From God’s Playlist
Does your teen son or daughter feel connected to music on an elemental level? Does he or she perform music? Write songs? And/or cram portable devices full of music to play as a kind of ever-updating soundtrack for life?
As I write this, millions of teens around the country are looking at the same “Top Songs” list on iTunes that I am. Some percentage are wondering about which songs to add to their playlists. Right now, their choices include songs from Black Eyed Peas, Daughtry, Lady GaGa, Flo Rida, and Kid Cudi.
Media choices are always a valuable way to connect with your student about big worldview ideas, but this week we’re encouraging you to make a much older song the entry to a conversation with your teen. You might encourage them to add this one to what they let play in their heads for the next few days.
King David felt elementally connected to music from a young age, as well. He expressed deep and personal thoughts in songs, some inspired by God Himself and included in our Bibles as Psalms.
The following questions spring from Psalm 16, in which David expresses his absolute commitment to the Lord alone. Reading through it once or twice will prepare you to talk about it with your child.
Talking Points:
- On a scale from 1 to 10, how important would you say music is to your life? Why do you think that is?
- Why do you think music is such a big part of our worship of God at church and other places?
- Do you like songs where the writer or singer talks about personal things she has experienced or felt?
- Do you think of King David from the Bible as being a musical guy? A songwriter?
- In Psalm 16, David asks God to keep him safe. What would you say are some of the scariest moments you’ve had? Did you ask God to keep you safe then? Why?
- In that same song, David tells God that there is nothing good in his life that did not come from God. Do you think any of the good things in your life did NOT come from God?
- Let’s take turns naming five or ten good things in our lives. I wonder how often either of think of those things as coming from God.
- Do you think people who trust God for good things are more or less happy that people who try to get their needs met in other ways? Why?
- Do you think anyone ever feels like he or she has enough out of life? Enough stuff or experiences or respect?
- David told God in this song that God had given him everything he needed. Would it be fair to say that God has given us enough good things for right this moment?
- If you had to break down the percentage of time you spend being aware of God or thinking about Him, how much do you think that would be? [Parent: Be ready to share your own answer to this question—even if it’s not the number you wish it was. Your teen will appreciate your honesty.]
- What are some things we could do as a family to put God in front of us more often—or more effectively?
- Does choosing to trust God in your mind make it easier for you to sleep well? Does it help you to be less worried or stressed out? [Again, parent, don’t be afraid to be open about your own struggles and/or victories with this.]
- What difference does it make today to know that one day we’ll be with God forever in heaven?
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