Music Discussions

Timber

October 7, 2013

Dynamic Image Main Point of Discussion: Our culture shamelessly promotes a distorted view of sex, but as Christians we are called to avoid immorality and follow God’s guidelines in this critical area.

The Song: Timber
Pitbull is truly an American success story. Whether you love him or despise him, rising from the status of a forgettable MC in Miami to a worldwide sensation is no easy task. In 2011, Pitbull was listed in GQ Magazine’s top “25 Least Influential People Alive.” Now, his songs and videos have been downloaded and viewed by the millions. You’ll hear him in malls, school quads, and even during Zumba at the gym. Because of the song’s popularity, students need to take a serious look at its message.

Timber is Mr. Worldwide’s collaborative effort with Ke$ha that is an interesting country/pop/rap mash-up that preaches a not-so-subtle message about gratuitous sex. The video features Ke$ha being…well, Ke$ha…and Pitbull line dancing on a beach???

Yep, you read that correctly.

The song is currently in the #2 position on Billboard’s Hot 100 and is holding steady. The music video has been seen many millions of times. Timber is huge. Take the time to discuss it thoroughly so that your students don’t fall for its message.

Introducing the Song:
Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. Eventually, somebody was going to mix rap music with pop music with country music. Pitbull was the first human to do so. If you haven’t already guessed it by now, we’re going to be taking an in-depth look at the worldview behind the hit song “Timber” by Pitbull and Ke$ha, a tune that we’ve all heard by now. Take a listen and get ready to talk about it in a moment.

Song Lyrics: Timber

It’s going down, I’m yelling timber
You better move, you better dance
Let’s make a night you won’t remember
I’ll be the one you won’t forget

The bigger they are, the harder they fall
These big-iddy boys are dig-gidy dogs
I have ’em like Miley Cyrus, clothes off
Twerking in their bras and thongs, timber
Face down, booty up, timber
That’s the way we like to. What? Timber
I’m slicker than an oil spill
She say she won’t, but I bet she will, timber

Swing your partner round and round
End of the night, it’s going down
One more shot, another round
End of the night, it’s going down
Swing your partner round and round
End of the night, it’s going down
One more shot, another round
End of the night, it’s going down

It’s going down, I’m yelling timber
You better move, you better dance
Let’s make a night you won’t remember
I’ll be the one you won’t forget

It’s going down (it’s going down), I’m yelling timber
You better move (you better move), you better dance (you better dance)
Let’s make a night you won’t remember
I’ll be the one you won’t forget (you won’t forget)

Look up in the sky, it’s a bird, it’s a plane
Nah, it’s just me, ain’t a damn thing changed
Live in hotels, swing on planes
Blessed to say, money ain’t a thing
Club jumping like LeBron now, Volí
Order me another round, homie
We about to clown. Why? ‘Cause it’s about to go down

Swing your partner round and round
End of the night, it’s going down
One more shot, another round
End of the night, it’s going down
Swing your partner round and round
End of the night, it’s going down
One more shot, another round
End of the night, it’s going down

It’s going down, I’m yelling timber
You better move, you better dance
Let’s make a night you won’t remember
I’ll be the one you won’t forget

It’s going down, I’m yelling timber
You better move, you better dance
Let’s make a night you won’t remember
I’ll be the one you won’t forget

The Music Video:
You can find the song’s video at the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHUbLv4ThOo

Transitional Statement:
Timber is Pitbull’s attempt at a hoedown…a hoedown with a hip hop influence, that is. But this hoedown that Pitbull sings about is one that is quite contrary to the message that God has about sex and relationships in His Word. Over and over again, Pitbull talks about taking a girl further than she wants to go. It’s a message that fits in well with our culture, mainly because our culture shamelessly promotes a distorted view of sex. As Christians, we are called to avoid sexual immorality and follow God’s guidelines in this critical area. Let’s talk about that for a few minutes so we can make a game plan for getting there.

Divide into Small Groups:
Let’s go ahead and split into our discussion groups, and then afterward we’ll come 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 dive in, everybody tell us your name and if you were to get a tattoo, what would it say and what would the graphic be?

ASK A FEW: When it comes to songs like Timber, do you think most people really think through the message of the lyrics, or do they just focus on the music/beat/sound?

ASK A FEW: How greatly does sexually explicit music impact people’s sexual activities? In other words, do you think that racy music can cause people to act in a racy or risqué way? Why or why not?

AROUND THE CIRCLE: What three words would you use to describe what Christians believe about sex?

ASK A FEW: What is the biblical view of sex?

ASK A FEW: Do you think that the biblical view of sex is outdated and possibly even repressive? Why or why not?

ASK A FEW: Timber is obviously sending the message that casual sex is no big deal. How would you respond to that?

Introducing the passage:

Before you read the passage, it might be helpful to explain how the Bible defines ‘sexual sin’, which is any sexual act outside the context of a committed, one man-one woman, marriage.

Read the following passage:

Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

ASK A FEW: Why does Paul counsel us to “run” from sexual sin rather than fight it?

ASK A FEW: In what ways does sexual sin affect us that other sins do not?

ASK A FEW: If a person is not a believer and therefore isn’t a “temple” for the Holy Spirit, does this passage still apply to them? Why or why not?

ASK A FEW: How is casual sex like Timber devastating in the long run?

ASK A FEW: How can a “night we won’t remember” end up giving us consequences we won’t forget?

ASK A FEW: How great is the pressure to live your life like the message in the song Timber? How many of your friends do it?
ASK A FEW: What are some ways you can avoid falling for the message of Timber? In other words, what does your life need to look like so you don’t look like a fool when it comes to sex?

ASK A FEW: What is the best reason you could give for following God’s design for sex?

AROUND THE CIRCLE: What is one thing that needs to change about your life, right now, so you avoid making sexual mistakes that lead to lifelong regret?

Wrap Up:
The Bible is clear regarding sexual sin and the way it uniquely and devastatingly impacts our lives, yet our culture continues to applaud and idolize people who celebrate the breaking of God’s design.

As followers of Jesus, it is critical that we balance upholding God’s design for sex with a non-judgmental attitude towards people who emulate Pitbull and others who preach a very different message. As well, talking to people about how God’s design for sex actually provides the true path to enjoyment is something that God might be calling us to.

Finally, we need to think of specific strategies that will help us “run” from sexual sin. I encourage you to get with a youth leader or trusted adult THIS WEEK and prayerfully consider how you can navigate your teenage years through a sex-obsessed Timber culture. There are lots of mistakes out there; there are lots of landmines out there. God’s Word has given you a path through all of the dangers. It’s up to you to follow His directions.

If you don’t, you will fall like Timber.

Close in Prayer

Written by Lane Palmer