Synopsis
The latest release from one of the more successful X Factor graduates.
Introduction
The track explores what it means to lose what you almost had, in this case within a relationship, acknowledging that sometimes what we see ‘on show’ is more exciting or grander than the reality. This session explores how that can relate to our relationship with God and how a quieter, more authentic prayer life is far more worth striving for.
The Session
Before your young people arrive, display a selection of words and phrases around the room in a variety of languages. Try to include languages known by members of your group, as well as some more obscure ones. As your young people arrive, ask them to translate as many words as they can.
Explain that you will be looking at a story which is often viewed by its outcome, that people spoke many languages, but that you’ll be focusing on the beginning of the story: the motivation that caused people to act in the way they did.
Read Genesis 11:1–9 together. Discuss your group’s response to the story: what they think of it, what questions it raises and how they feel about it. Draw their attention to verse four, where the people declare their motivation for building a tower. What does this tell us about their heart? How do you think this led to the outcome?
Track 7: Long Way Down
Explain that this is not intended to be a literal description of what happened in the story, but that there are key phrases in the lyrics which echo the sense of building something for show, which in reality does not serve a purpose and is empty or hollow. Distribute copies of the lyrics to find some of these phrases.
Ask them to consider how we can relate to these ideas and what they mean for us, our relationship with God and the way we relate to him. What factors risk our relationship being externally showy, but internally weak? How can we prevent that from being the case?
Read Matthew 6:5–18. Help the group to explore what it means to be like the hypocrites and remind them that this is something we are all at risk of doing. What should we do to ensure that our relationship with God has depth and authenticity? How can we grow something sustainable which will not fall or fail? Discuss some of the ideas included in this passage, about developing a personal prayer life and help your young people to explore how they can put this into practice, perhaps sharing your own experiences as an encouragement.
As you close the session, invite your group to try some of these practical things out this week, before coming back to share their experiences the next time you meet.
