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Synopsis
A beautiful second album with a rich mixture of musical styles and honest lyrics. Some songs contain expletives, but not those included in this session.
Introduction
This session explores the concept of how we view our elders, and how we can and should honour our grandparents and their peers. You will need to prepare a handout with the Bible references.
THE SESSION
Track: THINKING OUT LOUD (track 11)
As you begin the session, play the track and say to your young people that it can seem like the most natural thing in the world to say to someone that we want to spend the rest of our lives with them, but have we really stopped to think about what life will be like when we are 60, 70 or 80?
Explain that during the course of this session, we are going to be thinking about our grandparents’ generation, and how we can appreciate them. When we look at those who are older than us, we only see them as they appear now; and perhaps forget that they have been through many of the same things as us. When we speak to those who are older than us we can discover some surprising truths. Share a surprising or amusing story about your own grandparents, and invite your young people to share their favourite grandparent stories.
Track: AFIRE LOVE (track 12)
Introduce the track, perhaps explaining the story that it tells. While old age can rob us of some of our strengths, this song reminds us that each of our grandparents are more than we see at face value, and experienced love, passion, loss and struggles just like we do. Divide your young people into smaller groups. Provide Bibles and a list of the following references (Job 12:12; Psalm 92:14; Proverbs 16:31; Proverbs 17:6; Proverbs 20:29; 2 Corinthians 4:16; Titus 2:2-3) along with paper and pens for your young people to take notes.
Ask your young people to make a note of anything that the Bible has to say about the way we should view and treat those who are older than us, and about how we should act when we are in our old age. Once they have had time to look through the verses, invite each group to feedback what they have discovered.
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
