Live While We’re Young

Main Point: It’s totally fine for us to have fun, especially when we’re young. But we can’t allow our youthful fun to become irresponsible or sinful.

The Song: Live While We’re Young
Currently, the boy band causing the biggest worldwide craze is One Direction. Their latest song is Live While We’re Young which comes from their highly anticipated second album entitled Take Me Home. The song is high energy, upbeat, and includes just about every element that’s specific to the pop genre. Furthermore, the music video shows lots of footage of the guys having loads of fun hanging out with each other and their fans.

As of this writing, the song’s music video has been viewed more than 96 million times on YouTube. In fact, when it was released, the song made history as the highest-ever Hot 100 debut by a UK band in the chart’s existence. Yeah, the song’s hugely popular with the younger generation, especially the girls.

That said, there appears to be a distinction between what the music video is about (having fun with your friends) and what the song’s lyrics are about (possibly hooking up with a girl). This distinction serves as the focus of this resource.

Introducing the Music Video:
Neither the song nor the band needs much of an introduction. One Direction’s latest hit “Live While We’re Young” is sweeping across the globe impacting millions of fans on a daily basis. At first glance, it appears as though the tune is about a bunch of guys desiring a good time and seeking fun. But there may be more to this song and music video than meets the eye. Let’s take a really close look at the song’s lyrics as we watch the music video to see what kind of message the boys from Europe are imparting with their latest single.

The Video: It can be found online at http://www.vevo.com/watch/one-direction/Live-While-Were-Young/GB1101200812

Song Lyrics:

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 our favorite One Direction song.


2. ASK A FEW: Of all the things in the video that the guys were doing for fun, which would you most like to do? Why?


3. ASK A FEW: We all like to have fun, which seems to be the focus of this music video. What are some ways you and your friends have fun together?


4. ASK A FEW: Do you think some people have fun in irresponsible ways? Can you give a few examples of what that looks like without naming names?


5. ASK A FEW: This may sound like a weird question at first, but I’m gonna ask it anyway. Do you think the song’s LYRICS and the song’s VIDEO are about the same thing? How do you know? (Leaders – This is a key question! The music video seems to be about the guys doing fun stuff like swimming, riding an ATV, playing soccer, etc. But the song’s lyrics seem to be about the guys going out with a girl for a night. Make sure the students understand this point.)


6. ASK A FEW: What evidence do we have from the song’s lyrics that the tune is about more than just having fun with our friends? Are there lines that talk about the guys’ intentions with their girlfriends? (Leaders – Yes, there are several lines that lead listeners to think they’re singing about a physical relationship, for instance, “Let me sneak you out,” “Let’s go crazy till we see the sun,” “Don’t let the pictures leave your phone,” “Let’s pretend it’s love,” and “Tonight let’s get some.”)


7. ASK A FEW: Take a few moments to look back over the lyrics. On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being very irresponsible and 10 being totally responsible, how high do you rank the message in the song’s lyrics?


8. ASK A FEW: Does God have expectations for our fun? If so, what are they?

Read the following passage:

Proverbs 7:6-27 (NLT)

I was looking out the window of my house one day 7 and saw a simpleminded young man who lacked common sense. 8 He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman. He was strolling down the path by her house 9 at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. 10 The woman approached him, dressed seductively and sly of heart. 11 She was the brash, rebellious type who never stays at home. 12 She is often seen in the streets and markets, soliciting at every corner. 13 She threw her arms around him and kissed him, and with a brazen look she said, 14 “I’ve offered my sacrifices and just finished my vows. 15 It’s you I was looking for! I came out to find you, and here you are! 16 My bed is spread with colored sheets of finest linen imported from Egypt. 17 I’ve perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18 Come, let’s drink our fill of love until morning. Let’s enjoy each other’s caresses, 19 for my husband is not home. He’s away on a long trip. 20 He has taken a wallet full of money with him, and he won’t return until later in the month.” 21 So she seduced him with her pretty speech. With her flattery she enticed him. 22 He followed her at once, like an ox going to the slaughter or like a trapped stag, 23 awaiting the arrow that would pierce its heart. He was like a bird flying into a snare, little knowing it would cost him his life. 24 Listen to me, my sons, and pay attention to my words. 25 Don’t let your hearts stray away toward her. Don’t wander down her wayward path. 26 For she has been the ruin of many; numerous men have been her victims. 27 Her house is the road to the grave. Her bedroom is the den of death.



9. ASK A FEW: If you had to sum up this passage in two sentences or less, how would you do it?


10. ASK A FEW: Do you think the man and the woman in this passage were having fun with each other? How do you know? (Leaders – The passage talks about “let’s drink our fill” and “enjoy each other’s caresses.” It sounds like the fun many young people have these days, even though there would be consequences.)


11. ASK A FEW: Do you see any similarity between this passage and One Direction’s song? If so, what are they?


12. ASK A FEW: In what ways did the man and woman in the passage allow their fun to become sinful and irresponsible?


13. ASK A FEW: What were the consequences of this man and woman’s sin?


14. ASK A FEW: When we allow our fun to become sinful and irresponsible, what are some of the consequences we could face?


15. ASK A FEW: What are some ways we can keep our fun from becoming sinful and irresponsible?


16. AROUND THE CIRCLE: In what ways do you need to change the fun you have to make sure you don’t become sinful or irresponsible?

As we close in prayer, think about the ways in which you need to change the kind of fun you have. If you have a habit that you consider fun but is also dangerous or sinful or irresponsible, you might want to talk with one of us before you leave. Just grab one of our adult leaders; they’ll be delighted to help you learn to have fun that won’t backfire on you.

Close in Prayer

Written by David R Smith