Some Nights

Main Point: Life has many parts that leave us confused and unsure, but God gives us His Son to offer us confidence and sure hope.

The Music Video: Some Nights by fun.
Some Nights is the latest single out by the trio known as “fun.” It’s currently in the #4 position on Billboard’s Hot 100 and #5 on iTunes Top Singles. It’s getting plenty of play time on radio stations and even movie trailers, so there’s little doubt it’s getting plenty of play time on teenagers’ playlists, as well.

The song is about the casualty and tragedy of war, and the confusion it causes the lead singer. (Check out this Youth Culture Window article for even more background on the song and the band itself.) However, as you’ll quickly see, the song sets up a great discussion on all the other points of life that cause us confusion and doubt. Ultimately, students will discover that, even in the midst of confusion, God wants to offer us confidence and assurance through His Son, Jesus.

NOTE: This song has a couple of expletives in it, including the F – bomb. Most students probably won’t even notice it, because it’s not of the gratuitous nature, and many others won’t even catch it. But you should be warned that raw language is a part of this song. You have several options: you can mute the song during that one line, or you can edit the video altogether if you have the software and capabilities.

Introducing the Song:
I know that most of you – if not all of you – have heard the new song by fun. called Some Nights. It’s got a really catchy tune, powerful vocals, and a make-you-think message. It’s also got a pretty gripping music video that I want to show you now. As I pass out the song’s lyrics, take a look at the dilemma the lead singer finds himself in because of the war he’s fighting. He makes a big confession – several times, in fact – during the song.

Some Nights
The music video can be found online here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQkBeOisNM0

(Here are a copy of the lyrics for you to pass out if you deem it necessary.)

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, take a second to share your names and whether you’ve heard this song before.


2. ASK A FEW: What do you think the ultimate message of this song is? Why? (Leaders – The song is probably about the tragedy and casualty of war. In the re-creation of the Civil War, the band’s lead singer ends up killing the father of the girl he’s in love with…which probably could have happened a time or two in the awful war fought between family members 150 years ago. Also, he actually says, “This is it boys; this is war,” plus he references missing his family and dying.)


3. ASK A FEW: He asks this question several times: “Who am I?” Why do you think he struggles so much with his identity?


4. ASK A FEW: Are there some things in life that we do (or are done to us) that can cause us to lose or forget our identity? If so, name a few.


5. ASK A FEW: Also, he repeats this line: “I’m not sure what I stand for.” Why do you think that’s the case?


6. ASK A FEW: In the song, he’s saying he’s not sure where he stands on the issue of war and killing and death and sacrifice. What are some things that you aren’t sure about in our world today?


7. ASK A FEW: Let me read this lyric to you again: “So this is it? I sold my soul for this? Washed my hands of that for this? I miss my mom and dad for this?” Does this line make you think he’s chosen well or poorly? Why?

Read the following passage:

Hebrews 10:10-25 (NLT)

And what God wants is for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time. 11 Under the old covenant, the priest stands before the altar day after day, offering sacrifices that can never take away sins. 12 But our High Priest offered himself to God as one sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down at the place of highest honor at God’s right hand. 13 There he waits until his enemies are humbled as a footstool under his feet. 14 For by that one offering he perfected forever all those whom he is making holy. 15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. First he says, 16 “This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts so they will understand them, and I will write them on their minds so they will obey them.” 17 Then he adds, “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.” 18 Now when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices. 19 And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 20 This is the new, life-giving way that Christ has opened up for us through the sacred curtain, by means of his death for us. 21 And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s people, 22 let us go right into the presence of God, with true hearts fully trusting him. For our evil consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. 23 Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.



8. ASK A FEW: According to verse 10, what is it that God wants for us? Why is that so important?


9. ASK A FEW: In the Old Testament, people “covered” their sins by offering animal sacrifices to God (which is talked about in this passage). But can somebody explain to me how God has “removed” our sin in the New Testament (which this passage also talks about)? (Leaders – Obviously, you’re looking for something along the lines of us putting our faith and trust in Jesus’s death on the cross, and His resurrection from the grave. It may be worded differently, but that’s the Gospel message.)


10. ASK A FEW: We know that the singer of Some Nights was clearly unsure about what he stood for in life. Be honest; are you unsure about what/who you stand for in life?


11. ASK A FEW: Based on this passage – specifically verses 21-23 – what do you think God would say to the singer of the song?


12. ASK A FEW: What does this passage tell YOU about YOUR doubts, fears, and confusion?


13. ASK A FEW: What is the reason the Bible gives for telling us to hold tightly to our faith without wavering? (Leaders – The answer is found at the end of verse 23.)
    
14. ASK A FEW: What does God want us to do with our doubt and confusion?


15. ASK A FEW: What are some ways, according to verses 24 and 25, that we can help each other have confidence in Jesus?


16. AROUND THE CIRCLE: How will this passage affect your doubts and fears this week?

Think about those two questions for a moment. The answers to those two questions aren’t necessarily simple. But more importantly, do you see how the answer to the first question Who am I? impacts the answer to the second question, What do I stand for? That can be good or bad, but that’s just life.

You need to have an answer to both questions. If you don’t have those two questions answered, let me give you the ONLY right answers to those two questions.

Who am I? God wants you to be His son or daughter. In other words, Who am I? becomes Whose am I? The only way for that to happen is for you to put your hope and trust and faith in His Son Jesus. As we’ve already talked about, God sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. He was buried, but three days later, He was raised from the dead proving that He has power over everything, including death. Now that we know who we are in God, let’s talk about that second question.

What do I stand for? In the song, the singer answers his own question by saying, “Most nights I don’t know anymore.” But that doesn’t have to be you! I’d say that the best thing to stand for is what God stands for. He stands for love, hope, sacrifice, and truth, so I would encourage you to take a stand for those things, as well.

If you want to talk some more about who you are and what you stand for, then hang around a bit after we close in prayer. Nothing would make our adult leaders happier than helping you find the answers to these two questions.

Close in Prayer

Written by David R Smith