The Source: Tuesday July 21, 2009

I love using current music to springboard relevant discussion with today's teenagers!

A week ago we provided a brand new discussion using Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" (click here for that lesson), this week we have a brand new discussion/lesson using Nickelback's hit song "If Today Was Your Last Day," a song that has been on the Billboard charts for 17 weeks, peeking at #19, riding at #23 this week.

Living On Purpose/The Last Day:
Nickelback � If Today Was Your Last Day

Main Point of Discussion: We must pour out our lives each and every day as though it was our last day on Earth.

The Music Video: If Today Was Your Last Day
Although they had a small-time start in Canada, they are now huge in the US. Nickelback smashed onto the Billboard charts in 2001 with "How You Remind Me" and has convinced us to buy more than 14 million albums since then. Included in Nickelback's trophy case are accolades from the MTV Video Music Awards, the World Music Awards, the Billboard Music Awards, the Juno Awards, and several nods from the guys at the Grammy's. Nickelback's presence has been felt in the pop, hard rock, alternative, and metal crowds. In other words, your teenagers know who Nickelback is!

But just because Nickelback is big, doesn't mean they play nice. From "Fight for All the Wrong Reasons" to "Animals" to "Side of a Bullet," the band issues its fair share of dangerous messages. Their lyrics are often laced with sex, jealousy, sex, violence, and sex. As much as you may want to turn Nickelback "off," remember that many kids choose to turn them "up."

It is possible to teach students about God and His love by using Nickelback's music without endorsing their music to your teenagers. (The practice of using secular material for sacred purposes goes all the way back to the Apostle Paul. See Acts 17.) You can easily download the video from iTunes for a measly $1.99. Or you can access the song at: http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos/Nickelback/If-Today-Was-Your-Last-Day--209463245

Introducing the Music Video:
While passing out a copy of the song lyrics, say, "You have probably already heard Nickelback's song "If Today Was Your Last Day" off their "Dark Horse" album. Reference the lyrics if you need to while watching this music video. Then we'll talk about it together."

Song Lyrics: If Today Was Your Last Day

my best friend gave me the best advice
he said each day's a gift & not a given right
leave no stone unturned
leave your fears behind
& try to take the path less traveled by
that first step you take is the longest stride

if today was your last day
& tomorrow was too late
could you say goodbye to yesterday?
would you live each moment like your last?
leave old pictures in the past?
donate every dime you had?
if today was your last day

against the grain should be a way of life
what's worth the price is always worth the fight
every second counts 'cause
there's no second try
so live like you're never livin twice
don't take the free ride in your own life

if today was your last day
& tomorrow was too late
could you say goodbye to yesterday?
would you live each moment like your last?
leave old pictures in the past?
donate every dime you had?
would you call those friends you've never seen?
reminisce old memories?
would you forgive your enemies?
would you find that one your dreaming of?
swear up & down to God above
that you'll finally fall in love?
if today was your last day

if today was your last day
would you make it up by mending a broken heart
you know it's never too late
to shoot for the stars
regardless of who you are
so do whatever it takes
'cause you can't rewind
a moment in this life
let nothing stand in your way
cause the hands of time are never on your side

if today was your last day
& tomorrow was too late
could you say goodbye to yesterday?
would you live each moment like your last?
leave old pictures in the past?
donate every dime you had?
would you call those friends you've never seen?
reminisce old memories?
would you forgive your enemies?
would you find that one your dreaming of?
swear up & down to God above
that you'll finally fall in love?
if today was your last day

Transitional Statement:
This video is an amazing reminder that even though we'd like to think we have a long time to live here on earth, the fact is no one really knows, and there are definitely no guarantees. So in light of that, Nickelback poses a great question:

What if today really was your last day?

Divide into Small Groups:
Let's go ahead and split up into our discussion groups, and then afterward we'll come back together for a final word.

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THIS DISCUSSION INCLUDING SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS, CORRESPONDING SCRIPTURE AND A WRAP UP

An article from David R. Smith at TheSource4YM.com

The pressures of life were getting harder and harder to handle. "Carrie" faced incredible expectations from those around her and struggled in academics, relationships, and personal identity. When burdens became too intense, she would reach for a razor to "ease the pain."

Carrie's not alone.

The Recent Battle Against an Ancient Pain
"Carrie" is just one of the girls I know who faces the torment known as Deliberate Self-Harm (DSH). Although it has only recently hit the radar of most parents and youth workers, self-injury is nothing new. Forms of DSH date back to the biblical era, with both Testaments recording examples of it. (For one of the clearest, see Mark 5:1-5).

It's a topic that has dominated the minds and hearts of youth workers and parents alike for the better part of a decade. We get plenty of concerns emailed to us about this quandary, and often field questions about it at our parenting and training seminars.

But what is this confusing and detrimental practice? Who does it? And most importantly, how can we stop it?

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE