Music Discussions

Survival

June 27, 2012

Main Point of Discussion: Just like Olympic competitors, Christians are also competing. But the race we are running is far more important than any competition that happens every four years.

Discussion Starter: Survival by Muse
In 2011, Matthew Bellamy, of the English alternative rock band Muse, was asked to compose a song for the London 2012 Olympics. Survival is that song. The track is the first single from the band’s sixth studio album, The Second Law. It was announced in June that Survival would serve as the official song for the London Olympics and was released following its premiere on BBC Radio 1. The song, according to Bellamy, “expresses a sense of conviction and determination to win.”

Take a listen and see if you agree.

Survival

Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah…
Race, life’s a race
And I’m gonna win
Yes, I’m gonna win

And I’ll light the fuse
And I’ll never lose
And I choose to survive
Whatever it takes
You won’t pull ahead
I’ll pick up the pace
And I’ll reveal my strength
To the whole human race
Yes, I am prepared
To stay alive
And I won’t forgive
The vengeance is mine
And I won’t give in
‘Cause I choose to strive
That I’m gonna wiiiiiiiiiiiiiin!

Race, it’s a race
And I’m gonna win
Yes, I’m gonna win
And I’ll light the fuse
And I’ll never lose
And I choose to survive
Whatever it takes
You won’t pull ahead
‘Cause I’ll pick up the pace
And reveal my strength
To the whole human race
Yes, I am prepared
Yes, I’m gonna wiiiiiiiiin!
Fight, fight, fight
Yes, I’m gonna wiiiiiiiiiiiiin!

The Music Video:
The clip can be viewed on YouTube for free by clicking on the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66molzUEkWI&feature=player_embedded

Transition Statement:
Every four years, the Olympics bring us the best the world has to offer in the way of sports, athleticism, and competition. Thousands of athletes from hundreds of countries compete for the coveted spot of being allowed to represent their nation at the Games. They strive to be the best in their event, for the sake of winning a gold medal. Just like Olympic competitors, Christians are also competing. But the race we are running is far more important than any competition that happens every four years. Let’s take a look at some Scripture that deals with this truth so we can make sure we are training in accordance with the task.

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 get started, let’s share our names and our favorite Olympic Sport.

ASK A FEW: In a race what is the athlete’s goal?

ASK A FEW: The song’s lyrics say, “And I won’t forgive, The vengeance is mine, And I won’t give in ‘Cause I choose to strive.” Does that accurately describe the spirit of the Olympiads? Why or why not?

ASK A FEW: The song also talks about being prepared to win. How would you describe the preparation an Olympic athlete goes through?

ASK A FEW: What is the goal in life for a Christian?

Read the following passage:

24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.

ASK A FEW: What kinds of races is Paul talking about in this passage?

ASK A FEW: Paul labeled the prize an earthly athlete wins as “temporary”; by the way, in the Olympics that temporary prize is a GOLD MEDAL!!! But then he talks about an eternal prize that he is competing for. What is the eternal prize he’s talking about?

ASK A FEW: In what ways and to what degrees should a Christian prepare/train to accomplish that goal? Be specific.

ASK A FEW: In the Olympics, athletes try to stand out in events like the 100m race, the Pole Vault, the Backstroke, Fencing, Shot Put, Kayaking, and much, much more. What are some “events” that Christians should stand out in, for example, forgiving?

Read the following passage:

14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

ASK A FEW: What does Paul say he’s trying to do in this verse?

ASK A FEW: What good does it do him if he quit the race just steps from the finish line?

ASK A FEW: What is Jesus’ role in our race? (Leaders – He has lots of roles, of course, but in this passage, Paul makes it sound as though He is calling us and urging us on.)

Read the following passage:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God’s throne in heaven. 3 Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don’t become weary and give up.

ASK A FEW: How do each of these three passages related to one another?

ASK A FEW” What are some of the “weights” that can hold us back during our Christian race?

ASK A FEW: Does the writer make it sound as though the race is worth running and winning? How do you know?

AROUND THE CIRCLE: What do you need to do right now that will help you endure in the Christian’s race?

Wrap Up:
The Olympics show us the best of the best, just as Muse’s music video portrayed. Time and time again, there were scenes of triumph and victory. But I want to call to your remembrance some of the depictions of horror and shame it also displayed. For every Olympic athlete, there is either victory or defeat. There is no middle ground.

The same is true for us as Christians. God has called us to “run the race” or “live the life of His Son Jesus” to the best of our ability. Time and again, we saw in Scripture that the early Church Fathers took this calling very seriously. That’s because anything less than pressing toward God’s goal for our lives will deflect us from finishing well.

How are you doing in that race?

Are you still in the starting blocks?
Are you in the heat of the race?
Are you getting tired?
Are you slowing down?
Have you lost sight of the finish line?
Are you about to give up?
Have you already walked off the track?

I know that most of us could use a little encouragement or strength for the race we’re in, so let’s take some time to pray for each other. Let’s share a few prayer requests among groups of 3 or 4 and then pray for one another.

(Leaders – Give them sufficient time to do this.)

Like world-class athletes, let’s find strength, not in ourselves, but in Christ. For we live under the grace of God and must never give up. Let’s run our race until we see Jesus at the finish line, for His glory, not ours.

Close in Prayer.

Written by Paschoal Trentini