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SYNOPSIS
The debut album from the Australian boy band features songs filled with teenage angst.
INTRODUCTION
This session explores the idea that adolescence can feel as though you are trapped between childhood and the ‘promised land’ of adulthood, and encourages young people to enjoy each and every stage of life.
THE SESSION
Begin the session by asking your young people what age they would most like to be? Why have they chosen this age?
Ask one or two of your leaders to share a little of their own experience of growing up: how did they feel when they were going through their teenage years? What did they most want to be able to do? How do they feel now, recognising some of the positive experiences from their teenage years?
TRACK: 18 (TRACK 5)
Play the track, and ask your group whether they can relate to the experiences of the band in this song. What is it that your young people are most waiting for: to leave school or to learn to drive? To go out for a drink or buy their own cigarettes? This song focuses on a relationship with a girl and issues around sex and relationships; is this something they can relate to?
Say to your young people that you understand that during your teenage years it can feel as though it’s simply a time of life you’ve got to get through. But life isn’t like that; rather it’s a series of phases, each of which should be enjoyed in its own right.
Provide Bibles and the following list of Bible references, and ask your young people to work in pairs to read through what the Bible has to say about growing up; 1 Samuel 2:26, 1 Samuel 3:19, Psalm 71:17-18, Ecclesiastes 12:1, Matthew 6:34, Mark 10:13-16, Luke 2:52, 1 Timothy 4:12. Invite your young people to share something they discover from reading these passages and remind them that God promises to be with us at every stage of life. How can we live differently, in a way that enables us to make the most of the opportunities that we are presented with today, rather than waiting for ‘tomorrow’ when everything will be better? Pray for your young people, as you close the session, that they would be able to enjoy the day-to-day, in the week ahead.
Remind your young people that quite often the media gives a negative impression of older people. The Bible, however, teaches us that we should both respect people in old age for their wisdom and experience, and remember that God has a purpose for each person, for the whole of their life. As you close the session, challenge your young people to think about one practical thing that they can do in the week ahead to show real honour and respect to their grandparents or to others of their generation.
