Fight Song

Main Point: Whether or not we can overcome struggles in life greatly depends upon where we draw our strength. We’ll do much better if we rely on God instead of relying on ourselves.

Introducing The Song:
Rachel Platten is an American singer and song writer. The incredibly talented and attractive artist is in her mid 30s and has been working on her voice and music since she was 5 years old. Though she’s been performing since 2003, she’s best known for her latest single Fight Song, which was released in mid 2015.

Fight Song is about Platten’s uphill battle to make it as a recording artist. In fact, the music video shows her friendless and wandering, playing vacant gigs, and worrying about her future. But she claims that she has a “lot of fight” left in her and that she will be OK in the end. True enough, by the end of the video, she seems to have undergone a complete transformation: successful, popular, happy, confident, etc.

The song definitely fits into the pop genre…with just a little hint of 80s power ballad. It’s a fun, catchy, and clean song that offers kids a positive message. Right now, Fight Song is getting a lot of play time on kids’ channels like Disney and Nick.

This song, and its accompanying music video, gives us the perfect opportunity to discuss the difference between relying on ourselves and relying on God.

The Video Clip:
The music video can be found at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo1VInw-SKc

Song Lyric:

Transitional Statement:
I like this song for a couple of reasons. First, it’s got a catchy sound, which explains why Rachel’s song has been so popular. But it’s also a totally clean song that happens to contain a positive message. Basically, she sings about her desire to overcome the struggles in life. If we’re honest, all of us think about that on a regular basis. There are plenty of setbacks and uphill battles in life. Like Rachel, we all want to be able to say, “I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me.” But the truth is, whether or not we can face the struggles of life greatly depends upon the source of our strength. We’ll do much better if we rely on God instead of relying on ourselves. Let’s crack open God’s Word and look at what He has to say about our strength.

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:

1. AROUND THE CIRCLE: As we get started, let’s all take a second to share our names and one of our favorite songs at the moment.


2. ASK SOMEONE: According to the video and lyrics, where was Rachel drawing her strength from? How do you know?


3. ASK A FEW: How did Rachel’s life seem to change during the music video (from the beginning to the end)?


4. ASK A FEW: In the song, Rachel sings about small things making a big impact, for example, a boat making waves or a match starting an explosion. Do you really think it’s possible for one person to make a big difference?


5. ASK A FEW: Who is the strongest person you know? Why? Where do you think they got their strength from?


6. ASK A FEW: Rachel sang about “taking back her life.” How do you “take back” your life when things get out of control?


7. ASK A FEW: Rachel’ song was all about overcoming struggles in life. What role does God play…if He plays a role at all?

Read the following passage:

Psalm 46:1-11 (NIV)

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. 5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. 6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. 7 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah 8 Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 11 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah



8. ASK SOMEONE: Where does the psalmist say his strength comes from?


9. ASK A FEW: Does the passage say “God is our strength” or “God gives us strength”? What’s the difference? Which is better?


10. ASK A FEW: What were some of the troubles that seemed to be coming against the writer of this psalm?


11. ASK A FEW: Besides “our strength,” what are some other things that the writer calls God in this passage? Why are those descriptions/titles important?


12. ASK A FEW: What’s something in life that’s really draining the strength from you right now? How are you handling it?


13. ASK A FEW: Rachel sang about finding strength within herself. The psalmist wrote about finding strength in God. Which is better, and why?
    
14. ASK A FEW: Based on this passage, what would God counsel you to do?


15. ASK A FEW: How can you invite God’s strength into your situation?


16. AROUND THE CIRCLE: All of us have problems, struggles, and obstacles in life. Most of us have at least one we’re facing right now. Because of our discussion together, what’s one step you can take this week to overcome your struggles?

But let me give you just a couple of reasons why you should turn to God for strength. I’ll take it right from Isaiah 40:28-31.

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

If you’d like to talk about what you’re going through, after we pray, let me invite you to hang around and speak with one of our adult volunteers. You’ll be glad you did.

Close in Prayer

Written by David R Smith