Main Point: Addictions can destroy lives, and for that reason alone, should be handled carefully and immediately. Jesus is the absolute best Source for finding freedom from addiction.
The Discussion Starter:
Abel Tesfaye, globally known as The Weeknd, is the artist behind this top-ranked song. Can’t Feel My Face spent several weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100, and scored him an invitation to perform at the 2015 VMAs on MTV.
This up and coming young artist was heavily influenced by Michael Jackson, and is able to crank out hip hop, pop, and rock tunes in a perfectly falsetto voice. No doubt, he’s got a smooth sound. But what about his message?
This small group discussion will look at the meaning behind his hit single and explore its impact on today’s teenagers. What you’ll discover is that The Weeknd is actually singing about his addiction to cocaine in this song. You’ll have the opportunity to discuss addiction with your students, and offer them hope in Jesus as a substitute. Be prepared to address follow up questions with your students after this session, if need be.
The Music Video:
The video can be found at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEI4qSrkPAs
Song’s Lyrics:
And I know she’ll be the death of me, at least we’ll both be numb
And she’ll always get the best of me, the worst is yet to come
But at least we’ll both be beautiful and stay forever young
This I know, yeah, this I know
She told me, “Don’t worry about it”
She told me, “Don’t worry no more”
We both know we can’t go without it
She told me you’ll never be alone, oh, oh, woo
I can’t feel my face when I’m with you
But I love it, but I love it, oh
I can’t feel my face when I’m with you
But I love it, but I love it, oh
And I know she’ll be the death of me, at least we’ll both be numb
And she’ll always get the best of me, the worst is yet to come
All the misery was necessary when we’re deep in love
This I know, girl, I know
She told me, “Don’t worry about it”
She told me, “Don’t worry no more”
We both know we can’t go without it
She told me you’ll never be alone, oh, oh, woo
I can’t feel my face when I’m with you
But I love it, but I love it, oh
I can’t feel my face when I’m with you
But I love it, but I love it, oh
I can’t feel my face when I’m with you
But I love it, but I love it, oh
I can’t feel my face when I’m with you
But I love it, but I love it, oh
She told me, “Don’t worry about it”
She told me, “Don’t worry no more”
We both know we can’t go without it
She told me you’ll never be alone, oh, oh, woo
I can’t feel my face when I’m with you
But I love it, but I love it, oh
I can’t feel my face when I’m with you
But I love it, but I love it, oh
I can’t feel my face when I’m with you
But I love it, but I love it, oh
I can’t feel my face when I’m with you
But I love it, but I love it, oh
Transitional Statement:
There is no doubt about it: that song has a sound that completely explains its #1 ranking on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart. The Weeknd is wildly popular and definitely knows how to make music. But music is more than just a beat or a sound. Music is also a message. This song is no exception; it has a very interesting message embedded in it, and one that we should spend some time discussing. I don’t want to give anything away just yet, so let’s go ahead and break into our small groups to discuss this further.
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 a quick training article on how to maximize your small groups using our small group format—a great resource to equip your small group leaders.
Discussion Questions:
- AROUND THE CIRCLE: As we get started, let’s all take a second to share our names and one of our favorite songs right now.
- ASK A FEW: Why do you think this song by The Weeknd is so popular?
- ASK A FEW: Does anyone know what The Weeknd is “really” singing about in this song? (Leaders – It may be surprising to many of your students that this song is actually about The Weeknd’s ongoing addiction to cocaine. Make sure to read this article so you can provide specifics about the song’s lyrics. You might even want to have hard copies available to hand out to students.)
- ASK A FEW: What effect does The Weeknd say his use is going to have on him? (Leaders – He says he can’t feel his face, but he also says it will be the death of him.)
- ASK A FEW: What are some of the things that your friends are most addicted to (we can have addictions to many things in life–i.e. exercise, sports, power, food, etc.)?
- ASK A FEW: Without naming any names, do you know anyone who is currently struggling with an addiction of some sort? How is it affecting them?
- ASK A FEW: How can a person know when he/she is addicted to something?
- ASK A FEW: What does God think about our addictions?
- ASK A FEW: James outlines a “process” in this passage. Can someone retrace it for us?
- ASK A FEW: Do you think James is exaggerating when he says that sin, like addictions, will lead to our death? Why or why not?
- ASK A FEW: According to this passage, what role, if any, does God have in our sinful addictions?
- ASK A FEW: Why does Jesus say that anyone who sins, (say, through an addiction) becomes a “slave to sin”?
- ASK A FEW: What does Jesus say of Himself in verse 36? What does that mean?
- ASK A FEW: Very specifically, how can Jesus help us escape our addictions?
- ASK A FEW: What do you think God would say to The Weeknd about his drug addiction?
- ASK A FEW: Is anyone courageous enough to share addictions you need to confront in your own life? How will you do that?
Read the following passage:
- James 1:13-17 (NIV)
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Say something like this:
James tells us that every good and perfect gift comes from our Heavenly Father. The most perfect Gift our Father ever gave us was His Son, Jesus, who came and died on a cross so we could be forgiven of all of our sin. Let’s take a look at something Jesus said before He gave his life for us.
Read the following passage:
- John 8:31-36 (NIV)
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” 34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Wrap Up:
I get it. We tackled a tough subject in our small groups just now. We heard a very popular, very catchy song, and then analyzed it to discover that the artist was actually singing about his addiction to cocaine. Many of us found that surprising, no doubt.
But it makes you and I confront the addictions in our own lives. We can be addicted to so many things: food, cell phones, sugar, porn, lying, alcohol, or like The Weeknd, drugs. Of course, there are many, many other options floating around out there trying to ensnare us.
But what we heard tonight from God’s Word was sobering. When we give in to our sinful addictions, James says that we will only find death. Ironically enough, The Weeknd even admits that in his song. Twice he says, “I’ll know she’ll be the death of me….” But he doesn’t know the half of it. The Bible is actually talking about spiritual death and an eternity separated from God in Hell. When we choose our sin over God, we drive a wedge between us and Him. That’s dangerous.
But we also looked at the Good News the Bible offers us in our sinful addictions. Jesus Himself said that He could set us free. He said it emphatically! That’s terrific, right? But that freedom from addiction can only be found in Jesus. It won’t be found in trying hard, or will power, or luck. True freedom, from addiction and death, comes only through Jesus.
Right now, I want to give you an opportunity to respond to the love Jesus offers us. (At this point, share the salvation Jesus offers through His death on the cross and resurrection from the grave.)
If you made a commitment to Jesus just now, I desperately want to talk with you after we pray in a moment. Also, if you’d like to talk more about Jesus or addiction or sin in general, we’ll hang around until you get every answer you need. We’re here for you because Jesus is here.
Close in Prayer
Written by David R Smith
Jonathan McKee
Jonathan McKee is the author of over twenty books including the brand new The Guy's Guide to FOUR BATTLES Every Young Man Must Face; The Teen’s Guide to Social Media & Mobile Devices; If I Had a Parenting Do Over; and the Amazon Best Seller - The Guy's Guide to God, Girls and the Phone in Your Pocket. He speaks to parents and leaders worldwide, all while providing free resources for youth workers on TheSource4YM.com. Jonathan, his wife Lori, and their three kids live in California.
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