Main Point of Discussion: Jesus was willing to give His life for us even though we are often unwilling to do the same for Him.
The Song: “Grenade”
“Grenade” is the newest single released by Bruno Mars. Since its release it has peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained there for 7 weeks in a row. It brings up the common emotions of unrequited love, betrayal, and the desperation of heartbreak. Even though the video has become controversial due to the implied suicide shown in its last seconds, there is a strong message embedded in the song’s lyrics that clearly depicts the gospel story.
Introducing the Music Video:
While passing out a copy of the song lyrics, say, “You have probably already heard Bruno Mars’ song ‘Grenade.’ While most people view this song as a bitter, hopeless response to a breakup, it actually illustrates a bedrock issue that clearly parallels one of the Bible’s central themes. Take a look and a listen to Mars’ song to see if it reminds you of anyone you know.”
The Music Video:
The song’s video can be found at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SR6iYWJxHqs
Song Lyrics:
Easy come, easy go
That’s just how you live, oh
Take, take, take it all,
But you never give
Should of known you was trouble from the first kiss,
Had your eyes wide open, why were they open?
Gave you all I had and you tossed it in the trash
You tossed it in the trash, you did
To give me all your love is all I ever asked,
Cause what you don’t understand is
I’d catch a grenade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Throw my hand on a blade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
I’d jump in front of a train for ya (yeah, yeah , yeah)
You know I’d do anything for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Oh, oh
I would go through all this pain,
Take a bullet straight through my brain,
Yes, I would die for ya baby;
But you won’t do the same
No, no, no, no
Black, black, black and blue beat me till I’m numb
Tell the devil I said “hey” when you get back to where you’re from
Mad woman, bad woman,
That’s just what you are, yeah,
You’ll smile in my face then rip the breaks out my car
Gave you all I had
And you tossed it in the trash
You tossed it in the trash, yes you did
To give me all your love is all I ever asked
Cause what you don’t understand is
I’d catch a grenade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Throw my hand on a blade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
I’d jump in front of a train for ya (yeah, yeah , yeah)
You know I’d do anything for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Oh, oh
I would go through all this pain,
Take a bullet straight through my brain,
Yes, I would die for ya baby;
But you won’t do the same
If my body was on fire, ooh
You’d watch me burn down in flames
You said you loved me you’re a liar
Cause you never, ever, ever did baby…
But darling I’ll still catch a grenade for ya
Throw my hand on a blade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
I’d jump in front of a train for ya (yeah, yeah , yeah)
You know I’d do anything for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Oh, oh
I would go through all this pain,
Take a bullet straight through my brain,
Yes, I would die for ya baby;
But you won’t do the same.
No, you won’t do the same,
You wouldn’t do the same,
Ooh, you’ll never do the same,
No, no, no, no
Transitional Statement:
As you may have noticed, Bruno Mars is more than a little upset at his ex, and one of the primary reasons seems to be that he’s willing to give the ultimate sacrifice for her, even though she’s not willing to return that kind of love to him. Unfortunately, many of us have that same problem in our relationships with Jesus. He’s given all for us, but we’re unwilling to do the same for Him.
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 turn and tell us about a time when you did something at least a little crazy for someone you loved.
- ASK A FEW: What were some of the things Bruno was willing to do for his girl in the video?
- ASK A FEW: What had him so upset in the song?
- ASK A FEW: What are some of the potential reasons she wouldn’t return his love? (Leaders: this is pretty much an “anything goes” question. Kids may offer a wild variety of answers, but key in on those like “she didn’t truly love him,” or “she was selfish,” or “she was afraid,” etc.)
- ASK A FEW: In real life, do we treat anyone the way she treated Bruno?
- ASK A FEW: What kinds of causes have people died for in history?
- ASK A FEW: Are there people or causes that you think you would give your life for?
- ASK A FEW: This passage points out that rarely is someone willing to die for a righteous person (or a “good” person). So how amazing is it that Jesus died for people that don’t even love Him in return?
- ASK A FEW: What are the similarities between the journey and sacrifice Bruno Mars makes in the song and the journey and sacrifice Jesus made? (Leaders: you’re looking for “ridicule by a crowd,” “shunned by a religious leader,” “a lonely journey,” etc.)
- ASK A FEW: Why do you think Christ was willing to die so that sinners—including the very people who killed him—could live?
- ASK A FEW: According to that verse, what did Jesus’ death accomplish? (Leaders: Our sin was “done away with” on the cross)
- ASK A FEW: How should we respond to this incredible act of love and sacrifice from Jesus?
- ASK A FEW: Now that we are “dead to sin” and “alive in Christ” how does that change the way we should live out our lives day to day?
- AROUND THE CIRCLE: Very specifically, what is one step you will take tonight to accept the free gift of love and grace that Jesus offers?
You Say: One thing we need to point out is that Bruno’s words convey something much different than the last few seconds of his video. The last few seconds of Bruno’s video show him committing suicide. There’s nothing noble about suicide. The words to his song, however, convey something much different—he’d give his life for someone. There is no greater act of love than sacrificing your life for (to save) someone else.
Read the following passage from the Bible:
Romans 5:6-9 (New International Version)
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!
Read the following passage from the Bible:
Romans 6:6 (New International Version)
6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin–
Read the following passage from the Bible:
Romans 6:11-14 (New International Version)
11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.
13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.
14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
You Say: This is what is so amazing about what Christ has done. We need someone to take a grenade for us. We need someone to save us… from ourselves. We have proven that we can never “be good enough.” We always mess up. Our mess ups are called sin. That sin interferes with our relationships with God. It’s like a huge burden (a piano-sized burden) that we are carrying around with us. Jesus freed us from that burden by taking the punishment for us. That’s what the passage above is talking about. We are free from sin now. So we shouldn’t return to it and tie ourselves up in it and enslave ourselves to it again. We are already free from it!
Transitional Statement:
Every human carries around a deep need for love and acceptance, which is why so many songs are written and videos are produced about good and bad relationships. Isn’t it amazing to think that in many ways we are all like the girl in the video- we all have betrayed and rejected God’s love- yet despite our failure to love Him, Jesus still gave His life for us? This truth can really help us remember that we are extraordinarily cherished by the God who made us. Jesus chose to die rather than live without us for eternity.
(Pass out 3×5 cards and pens as the students return to the large group.)
Wrap Up:
Ask the students to take a few minutes and write down these altered ‘lyrics’ to Grenade
- Dear (fill in your name)
My child,
I came to earth for you
I lived a perfect life for you
I died a horrible death for you
I rose from the dead for you
I will return for you
Close in Prayer:
Close in a prayer that gives students a chance to trust Christ, then ask God to help us to remember the incredible act of love and sacrifice Jesus made – even in the midst of our sinfulness.
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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Mike
February 24, 2011 at 12:00 amI hear this song everywhere. Good to have something I can use to talk with my kids about it.
Priscila
March 1, 2011 at 12:00 amThis is just what I was looking for! Thank you so much. I’m a small group coordinator for my youth group and I was stuck on how to incorporate music into a discussion. Thanks!
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March 1, 2011 at 12:00 amLove it!!!!
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March 5, 2011 at 12:00 amI am really excited to use this tomorrow in Sunday School.
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