Demons

Main Point of Discussion: This discussion is a great reminder that as Christians we still have our sin nature, and we need God’s power and grace to defeat it and serve Jesus.

The Song: “Demons”

Las Vegas rockers “Imagine Dragons” have topped the charts again with their latest effort entitled “Demons.” The song is essentially about a protagonist who is warning others about his dark side, which obviously ties in well with the Biblical view of humanity. Interestingly, half the band members are from a Mormon background, and the other half are agnostic – which probably plays into the content of this song.

You can present the song and its lyrics any number of ways, from downloading the track and playing it while your students read from lyric sheets you’ve passed around or projecting a YouTube video with the lyrics on a wall.

Introducing the Song —SAY THIS:
We’re going to discuss the theme of the big pop song “Demons” by Imagine Dragons, which is a huge hit for the band. Let’s check it out. (Play the song or run the video.)

The Music Video:
The video can be found at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWRsgZuwf_8

Song Lyrics: “Demons”

Divide into Small Groups:
Let’s go ahead and split into our discussion groups, and then afterward we’ll come 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:

1. AROUND THE CIRCLE: Before we dive in, everybody tell us your name and something that few people or perhaps nobody knows about you.


2. ASK A FEW: Do you think most people have things about them that absolutely nobody knows? Why or why not?


3. ASK A FEW: Why do you think the person in the song is warning his significant other about his ‘demons’?


4. AROUND THE CIRCLE: Do you think all people are ‘made of greed’? Why or why not?


5. ASK A FEW: What do you think they mean by this line: “When the lights fade out…all the sinners crawl”?


6. ASK A FEW: Did you pick up any religious themes in this song? (i.e. he feels he is bound for hell, and he refers to his ‘kingdom come’.) Why do you think they are in the song?

Read the following passage from the Bible:

Galatians 2:20 (NLT)

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me



7. ASK A FEW: What is Paul talking about when he refers to his ‘old self’?


8. ASK A FEW: What possible parallels are there between the ‘demons’ that Imagine Dragons refers to and the ‘old self’?


9. ASK A FEW: How was our ‘old self’ crucified with Christ?


10. ASK SOMEONE: What does it mean to trust in the Son of God as we live in this earthly body?


11. ASK A FEW: If our old self was crucified with Christ on the cross, does that mean that our ‘demons’ no longer have power over us? Why or why not?


12. ASK A FEW: How does this verse bring a positive outlook to the ‘Demons’ song?


13. ASK A FEW: With the light of Jesus inside us, is it o.k. to let people ‘get too close’? Why or why not?


14. AROUND THE CIRCLE: What is one takeaway you have from this discussion as it relates to how you deal with your ‘demons’?

Pass out 3×5 cards and pencils, then say:
One of the ways we can really get a handle on dealing with our ‘old self’ or ‘demons’ is to realize the spiritual freedom that comes with having the power and presence of Jesus in our lives. When Jesus was crucified, He proclaimed that “it is finished”- which literally means that the debt for our sin was paid in full. When that debt was paid, the power of sin was broken in our lives, which means we never have to give in to the darkness or fear where the demons hide. Because of that, we can truly focus on ‘His’ Kingdom come- so on your card, make two columns- one that is labeled “My Kingdom Come” and the other “His Kingdom Come.” Under the “My Kingdom” section, write down some things that your are focusing on right now that are really just reflective of your ‘old self’. Then under the “His Kingdom come,” write down what those areas would look like if you surrendered them to Jesus.

For example:

My Kingdom Come
– focused on success in athletics for my glory

His Kingdom Come
– focused on letting Jesus use me to reach my teammates

Written by Lane Palmer