Music Discussions

Live Like We’re Dying

September 21, 2009

Dynamic Image

(RCA/Jive, 2009)
Main Point: With every passing day, each of us gets closer to death. With that truth in mind, we must make sure that our lives are being lived the way God wants.

The Music Video: Live Like We’re Dying
Last year, Kris Allen joined the short list of musical artists who can rightfully call themselves an American Idol. He not only stole the hearts of millions of young girls, but secured their text-based votes, as well, ending in a surprising victory over chief competitor, Adam Lambert, on FOX’s hit TV show.

Since his triumph on American Idol, Allen has released several songs, all of them attaining a spot on Billboard’s Top 20. Live Like We’re Dying is the latest single, and, as of this writing, is sitting in the #18 position.

The half rock n roll – half folk song is typical of his preferred genre. The song is basically Allen’s way of stirring people to action. His message is simple: life is precious and important, so we must live it as intensely as we can.

The popular song also has a music video that can be purchased from iTunes for $1.99.

Introducing the Song:
Kris Allen was last year’s American Idol, and since capturing that prize, he has released several songs of his own. You’re probably familiar with his latest tune, Live Like We’re Dying. It’s a great song about making sure our lives are being invested in things that matter. He gives some pretty good advice in the song, so let’s take a second to watch his music video so we can discuss it later.

Song Lyrics:

Sometimes we fall down, can't get back up
We're hiding behind skin that's too tough
How come we don't say I love you enough
Till it's too late, it's not too late

Our hearts are hungry for a food that won't come
And we could make a feast from these crumbs
And we're all staring down the barrel of a gun
So if your life flashed before you,
What would you wish you would've done

Yeah, we gotta start
Looking at the hands of the time we've been given
If this is all we got and we gotta start thinking
If every second counts on a clock that's ticking
Gotta live like we're dying

We only got 86,400 seconds in a day to
Turn it all around or to throw it all away
We gotta tell them that we love them
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we're dying

And if your plane fell out of the skies
Who would you call with your last goodbye
Should be so careful who we leave out our lives
So when we long for absolution,
There'll no one on the line, yeah

Yeah, we gotta start
Looking at the hands of the time we've been given
If this is all we got and we gotta start thinking
If every second counts on a clock that's ticking
Gotta live like we're dying

We only got 86,400 seconds in a day to
Turn it all around or to throw it all away
We gotta tell them that we love them
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we're dying

Like we're dying, oh, like we're dying..
We only got 86,400 seconds in a day to
Turn it all around or to throw it all away
We gotta tell them that we love them
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we're dying

You never know a good thing till it's gone
You never see a crash till it's head on
Why do we think we're right when we're dead wrong
You never know a good thing till it's gone

Yeah, we gotta start
Looking at the hands of the time we've been given
If this is all we got and we gotta start thinking
If every second counts on a clock that's ticking
Gotta live like we're dying

We only got 86,400 seconds in a day to
Turn it all around or to throw it all away
We gotta tell them that we love them
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we're dying

Like we're dying, oh, like we're dying..

We only got 86,400 seconds in a day to
Turn it all around or to throw it all away
We gotta tell them that we love them
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we're dying.

Transitional Statement:
Kris’ song is a good reminder for each of us to live our lives as purposefully and as intensely as we can. He says that we are to “live like we’re dying.” But what’s that really look like? Let’s spend a few moments reflecting on the words of a godly man who was actually about to die to see what we can glean from his life concerning how we should live ours.

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: As we begin, let’s all take a second to share our names and how long we think we’ll live.

ASK A FEW: According to the song, Kris says we are to “live like we’re dying.” What does he mean by that?

ASK A FEW: Can you give some examples of what it means to “live like you’re dying”?

ASK A FEW: Do you think most people (in general) live their lives as though they were dying? Why or why not?

ASK A FEW: Do you think most Christians “live like they were dying”? Why or why not?

ASK A FEW: Do you live your life as though you were dying?

Read the following passage:

1When Christ Jesus comes as king, he will be the judge of everyone, whether they are living or dead. So with God and Christ as witnesses, I command you 2to preach God's message. Do it willingly, even if it isn't the popular thing to do. You must correct people and point out their sins. But also cheer them up, and when you instruct them, always be patient. 3The time is coming when people won't listen to good teaching. Instead, they will look for teachers who will please them by telling them only what they are itching to hear. 4They will turn from the truth and eagerly listen to senseless stories. 5But you must stay calm and be willing to suffer. You must work hard to tell the good news and to do your job well.

6Now the time has come for me to die. My life is like a drink offering being poured out on the altar. 7I have fought well. I have finished the race, and I have been faithful. 8So a crown will be given to me for pleasing the Lord. He judges fairly, and on the day of judgment he will give a crown to me and to everyone else who wants him to appear with power.

ASK SOMEONE: According to this passage, what does Paul say is about to happen to him? (Leaders – In verse 6, he says it is time for him to die – that his life is being poured out as an offering to God. By that, he simply means that he strongly believes his time of execution is coming up quickly. Side note: we know that – historically speaking – this was the last letter that Paul wrote that became Scripture. He wrote this from a prison cell, knowing that the death penalty assigned to him was drawing close.)

ASK SOMEONE: Does Paul seem to be woeful and regretful of the life he’s lived or confident and assured of the life he’s lived? How do you know?

ASK SOMEONE: What does Paul say will happen to him after he eventually dies?

ASK A FEW: What are some of the things Paul commands us to do in this passage? (Leaders – He instructs us to preach God’s message, correct people/point out their sins, patiently instruct people, cheer them up, work hard, etc.)

ASK A FEW: How would the lives of those around us change if we lived like this?

ASK A FEW: Wise people say that our lives must “begin with the end in mind.” What do they mean by that?

ASK A FEW: If you were to die right now, would you have regrets or has your life been full and rewarding?

AROUND THE CIRCLE: What changes do you need to make regarding how you live your life so that you’re “living like you’re dying”?

Wrap Up:
Tonight we watched a music video that instructed us to “live like we’re dying.” Not only was it a catchy little tune, but it actually had some good advice for us. We need to live like we’re dying…because we are.

We also got a chance to catch a glimpse of one man who was truly living like he was about to die. Writing from an ancient prison cell, the Apostle Paul gave us instructions on how we should live our lives knowing that the end is coming. He basically tells us to serve God wholeheartedly so that others will know of His love for them.

Hand out note cards and pens and then say:

You know, the temptation for so many of us as young people is to put off living like we’re dying until we actually get old. But that’s wrong. We need to be living like we’re dying, right now! So, for the next few minutes, I want you to reflect on what you want your life to look like at its end. Get a picture of that in your head. Do you want people to say you were kind, smart, giving, holy, loving, or hateful, selfish, reckless, etc? Now, take a moment and write down what you want your life to look like at its end.

After students have written on their cards, encourage them to talk with you about any life changes they need to make so they can live the life they want to live.

Close in Prayer