Music Discussions

Don’t Let Me Down

July 5, 2016

Dynamic Image Main Point of Discussion:
It is normal for Christ followers to go through doubt, and oftentimes remembering His faithfulness in the past can help us resolve it.

Introducing The Song:
The Chainsmokers must have really hit (no pun intended) on something with their latest hit “Don’t Let Me Down,” as it is currently #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the video has racked up more than 100,000,000 views.

The song addresses and illustrates the universal experience of being let down, and all the emotions that accompany that kind of difficult season of life. It is during those times that we all look for answers, and fortunately there is truth to be found in the Bible that can help us when we are let down.

The Music Video:
The music video can be played for free at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io0fBr1XBUA

Song Lyrics:

“Don’t Let Me Down”
(feat. Daya)

Crashing, hit a wall
Right now I need a miracle
Hurry up now, I need a miracle
Stranded, reaching out
I call your name but you’re not around
I say your name but you’re not around

I need ya, I need ya, I need you right now
Yeah, I need you right now
So don’t let me, don’t let me, don’t let me down
I think I’m losing my mind now
It’s in my head, darling, I hope
That you’ll be here, when I need you the most
So don’t let me, don’t let me, don’t let me down
D-don’t let me down

Don’t let me down
Don’t let me down, down, down
Don’t let me down, don’t let me down, down, down

Running out of time
I really thought you were on my side
But now there’s nobody by my side

I need ya, I need ya, I need you right now
Yeah, I need you right now
So don’t let me, don’t let me, don’t let me down
I think I’m losing my mind now
It’s in my head, darling, I hope
That you’ll be here, when I need you the most
So don’t let me, don’t let me, don’t let me down
D-don’t let me down

Don’t let me down
Don’t let me down, down, down
Don’t let me down, down, down
Don’t let me down, down, down
Don’t let me down, don’t let me down, down, down

Ooh, I think I’m losing my mind now, yeah
Ooh, I think I’m losing my mind now, yeah

I need ya, I need ya, I need you right now
Yeah, I need you right now
So don’t let me, don’t let me, don’t let me down
I think I’m losing my mind now
It’s in my head, darling, I hope
That you’ll be here, when I need you the most
So don’t let me, don’t let me, don’t let me down
Don’t let me down

Yeah, don’t let me down
Yeah, don’t let me down
Don’t let me down, oh, no
Said don’t let me down
Don’t let me down

Don’t let me down
Don’t let me down, down, down

Transitional Statement:
(Say something like this…) Feeling like you have been let down and even abandoned starts at a very young age for most people, so on one level or another we can all relate to this song-right? And while it is a common and universal experience, there are probably hundreds of different ways that people choose to deal with disappointment in life and relationships in order to cope.

But the bottom line is that when we face being let down, we choose to take the bitter route or the better route. One way leads to the path of depression and hopelessness, while the other leads to contentment and hope. The question is – how do we choose the ‘better’ path when life let’s us down? Let’s talk about that now.

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: Before we dive in, everybody take a few minutes and talk about some of your earliest memories of being let down by something or someone.

ASK A FEW: How were you able to get past the disappointment?

ASK A FEW: Why do you think the song “Don’t Let Me Down” is so popular?

ASK A FEW: What do you think is going on in the life of the person who wrote this song?

ASK A FEW: Do you think most everyone can relate to these words? Why or why not?

Crashing, hit a wall
Right now I need a miracle
Hurry up now, I need a miracle
Stranded, reaching out
I call your name but you’re not around
I say your name but you’re not around

ASK A FEW: Why does God allow us to experience these feelings?

ASK A FEW: Do you think that the words of this song would make an appropriate prayer to God? Why or why not?

Read the following passage from the Bible:

I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands,
and I would not be comforted.

3 I remembered you, God, and I groaned;
I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.
4 You kept my eyes from closing;
I was too troubled to speak.
5 I thought about the former days,
the years of long ago;
6 I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart meditated and my spirit asked:

7 “Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
9 Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”

10 Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
12 I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

ASK A FEW: In what ways is this Psalm of David like the lyrics to “Don’t Let Me Down”?

ASK A FEW: Was David wrong to express his honest complaints of feeling let down by God? Why or why not?

ASK A FEW: What is the difference between complaining TO God vs. complaining ABOUT God?

ASK A FEW: Does it sound like David is taking the ‘bitter’ way or the ‘better’ way?

ASK A FEW: How does he end up resolving his feelings of being let down in the Psalm? (see vv. 10-12)

ASK A FEW: If you thought about it, would you be able to name quite a few times when “The Most High stretched out his right hand” to save you?

ASK A FEW: What is the connection between meditating on God’s ‘mighty deeds’ and choosing the ‘better’ way when we are feeling let down?

AROUND THE CIRCLE: When was there a time when remembering how God has helped you in the past helped you get through the feeling of being let down?

Wrap Up:
Unfortunately, all of us go through times of needing a miracle and feeling let down. But the bright side of the dark times is that we have a God who is always by our side, and when we go through disappointments, we can look to all the times in the past when He delivered us and caused all things to work together for our good. This week, start a list of all the times God has demonstrated mighty works and miracles in your life, and keep that handy so you can refer to it in the future when someone or something lets you down. That is the way we can always choose the ‘better’ path!

Close in prayer

Written by Lane Palmer