I Cry

Main Point: We don’t have to lose heart when evil abounds because our trust and our hope is in the Name of the Lord our God.

The Song: I Cry
With the release of Flo Rida’s fourth studio album comes the single, I Cry. Flo Rida has found a system that works well for him: take lines and beats from other people’s songs and turn them into hits for himself. He did that in Right Round (from 2009) and again in this song originally from the Bingo Players.

I Cry is about Flo Rida’s journey back to the mean streets of Carol City, FL (Miami) to hang out with the kids in the inner city now that he’s rich and famous. The song talks about his struggles and what he had to do to overcome, but the song also paints a much bigger picture of the struggles the world faces, in general.

Aside from one or two mild profanities, the song is free of the vulgarity and sexual innuendos that is found in much hip hop music (including Flo Rida’s last hit single, Whistle).

Introducing the Music Video:
I Cry has made it into the top 10 on Billboard’s Hot 100 as well as iTunes Top Singles, so I’m pretty sure you’re familiar with this song by hip hop sensation Flo Rida. The song and video focuses on a return trip to his hometown of Carol City, FL (in Miami) to hang out with inner city kids to share his “rags to riches” story with them. But the music video shows much more than just Flo Rida’s suffering; it references the suffering that all of us go through. Throughout the song, Flo Rida tells us that he cries at what he sees. Make sure you take a good look at the lyrics handouts we’ve given you; he raps so fast, you’ll need it!

The Music Video: The video can be found on YouTube at the following link – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLuWHr6-0YQ

Song’s Lyrics:

I know
Caught up in the middle
I cry, just a little
When I think of letting go
Oh no
Gave up on the riddle
I cry, just a little
When I think of letting go

I know you wanna get behind the wheel Only 1 Rida
Eyes shut still got me swimming like a diver
Can’t let go I got fans in Okinawa
My heart to japan quake losers and survivors
Norway no you didn’t get my flowers
No way to sound better but the killer was a Coward
Face just showers, the minute in a hour
Heard about the news all day went sour
Lil mama got me feeling like a limit here
Put you in the box just the presidents cigarettes
Give em my regards or regardless I get arrested
Ain’t worried about the killers just the young & restless
Get mad coz the quarter million on my necklace
DUI never said I was driving reckless
You & I or jealously was not oppressive
Oh no I can’t stop I was Destined

I know
Caught up in the middle
I cry, just a little
When I think of letting go
Oh no
Gave up on the riddle
I cry, just a little
When I think of letting go

Champagne buckets still got two tears in it
And I put that on my tattoo of Jimi Hendrix
Get depressed coz the outfit all in it
Coz the press tell it all get a meal ticket
Clean next get a call just a lil visit
Sacrifice just to make a hit still vivid
Rihanna kiss you on ya neck just kill critics
Buggatti never when I’m rich, just god fearing
Look at me steering, got the bossing staring
Mr mike caren, tell his Billie Jeans
Im on another planet
Thank E-Class, Big Chuck or Lee Prince Perries
Buy my momma chandeliers on my tears dammit
Thirty years you had thought these emotions vanish
Tryna live tryna figure how my sister vanish
No cheers I know you wouldn’t panic

I know
Caught up in the middle
I cry, just a little
When I think of letting go
Oh no
Gave up on the riddle
I cry, just a little
When I think of letting go

When I need a healing, I just look up to the ceiling
I see the sun coming down I know its all better now

When I need a healing, I just look up to the ceiling
I see the sun coming down I know its all better now

When I need a healing, I just look up to the ceiling
I see the sun coming down I know its all better now

When I need a healing, I just look up to the ceiling
I see the sun coming down I know its all better now

I know, I know, I know, I i i, I think of letting go

I know
Caught up in the middle
I cry, just a little
When I think of letting go
Oh no
Gave up on the riddle
I cry, just a little
When I think of letting go

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 your favorite musical artist.


2. ASK A FEW: What were some of the events/issues that Flo Rida references in his song and video? (Leaders – He mentions the earthquake in Japan, the shooting rampage in Norway, the terrorist attacks of 911, floods, explosions, scenes from several wars, and also various crimes committed in his hometown of Carol City, FL.)


3. ASK A FEW: What does Flo Rida say is his usual response when he sees this kind of thing?


4. ASK A FEW: Is it weakness to cry when we see or hear or face these kinds of struggles? Why or why not?


5. ASK A FEW: We now know what makes Flo Rida “cry.” What are some of the heartbreaking things in life that make you want to cry?


6. ASK A FEW: How do you respond when you hear news like this, or personally face these kinds of struggles?


7. ASK A FEW: Over and over again, throughout the song, Flo Rida says, “When I need a healing, I just look up to the ceiling, I see the sun coming down I know its all better now.” Do you think this is a good strategy for dealing with struggles and evil? Why or why not?


8. ASK A FEW: Can Christians face troubles and evil differently than the rest of the world? Explain.

Read the following passage:

Psalm 20:1-9 (NIV)

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. 2 May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. 3 May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. Selah 4 May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. 5 We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests. 6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. 7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. 8 They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. 9 O LORD, save the king! Answer us when we call!



9. ASK A FEW: What are some of the things King David asks God to do for his people?


10. ASK A FEW: Many biblical scholars believe that King David prayed this psalm as he was preparing for battle against an army that had come against him. Knowing that, do you think his plan/strategy was wise? Why or why not?


11. ASK A FEW: King David declares, “Now I know the LORD saves his anointed,” meaning, “Now I know that God takes care of me.” What were some of the things God had saved David from during his life up to that point? (Leaders – Yeah, this question requires a little knowledge about the life of David, but it’s an important one to ask. David had faced lions and bears as a shepherd. He had also faced the giant, Goliath. He was even protected by God from the viciousness of King Saul, his predecessor. In all, David knew that God was his protector, not his shield or sword or army.)


12. ASK A FEW: Without a doubt, the key verse in this psalm is verse 7. What did that mean to King David then, and what does it mean to you and me today?


13. ASK A FEW: What was different about the way King David faced his struggles and the way that Flo Rida faced his struggles? (Leaders – Flo Rida cried in the face of evil, David prayed to God. Flo Rida looked toward the ceiling for healing, David looked to his God.)


14. ASK A FEW: King David says that he is putting his trust in the “name” of the LORD his God, not God’s mighty right arm, or His supernatural power, etc. Does anyone know what the name Jesus literally means? (Leaders – Jesus translates into English as “God saves.” That’s why King David was so confident!)


15. ASK A FEW: I don’t think any of us believes it’s weak to cry in the face of evil; even Jesus cried. But what message does it send the world if Christians simply collapse in the face of evil or struggles and do nothing?


16. ASK A FEW: What should we do as modern day believers when we face evil, suffering, and struggles?


17. AROUND THE CIRCLE: After reading Psalm 20 and learning what it means, how will you respond differently to the evil, oppression, suffering, struggles, or persecution in your world?

How you respond is what separates Christians from the rest of the world.

Close in Prayer

Written by David R Smith