waiting to be unfrozen, may open up. When everyone is done us grace freely, much like a handout. God, and how they need to be humble where you having fun? What could you writing, share your stories and ask We need help with something that to ask for a hand. do to get unfrozen? If you were frozen whether any of the students would like we cannot do on our own. If we are for a long time, what was that like and to share one of their stories. Discuss: humble enough to realize that and ask how did it make you feel?” How do you feel when someone helps for help, He will help us. Warm Up you out with something significant? – One variation of this game uses four What is required to ask for help? pool noodles. Get two blue ones for The Song Wrap Up the people who are “it” and two red Explain that some of these same feel- Point to the pre-chorus of the song: Say, “Remember that God loves you ones for the people who are “unfreez- ings show up in the Family Force 5’s “Spent my life looking for the discount, for no other reason than He loves you. ing” people. When hit by the blue song, “Paycheck.” Hand out the Stu- now I thank God for the handout.” Knowing just how much He loves us noodle you are frozen; when hit by the dent Guides and ask the group to write Ask: What do you think a “handout” and how little we can do about it, is red noodle you are unfrozen. When down any lyrics that stick out to them is? How is that different from getting humbling. We are broken and in need someone holding the “it” noodle is hit as they listen to the song. Additionally helped? (You might want to have a dic- of help – God can and will help us if we by the blue noodle, he or she has to ask them to be attentive to the pre- tionary available.) How do we usually humble ourselves and ask.” drop the “it” noodle. If someone with chorus and try to fill it in on their sheet. feel about people who get a handout? the “it” noodle hits someone with the Play the song. “Think of someone you know that may blue noodle, he or she has to drop Then ask, “How is getting a handout any need a hand and how you could help or throw the noodle and are frozen. different from what Jesus did for us?” him or her – how you can give him or Watch your group while playing to Transition her a ‘handout.’ And think of places in see whether anyone is frozen for any Ask for volunteers to share what Have a volunteer read Ephesians 2:8-9. your life where you need a hand and length of time, or engineer it while you they wrote. Ask, “What can we do to earn salva- who you could ask for help.” Ask the are playing. This can lead to some very tion?” (Nothing; it is a gift from God.) students to spend a moment writing helpful reaction that will lead into the Have another student read Matthew these in the portion of the Student group discussion. 8:1-4. Ask, “What did the man do to be Guide, and then fold them up and put healed?” (He asked. He was humble them in their pockets. Close in prayer. enough to see that he needed help, and couldn’t help himself. He saw someone who could help, and he asked.)

Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Theme:

FAMILY FORCE 5 III PAYCHECK HUMILITY FAMILYFORCE5.COM TOOTH & NAIL RECORDS

The Song Ephesians 2:8-9 What can we do to earn salvation? Spent my life… now I…

Matthew 8:1-4 A time when I was able to help out someone: What did the man do to get healed?

Take Home Who can I help?

A time when someone gave me a hand:

Who can help me?

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36 ICON FOR HIRE

Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Study by:

ICON FOR HIRE SCRIPTED THE GREY EVERETT HORNBOSTEL MYSPACE.COM/ICONFORHIRE TOOTH & NAIL RECORDS BOLIVAR, MISSOURI [email protected]

Theme Transition Bible Study Wrap up Faith; Assurance Explain that there are many ways to Job 17:1-9 – Give some background Explain that everyone experiences interpret Scripture. Many interpreta- to the story of Job. Make sure to trials and problems. Sometimes we tions are done in a way to simply emphasize the trials that Job endured make the decision to do things that Objective make people feel better about how including losing all he had and the are contrary to God’s expectations Students will find assurance in their they are living. Others are done in a dissent of his friends. Ask, “What did (sin). While those sins are an abomi- faith and the hope of God’s grace way to scare people into submission. Job know that his friends didn’t?” (Job nation to God, Scripture is clear that despite their actions. We need to seek the truth found in understood that despite his trials, his those who are under His grace remain God’s Word. future was secure in the grace of God.) under His grace. This truth is NOT a free pass to do whatever we want; it is Warm Up John 6:37-39 – Jesus said that all simply an assurance of our part in the Set up a short obstacle course with The Song those whom the Father gave Him Kingdom of God. Close in prayer. chairs and/or tables. Blindfold two Have participants list fears heard in the would come to Him. That is certain. participants and put one on each song. You can search online for lyrics He also said that He had come to do end of the course. Split the remaining if needed. the will of the Father – to “lose none of participants and have half of them give all that he has given me” and to “raise commands to one participant and the them up at the last day.” This “last other half give commands to the other day” refers to the Day of Judgment. participant to guide them through the All who come to Jesus will be raised in course. Neither group can speak the the last day to go to heaven. Jesus will name of the one that they are guiding. not lose one of them. The idea is for the guided to determine which commands they will trust. (Hint: Romans 8:35-39 – Paul wrote that Those guiding can move closer to the there is nothing that can separate us one they are guiding.) from the love of Christ. Once we come into His grace, we cannot be removed from that grace.

Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Theme:

ICON FOR HIRE SCRIPTED THE GREY FAITH; ASSURANCE MYSPACE.COM/ICONFORHIRE TOOTH & NAIL RECORDS

The Song Job 17:1-9 Listen closely to the lyrics of the song, or follow along on the lyric sheets if your What did Job know that his friends didn’t? leader has provided them. List fears the artist names in the song.

John 6:39 What did Jesus come to do?

Once we are in Him, can he lose us?

Romans 8:35-39 What can separate us from the love of Christ?

Wrap Up Everyone experiences trials and problems. Sometimes we make the decision to do things that are contrary to God’s expectations (sin). While those sins are an abomination to God, Scripture is clear that those who are under His grace remain under His grace. This truth is NOT a free pass to do whatever we want; it is simply an assurance of our part in the Kingdom of God.

interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Page Leader Guide 38 JAMIE GRACE

Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Study by:

JAMIE GRACE ONE SONG AT A TIME YOU LEAD JEREMY WHITE JAMIE-GRACE.COM GOTEE RECORDS VALLEY CHURCH VACAVILLE, CALIFORNIA [email protected]

Theme Transition Wrap Up Discipleship Discuss the questions in the Personal • Continue reading Matthew 4:23-25. Read Galatians 2:20. In Paul’s view Life segment of the Student Guide: Soon, “large crowds” were following of living the Christian life, he seemed Objective • During the game, did you have a dif- Jesus. Yet, few followed Him closely. to emphasize allowing Jesus to “live ficult time guessing which player was How does this parallel what we see in through him” rather than “trying his By the end of this session, students the leader? the world today? best” to live for God. What is the dif- will have had the opportunity to more ference? If you are stuck in the “try fully understand why following Jesus is • In your opinion, what does being a • Is there such a thing as a “half- harder” mode, how can you begin the best way to live. leader require? How about a follower? hearted” follower of Christ? Why or moving to the “Christ living through Can a person be both? Can being why not? me” mode? both be beneficial? Explain. • Must a person follow Jesus whole- Warm Up • In your opinion, what makes a leader heartedly to be a Christian? Find The Leader – Players sit in a worth following? circle. One player is asked to leave • Can a person be a genuine believer the room. While that player is gone in Christ without being a very good the group decides who the leader The Song disciple of Christ? Explain. will be for the round. Player outside Explain that Jamie Grace has a song Explain that salvation is a gift – peri- the room is then allowed back in. about leading and following. Play od – by grace through simple trust Everyone sitting in the circle must the song. imitate whatever the leader does in Christ’s finished work of redemp- (arm motions, facial expressions, tion. Also explain that Jesus not only etc), but tries not to make it obvious Bible Study wants people to have eternal life, but who is the leader. The player who Read Matthew 4:18-22 and lead the also to experience “abundant life.” was outside the room then stands in group through the questions pro- (John 10:10) the center of the circle and tries to vided in the Ponderings section of • What do you think of when you hear guess which player is the leader (by the Student Guide: the term “abundant life”? attempting to see who the other • When you think about Jesus inviting • Do you believe that most Christians players are taking cues from). The these guys to, “Come, follow me” – are living at the level of abundance player gets three guesses. The leader how would you respond in a modern- Jesus offered to those who follow then becomes the player who goes day context if it were you? Him? outside for the next round. (This game and others are available at • Do you think they must have had at • Paul wrote that some believers are youthgroupgames.org.) least some prior knowledge about “carnal” – choosing to remain bound Jesus for them to drop everything up by the “flesh” rather than walking and follow him on a moment’s in the Spirit. (1 Corinthians 3:1-4) notice? Explain. How can you tell whether you are walking in the flesh or by the Spirit?

Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Theme:

JAMIE GRACE ONE SONG AT A TIME YOU LEAD DISCIPLESHIP JAMIE-GRACE.COM GOTEE RECORDS

Personal Life: Ponderings: • During the game, did you have a difficult time guessing which player was the leader? Matthew 4:18-22 • When you think about Jesus inviting these guys to, “Come, follow me” – how would you respond in a modern-day context if it were you?

• Do you think they must have had at least some prior knowledge about Jesus for them to drop everything and follow him on a moment’s notice? Explain.

• In your opinion, what does being a leader require? How about a follower? Can a • Continue reading Matthew 4:23-25. Soon, “large crowds” were following Jesus. person be both? Can being both be beneficial? Explain. Yet, few followed Him closely. How does this parallel what we see in the world today?

• Is there such a thing as a “half-hearted” follower of Christ? Why or why not?

• Must a person follow Jesus wholeheartedly to be a Christian?

• In your opinion, what makes a leader worth following? • Can a person be a genuine believer in Christ without being a very good disciple of Christ? Explain.

John 10:10 • What do you think of when you hear the term “abundant life”?

• Do you believe that most Christians are living at the level of abundance Jesus offered to those who follow Him?

• Paul wrote that some believers are “carnal” – choosing to remain bound up by the “flesh” rather than walking in the Spirit. (1 Corinthians 3:1-4) How can you tell whether you are walking in the flesh or by the Spirit?

interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Page Leader Guide 40 MIKESCHAIR

Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Study by:

MIKESCHAIR A BEAUTIFUL LIFE SOMEONE WORTH DYING FOR TODD PEARAGE MIKESCHAIR.COM CURB RECORDS THE GATHERING DAYTON, OHIO [email protected]

than other nations, for you were the unloved or worthless and the impor- Theme Transition smallest of all nations! It was simply tance of each of their pictures). God’s Love Say something like, “I hope you because the Lord loves you.” (Deuter- enjoyed that game. I also hope the onomy 7:7-8 – New Living Translation Ask, “If you were to add a line to the winner takes me to lunch this week. paraphrase) song about you, what would that line Objective So what did you think as you saw be? (Give time for them to write.) Take Your students will understand that God each item and thought about its value? Why does God love us? Not because a minute or two to fill in that final blank. loves them no matter what they have What would you have thought if one of what we have done, or because You don’t have to share what you done. They will know that they really of the items displayed was a person? there is something special about us, wrote, but look at the line underneath are someone worth dying for. What if that person was your friend? or because we’re worth it. God loves what you wrote. What does it say?” What if that person was you? How us because He has chosen to love us. much are your family and friends There is nothing we can do to make Warm Up worth? How much are YOU worth?” Him love us any less, and there is noth- Wrap Up It’s Worth What? – You can act out or ing we can do make Him love us more. Say, “Sometimes you may feel like create of these versions of the new TV He loves us continually. When we think the Honus Wagner card (or whatever game: The Song no one else loves us, He does. When expensive item you had) and some- • Use your computer and projector to Ask the students to pay close attention our friends hurt us, when our family times you feel like a chewed-up piece display extremely valuable items like to the lyrics. Play the song. mistreats us, when the entire world is of gum. No matter how you feel or a Honus Wagner baseball card ($2.35 against us, God loves us. Always. No what is happening around you, God Million) and the original first Barbie matter what. loves you, and you are someone worth ($8,000). Transition dying for.” Close in prayer. The guys in MIKESCHAIR sang, Read these verses and have the stu- • Buy several common items like “You’re someone worth dying for.” dents fill in the blanks that are on the school supplies and fast-food menu What do you think of that statement? Student Guide: items – display them side-by-side. Romans 9:25 (from The Message • Combination of both. • Bible Study paraphrase) Select two contestants to engage in a Popular Christian author Max Lucado • Jeremiah 31:3 (from New Living battle of four challenges that escalate in wrote, “God’s love does not hinge on Translation paraphrase) difficulty. Both contestants are asked to yours. The abundance of your love “discern” the price. They must identify does not increase His. The lack of your Ask, “Let’s look at the people the song which item is worth more money. A cer- love does not diminish His. Your good- mentioned in the song – what do you tain amount of prize money is awarded ness does not enhance His love nor think is their story?” Have the kids talk upon completing the challenges, with does your weakness dilute it.” A few about each character and what has the highest possible winning being ($1, thousand years before Max said that, happened in their lives. (There really $5, $10, $20, or whatever your ministry Moses told Israel that “The Lord did are no wrong answers here so allow can afford). The audience is encour- not choose you and lavish His love on the kids to be creative. Make sure they aged to yell out answers. you because you were larger or greater discuss why each person would feel

MIKESCHAIR

Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Theme:

MIKESCHAIR A BEAUTIFUL LIFE SOMEONE WORTH DYING FOR GOD’S LOVE MIKESCHAIR.COM CURB RECORDS

God loves us because: Romans 9:25 Jeremiah 31:3 (from The Message paraphrase) (from the New Living Translation)

“I’ll call ______and “I have loved you, my people, with an

make them ______; ______love.

I’ll call the ______With ______

There’s nothing we can do to make and make them ______.” love I have drawn you to myself.” God love us:

The wife waiting up at night

The man struggling to provide

The son who chose a broken road

The girl thinking you’ll end up alone.

There’s nothing we can do to make I might be the ______God love us:

______And I am loved by God. I am someone worth dying for.

interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 •YLO86_Layout 1 11/7/11 2:45 PM Page 42 C O M P A R I S O Pop/R&B“Who Sounds Like Who” Your youth Jamie Grace Christian Artist Mainstream Artist Anthem Lights leader has 33 Miles All Star Weekend, Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mar a bunch of Ayiesha Woods Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts s Alicia Keys, Corinne Bailey Rae, Amy Winehous these albums B. Reith Bluetree Ne-Yo, Asher Roth, Robin Thicke e that you can Braddigan The Verve, Coldplay borrow. Get Brandon Heath Dispatch, Phish, Motopony Britt Nicole Gavin Rossdale one and Chris Rice Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Gwen Stefani check out the Coffey Anderson Jack Johnson Daniel Kirkley Ben Harper, Everlast, Keith Urban comparison Echoing Angels Josh Grobin for yourself! Fiction Family Augustana, Brand New Group 1 Crew Beatles meets Switchfoot Holly Starr Black Eyed Peas Jason Gray Amy Grant, Michelle Branch Jade Harrell Elliot Yamin, Daniel Powter Jamie Grace Rihanna, Keri Hilson Jeremy Camp Colbie Caillat, Michelle Branch Jimmy Needham Daughtry, Bob Mould Hip-Hop/Rap/ Johnny Diaz Amos Lee Jon Foreman Jon McLaughlin Jon McLaughlin Switchfoot Electronica Jonas Brothers Train Christian Artist MainstreamHybrid, Artist LCD Soundsystem The Click Five Andy Hunter Jonathan Phillips Lloyd Banks Julian Drive Gavin DeGraw Braille Drake, Tre Songz, Ludacris Augustana Canton Jones Laura Story Mandisa Amy Grant, Christina Perri Cross Movement Fort Minor,50 WuTang, Cent, Young Jurassic Jeezy 5 Beyonce, Mary J. Blige Da T.R.U.T.H. Mary Mary Mario, Omarion, Chris Brown Matt Maher Amel Larrieux, Brandy Dijon Asher Roth, Bow Wow David Cook, David Archuleta Eric Cross Matthew West B.G., Lil’ Flip, Busta Rhymes MercyMe Edwin McCain, Train, Third Eye Blind Flame Kevin Rudollf meets Jack Johnson, Lady Antebellum Flynn Adam Meredith Andrews Vanessa Carlton Cage the Elephant Mission Six Kid Cudi Common, Natalie Grant Justin Bieber, Mitchel Musso Grits MIMS, Maino Katherine McPhee Kaboose Nate Sallie Eminem, Fort Minor Nicole C. Mullen Rob Thomas, Gavin DeGraw, The Fray KJ-52 Black Eyed Peas, Jurassic 5, RedCloud Cece Winans, Janet Jackson, Natalie Grant L.A. Symphony Paul Colman Young Buck, T.I. Paul Wright The Fray Lecrae Black Eyed Peas, Kirk Franklin, The Fugees Jack Johnson, John May Level 3:16 Phil Wickham er, ALO John Legend does hip-hop Press Play Bono, John Mayer Liquid DJ Khaled, Timberland Diverse City Band, Group 1 Crew, Ashlee Simpson Mark J Pocket Full of Rocks Calexico, Aqualung, John Butler Trio Flo Rida, T Pain Sixteen Cities Mr Talkbox Mos Def The Script, Kris Allen Othello Stephanie Smith ??? Tenth Avenue North One RepublicThe Veronicas, The Ting Tings Owl City DMX, Bun B Pettidee The Rubyz Common The Swift Amanda Cosgrove Phanatik TRD pageBen Folds Propaganda & Odd Thomas Common, Mos Def tal Method tobyMac The Prodigy, The Crys Warren Barfield Limp Bizkit, Kirk Franklin Shane Newville Redman, Prodigy Jamie Cullum with a guitar, Gavin Soul P Juelz Santana, D4L, T.I. DeGraw, D T-Bone avid Poe The Ambassador Mims, LudacrisT.I., Yung L.A., Ludacris Trip Lee Eminem, Deepspace5 Urban D. Washington Projects Jay-Z, SamEyed Adams, Peas, The The Roots, Fugees, Keri Black Hilson Punk/Hardcore Christian Artist Mainstream Artist A Love Not Lost Jimmy Eat World At the Onset Hinder, Attack Attack! Chasing Victory A Skylit Drive, Blessthefall Children 18:3 Rancid, Motorhead, B-52's Decyfer Down Three Days Grace, Daughtry Demon Hunter Zao, the Agony Scene, Machine Head tobyMac Everyday Sunday 3 Doors Down, Story of the Year Flatfoot 56 Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly Flyleaf My Chemical Romance Hawk Nelson Hellogoodbye, Blink 182, The Almost I Am Terrified Apocalyptica, Drowning Pool I Am Empire Wavorly, Thrice, Saosin Worship Maylene and the Christian Artist Mainstream Artist Lovehatehero, He Is Legend, Aaron Shust Lifehouse Sons of Disaster Comeback Kid Anna Nalick, Ani Defranco Mourning September Fallout Boy, Funeral For a Friend, Death Cab Bethany Dillon Brenton Brown Eric Clapton, Shawn McDonald for Cutie Elliott Yamin My Epic Chris Tomlin Band of Horses, My Chemical Romance Fee Vertical Horizon Nevertheless Jimmy Eat World, Cartel, Boys Like Girls Number One Gun A Change of Pace Generation Unleashed The Script, Shinedown Gungor Siger Ros, Sufjan Stevens, MUSE Project 86 Rage, Queens of the Stone Age Lifehouse Red Hillsong United Third Eye Blind, Unwritten Law, Hurt Jason Morant Snow Patrol, U2 Relient K Fall Out Boy meets Beach Boys, Plain White T's Michael Buble Sick of Change Joel Engle ted NOFX, Pennywise Know Hope Collective Audio Adrenaline, Hillsong Uni Since October 30 Seconds To Mars, AFI U2, Copeland, Death Cab For Cutie Spoken Kristian Stanfill Avenged Sevenfold, Angels & Airwaves ewster Train Stellar Kart Lincoln Br Good Charlotte, Blink 182, New Found Matt Papa James Morrison, The Tragically Hip Glory, Weezer Vertical Horizon, Peter Yorn Subseven Planet Shakers Halifax, Matchbox Romance, Roger Williams & The Hooty and The Blowfish, John Mark Eighteen Visions All Mixed Up Quartet McMillan Sullivan Sparks the Rescue Underoath Shane and Shane Ben Harper Norma Jean, Botch, Atreyu Tree 63 Aqualung Worth Dying For Demi Lovato •YLO86_Layout 1 11/7/11 2:45 PM Page 42 •YLO86_Layout 1 11/7/11 2:45 PM Page 43 COMPAR I S O N C H A R T Pop/R&B“Who Sounds Like Who” Your youth Jamie Grace Christian Artist Mainstream Artist Remember, these comparisons are subjective—that Anthem Lights Rock means you might not agree with some of these leader has 33 Miles All Star Weekend, Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars Christian Artist Mainstream Artist comparisons. But, that’s okay! This isn’t intended to a bunch of Ayiesha Woods Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts A Dream Too Late Jimmy Eat World, All American Rejects convince you that one artist sounds JUST LIKE another Alicia Keys, Corinne Bailey Rae, Amy Winehouse Alter Bridge, Brother Cane these albums B. Reith Abandon Kansas Lifehouse, Test Your Reflex, Muse artist; it’s more about helping you find a style and sound Bluetree Ne-Yo, Asher Roth, Robin Thicke After Edmund that is similar to something you know you already like. The Verve, Coldplay Bloc Party that you can Braddigan Anberlin Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Saving Jane Brandon Heath Dispatch, Phish, Motopony Barlow Girl borrow. Get Gavin Rossdale Youth Leaders: Find out more about interlínc, Youth Britt Nicole Big Daddy Weave Jon McLaughlinJon Foreman, meets Big Coldplay, & Rich Keane Leaders Only and how you can get more music and media one and Chris Rice Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Gwen Stefani Brandon Bee Jack Johnson Franz Ferdinand, Arcade Fire tools for your ministry at interlinc-online.com/ylo check out the CofCoffeyfey Anderson Brothers Martin Lifehouse, Vertical Horizon Daniel Kirkley BBenen HarperHarper,, Everlast,Everlast, KeithKeith UrbanUrban Building 429 Josh Grobin ree William Tell comparison Echoing Angels By The T Edwin McCain Fiction Family Augustana, Brand New Casting Crowns for yourself! Beatles meets Switchfoot Hoobastank Group 1 Crew Circleslide The Fray, John Mayer Holly Starr Black Eyed Peas Dave Barnes Amy Grant, Michelle Branch JasonJason Gray Michelle Branch David Crowder Band Dave MatthewsSeether, Hurt,Band, Velvet Maroon Revolver, 5 Stone Temple Pilots Jade Harrell Elliot Yamin,Yamin, Daniel Powter Day of Fire Rihanna, Keri Hilson Adam Lambert, One Republic, The Temper Trap Jamie Grace Deas Vail Saving Abel Jeremy Camp Colbie Caillat, Michelle Branch Decemberadio Daughtry, Bob Mould Coldplay Jimmy Needham Delirious Three Days Grace, Hinder, Saosin Hip-Hop/Rap/ Johnny Diaz Amos Lee Disciple lue Jon McLaugMcLaughlin As I Lay Dying, Evans B JJonon ForForemaneman hlin Dizmas Switchfoot e Queen meets Weezer Jon McLaughlin downher Fountains of Wayne, Stereo Skyline Electronica Jonas Brothers Train Eleventyseven Christian Artist MainstreamHybrid, Artist LCD Soundsystem The Click Five Just Surrender Andy Hunter Jonathan Phillips Emery Phoenix, O.A.R. Lloyd Banks Julian Drive Gavin DeGraw Esterlyn Jeremy Camp Braille Drake, Tre Songz, Ludacris Augustana Avril Lavigne, Paramore Canton Jones Laura Story Everlife Funeral For a Friend, Linkin Park, Coheed and Mandisa Amy Grant, Christina Perri Falling Up Cross Movement Fort Minor,50 WuTang, Cent, Young Jurassic Jeezy 5 Beyonce, Mary J. Blige Cambria Da T.R.U.T.H. MaryMary Mary Pendulum, 30H!3 Mario, Omarion, Chris Brown Matt Maher Amel Larrieux, BrandyBrandy Family Force 5 Dijon Asher Roth, Bow Wow David Cook, David Archuleta Foo Fighters Eric Cross Matthew West Fighting Instinct Tsunami Bomb, Lacuna Coil, Damone, Paramore B.G., Lil’ Flip, Busta Rhymes MercyMe Edwin McCain, Train, Third Eye Blind Fireflight Flame Kevin Rudollf meets Jack Johnson, Lady Antebellum Blink 182, The Friday Night Boys Flynn Adam Meredith Andrews Vanessa Carlton FM Static 0 Seconds To Mars Cage the Elephant Mission Six Future of Forestry 3 Common, Kid Cudi Justin Bieber, MitcheMitchel Musso oes Interpol, Arcade Fire Grits NNatalieatalie Grant l Musso House of Her MIMS, Maino Nate Sallie Katherine McPhee Hyper Static Union O.A.R. Kaboose Eminem, Fort Minor Rob Thomas, Gavin DeGrawDeGraw, The Fray Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Bikini Kill KJ-52 Nicole C. Mullen , The Fray Inhabited Train, Maroon 5, The Calling Black Eyed Peas, Jurassic 5, RedCloud Paul Colman Cece Winans, Janet Jackson, Natalie Grant Jackson Waters L.A. Symphony Young Buck, T.I. The Fray The Veils Paul Wright Jars of Clay Christian Artist Mainstream Artist Lecrae Black Eyed Peas, Kirk Franklin, The Fugees Jack Johnson, John Mayer,May ALO Fort Minor meets Beck Level 3:16 Phil Wickham er, ALO John Reuben Franz Ferdinand Manic Drive John Legend does hip-hop Bono, John Mayer MGMT Liquid PressPress Play Jonezetta John Mayer, pop-ish Eric Clapton Mat Kearney DJ Khaled, Timberland Diverse City Band, Group 1 Crew, Ashlee Simpson Jack Johnson, Citizen Cope Mark J Pocket Full of Rocks Calexico, Aqualung, John Butler Trio Jonny Lang The Veronicas, Avril Lavigne, Michelle Branch Mercy Me Flo Rida, T Pain Vertical Horizon, Peter Yorn Mr Talkbox Sixteen Cities Krystal Meyers Nickelback, Trapt, Seether Needtobreathe Mos Def The Script, Kris Allen Sister Hazel, Train Othello Stephanie Smith Kutless Coldplay, U2, Landon Pigg Neworldson ??? The VeVeronicas,ronicas, TheThe TingTing TingsTings Cage the Elephant Owl City TTenthenth AvenueAvenue NorthNorth One One RepublicRepublic Leeland Jimmy Eat World, Copeland P.O.D. DMX, Bun B Smile Empty Soul, Mudvayne Pettidee The Rubyz Mae 3 Doors Down Pillar Common The Swift Amanda Cosgrove Mainstay Halifax, Disturbed, Crossfade Phanatik Ben Folds TRD pagePetree Coldplay, Peter Gabriel Propaganda & Odd Thomas Common, Mos Def tal Method tobyMactobyMac Pivitplex The Prodigy, The Crys Limp Bizkit, Kirk Franklin Panic! at the Disco, OK Go Shane Newville Warren Barfield Remedy Drive Redman, Prodigy Jamie Cullum with a guitar, Gavin The Script Soul P Robert Randolph And John Butler Trio, Jeff Beck Juelz Santana, D4L, T.I. DeGraw, DavidDavid Poe T-Bone The Family Band R The Ambassador Mims, LudacrisT.I., Yung L.A., Ludacris un Kid Run Apparatus Fallout Boy, Simple Plan, Red Jumpsuit Trip Lee Eminem, Deepspace5 Urban D. Ruth Gin Blossoms, Switchfoot, Third Eye Blind Washington Projects Jay-Z, Sam Adams, The Fugees, Black Salvador Eyed Peas, The Roots, Keri Hilson Los Lonely Boys, a latin Dave Matthews Sanctus Real Band Punk/Hardcore Sent by Ravens Coldplay, Daughtry Christian Artist Mainstream Artist Seventh Day Slumber SensesEmery, Fail Avenge Sevenfold A Love Not Lost Jimmy Eat World Shawn McDonald John Mayer, Jason Mraz At the Onset Hinder, Attack Attack! Owl City Shirock Chasing Victory A Skylit Drive, Blessthefall Silverline The Airborne Toxic Event Children 18:3 Rancid, Motorhead, B-52's Skillet Anberlin, Blindside, Spoken Decyfer Down Three Days Grace, Daughtry Crossfade, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Demon Hunter Zao, the Agony Scene, Machine Head tobyMac Starfield Finger Eleven Everyday Sunday 3 Doors Down, Story of the Year Starflyer 59 Maroon 5, Driving East Flatfoot 56 Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly StorySide:B Radiohead Flyleaf My Chemical Romance Strange Celebrity Third Eye Blind,The ClickCreed Five Hawk Nelson Hellogoodbye, Blink 182, The Almost Superchick I Am Terrified Apocalyptica, Drowning Pool The Raveonettes, The Vincent Black I Am Empire Wavorly, Thrice, Saosin Worship Switchfoot Shadows, The Veronicas Maylene and the Christian Artist Mainstream Artist Third Eye Blind, Weezer, Yellowcard Lovehatehero, He Is Legend, Aaron Shust Lifehouse Telecast Sons of Disaster Comeback Kid Anna Nalick, Ani Defranco The Afters Stereophonics, Wilco Mourning September Fallout Boy, Funeral For a Friend, Death Cab Bethany Dillon Copeland, Sherwood Brenton Brown Eric Clapton, Shawn McDonald The Choir for Cutie Elliott Yamin The Classic Crime My ChemicalEric R Clapton, James Taylor My Epic Chris Tomlin Band of Horses, My Chemical Romance Fee Vertical Horizon omance, Lostprophets, Nevertheless Jimmy Eat World, Cartel, Boys Like Girls The Fold Asteria Number One Gun A Change of Pace Generation Unleashed The Script, Shinedown Sum 41 Gungor Siger Ros, Sufjan Stevens, MUSE The Letter Black Project 86 Paramore Rage, Queens of the Stone Age Hillsong United Lifehouse The Myriad Red Third Eye Blind, Unwritten Law, Hurt Snow Patrol, U2 The Send The Killers, My Chemical Romance Relient K Jason Morant Blink 182 Fall Out Boy meets Beach Boys, Plain White T's Joel Engle Michael Buble The Showdown Sick of Change Adrenaline, Hillsong United Korn, Metallica NOFX, Pennywise Know Hope Collective Audio The Turning Since October 30 Seconds To Mars, AFI U2, Copeland, Death Cab For Cutie The Wrecking William Tell Spoken Kristian Stanfill Shinedown Avenged Sevenfold, Angels & Airwaves ewster Train Third Day Stellar Kart Lincoln Br Daughtry, The Wallflowers Good Charlotte, Blink 182, New Found Matt Papa James Morrison, The Tragically Hip This Beautiful Republic The Bravery Glory, Weezer Vertical Horizon, Peter Yorn Thousand Foot Krutch Korn, Trapt, Rage Against The Machine Subseven Planet Shakers Halifax, Matchbox Romance, Roger Williams & The Hooty and The Blowfish, John Mark Todd Agnew Eighteen Visions Vota Rob Thomas, Drive By Truckers Sullivan All Mixed Up Quartet McMillan Carolina Liar Sparks the Rescue Wavorly Underoath Shane and Shane Ben Harper New Found Glory Norma Jean, Botch, Atreyu Tree 63 Aqualung , The Shins Worth Dying For Demi Lovato Page Leader Guide 44 NEWSBOYS

Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Study by:

NEWSBOYS GOD’S NOT DEAD I AM SECOND CARL JONES NEWSBOYS.COM INPOP RECORDS TAMPA, FLORIDA YOUTHGUY07.AOL.COM

Theme Warm Up The Song Wrap Up Humility Have your students fill out the Fame Tell your students you will play “I Am Jesus clearly taught that if we want to Game section of the Student Guide. Second” from the band Newsboys. be His followers, we must give up the You may need to make sure you Remind them as they listen to keep control and power that this world says Objective know what the people listed are in mind this primary question: What makes people important. We must Your group will discuss the differences famous for before you begin. Discuss is the most important thing in my life? humble ourselves before God and between a world that recognizes what is required to achieve fame in Have the group fill in the blanks in before other people. Drive this point fame and encourages us to focus on our world today, and some examples the first section as they listen to the home with this object lesson: have all ourselves, and a Savior who teaches of different ways people go about words of the song. At the conclusion your students stand and raise both humility and service as a way of life. being noticed. Ask for examples of the song, go over their answers. hands toward heaven. Tell them that of people your students know who Also check their “reality beliefs” – the posture is how our lives look when should be famous (teachers, parents, things they really believe rather than we praise Jesus but have yet to really youth pastors, etc.) but aren’t. You- the things they think you want to hear. allow Him to be #1 in our lives. Then Tube is celebrated for being a forum Do they really think of Jesus as the have them kneel on both knees, arms where anyone can become famous. One who is “second to none?” Is there still raised. Remind them that this is Is fame a worthy goal? any “cure” for the selfishness in our what truly surrendering to Jesus looks culture? What would happen if they like. Close with a prayer circle, and began to replace self-centeredness give each student a chance to surren- Transition and pride with service and humility in der an area of their life to God. Explain that we live in a world in which their lives? priorities are often skewed. Many of us have difficulty focusing on what’s important, and the teachings of Jesus Bible Study on this subject are so far out of step Jesus taught a great deal about how with our world’s that they often seem humility and service are keys to the confusing. We wonder whether we can Kingdom of Heaven. Have your stu- even survive without putting our own dents read and discuss the Bible Study needs, desires, and safety first. Have section of the Student Guide. You may your students complete the My Opin- want to use the acronym JOY to help ion section of the Student Guide, and drive home the teachings: Jesus is then discuss their answers. first; then Others; and finally Yourself.

Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Theme:

NEWSBOYS GOD’S NOT DEAD I AM SECOND HUMILITY NEWSBOYS.COM INPOP RECORDS

The Fame Game Scripture Safari The following people are all famous. Check the ones you know. What are they Scripture (and particularly Jesus) has a lot to say about being humble. For exam- famous for? ple, check out The Beatitudes (Matthew 5) and see if you can find even one of them that supports a “look out for #1” mentality. Here are some more verses you ___ Lady Gaga ______may find enlightening. ___ Lebron James ______Matthew 20:16 – “So the first will be last, and the last will be first.” ___ Louis Pasteur______Joe Biden ______James 4:10 – “Humble thyself in the sight of the LORD, and He shall lift you up…” ___ David Fincher ______Justin Bieber ______Luke 14:11 – “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who ___ Mother Teresa ______humbles himself will be exalted.”

My Opinion Philippians 2:3 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humil- Which of the following statements accurately reflect your opinion on what it takes ity consider others better than yourselves.” to succeed in our society today? • You have to look out for yourself, because no one else will. Agree/Disagree 1 Peter 5:5 – “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, • God helps those who help themselves. Agree/Disagree because, God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” • Putting our own needs before the needs of others is the American way. Agree/Disagree • Jesus’ teachings on humility and service are out of touch with the real world. Romans 12:10 – “Honor one another above yourselves.” Agree/Disagree Since we should honor others in such ways, how much more important is it that we know that we are ALWAYS second to Jesus? The call to live a humble life is a Where Would We Be? call to surrender to Him! As you listen along to this song from Newsboys, fill in the blanks below when you hear answers in the lyrics. There’s a me that says I’m in control until the day that I ______. The Bottom Line Jesus wants to change our lives. He came to save us from our sins, but He also I’m laying everything at the foot of the Cross; my ____, my ______and my ______. came so that we might live our lives with Him right here and right now. He wants to To kneel is to find the ______. be LORD of our lives, and the only way that happens is when we surrender to Him and recognize that He must always be first. It’s not about us. It’s all about Jesus. He said “You come alive when you ______your life, so I lay it all down”

interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Page Leader Guide 46 PHIL WICKHAM

Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Study by:

PHIL WICKHAM RESPONSE AT YOUR NAME (YAHWEH, YAHWEH) DOUG RANCK PHILWICKHAM.COM FAIR TRADE SERVICES FREE METHODIST CHURCH SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA [email protected]

Theme Transition Bible Study Wrap Up God’s Character Say something like, “We live in a Say, “This song describes the char- Say, “These words give us an exten- remarkable world where it seems acter of God who is almighty and sive picture of God’s nature and yet every day brings new inspiration, sovereign over all the earth. Now we this is only a sample of all we can find Objective innovation and upgrade. It is easy to will see what the Bible says about in the Bible. Even if we could memo- In a world full of amazing technologi- be captivated by what we see and the power of God and its invitation to rize all the verses referring to God’s cal advances and new ideas everyday, lose sight of who created it all. In worship Him.” Have two volunteers character, believe them and respond we can easily lose sight of our great today’s lesson we will discover and take turns reading Psalm 89:1-18. in faith, we would be only beginning to God who created this earth and is the rediscover God’s character – how He Ask them to alternate verses so one understand our magnificent God. We source of all creation. In this lesson, has created all people and things. is reading odd numbered verses and, will end this time by reflecting on what youth will identify what sets God apart We will be challenged to respond the other person is reading even we do know about Him and being from all those things we find impres- by worshiping not just at church but numbered verses. Give the group thankful for His mighty work, not just sive in this world and they will be chal- throughout our life. some time to complete the Power now, but throughout all our life.” lenged to worship God. List section. When they are finished, ask for volunteers to share respons- Play the song again – either the audio The Song es. Follow up with these questions. clip OR perform the music if you have Warm Up Play the song while the students com- (Come ready with a Bible dictionary!) the talent available. Provide the words Give the group five minutes to finish plete the assignment under The Power • How would you define “faithfulness”? and have the group sing along. the Give Me Five section and then of a Name. come back together. • What does this passage tell you about Close by allowing the group the oppor- “love” and “faithfulness”? tunity to offer prayers of thanks and Offer the group the opportunity to Transition • What is Rahab’s significance in this worship to God. share their list. Use newsprint or a Have volunteers offer a few of their passage? whiteboard to display their responses. responses. Discuss these questions: • What about Tabor and Hermon? Note the ones appearing the most. • The writer of this song talks about what Follow with these questions: happens when the name of God is • Why are they singing for joy? • What is most impressive about some spoken. What is significant about this? • What do you think the statement that of the items you chose to put on your • When you hear someone’s name God “exalts our horn” means? list? you know, what are a few things that • How would you summarize this pas- • Which of the ones you listed did you might immediately come to mind? sage in a single sentence? wish you had invented? • What do you know about the name • What do you think helps some “Yahweh?” (Leader note: Be sure to people to create amazing things spend a little time researching this and others not? before the lesson.) • How can God “win our hearts” through what He has done?

PHIL WICKHAM

Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Theme:

PHIL WICKHAM RESPONSE AT YOUR NAME (YAHWEH, YAHWEH) GOD’S CHARACTER PHILWICKHAM.COM FAIR TRADE SERVICES

Give Me Five The Power Of A Name Power List While you listen to this song, fill in your responses to Read Psalm 89:1-18 and list all the phrases describ- List the five most impressive inventions of our time: these two categories: ing God and count how many times you see the 1. words “love” and “faithfulness.” What happens “at His name” –

3. What we are called to do –

LOVE = ____ times

FAITHFULNESS = ____ times

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48 PHINEHAS

Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Study by:

PHINEHAS THEGODMACHINE I AM THE LION LEE HUMERIAN & SEAN MCCULLOCH PHINEHAS.US RED CORD RECORDS PHINEHAS LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA [email protected]

Theme Transition Transition Wrap Up Idolatry A few discussion questions that Review the lyrics of the first verse and Explain that Jesus took her condem- transition well to the song: chorus to start a discussion. nation. (Romans 8:1-4) The Father Objective • When does something become treated Jesus as if He had lived our an idol? lives, and has treated us as though we Students will understand that idolatry Bible Study lived Jesus’ life. Jesus could cast the is so powerful that it can leave them • Does something become an idol Read John 7:53-8:11 and discuss: stone because He is without sin, but when it becomes something we rely feeling helpless. But, God is right there • Idolatry is ultimately a sin issue – put- He refused to. We need to show similar on or put in front of God? with them, and He will bring them ting sin before God. What was the grace to those who, like this woman, through if they will give it over to Him. • What do you rely on or put your woman’s idol? (It could have been any are caught in overt sin. trust in? number of things: sex, men, valida- tion, etc.) Ask, “With that in mind, how are you Warm Up saved based on 2 Corinthians 5:21 • What are some of the things that you Discuss these questions: The Song and Romans 8:1-4?” Close in prayer. tend to put in front of God? • How would you define “idolatry”? Play “I Am The Lion” by Phinehas. • What position were the Pharisees try- • What is an idol? ing to put Jesus in? (They didn’t care • What are some things people make about the woman or trying to help her into idols? with her sin; they were just trying to • Why do you think people replace God catch Jesus doing something against with an idol or idols? the law.) • Why did Jesus forgive the woman instead of condemning her? • Jesus was without sin and could have thrown the stone; why wouldn’t He?

Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Theme:

PHINEHAS THEGODMACHINE I AM THE LION IDOLATRY PHINEHAS.US RED CORD RECORDS

John 7:53-8:11 • Idolatry is ultimately a sin issue - putting sin before God. What was the woman’s idol?

• What are some of the things that you tend to put in front of God?

• What position were the Pharisees trying to put Jesus in?

• Why did Jesus forgive the woman instead of condemning her?

• Jesus was without sin and could have thrown the stone; why wouldn’t He?

interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Page Leader Guide 50 RACHAEL LAMPA

Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Study by:

RACHAEL LAMPA ALL WE NEED ALL WE NEED ERIC GARGUS RACHAELLAMPA.COM UNIVERSAL/ CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH 220 ENTERTAINMENT GROUP ARGO, ALABAMA [email protected]

Have each group read the passages Theme The Song Bible Study and share their responses to the Peace Hand out Student Guides and pens as Where the road takes me, I’ll never questions. Be sure to interject your you introduce the song. Say, “Rachael walk alone wisdom and guidance as needed. Lampa began singing when she was Hebrews 6:18-19; Jeremiah 29:11; Objective just a teen, took a break from the John 20:21 Students will gain a deeper Wrap Up public eye for a while, and now returns • What do you fear about your future? understanding of how to experience with a renewed focus. This award- Briefly summarize what was learned God’s peace. winning powerhouse of a vocalist has • What is God’s oath/promise to you? about God’s peace. Then challenge some simple, soulful encouragement • How can a person have hope for the the students to use the blank space for everyone in her new song, ‘All We future? Explain. under Peace Plan to write an action Warm Up plan for how they will pursue God’s Need’.” Play the song. • How do these Scriptures give Go around the room and give each peace. Close in prayer. Replay the you peace? student the opportunity to complete at song as students mingle and/or leave. least one of these sentences: Transition Let the peace inside me be Divide the group into three teams, • The scariest place I’ve ever been is… Mark 9:49-50; John 14:26-27; assigning one Lyric Pod to each team. • The most peaceful place I’ve ever Romans 15:13 Make sure each group has at least one been is… Bible, but preferably three, for looking • What are some of life’s events that • The thing I wonder most about my up the Scripture passages. Challenge attack your peace? future is… students to read the lyric, look up the • What is the Holy Spirit’s role in a • The way I find personal peace is… three passages, and then discuss Christian’s life? the questions together. Have each • How does trust affect peace? group choose one to four students Transition to read the passages and summarize • How do these Scriptures give you Say, “We all have been places we liked their answer to each question when peace? and places we didn’t like. We know everyone comes back together. what has happened in our past, but Love is all we need not what will happen in our future. And 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; Romans 12:1-2; we will face both triumphs and trials in Hebrews 4:14-16 the future.” • Can peace exist without love? Explain. • How does God’s love transform a person’s lifestyle? • How does mercy affect peace? • How do these Scriptures give you peace?

RACHAEL LAMPA

Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Theme:

RACHAEL LAMPA ALL WE NEED ALL WE NEED PEACE RACHAELLAMPA.COM UNIVERSAL/ 220 ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

Finish This Lyric Pods Peace Plan The scariest place I’ve ever been is… Where the road takes me, I’ll never walk alone Hebrews 6:18-19; Jeremiah 29:11; John 20:21 • What do you fear about your future?

• What is God’s oath/promise to you?

• How can a person have hope for the future? Explain.

• How do these Scriptures give you peace? The most peaceful place I’ve ever been is…

Let the peace inside me be Mark 9:49-50; John 14:26-27; Romans 15:13 • What are some of life’s events that attack your peace?

• What is the Holy Spirit’s role in a Christian’s life?

• How does trust affect peace? The thing I wonder most about my future is… • How do these Scriptures give you peace?

Love is all we need 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 4:14-16 • Can peace exist without love? Explain.

• How does God’s love transform a person’s lifestyle? The way I find peace is… • How does mercy affect peace?

• How do these Scriptures give you peace?

interlinc-online.com / 800.725.3300 Page Leader Guide 52 SHANE & SHANE

Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Study by:

SHANE & SHANE THE ONE YOU NEED LIBERTY DAVE JONES SHANEANDSHANE.COM FAIR TRADE SERVICES FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH MILTON, PENNSYLVANIA [email protected]

• Ask, “How does sin make a person your Savior so that you may experi- Theme The Song unhappy?” ence the joy of freedom. If you have Freedom Hand out the Student Guides. As the • You might be thinking that you are not already accepted Jesus as your song plays, encourage your students really caught up in any sin, yet you Savior, lay those chains at His feet to write their comments under The still feel trapped and burdened. The and walk in the liberty that He has Objective Chains That Weigh Me Down. reality of sin is that there are hardship provided for you. Students will realize that they can find and pain in the world. Your chains freedom in Christ, no matter what they may be those of struggles at home, Wrap Up are struggling with. Transition relationship issues, or self-doubt. Ask, As you close your time together, use Say, “This song is referring to the “What are some specific ‘non-sin’ this prayer exercise. You can do this freedom or the liberty that Jesus gives chains that teenagers bear?” (Discuss Warm Up alone or, if you have other leaders with when His Spirit lives inside you. When answers.) Human Knot – Give these instructions: the Spirit of Jesus lives within an indi- you, at different stations around the • Despite what your chains may be, • Everyone needs to extend his or her vidual; he or she is free from the bond- room. Have the students approach Jesus wants to set you free. (Read arms and cross one arm over the age and slavery of sin. Those ‘chains’ you or another youth leader for a time John 8:32) Jesus said that the other. – struggles that you have written on of prayer. You will simply pray a prayer your handout – can be removed by the truth of His Word would set us free. of blessing over them and ask God to • Everyone needs to gather in a group power and the love of Jesus.” Through His work on the cross we remove any chains that each student and place hands randomly in the are not only set free from sin, but may be carrying. If the student wants, center. from doubt, struggles, and hardships. you can pray for the specific concerns • Everyone needs, on the count of Bible Study This does not mean that believers or struggles listed on the Student will not encounter those things, but three, to randomly grab the hands of • No one grows up wanting to go to Guide. After each student is prayed for, rather they do not have to succumb two other people, one in each hand. prison. However, would-be prisoners he or she should quietly exit the room to the weight of those issues. Their • Students must now untangle them- get involved in things they shouldn’t as prayer with others continues. lives do not have to be defined by selves without letting go of each and pay a heavy price for their those concerns. Rather, believers can other’s hands. actions. For those inmates, chains are be defined by their relationship with a reality. Jesus and the freedom that a relation- Transition • For many, spiritual chains are a real- ship with the Savior brings. ity. No one grows up wanting to Say, “We can get caught up in the • Ask, “How important is it to know that be unhappy. However, people get things of the world so easily, and there is a way out of one’s chains?” involved in things they shouldn’t, and become shackled by our wrong “Why?” (Discuss answers.) while not having to suffer the chains choices and sin. Our enemy wants us of prison, they do have to suffer the • Jesus came to earth to bring liberty. to think that there is no way out, yet chains and bondage of sin and live an (Read Luke 19:10) If you are still Jesus wants us to know that there is unhappy existence. walking around lost, accept the freedom in Him. Through His work on work of Jesus and invite Him to be the cross, we can have liberty.”

Artist: Album Title & Record Company: Song: Theme:

SHANE & SHANE THE ONE YOU NEED LIBERTY FREEDOM WWW.SHANEANDSHANE.COM FAIR TRADE SERVICES

The Chains That Weigh Me Down Bible Study In the space below, list the things that are a current struggle for you. How does sin make a person unhappy?

What are some specific “non-sin” chains that teenagers bear?

John 8:32 – How will the Word of Jesus set someone free?

How important is it to know that there is a way out of one’s chains?

Luke 19:10 – How does it make me feel knowing that Jesus came for me?

Wrap Up Can I commit to giving control of my chains over to Jesus Christ? I know I do not have to do it alone. My youth leader will help me.

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54 THEMATIC LISTING

These are the themes represented by all the songs in ten for them. The page number for these studies are web browser to the “What The Bible Says About...” this volume of Youth Leaders Only. The songs listed listed after the artist’s name. For a comprehensive (http://wbsa.logos.com) and type in the theme. in red type have complete Bible study sessions writ- list of the Scripture verses for each theme, point your

Anger Courage Faith; Assurance God’s Grace Phinehas Casting Crowns Icon For Hire / Page 36 Shane & Shane Thegodmachine Come To The Well Scripted The One You Need Bad Blood Courageous The Grey Future Version Blessing Dance Forgiveness God’s Greatness The City Harmonic Family Force 5 The Ambassador Phil Wickham I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home) III Stop The Funeral Response Benediction Can You Feel It A-M Sun & Moon

Bride Of Christ Family Force 5 Freedom God’s Leading Casting Crowns III Shane & Shane / Page 52 Cory Lamb Come To The Well Wobble The One You Need Break The Cycle Wedding Day Liberty Light Deceit Choices Phinehas God’s Attributes God’s Love Shane & Shane Thegodmachine Phil Wickham The Ambassador The One You Need My Horses Are Many Response Stop The Funeral Because He’s God One God Get With Us Depression The Church Icon For Hire The Ambassador The City Harmonic Casting Crowns Scripted Stop The Funeral I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home) Come To The Well Get Well Nothing Like Us Love City On The Hill Phinehas God’s Care MIKESCHAIR / Page 40 The City Harmonic Thegodmachine Braille A Beautiful Life I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home) Grace Disguised By Darkness Native Lungs Someone Worth Dying For Mountaintop Feel It Discipleship Newsboys Comfort Jamie Grace / Page 38 Jamie Grace God’s Not Dead The Ambassador One Song At A Time One Song At A Time Your Love Never Fails Stop The Funeral You Lead Hold Me How Pop Pop Pop Shane & Shane they Dreams & Desires God’s Character The One You Need Commitment Cory Lamb Phil Wickham / Page 46 Your Love are Da Messenger Break The Cycle Response Alien Superman At Your Name (Yahweh, Yahweh) God’s Patience listed: Never Going Back MIKESCHAIR Eternity God’s Faithfulness A Beautiful Life Newsboys Da Messenger Newsboys Love Won’t Quit On Us Theme God’s Not Dead Alien God’s Not Dead Artist All the Way Ready To Go Forever Reign God’s Plan Album Title Casting Crowns Song Rachael Lampa Evangelism; Rachael Lampa Come To The Well All We Need Witnessing All We Need Already There Live For You (2011) Phinehas Run To You Thegodmachine Jamie Grace Conflict Crowns God’s Forgiveness One Song At A Time Family Force 5 Braille 1945 III Faith Native Lungs Get On Outta Here Cory Lamb Native Lungs MIKESCHAIR Break The Cycle A Beautiful Life Consistency Something More Rachael Lampa A Beautiful Life Casting Crowns All We Need Come To The Well Rachael Lampa Savior’s Face Phil Wickham My Own Worst Enemy All We Need Response Uncharted Territory God Of Our Salvation

God’s Power God’s Sufficiency Growth Hypocrisy Newsboys Casting Crowns The Ambassador Icon For Hire God’s Not Dead Come To The Well Stop The Funeral Scripted Mighty To Save Just Another Birthday Up Down Up in Flames

God’s Presence Cory Lamb Heaven Idolatry Jamie Grace Break The Cycle Braille Phinehas / Page 48 One Song At A Time Storm Native Lungs Thegodmachine With You Finally Arrive I Am the Lion Jamie Grace MIKESCHAIR One Song At A Time The Ambassador / Page 22 Phinehas A Beautiful Life Come To Me Stop The Funeral Thegodmachine Come Alive Crumbs The Rider Jamie Grace Shane & Shane One Song At A Time The City Harmonic Phinehas The One You Need Not Alone I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home) Thegodmachine Without You I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home) The Speaking Stone Phil Wickham God’s Pursuit Response MIKESCHAIR Jesus Casting Crowns All I Want Is You A Beautiful Life Newsboys How Come To The Well Gonna See Your Kingdom God’s Not Dead So Far To Find You Rachael Lampa Savior of the World they All We Need Holy Spirit are MIKESCHAIR My One And Only Casting Crowns Jesus; Lordship A Beautiful Life Come To The Well Newsboys listed: You Loved Me First Rachael Lampa Spirit Wind God’s Not Dead All We Need The King Is Coming Phinehas Remedy Phil Wickham Theme Thegodmachine Response The Ambassador Artist From One End of the Sky to the Other Shane & Shane Heaven Fall Down Stop The Funeral Album Title The One You Need Mind Made Up Song Rachael Lampa The One You Need Hope All We Need Newsboys Jesus’ Life No Escape The City Harmonic God’s Not Dead Newsboys I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home) God’s Not Dead (Like a Lion) God’s Not Dead God’s Sovereignty Fell Apart More Than Enough MIKESCHAIR The Ambassador A Beautiful Life Grace Stop The Funeral The Ambassador Pieces Da Messenger Bring You Out Stop The Funeral Alien Talk This Way Invade The Ambassador Stop The Funeral Jesus’ Sacrifice Shane & Shane The Reunion The City Harmonic The One You Need I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home) Grace Is Sufficient Humility Holy (Wedding Day) Casting Crowns Greed Come To The Well Phinehas Face Down Thegodmachine The Wishing Well Family Force 5 / Page 34 III Paycheck

Newsboys / Page 44 God’s Not Dead I Am Second

56 THEMATIC LISTING

Joy Miracles Relationships Salvation Cory Lamb Shane & Shane Cory Lamb Phil Wickham Break The Cycle The One You Need Break The Cycle Response Praying For Gravity Miracle Tell Me That It’s Over This Is The Day

Phil Wickham Music Family Force 5 Phinehas Response Jamie Grace III Thegodmachine Joy One Song At A Time Dang Girl A Pattern in Pain One Song At A Time Judging Family Force 5 Salvation; Casting Crowns Peace III Redemption Come To The Well Rachael Lampa / Page 50 Love Gone Wrong MIKESCHAIR Need Jesus, Friend Of Sinners All We A Beautiful Life All W e Need Rachael Lampa Save Me Now Life; Purpose/ All We Need Meaning Persecution Feel Salvation; Regeneration Braille Da Messenger Alien Rachael Lampa (New Life) Native Lungs Braille Spell It Out They Will Hate Us All We Need Human Native Lungs Perseverance; We Will Remember The City Harmonic / Page 30 Rest I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home) Endurance Casting Crowns Jamie Grace Braille Manifesto Come To The Well One Song At A Time Native Lungs The Well Love; Romantic Holding On Deep Rest Cory Lamb Da Messenger Rachael Lampa Revival Break The Cycle Alien All We Need MIKESCHAIR Circle Made New Beauty’s Just A Word A Beautiful Life Cory Lamb Ignite Self-Identity; In Christ Break The Cycle Positive Attitude Rachael Lampa The City Harmonic Jamie Grace How Drowning One Song At A Time All We Need I Have A Dream (It Feels Like God Girl they Family Force 5 Elevate Home) Spark III Da Messenger are Mamacita Pride Da Messenger The City Harmonic Alien True Reward listed: Family Force 5 Alien I Have A Dream (It Feels Like III Fade Out Home) Wake Me Up Servanthood Theme Not Alone Prodigal Braille Artist Native Lungs Family Force 5 Shane & Shane Sacrifice Album Title The Ambassador The New Raw Song III The One You Need You Got It Running To You Stop The Funeral Your Love Marriage Casting Crowns Come To The Well Angel

Sin; Consequences Surrender Worship Zeal Icon For Hire Phil Wickham The Ambassador Braille Scripted Response Stop The Funeral Native Lungs Only a Memory All I Am Put It Down Step Up

Sin; Forgiveness MIKESCHAIR The City Harmonic Braille Braille A Beautiful Life I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home) Native Lungs Native Lungs The More Be Still, O My Soul Storm Trooper 48 Prisons The City Harmonic Da Messenger Icon For Hire Braille / Page 24 I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home) Alien Scripted Native Lungs Yours Worthy Of It All Theater Death in Me Thankfulness MIKESCHAIR Da Messenger Sin; Struggle With Cory Lamb A Beautiful Life Alien Cory Lamb / Page 32 Break The Cycle All For You New Day Break The Cycle It’s A Good Day Break The Cycle Newsboys Da Messenger The Ambassador God’s Not Dead Alien Icon For Hire Stop The Funeral Here We Stand Weirdo How Scripted Favor Off with Her Head Newsboys they Trust God’s Not Dead are Sin; Temptation The Ambassador Pouring It Out Braille Stop The Funeral listed: Native Lungs Trust In You Newsboys Nightmare Walking God’s Not Dead Victory Revelation Song Theme Sincerity Phil Wickham Artist Da Messenger Response Phil Wickham Album Title Alien The Victory Response Song Alien Intro This Love Will Last Forever Shane & Shane Icon For Hire The One You Need Shane & Shane Scripted Victory The One You Need Pieces Witness Praise Him Social Action Jamie Grace Shane & Shane Icon For Hire One Song At A Time The One You Need Scripted Show Jesus Lift Up The Light Make a Move Worry Spiritual Warfare Braille Da Messenger Native Lungs Alien Too Many Tomorrows Go To War

Icon For Hire Scripted Fight

Icon For Hire Scripted Iodine

What The Songs We Sing Tell Us About Ourselves All For You By Elias Dummer, vocalist,songwriter, and keyboard player for The City Harmonic

“Writing about music is like dancing about architecture.” – Laurie Anderson MIKESCHAIR Music is a big deal to us humans. Music is creative, poetic, emotive, artistic, and a hot topic of conversation in the church. Music is possibly our most ancient form of communication. Music moves us – it affects our mood, relationships, social cohesion, and even our brain’s chemistry. (Capo 1st fret) INTRO: C#m A E B Whether at full volume in our earbuds or simply playing from ceiling speakers in the dentist’s VERSE: office, we cannot escape the influence of music. C#m A E This time this place is set apart Since music is such a central part of human experience – and is often a vital way by which we make B C#m sense of it – what do the songs we sing tell us about ourselves? I stand amazed at who You are A E My youth pastor encouraged me to write worship songs. As I began to write more worship songs, I’m overcome by what You’ve done I began to follow what I perceived to be the rulebook of worship songs. The unspoken expectation of worship songs is that they are musically and melodically simple, mostly positive, and completely B universal (at least if you want churches to sing them). These are practical principles for group singing, Oh, oh but we seem to be forgetting something: music is an emotional medium and we humans are a compli- C#m A E cated bunch. Limiting the notion of musical and worshipful Christian art to one expression of well-liked I’m here right now I’m reaching out ideas would be dangerous. B C#m I lift Your name above the doubt I realized that I was writing songs I didn’t even like (musically and artistically) in the interests of meeting A E B an invented criterion. This is my offering for You, for You

Many Psalms (our first “hymnbook”) are real-life poetry, with David (particularly) putting his life on the CHORUS: page. Those songs have become some of the most well-known and timeless pieces of poetry and A E C#m B music. They are remarkably raw, earthy, and often in the first person. They deal with heartache, per- ’Cause it’s all for You, All for You sonal struggle, and fighting for your very life. The central theme is, of course, God. A E Every heart will proclaim That Scripture has such emotion-rich human and yet God-focused poetry should tell us something. C#m B Thinking that using personal pronouns in worship makes songs self-absorbed is no more than thinking Every tongue will shout Your praise that all plays are simply about their narrator and not the story they tell. A E C#m B Let’s talk about “singable” melodies for a moment. Have you ever sung “O Holy Night”? It’s a well- All for You Oh Oh Oh loved hymn, and one that many find difficult to sing. But, people want to sing it anyway. The same is A E C#m B true of hymn after well-loved hymn. We shouldn’t assume that all worship songs must be musically All for You Oh Oh Oh and melodically simple to have a long-lasting impact – or to be sung. VERSE 2: I leave my burden at Your feet Don’t get me wrong, I take the art form of songwriting for worship very seriously and I do so as a com- In You I find my victory plicated and sincere person pursuing Jesus. Music is somewhat systemic and requires rules for us to There is nothing You can’t do Oh understand it, but we don’t need a one-size-fits-all worship model; we need great and authentic art I’ll live my life for your renown that tells the great and ever-onward story of the Kingdom of God and helps us to understand our own I’ll give it all and lay it down role within its diversity. Cause I owe everything to You, to You

When we formed The City Harmonic, we did not aim to be a relevant worship band – the pursuit of CHORUS cool is simply too exhausting and fickle. I’d argue that the worship movement needs to do the same. Instead of relevance, let’s pursue artistic and personal sincerity and integrity. Let’s aim to write songs BRIDGE (x2): that are sincere, that move us, and that mean something to us lyrically, musically, and artistically. Let’s C#m A write the best music that we can in the hopes that people will sing along not because they should, All will hear, All will see but because they want to. God gave us music to enjoy as a way of understanding and relating to the E B world. Let’s take note the quote at the beginning of this article and dance! Love came down, And we are free

CHORUS (x3)

Written by Mike Grayson, Sam Tinnesz, Jason Ingram, Matt Bronleewe, © 2011 Curb Congregation Songs (SESAC) / Strength To Shout (SESAC) (Adm. By Curb Congregation Songs) (SESAC) / Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC and Songs From The Science Lab administered by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, 8 Music Square West, Nashville, TN 37203. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Interna- tional copyright secured.

All I Am Already There God Girl

Phil Wickham Casting Crowns Jamie Grace

(Capo 1st fret) (Capo 4th fret) VERSE 1: (Capo 3rd fret) INTRO: C G Dm F G D Em C Em7 D VERSE 1: From where I’m standing, Lord it’s so hard for me to see C G G Em C Em7 D If my eyes light up when I say Your name Take these hands, I know they’re empty Where this is going and where You’re leading me Dm C Em7 D And it’s written all over my face I wish I knew how all my fears and all my questions But with You they can be used for beauty Em7 D Em7, Am7, C, D F D Em C Are gonna play out In a world I can’t control, Oh, oh Tell me does it make me crazy In Your perfect plan, All I am is Yours G C G CHORUS: Well maybe I got somethin’ that I can’t explain G Em7 C When I’m lost in the mystery, to You my future is a memory Dm Take these feet, I know they stumble And the beauty of it never changes C G D ’Cause You’re already there, You’re already there C But You use the weak, You use the humble Em7 C It’s got me wrapped up D Em C Standing at the end of my life,waiting on the other side Cadd9 Am G So please use me, All I am is Yours G D I’m all caught up I can’t help but say And You’re already there, You’re already there Em7, C, Em7, D Em7, C, Em7, D CHORUS: CHORUS: Oh, oh, oh, oh C G VERSE 2: I’m a God girl, that’s who I be I give You all my life, I’m letting it go From where You’re standing / Lord, You see a grand design G Em / That You imagined / When You breathed me into life / And From the top of my head to the soles of my feet A living sacrifice, No longer my own all the chaos / Comes together in Your hands Dm Like a masterpiece /Of Your picture perfect plan D C G I can’t deny it, Wouldn’t even try F G All I am is Yours, All I am is Yours CHORUS Am7 I’m Your girl In a crazy world One day I’ll stand before You I’m a God girl, that’s who I be VERSE 2: Take this heart, Set it on fire Em7 From the top of my head to the soles of my feet Shining in the dark And look back on the life I’ve lived I can’t deny it, Wouldn’t even try C I wanna tell the world of who You are Am7 I’m Your girl for the whole wide world to see I can’t wait to enjoy the view All I am is Yours Em7 And when my ears, start hearin’ what people say And see how all the pieces fit [x2] Hurry up find love cause time’s tickin’ away CHORUS 1 Em7 One day I’ll stand before You Well I’m not being lazy I’m just waiting for… C Still waiting for the right… boy CHORUS 2: And look back on the life I’ve lived ’Cause I only wanna listen to Your voice G G So I’ll be listenin’ always listenin’ to You everyday I give You everything, To You I belong ’Cause You’re already there D CHORUS Em You’re already there Am G Every beat of my heart, The breath in my lungs Your name in lights my biggest dream D C G D Em7 When I’m lost in the mystery Dm All I am is Yours, All I am is Yours C My all in all you’re all I need To You my future is a memory F G C G G Hand in hand with the master of all creativity I lift my hands up, God I surrender Cause You’re already there Am G D Em You’re already there And I won’t stop until I know All that I am for Your glory, Your honor, Your fame B/D# Em7 Dm all my Facebook friends and foes C G Em D Standing at the end of my life C F G I life my hands up, God I surrender to You Waiting on the other side Look at me and only see one thing G CHORUS 1 And You’re already there CHORUS CHORUS 2 D You’re already there OUTRO: C G Dm F G Written by Jamie Grace Harper, Toby McKeehan, and Jamie Em7 C D Moore. © 2011 Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Tunes You are already there (SESAC) - Songs of Third Base (SESAC) All rights for the world on behalf of Songs of Third Base administered by Written by: Phil Wickham & Mallory Wickham, © 2011 Phil Words and Music by Mark Hall, Matthew West, and Bernie Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Tunes /Achtober Songs Wickham Music / Seems Like Music (BMI) Administered by Herms, © 2011 My Refuge Music (BMI) (adm. at EMICMG- (BMI) administered by EMI CMG Publishing / Universal Music Simpleville Music, Inc. All rights reserved. Publishing.com) / Word Music / External Combustion Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing / Songs of Emack (ASCAP) (ASCAP) / Sony/Atv Tree Pub (BMI) All rights reserved. / Jamnu Music (ASCAP) All rights for the world on behalf of Songs of Emack and Jamnu Music administered by Universal Used by Permission. Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing

God Of Our Salvation Here We Stand Hold Me

(feat. tobyMac) Phil Wickham Newsboys Jamie Grace

(Capo 1st fret) (Capo 1st fret) INTRO: C Am F Am G INTRO: VERSE 1: B F# G I love, I love, I love, I love the way you hold me Come and see His glory F G Abm E C We can see it, God You’re moving I love, I love, I love, I love the way You hold me Come just as you are F G B F# I love, I love, I love, I love the way You hold me Em D We can feel it, in our bones Abm E Come and hear the story of His heart F G I love, I love, I love, I love the way You, the way you G Turn our hearts to all You’re doing VERSE 1: God so loved His children F Am G B F# C With a shout we cry, With a shout we cry I’ve had a long day, I just wanna relax Abm E He gave His only Son CHORUS: Don’t have time for my friends, no time to chit-chat Em C B F# Problems at my job, wonderin’ what to do That we might be forgiven, Open wide heaven’s gates Dsus D Abm E Am I know I should be working, but I’m thinking of You and Death has been overcome Let your glory fill this place C#m F Just when I feel this crazy world is gonna bring me down G C E Hallelujah, Hallelujah Here we stand in awe That’s when Your smile comes around Am G Em D C CHORUS: You are the God of our salvation Here we stand in awe E B F# G C Oh, I love the way You hold me, by my side You’ll always be You have conquered Lifting high every heart Abm E You take each and everyday, make it special in some way C Am E B F# You have risen Giving You every part I love the way you hold me, in Your arms I’ll always be Em D C G F Abm E Here we stand in awe You take each and everyday, make it special in some way You are the God of our salvation c#m Am G Come you tired and weary I love You more than the words in my brain can express Here we stand in awe E Come just as you are C Am F Am G I can’t imagine even loving You less Come and let His mercy heal your heart B For God so loved children VERSE 2: We are filled with expectation Lord, I love the way You hold me As we’re reaching for Your throne F# Abm E B That He gave His only Son Whoa oh oh, oh whoa, I love the way You hold me That we might be forgiven, There’s an anthem, hear it rising F# Abm E Death has been overcome With a shout we cry, With a shout we cry Whoa oh oh oh oh oh oh C D Em CHORUS VERSE 2: Well Ya, took my day and You flipped it around Holy Holy Holy BRIDGE: Calmed the tidal wave and put my feet on the ground G C G F G C Forever in my heart, always on my mind Is the Lord our God There’s nothing like Your presence God It’s crazy how I think about You all of the time F G C And just when I think I’m bout to figure You out C D Em You make me wanna sing and shout Mighty King of Glory, There’s nothing like Your presence God CHORUS G D F G C You have rescued us There’s nothing like Your presence God BRIDGE: F# Abm E C D Em F G F I’m so grateful and thankful for all You’ve done Holy Holy Holy There’s nothing like Your presence God F# G C G C Am F Am G Wish I could tell You in a short story or poem Abm C#m Is the Lord our God CHORUS But all I have is my voice and this guitar C D Em F# Mighty King of Glory, And You have my heart G D CHORUS You have rescued us

Words and Music by Phil Wickham,© 2011 Phil Wickham Written by Seth Mosley & Jason Ingram,© 2 Hour Songs/ Written by: Jamie Grace Harper, Chris Stevens & Toby McKeehan, © 2011 Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Tunes (SESAC) – Songs Music / Seems Like Music (BMI) Administered by Simplev- Centric Songs (SESAC) Admin. By Centricity Music of Third Base (SESAC) All rights for the world on behalf of Songs of Third ille Music, INC. All rights reserved. CCLI song #5989898 Publishing, Sony-ATV Timber Publishing/West Main Music/ Base administered by Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Tunes / Windsor Hill Music (SESAC) Admin by Harry Fox. Chriscendo Music - Meaux Mercy(BMI) administered by EMI CMG Pub- lishing / Achtober Songs (BMI) administered by EMI CMG Publishing.

I GIVE MY HEART I Have A Dream I AM SECOND UP (Yours) (It feels like home)

Newsboys The City Harmonic The City Harmonic

(Capo 3rd Fret) (Capo 1st fret) INTRO: Bm G D A VERSE 1: VERSE 1: Am F C VERSE 1: D G/D Dsus4 I give my heart up in my empty hands, Bm G I have a dream that you can have with me There’s a me that I don’t really like Am F C Bm A G D/F# D Em D D A And as I look it’s like I see the sum of who I am. Of a city that shines so bright at night, A me that says I’m Am G/D Dsus4 Bm G All my hopes, all my dreams, In control til the day that I die Where love is true, but this love, He finds you, F C D A Bm A G D/E D Em D all the thoughts and the things I love, And I don’t know why And there is a fire in His eyes Am F C Bm G D Bm A G D/F# E7sus4 All my sin, all my fear, all my ‘sorrys’ for the things I’ve done. I push I pull I fight I fall Where I can see ev’rything’s alright. A N.C. I end up crawling back to You can have it all. CHORUS 1: Bm G G CHORUS: That place where I figure it out It feels like home, sweet home. D A C F D That I, that I, that I It’s Yours, all of it, Yours, There’s no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no place like home. Am F C/G Gsus4 CHORUS: | G | G | G | G | D | D | D | D Bm All of it, Yours, all of it, Yours. I’m second to One C F VERSE 2: G A D It’s Yours, all of it, Yours, When I awake that day in glory, Redeemer, The Way, The Light Am F C/G Gsus4 Your love will light the city streets. A Bm All of it, Yours, all of it, Yours. Oh, and we won’t need our songs of longing: I’m second to One We’ll be a symphony of peace G A D A [1.] | Am Bdim C Dm | G G/F | [to VERSE 2] Brothers and sisters, we’ll be free. The Savior, No Compromise Bm [2.] | Am G/B C | F | Am G/B C | G | Am G/B C | Am Thank God Almighty, we’ll be free! | Am | Am | Am | [to BRIDGE] I’m laying everything CHORUS G VERSE 2: At the foot of the cross BRIDGE: I give my days up like grains of sand, D A A Bm G And as I look it’s like I see the sum of who I’ve been. My pride, my life, my all (Oh,) i hear the bells a-ringing. Every hour that I stole, every hour I lived like a saint, Bm A A Bm G I’m second to One Every day, every dollar, washed away into a sea of grace. (Oh,) i see the city lights. Bm And You can have it all. And He is second to none A Bm G A Bm D CHORUS (Oh,) the dream is real until you close your eyes. VERSE 2: BRIDGE: There’s a change when I swallow my pride, and I | D | D | Em7 | Em7 | F#m | F#m | G | G | surrender / There’s a peace when I open my eyes C F ’Cause I remember / To live’s to die, to fall’s to rise I’m Yours, I’m Yours, I’m Yours, I’m Yours, TAG: To kneel’s to find the Savior / Here I am and I’ve Am F C/G Gsus4 ||: D Em F#m G :|| [Repeat ad lib] figured it out / Tonight tonight tonight… I’m Yours, I’m Yours, I’m Yours. It feels like home, home. Home. CHORUS C F D I’m Yours, I’m Yours, I’m Yours, I’m Yours, It feels like home. BRIDGE: G Bm Am F C/G G He said “You come alive when you lose your life” I’m Yours, I’m Yours, I’m Yours. Ooooh. D A Bm G D A | Am G/B C | F || so I lay it down, Yeah I surrender all CHORUS (x2) OUTRO: Bm G D A

Written by Seth Mosley, Ben Glover & Norm Miller, © 2011 Written By: Elias Dummer, Eric Fusilier, Aaron Powell & Written by Elias Dummer, Eric Fusilier, Aaron Powell & Josh 2 Hour Songs/Centric Songs (SESAC) Admin by Centricity Josh Vanderlaan Copyright © 2011 Thankyou Music/Adm Vanderlaan, Copyright © 2011 Thankyou Music/Adm by Music Publishing, 9t One Songs/Ariose Music (ASCAP) by worshiptogether.com songs excl. UK & Europe, adm by worshiptogether.com songs excl. UK & Europe, adm by Admin by EMI CMG Publishing,NORANN Publishing Kingswaysongs, a division of David C Cook. tym@king- Kingswaysongs, a division of David C Cook. tym@king- (SESAC) Self Admin sway.co.uk. Used by permission. sway.co.uk. Used by permission.

Jesus, Friend IT’S A GOOD DAY Of Sinners LIFT UP THE LIGHT

Cory Lamb Casting Crowns Shane & Shane

(Capo 3rd fret) VERSE 1: INTRO: A, D, F#m7, E (repeat) G C2/G G G Bm Em Jesus Friend of sinners we have strayed so far away VERSE: I, I’ve never walked on water C2/G Lift up the light of Your countenance C G We cut down people in your name G Em7 D(add4) F#m7 I’ve never been to space but the sword was never ours to swing Lift up the light of Your countenance Bm Em G C2/G G D Dm A D9/A If I had a million dollars Jesus friend of sinners the truth’s become so hard to see Upon us, upon us oh Lord C G C2/G G Em7 The world is on their way to You but they’re tripping PRE-CHORUS Would i give it away over me Bm Em C Em7 D Bm7 E I’ve never met the Dali Lama D(add4) For when the Son is lifted up we’ll see Always looking around but never looking up I’m so C G double minded CHORUS: (add4) Seen manna from the sky C2 Em7 D A D A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided Bm Em You are the light of the world Not to say I wouldn’t wanna F#m7 C G G C2 D(add4) Light up our darkness Cause I’m just a regular guy Oh Jesus friend of sinners Em7 D(add4) C2 Esus D/F# Em Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing When the night is upon us I might never leave this town fingers C G G C2 D(add4) A D Let our hearts be led by mercy You are the light of the world Or have that mansion on the hill Em7 D(add4) C2 D/F# Em Help us reach with open hearts and open doors F#m7 I won’t let it get me down Am7(4) C2 Em7 Nations will walk by the light Oh Jesus friend of sinners break our hearts for what breaks yours Bm Esus A D, F#m7, E CHORUS: Of the glory of a holy God C C2 G Dadd4 ’Cause I know that I’ve got Heaven on my mind, on my face Jesus friend of sinners the one who’s writing in the sand VERSE/PRE-CHORUS G Am Em / Make the righteous turn away and the stones fall from The sun in the sky, It’s a good day their hands / Help us to remember we are all the least CHORUS of thieves / Let the memory of Your mercy bring your C people to their knees / Nobody knows what we’re for BRIDGE: Even if the clouds pour down rain only what we’re against when we judge the wounded A D9/A G Am Em / What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and love like You did Oh Holy One, brighter than the sun Nothing’s gonna change, It’s a good day A D9/A (4) Am7 C We lift our hands and sing VERSE 2: You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast I could feed the hungry children/ Be apart of some- G F A D9/A thing big / We could start a change by building For the leper and the lame; they’re the reason that You came You are glorious, shine Your light on us Am7(4) C2 A better place to live / I might never leave this town Lord I was that lost cause and I was the outcast A D9/A Be on the cover of a magazine / I won’t let it get G D(add4) ’Til Your light in us is seen me down But you died for sinners just like me a grateful leper at Your feet A D9/A CHORUS C2 G D(add4 Em7 Lift up, lift up the light ’Cause You are good, You are good And Your love endures forever A BRIDGE: C2 G D(add4) Em7 Lift up, lift up the light G D/F# Em You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever C2 G D(add4) Em7 D9/A Starting with me I promise to be You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever Lift up, lift up the light C G C2 G D(add4) C2 A Always thankful faithfully You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever Lift up, lift up the light D/F# Em C2 G D(add4) Em7 C2 Life is a gift we all receive And I was the lost cause and I was the outcast,Yeah… CHORUS x2 C G D(add4) You died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet We gotta be thankful OUTRO: A, D, F#m7, E, A, D, F#m7, E, A CHORUS

Written by: Cory Lamb, Andy Duncan, Bob Moffatt, Words and Music by: Mark Hall and Matthew West, Written by: Shane Barnard, Fair Trade Global Songs Clint Moffatt, ©® Black Sheep Entertainment; All Rights © 2011 My Refuge Music (BMI) (adm at EMICMGPublishing. (Admin. by Music Services)/River Oaks Music Co. (Admin. Reserved. Published by Lambk Publishing com) / External Combustion Music (ASCAP) / Sony/Atv Tree by EMICMG) (BMI) All rights reserved. Used by Permission. Pub (BMI) All rights reserved. Used by Permission.

Oh, Be Still, POURING IT OUT Someone Worth O My Soul FOR YOU Dying For

The City Harmonic Newsboys MIKESCHAIR

(Capo 2nd Fret) INTRO: Asus Esus Asus Esus (Capo 1st fret) INTRO: G VERSE 1: G D/F# Em7 Em/D C C/D G C/G G VERSE 1: VERSE 1: Oh, be still, O my soul and know A2 G D/F# Em7 Em/D C G C/G G O for grace to trust You might be the wife waiting up at night That the Lord that You love is Lord over all. Esus Em G#dim7 Am Am/G D/F# O for strength to love You might be the man struggling to provide Don’t you know He’s the one D E A2 C O to cast my cares down at Your feet G D/G C D7sus4 Feeling like it’s hopeless A2 who can make right from wrong? G O for feet to dance Maybe you’re the son, who chose a broken road CHORUS: Esus Em G C/G O for a heart to romance Maybe you’re the girl, thinking you’ll end up alone Praise the Lord, O my soul D E C G C/G O for lungs to lift Your name so high Praying God can You hear me Though you’re tired and old. CHORUS: Am G C/G D Em7 A7 A O God are You listening Be still and know He is God, oooh, My hands go up, giving You glory C Gm/Bb Am | G | C | G | C | G | C | G / C/G | Esus CHORUS: O my soul. I just can’t get enough G D Am I more than flesh and bone VERSE 2: You are so worthy, Lord Em Oh, as high as heaven from earth, E Am I really something beautiful So great is His love for those of the dirt. I’ll keep pouring it out for You C He knows just what I am, A Yeah I wanna believe, I wanna believe and I’m made up of dirt. My cup is overflowing G E CHORUS That I’m not just some wandering soul With Your perfect love Em BRIDGE: D That You don’t see and You don’t know G C/G G C/G You’re all I’m longing for C Go on and live like you know you’ve been given E A Yeah I wanna believe, Jesus help me believe G C/G G C Gm/ I’ll keep pouring it out for You D G Bb Asus Esus Asus Esus That I, am someone worth dying for Forgiveness and healing and love never-ending. VERSE 2: Em Am G C G C O for faith to rise / O my soul come alive / O my Yeah, Yeah, Yeah Go on and love, go on and love, God You are all I need / O for feet to dance / O for G C G C Gm/Bb Am G a heart to romance / O for lungs to lift Your name VERSE 2: Go on and love, go on and love, O my soul. so high I know you’ve heard the truth that God has set you free / But you think you’re the one that grace CHORUS could never reach / So you just keep asking / What BRIDGE: everybody’s asking F#m E/G# A My heart and flesh they cry out holy CHORUS F#m E/G# D BRIDGE: Jesus be my one and only joy Am C D Em F#m E/G# A You’re worth it, you can’t earn it, yeah the cross has proven My heart and flesh they cry out holy Am C D F#m E/G# E That you’re sacred and blameless, your life has purpose Jesus be my one and only joy CHORUS CHORUS BRIDGE

Written by: Elias Dummer, Eric Fusilier, Aaron Powell & Josh Written by Jonathan Lee & Jared Anderson, Written by Mike Grayson, Sam Tinnesz, Ben Glover, © 2011 Curb Con- gregation Songs (SESAC) / Strength To Shout (SESAC) (Adm. By Curb Vanderlaan. ©2011 Thankyou Music © 2011 Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Tunes / Jlee Adm by worshiptogether.com songs excl. UK & Europe, adm Congregation Songs) (SESAC) / Wave And Romi Publishing (Adm. By Publishing (SESAC) Admin By Music Services, Integrity Curb Congregation Songs) (SESAC) /9T One Songs (ASCAP)/Ariose by Kingswaysongs, a division of David C Cook. Worship Music / Don Quixote Publishing (ASCAP) Admin Music (ASCAP) (Adm. at EMICMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. [email protected]. Used by permission. By EMI CMG Publishing Used by permission.

Storm THE ONE YOU NEED The Well

Cory Lamb Shane & Shane Casting Crowns

VERSE 1: INTRO:C#2, F#2 (Capo 1st fret) G#m F# C G VERSE 1: A girl in a room Leave it all behind, Leave it all behind, C#2 C#/E# F#, F#5b B C G Hey, hey sweet daughter, I’m so proud to be your father She’s made a mistake Leave it all behind, Leave it all behind, F#(no 3rd F#m C#2 F# G#m Each day is like a gift from God Another heartbeat keeps her awake G C#2 C#/E# F#, F#5b F# I have what you need, But you keep on searchin, Hey, hey sweet daughter, there’s no music like your laughter Everything’s changed Em7 F#(no 3rd ) F#m C#2 B I’ve done all the work, But you keep on workin, And your smile is like the rising sun No comfort in fear D G# F# C#/E# C#2 F# When you’re runnin on empty, You know I’ve loved you from the start She struggles for answers C2 G# F# C#/E# G#m And you can’t find the remedy, So come in close, take my hand Everything’s unclear G C2 G C#2 G# Just come to the well. CHORUS: while Daddy shares his heart E G#m B CHORUS: You can spend your whole life / Chasin what’s Would you stand in these waters? C#2 missing / But that empty inside / It just ain’t gonna F# E I wish that I could be your everything listen / When nothing can satisfy / And the world And tame the waves as they crash in A#m7 G# F# leaves you high and dry / Just come to the well G#m F# Be the one to give you all the things you’ll need Would you calm this storm? CHORUS: F#m C#2 E C2 G Sometimes I’m gonna let you down And soothe these nightmares once and again And all who thirst will thirst no more, C#2 G#m C2 G G/B D There’s Someone if you just believe This is my prayer And all who search will find what their souls long for, A#m7 G# F# B F# Am7 Em7 He’ll be your hero like He’s always been for me As she looks to you for help The world will try, but it can never fill, F#m C#2, F#2 E G#m F# C2 D G C2 G Darling, Jesus is the One you need Would you calm this storm? So leave it all behind, and come to the well VERSE 2: VERSE 2: No matter what you walk through, He will always So bring me your heart / No matter how broken / She’s walking away / The heartbeat grows strong love you / Just the way you are / For there’s noth- Just come as you are / When your last prayer is / She chooses a name and prays for her son / The ing in this world that I want for my baby girl / Than spoken / Just rest in my arms a while / You’ll feel wind blows strong / Its quite and still / Love pre- to be happy ever after / The story of your life is still the change my child / When you come to the well vails / As it always will untold / I pray the King of all the universe / would CHORUS make your heart His own D Am7 Em7 C2 The world will try, but it can never fill... leave it all behind BRIDGE: CHORUS F# C#m B E BRIDGE: And now that you’re full / Of love beyond measure And soothe these nightmares once and again D#m G#m7 C#2 / Like a stream in the desert / Soon all the world CHORUS Who will never leave - He’s been there all along will see that living water is found in me / Cuz you F# F#m(add 6) came to the well Oh, when you’re ready you can find true love OUTRO: INSTRUMENTAL: C2 G C#2, A#m7, G#, F#, F#m Leave it all behind, leave it all behind... repeat CHORUS

Written by: Cory Lamb, Klayton Seyler, Michelle Lewis, ©® Written by: Shane Barnard/Shane Everett/Jason Ingram, Words and Music by: Mark Hall and Matthew West, © 2011 Black Sheep Entertainment; All Rights Reserved. Published Fair Trade Global Songs (Admin. by Music Services)/River My Refuge Music (BMI) (adm. at EMICMGPublishing.com) by Lambk Publishing Oaks Music Co. (Admin. by EMICMG) (BMI) Sony-ATV / External Combustion Music (ASCAP) / Sony/Atv Tree Pub Timber Publishing/West Main Music (SESAC) (BMI) All rights reserved. Used by Permission.

Unavoidable. Pervasive. Inescapable.Inescapable. Secular pop music is everywhere. ideas to take advantage of some of the most popular secular songs.songs. EvenEven if you can get your young ChristianChristian friends to switch their listen- Use the opening questions, the thematic concepts and discussiondiscussion ing habits fromfrom secular to sacred, they are still going to hear the top ideas to spice up your Bible study, Sunday School lesson, camp/retreat popular songs everywhere they go. InIn this section we prprovideovide you some meeting or outreach event message.

Artist: Artist: Artist: AWOLNATION Billy Currington Blink 182 Song: Sail Song: People Are Crazy Song: After Midnight Album: Megalithic Symphony Album: Little Bit of Everything Album: Neighborhood By: Jane Wells By: Eric Gargus By: Cindy Engøy [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Teaching Point: Teaching Point: Teaching Point: Blame, excuses, consequences, and responsibility. There is a huge difference in believing in God and Broken Heart being devoted to God. Opening Questions: Opening Questions: When you were little, what excuse were you most Opening Questions: Think of when somebody broke your heart. likely to give to get out of trouble? Did it work then? • According to country music, what is the meaning Maybe it was a boyfriend or girlfriend, your best When did it quit working? What is the most creative of life? Explain your answer. friend, your parents, or someone you really excuse you’ve ever heard? What is the lamest? • What are the top vices teens succumb to these looked up to? How does a “broken heart” feel? days? Are they glorified in music? Have you ever gotten in more trouble for the excuse How did you feel about that person after it was • What is the difference between belief in God and you gave than you would have for the event you devotion to God? all over? Did you relive the experience over and were trying to excuse? • How does being devoting to God affect a per- over again? Did you ask yourself “Why?” Did you wonder what you could have done differently so Discussion: son’s choices in life habits (i.e. drinking, smoking, casual sex, media, and the list goes on…) that you could have had a better outcome? Can “Sail” has been assigned meanings as diverse as you ever trust that person or yourself again? suicide and alien abduction – but what sticks is the Discussion: Discussion: recurring refrain: Blame it on my A.D.D. The singer Introduce the song by saying, “Billy Currington’s quirky hit song ‘People Are Crazy’ places God When we experience a break up, a broken blames everything that is wrong or inconvenient in and beer right next to each other—the first being heart, or a disappointment, we tend to relive his life on a medical diagnosis, without accepting called ‘great’ and the latter being called ‘good.’ And the relationship repeatedly in our minds. We any responsibility either for his A.D.D. or the results people, as you can deduce from the song’s title, are think that we will never get over the pain. We of his actions. A.D.D. is real, and it sometimes called ‘crazy.’ It is a story song based on the narra- keep thinking about the “what ifs” – if only I had makes life difficult (mmmmm, Triscuts! It’s taken me tor’s extended visit with an old man one night at a done this, if only I had said this, if only I hadn’t half an hour to write five sentences), but at some bar. The old man ends up being a millionaire who done that, if only I hadn’t said that. We relive point we need to get over the excuses we’re leaning leaves his entire fortune to the one-time acquain- those moments and think of the how’s and on and accept responsibility. tance narrator from that bar visit. The chorus is the why’s it all went so wrong. nutshell version of that old man’s philosophy on life.” In Genesis 3:1-19, we read the first lame excuses • What makes God so great? In “After Midnight” Blink 182 goes through the ever given. But, “Uh, the snake told me to do it!” • Is it awkward for two people to discuss God over same scenarios and emotions. Lyrics from the and “She did it first!” don’t influence God much. a beer? (Of course it is for teens for the simple song, such as, You’re killing me All along we What sin was Adam trying to pass off onto Eve, fact that teenagers consuming alcohol is illegal!) talked of forever I kind of think that we won’t get and Eve shuffling off onto the serpent? Think • Would you argue with the statement, “People are better and I can’t keep your voice out of my head; deeper than just eating a piece of fruit – what crazy?” Why or why not? all I hear are the many echoes of the darkest happens in relationships when we continue to • In your generation, how casual a notion is words you said. And it’s driving me crazy pretty give excuses rather than accept responsibility? “believing in God?” Explain. much sum up how most of us feel at the end of a What happens in relationships when we accept Read James 2:19-20. Discuss: relationship when our heart is broken. responsibility for our actions? • Does anything shock you about these verses? There is a love that never fails: God’s love. Every Is there really any difference between saying • What does it say separates casual belief from other line in Psalm 136 proclaims, “God’s love “Blame it on my A.D.D.” and saying “I didn’t do devoted faith? never fails.” Proverbs 18:24 says that there is it”? Think about Adam and Eve again. When they • Since deeds do not get a person to heaven, a person who sticks closer to us than a brother. tried to pass the blame, weren’t they also kind of what purpose do they serve? That person is Jesus Christ. Psalm 143 assures accusing God of false accusation? 1 John 1:8-10 • What might the life of a casual believer look like? What about devoted follower of Jesus? us with, “He (God) heals the brokenhearted.” explains just how very wrong excuses are, they • Which of the two blends in better with the world are the ultimate in self-deception, and claiming around them? Explain. One of the phrases in “After Midnight” says, our sins are not our fault is exactly the same as Did you know I’m here to stay? That is what calling God a liar. Conclusion: Jesus is telling us right now. He is here to stay. Read John 15:19. Ask: What challenges might He loves us, we can trust Him with our hearts, Conclusion: a devoted follower of Jesus face in your school broken and shattered. This is life; everyone at some point gets a raw and/or hangouts? What about a person’s life can deal. Due to our fallen world we are frequently enhance another person’s view of what it means Conclusion: given very handy excuses – the challenge is to to believe in AND have faith in God? Close by So what is stopping you? Bring Him your resist them and rise above. Fortunately, we have challenging students to take it to the next level broken, shattered heart because “He heals help. 1 John 2:1-2 tells us that whenever we’re by allowing faith in Jesus to positively alter every the brokenhearted.” tempted to blame it on our A.D.D., or anything aspect of their lives. Remind them that believing else, we can pray to Jesus who atones our sins in God and having life-altering devotion to Him and helps us live above our temptations. are two very different things.

Artist: Artist: Artist: Coldplay Lady Antebellum Nickelback Song: Paradise Song: Just A Kiss Song: When We Stand Together Album: Mylo Xyloto Album: Own the Night Album: Here and Now By: Aaron Tucker By: Barry Shafer By: Mary Wilson [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Teaching Point: Teaching Point: Teaching Point: Things are bad here, but one day Christians will Dating, physical contact, lust vs. love We should set the standard for meeting the felt experience the joy of paradise in heaven. Opening Questions: needs of our friends and our world. Opening Questions: Do you remember your first kiss? Was it a Opening Questions: playground kiss or a date kiss? Coldplay describes the pain a girl feels and how she Who is depending on you to pray for them? dreams of paradise. Describe for the group how we Discussion: When is the last time you fed someone who was need escape from pain and troubles. Have them “Just a Kiss” started as a simple writing task to finish hungry, visited someone who was sick, visited some- close their eyes and picture a paradise that would an album project and ended as being a hit song with one who was in prison, or gave clothing to someone bring them happiness when they need it most. a powerful message. Listen to and then process the in need? song with these comments and questions. Discussion: Discussion: Ask the group to name things that bring people You can hear the couple wrestle with the struggle In “When We Stand Together” Nickelback speaks between their hearts and their physical desires. happiness when they need to escape. Have them about issues that are, or should be, on our hearts describe in detail a place they could dream about Anything more than a kiss could risk turning their special connection into just another physical and minds, One more depending on a prayer, And that would be a paradise. Ask them to describe relationship. A verse in the song says: Why would we all look away, People pretending everywhere, It’s what they think God’s Word says about a para- something more than a kiss mess things up? Did just another day. The last time someone asked for dise. Was Eden a paradise? What was it like? the couple in this song get it right? you to pray for them, did you remember or forget as Was there another paradise in Scripture? What soon as they were out of sight? does heaven look like? The Bible doesn’t say too much about kissing, but God is very clear and thorough about the There’re bullets flying through the air, and they Have the group read Genesis 2:7-9. Ask them subject of sex: it is the ultimate act of physical still carry on, we watch it happen over there, and to think about what the Garden of Eden would touch that is intended for the ultimate act of com- then just turn it off. When was the last time you have looked like. Have them try to describe what mitment: marriage. While we may not have much watched news about the horrid conditions in it might have been like. Emphasize for them that it instruction on “just a kiss,” the guidelines God another part of the world but forgot about it as was a paradise. gave for sex gives us a framework for all physi- soon as you signed off? We are bombarded by cal touches in a relationship. 1 Corinthians 6:13, bad news and horrific images, but we must not let Have the group read Revelation 21:1-4. Ask 18-19 gives us some great perspective. them to think about what heaven will look like, the familiarity desensitize us. and describe what these verses say it will be like. God wired us with a special gift regarding physical touch. Of all the species, humans are the only When we could feed a starving world, with what we Have them read Revelation 21:9-22:5. Ask them throw away, but all we serve are empty words, that to describe further what heaven will look like. ones to have such strong emotion and desire connected to touch. It’s powerful. But, our bodies are always taste the same. In Matthew 25:34-40, Jesus Now that the group is picturing this place in their not ours. Jesus paid the ultimate price to free our says that when we feed the hungry, give clothing to imagination, have them reread Revelation 21:4. bodies from sinful destruction. How can we show someone in need, or visit those who are sick or in Teach them that the Christian pictures paradise not God that we “get” this regarding how we use our prison, we are helping “the least of these” and are based on a lack of stress but on the presence of bodies (our lips, our hands, and anything else that actually doing those things for Jesus Himself. He our favorite person: Jesus, the Christ! We can have comes to mind) in dating situations? What does a even implies this kind of service to others will set us peace picturing paradise like the girl in this Coldplay healthy relationship between a guy and a girl look apart from those who do not follow Him. How can song because Jesus will take all our pain away. like when they both know that their bodies are for you stand with your friends to make a difference? the Lord and not for each other? How can you or your youth group meet one of the Emphasize that the most exciting part of this needs around you? promise from God is that is certain to happen. Conclusion: Read 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4. We are designed to Nothing can stop this from happening! Have Conclusion: them read Revelation 22:7, “And look, I am com- connect with people emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Every time we introduce a new level The last verse of the song points to the answer, The ing soon.” Point out that Jesus promises that our right thing to guide us, is right here, inside us, no one pain will not last forever. of physical touch into a relationship (for example: from holding hands, to kissing goodnight, to can divide us, when the light is leading on. In John Conclusion: intense kissing) we change every other connection 8:12, Jesus says that He the light of the world – and End with a prayer that thanks God for the hope (such as the emotional and spiritual). As the Bible in John 16:12-15, He says He sent the Holy Spirit to He gives. Thank Him for the beautiful promise of says, by controlling our own bodies we show God live within us to guide us. Are you following His light? no more pain and the beauty of the paradise of and the world around us that we follow a different Do you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in meeting heaven. Have the students write out their own set of rules. As you move into dating relationships, the needs around you? Begin each day of this next personal prayers, writing to God very specifi- how can you put energy into creatively connecting week by asking God to show you a need around you cally for each thing they just studied about that with the opposite sex emotionally and spiritually, and how you can help Him meet that need. they want to thank Him for. Let them keep their and energy into connecting physically? How can you be “alright with just a kiss good night”? prayers for future reference.

Artist: Artist: Artist: Paramore Pop Evil Rihanna Song: Monster Song: Last Man Standing Song: We Found Love Album: Transformers: Dark of the Moon Album: War of Angels Album: Talk Talk Talk By: Gary Anderson By: Doug Ranck By: Kirk Moore [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Teaching Point: Teaching Point: Teaching Point: We can trust that God has all things under Self-Centeredness Everyone is precious to God, yet some relationships His control. are toxic. Opening Questions: Introduction: Have you ever played “King of the Hill” (where Opening Question: The world can sometimes be a tough place to one person tries to keep everyone else from tak- What do you miss about your most recent live. Evil forces are at work that makes us wonder ing their place on a little hill, chair, or some other relationship? sometimes how we even survive. “Monster” by place)? What thing that you own do you find most Paramore was written for the hit movie Trans- difficult to share with someone else? Discussion: formers 3: Dark of the Moon. If you’ve seen the Rihanna’s single tells the story of a relationship that movie you know how bad life can get when you Discussion: seems to be based on thrill and adrenaline instead have a Decepticon on your tail! But, this song We quickly understand about “original sin” of a desire to build one another up. The relation- talks about some “real life” issues that the aver- when we see a precious baby, for the first ship begins with laughter, fun, and attraction. From age person is likely to face. time, grab something, and say, “Mine!” In that there, however, the couple spirals into drug abuse, moment we recognize the temptation to look fighting, possessiveness, and sadness. The vivid, Discussion: out for “number one” is very strong and hap- graphic, sensual, and sexual video for the song Sometimes we create problems for ourselves by pens to all of us. Our culture of self-promotion tells the story with powerful emotion even as it the poor choices that we make, but other times and “fix-it” solutions adds to the push of put- displays images that make parents write letters. In things come upon us that are out of our control. ting ourselves at the center. Even the most the end, the two people in this toxic relationship What are some of the problems that we face? Tell generous of people are pulled to think of them- appear broken and defeated. about when you felt as if you were “drowning” in selves to the exclusion of others. the challenges or problems that you were facing. Can you recall a recent relationship that was toxic Ephesians 6:12 talks about the enemies that we The songwriter aptly entitled this song, “Last Man to you and to your partner? What would you like to face; read it aloud. What can we do when facing Standing.” The song says, I won’t let you take share about it? an enemy like this? everything that I deserve… I’m taking you down. The lyrics bluntly describe a person who will fight When you look back at past relationships, do you Read Romans 8:1-2. God can certainly unleash for his rights and needs. The words, It’s my time ever wish that, as Rihanna says at the beginning a transforming power much more powerful than to be on top display the heart of one who will take of the video, you could have all that bad stuff back, any Hollywood script. What do these two verses care of himself at all costs. so that you could have the good. How does that say about that power? What are some ways that thought make you feel? you can apply God’s power when dealing with Jesus came to show us another way. Through your struggles? Paul’s profound words, written from prison, 1 Thessalonians 5:11 calls on us to encourage one we see the picture of God – who could have another and build each other up. Can you describe Read Romans 8:38-39. No matter how heavy chosen to stay on the “hill” and take care of some things that happen in a relationship that the weight is that you feel on your shoulders, or Himself. Instead, He came to live among us. encourages and builds up? how deep the water is that you feel you’re drown- Read Philippians 2:3-5. The passage goes on ing in, the Bible says that nothing can separate us to describe how Christ chose to look out for us Romans 12:10 tells us that people should give oth- from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus. That is the and humbled Himself. ers more honor than they want for themselves. What kind of love and power that can stop the whole would life be like if everyone did that? world from eating us alive. The song says I’m bleeding ’til the last man’s standing. Jesus says, “I came for you, I bled for Hebrews 10:24 invites folk to find ways to “spur one Conclusion: you, and I died for you.” When we put our trust in another on toward love and good deeds.” How do We can live our lives in confidence, knowing that Christ we, along with all who love God, will be the you think you could “spur” someone that way? How God has already done what is necessary for us last ones standing for eternity! would you like to be “spurred on”? to claim victory over the sins and shortcomings that we will face in life. So the choice is up to Conclusion: Conclusion: Relationships are rarely perfect, but you: Sentinel Prime or Optimus Prime? As evil When are you tempted to be selfish? What is one the best ones are about mutual affection, respect, increases, we are forced to choose sides! step you could take to look out for the interests of encouragement, and kindness. Seek relationships others and put your trust in God? like that, and please seek help from a friend, a parent, or a leader you trust if you find yourself in a relationship that is abusive or toxic.

Not every available Christian music album can make it into the Youth Leaders Only 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. Artist: The individual or group of musicians. Title: The name of the album or project. Label: The company behind the album or project. Genre: The general musical style of the album or project. TIYL: “Try If You Like” – a comparison of similar musical artists. @: The internet web address of the musical artist. By: The name of the person who wrote the review. Da Messenger Album Title: Label: @: Genre: TIYL: By: Alien Holy Solider Records damessenger.com Rap Jeff Williamson [email protected] Aliens—what a great way to describe the youth culture of today! They are strangers in this fast-paced, technology-driven, and social-network-disconnected world. Music continues to be how kids connect to their feelings and emotions as well as their physical and spiritual wellbeing. They are looking for something to connect with, something upbeat, and something with substance. Look no further—Da Messenger with his Alien album will enable your students to connect to a spiritual truth via an unlikely mean: rap music. Da Messenger will enable your students to hear the truth of the Gospel. He raps of experiencing the fresh life with Christ, living for His glory, and being a “weirdo” proclaiming the name of the Lord. Students who are “sold out” for Christ will be reminded that they are in an epic battle for the Gospel and the only victory is to kneel by His strength. As you crank up this album and adorn your chains, remember that your students are in battle. They need tools to encourage them! Living in a sinful world, where the culture has to do with everything but Christ, is challenging for Christians. Every day is another fight to make the glory of Christ be known. As the students fight, they do not fight to fit in—they fight because they are not of this world. THEY ARE ALIENS! Leeland Album Title: Label: @: Genre: TIYL: By: The Great Awakening Essential leelandonline.com Worship Coldplay Joel Jackson [email protected] Leeland calls listeners to renew their focus on Christ and to bring about revival in the world. The songs on the album emphasize that the church must depend on God to accomplish the mission He has called us to. The opening song/title track serves as a brief introduction to the overall theme of the album. The album continues with songs calling the church to worship, follow, and serve. “All Over the Earth” is a rousing worship experience declaring the ultimate hope: that God will indeed be victorious. This is a great reminder for us in an age when the church often appears apathetic. This idea of finding victory through the hope we have in Jesus Christ continues in songs such as “Chains Hit the Ground” and “Not Afraid Anymore.” “Holy Ghost” declares that we must depend on the gift of God’s Spirit to follow through on God’s calling in our lives and in order that we might claim the victory that He has in store for us. “While We Sing” hearkens back to their previous album with a call for the church to act and love our neighbors instead of just listening to ourselves singing. The album ends with a beautiful expression of worship in “Unending Songs.” This song celebrates the personal revival that we experience through the sacrifice of Christ. Kids will find a message of hope while listening to this album. Hope, which is only found through Jesus Christ, is a reality many of us need to embrace as we struggle through the pressures of this life. Manic Drive Album Title: Label: @: Genre: TIYL: By: Epic Whiplash Records manicdrive.com Rock Dave Felts [email protected] This album almost defies categorization because the songs are infused with such a variety of different musical elements. There is extensive use of “techno” instrumentation along with things like a ’60’s-style electric organ, semi-melodic rap, and even a Michael Jackson-esque “hoo-hoo” in this album. The song settings go from the heavy techno of Microphone to the classic rock-ballad of Mountains. There is so much creativity and fusion of musical elements here that I honestly do not know what other group they might be compared to; secular or Christian. There is a little bit of something here for kids who like nearly any style of music. Most lyrics are easy to pull out and understand, but some of them are so symbolic that you have to work at them a little. “Save a Life” is a great song to use to underscore our call to share the Gospel; “Halo” is a challenge to live out our faith (to “rock my halo”) in a way that people will know that Christ is in us. In “Epic” the guys are issuing a call for us to start a movement for Christ in our “TMZ” (Thirty-mile Zone). If you’re doing a Bible study on money, use “Money” to underscore the Biblical perspective. If you’re using “Money,” be aware that it has an intro to “Mountains” (which has a great message related to prayer) at the end of the song and there is an intro to “Positive Radio” (which seems to be a tribute to Air-1) at the end of “Go Big or Go Home.” This album has so many different styles that you could use different parts of it for different purposes, but mainly, it is just good, creative, high- energy music with a message that is consistent with the truth of God’s Word. Rush of Fools Album Title: Label: @: Genre: TIYL: By: We Once Were E one rushoffools.com Pop/Rock Switchfoot, Jars of Clay Dave Weiss amokarts@aol.com This is a solid pop/rock album that many in your group will really enjoy. The lyrical content is thought provoking while the music is full of catchy hooks. These songs will stick in your head for a long time. The title track deals with the transforming power of Christ. Its rock anthem chorus is really memorable and, with such a vital theme, would make a great intro to a session or weekend retreat. Blast it, put the lyrics on the wall, and use it to draw your students into a life-changing experience. “Grace Found Me” (the single off the album) is a soothing ballad that borders on contemplative that could really get your students centered on God’s love and grace. My favorite track was “Come Find Me.” This song is focused on God’s pursuing love and the parable of the lost sheep – it could really touch a struggling heart. The song could easily be a prayer, the anchor line of which asks God to give me faith in a place my eyes have not seen. It tells the listener that this world is not all there is and that Christ is as close as a prayer to us. We One Were is a great album. I’d be hard pressed to call any track “filler” – most of the tracks could be used to build a great youth ministry experience. Put this one in your toolbox.

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MIX IS A 4-DAY SUMMER EVENT DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR 6TH, 7TH AND 8TH THINKING ABOUT THE CLASS OF 2012! GRADE STUDENTS BY THE SAME PEOPLE WHO CREATED BELIEVE AND MOVE. THE NEW CONGRADULATIONS! FOLLOW US @CIYMIX AND FACEBOOK.COM/CIYMIX CD-DVD-GIFT BOOK IS COMING JANUARY 2012! JUNE 18-21WINDERMERE,MO JUNE 25-28KNOXVILLE, TN JULY 16-19GUNNISON, CO NO T ACTUA JULY 22-25 CONGR L ORANGE,CA ADULATI CLASS O ONS! F 2012 C JULY 29-AUGUST1HOLLAND, MI 171 DA OVER YS UNTI REGISTRATION OPENSNOVEMBER 1 GRAD L UATION*

SEE CIY.COM/MIX FOR DETAILS

*as of December 1, 2011. This friendly message has been provided by the Committee of Concerned Youth Pastors Who Plan Way Early.

We can help you give ConGRADulations! to every senior in your local high school. CALL 800-725-3300 FOR DETAILS. GRAD2012.COM •YLO86_Layout 1 11/7/11 2:45 PM Page 80

MORE RESOURCES FROM INTERLíNC 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 INTERLINC-ONLINE.COM 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: mpittman@interlinc- online.com Troy: thargrave@interlinc- online.com Chris: crenz@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 NEED2KNOW EZINE our up-to-date Music Comparison Don’t miss out on free resources, Chart and check out other downloads and more in our every- amazing resources to keep yourTRD pageother-week e-newsletter. You’ll get youth ministry rockin’! “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

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SURVIVING MIDDLE SCOOL BOOK AND MUSIC SOUNDTRACK VERSION 2.0 MORE RESOURCES FROM INTERLíNC Middle School (some people know it as “Junior High”) is a whole new world full REGIONAL PROMOTION of new people, new schedules, weird interlínc is all about relationships. situations and bizarre relationships. It’s That's why we have three regional a time of life when “transmogrification” directors: Mark Pittman in the takes place in kids’ bodies, homes, SouthWest Region (San Diego friendships, and brains. Middle School Office), Troy Hargrave in the is when they learn to navigate the SouthCentral Region (Dallas Office) important issues of life. and Chris Renzelman in the INTERLINC-ONLINE.COM NorthWest Region (Seattle Office). Surviving Middle School Version 2.0: They are long-term youth The Book & 9-Song Soundtrack has a ministry guys who love kids and are plethora of tips, tunes, advice and passionate about helping you use wisdom to guide the middle schooler. music in your ministry. Contact them Family Force 5, Relient K, and Stellar for all your youth ministry music Kart join surfer-author Rick Bundschuh needs. Mark: mpittman@interlinc- in bringing the wisdom—and the fun! online.com Troy: thargrave@interlinc- online.com Chris: crenz@interlinc- online.com

INTERLINC-ONLINE.COM CONGRADULATIONS! CD- testimonies), a Media DVD (artist, BRAND NEW The interlinc website is the best DVD-GIFT BOOK author-speaker, and grad video online resource for your ministry With over 1,000,000 copies given greetings and advice, grad books, when it comes to music and to graduates by 25,000 churches, an online Bible), and a Ministry CONGRADULATIONS!COMING media! You can listen to samples ConGRADulations! is the #1 grad Resource Website (transition ministry JANUARY 2012 of all the music included in each gift of this decade. It is a Music weblinks, grad devotionals)—all in volume of Youth Leaders Only, CD (19 powerful songs from the a Personalizable Gift Package! watch video clips from the Music top names in Christian music - Looking for a cool gift to help your Video Loops and read artist including Skillet, Owl City, seniors navigate the most important interviews and bios. You can also tobyMac, Jeremy Camp, Newsboys, transition of their lives? This one download articles on how to use a 48 Page Gift Book (great has it all! music in your ministry, scope out NEED2KNOW EZINE graphics, artist words of wisdom, our up-to-date Music Comparison Don’t miss out on free resources, devotionals, song lyrics, student CLICK.LOOK.LISTEN. ORDER Chart and check out other downloads and more in our every- GRAD2011.COM amazing resources to keep your other-week e-newsletter. You’ll get TRD page youth ministry rockin’! “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

TO ORDER CALL 1-800-725-3300 OR GO ONLINE AT INTERLINC-ONLINE.COM •YLO86_Layout 1 11/7/11 2:45 PM Page 82

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. TRD page

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

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YLO SPECIAL EDITIONS Several recent volumes of Youth JOIN YOUTH LEADERS ONLY Leaders Only are available as AND YOUR KIDS WILL LOVE YOU! Special Editions. Topics include building and training your worship YLO ORIGINAL MEMBERSHIP (360+ SONGS ANNUALLY) $279.95 plus $40.00 shipping team (Rock'N U), evangelism Make the style of my membership: ____ Hot ____ Mild ____ Alternating (How To Bring It Up Without DIGITAL $279.95 plus $20 shipping— Throwing Up), middle school 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 ministry (Making Impressions While The Cement’s Still Wet), the YLO WORKS MEMBERSHIP (560+ SONGS ANNUALLY) $429.95 plus $70.00 shipping new sexuality (The Naked Truth: DIGITAL $429.95 plus $20 shipping— The New Sexuality and Youth Canadian orders add additional $70 USD s/h; all other countries add add’l $120 USD s/h for digital Ministry). You can get each DVD, YLO ACCESS MEMBERSHIP (50+ SONGS ANNUALLY) $75.95 plus $24.00 shipping Bible studies and discussion Canadian orders add additional $52 USD s/h; all other countries add add’l $88 USD s/h starters, plus 15+ songs and TOTAL ANNUAL YLO MEMBERSHIP: ______corresponding Bible studies for only $29.95 plus $7.00 shipping. Call 1-800-725-3300 to order. Other Great Resources from interlínc

PURCHASE A SINGLE BOX OF YLO (extra shipping outside US) YLO ORIGINAL SINGLE BOX choose: ____ Hot ____ Mild $72.50 plus $10.00 shipping YLO WORKS SINGLE BOX $110.00 plus $17.50 shipping FCA AND INTERLÍNC’S YLO ACCESS SINGLE BOX $29.95 plus $7.00 shipping PUMP’D WORKOUT AND PRE-GAME MUSIC PUMP’D OR PUMP’D 2 WORKOUT CD (circle one) PUMP’d #1 and #2 are Order 1–4 CDs for $10.95 each ____ x $10.95 = ____ + $4 s/h = ____ TOTAL aggressive, powerful collections Order 5–19 CDs for $8.95 each ____ x $8.95 = ____ + $6 s/h = ____ TOTAL of songs that prepare athletes Order 20+ CDs for $7.95 each ____ x $7.95 = ____ + $10 s/h=____ TOTAL and coaches for competition — GO TO INTERLINC-ONLINE.COM and fans for the big game. All Transition Tools for Your Students OR songs are original recordings by CONGRADULATIONS! CLASS OF 2011 CD, DVD AND GIFT BOOK the top names in Christian Order 1–9 CD, DVD and Gift Book Sets for $12.95 each ____ x $12.95 = ____ + $4 s/h = ____ TOTAL music. Special pricing as low Order 10–19 CD, DVD and Gift Book Sets for $10.95 each ____ x $10.95 = ____ + $8 s/h = ____ TOTAL FRANKLIN, TN 37068-0848 • as $7.95. For orders of 20 or more, please call 800-725-3300 or go to grad2011.com CONGRADULATIONS! CLASS OF 2011 “ADD A HARDBACK BIBLE” PACK Get the ConGRADulations! Class of 2011 CD, DVD and Gift book PLUS a HardbackTRD The Message Remix: Bible ______pageor NIV Student Bible ______. Order 1–9 CD, DVD, Gift Book + Bible Packs for $23.95 each ____ x $23.95 = ____ + $15 s/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 grad2011.com CALL 1-800-725-3300 P.O.BOX 680848 P.O.BOX

INSIDERS GUIDE TO HIGH SCHOOL CD • Order 1-9 CDs for $5.99 each ____ x $5.99 = ____ Order 10-24 for $4.99 each ____ x $4.99 = ____ Order 25-99 for $3.99 each ____ x $3.99 =____ Order 100+ for $2.99 each ____ x $2.99 = ____ + $0.50 each s/h; max of $20 ____ x $0.50 = ____ s/h TOTAL = ______

SURVIVING MIDDLE SCHOOL BOOK AND CD SOUNDTRACK Version 2.0 INTERLÍNC Order 1–9 Book and CD sets for $12.95 each ____ x $12.95 = ____ + $4 s/h = ____ TOTAL INSIDERS GUIDE TO Order 10–19 Book and CD sets for $10.95 each ____ x $10.95 = ____ + $8 s/h = ____ TOTAL HIGH SCHOOL For orders of 20 or more, please call 800-725-3300 The Insiders Guide to High School TOTAL ORDER COST: ______Version 2.0 is a great gift for new Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. Prices subject to change. kids coming into your ministry as ABOUT YOU: well as for freshmen and Name Church Name Denomination sophomores! Multi-Media Disc Church Mailing Address City State Zip features: seven great songs from top Christian bands, video Church Shipping Address City State Zip student testimonies, Biblical answers to questions like, Church Phone Church FAX Church Website “Where do I fit in?”, clear Gospel presentation, and Email Give us your email address and we’ll make sure you get additional resources and tools delivered straight to your inbox! powerful Columbine High School video clip. How many students are in your group? (circle one) A. 0-25 B. 26-50 C. 51-99 D. 100-199 Special pricing as low E. 200-499 F. 500-999 G. 1000+ as $2.99 What is your position or title? (circle one) Full Time Paid Youth Leader Volunteer Senior Pastor Sunday School Teacher Part Time Paid Youth Leader Parent Para-church Leader Other: ______FOR FASTER SERVICE, QUESTIONS, CREDIT CARD ORDERS OR BILLING OPTIONS: OPTIONS: BILLING OR ORDERS CARD RETURN THIS FORM (OR A COPY) ALONG WITH CHECK TO: CREDIT QUESTIONS, SERVICE, FASTER FOR DM-YLBK

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Bible Studies Alphabetically Listed By Themes

Discipleship / 38 Jamie Grace / You Lead

Faith; Assurance / 36 Icon For Hire / The Grey

Freedom / 52 Shane & Shane / Liberty

God’s Character / 46 Phil Wickham / At Your Name (Yahweh, Yahweh)

God’s Love / 40 MIKESCHAIR / Someone Worth Dying For

Heaven / 22 The Ambassador / Crumbs

Humility / 34 Family Force 5 / Paycheck

Humility / 44 Newsboys / I Am Second

Idolatry / 48 Phinehas / I Am The Lion

Life; Purpose/Meaning / 30 The City Harmonic / Manifesto

Peace / 50 Rachael Lampa / All We Need

Sin; Forgiveness / 24 TRD pageBraille / Death In Me Sin; Struggle With / 32 Cory Lamb / Break The Cycle

Special Section! Entire Album Discussion Guides / 26 Casting Crowns

1-800-725-3300 interlinc-online.com