Synopsis
The latest offering from the highlyprolific, yet enigmatic, Australian singersongwriter.
Introduction
This track echoes the poem of the same name (‘Footprints’). This session is designed to move beyond sentimentality to explore what it means to never be left to walk alone.
The Session
Before the session, set up a sandpit or tarpaulin covered in sand at the entrance of the room, for your young people to walk through as they arrive. By the time you are ready to begin the session, you should have a sandpit full of overlapping footprints, which you can refer to later.
Track 9: Footprints
Ask your young people whether they have come across the poem before. Are the words something they can relate to? Play the track, providing copies of the lyrics and a copy of the poem and invite them to find similarities and differences between the poem and the song.
Say that this poem has been used all over the world on greeting cards, mugs and posters and is held in high regard for the comforting message it holds. The fact that it has been used in many songs, including this one, confirms that this message is still one that we like to hear. But do these words really hold any value? What does it mean to walk this Christian lifestyle? How does God carry us? Ask your young people to look up some of the following verses:
- Deuteronomy 1:31
- Isaiah 43:1-4
- Isaiah 46:4
- Hebrews 13:5.
Ask the group to discuss what these verses have to say about the promises God makes to always be with us, and how these relate to the song. Are these verses simply there to make us feel warm inside, or is there something more to these promises?
Invite your group to share their own stories about how they have experienced God carrying them through difficult circumstances. Were they aware of God’s hand in their life in the midst of difficulty, or was it something they could only see with hindsight? You could also invite one of your leaders to share a relevant testimony.
As you draw the session to a close, refer the group back to the sandpit and point out the way that the footprints interlock and overlap. What does this say about the way we live? Remind your group that our journey through life is not a solitary affair; we were not created to be alone. God has put us in community to challenge, support and love one another in both good times and bad. God is always there for us and will never let us down, and we too can hold one another up when we face difficulties. Stand together in the sandpit and pray for one another, specifically for any particular issues raised this session.
Becky May is a freelance writer and children’s and youth leader. She can be found at theresourcescupboard.co.uk
