Music Discussions

Whatever It Takes

July 31, 2018

Dynamic Image Main Point: What are the things you are willing to push your limits to achieve? We push our limits sometimes to get in shape or to achieve a certain skill or have success in a sport. What is the thing that you were put here on this earth to achieve? What has God given you a passion for that you would do whatever it takes to achieve?

The Music Video: Imagine Dragons – Whatever it Takes

Imagine Dragons started climbing the charts in 2013 and have shown no signs of slowing down. Hailing from Las Vegas, they released their third studio album entitled Evolve in June of 2017. “Whatever it Takes” is the third Imagine Dragons song to top both the Alternative Songs and Adult Pop Songs charts. The spiritual themes in their music are influenced by the Mormon faith of front man Dan Reynolds. This popular upbeat song has been used both by the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) and the video game Madden NFL 18.

PASS OUT TO EVERY STUDENT

Song Lyrics:

Falling too fast to prepare for this
Tripping in the world could be dangerous
Everybody circling, it’s vulturous
Negative, nepotist
Everybody waiting for the fall of man
Everybody praying for the end of times
Everybody hoping they could be the one
I was born to run, I was born for this

Whip, whip
Run me like a racehorse
Pull me like a ripcord
Break me down and build me up
I wanna be the slip, slip
Word upon your lip, lip
Letter that you rip, rip
Break me down and build me up

Whatever it takes
‘Cause I love the adrenaline in my veins
I do whatever it takes
‘Cause I love how it feels when I break the chains
Whatever it takes
You take me to the top I’m ready for
Whatever it takes
‘Cause I love the adrenaline in my veins
I do what it takes

Always had a fear of being typical
Looking at my body feeling miserable
Always hanging on to the visual
I wanna be invisible

Looking at my years like a martyrdom
Everybody needs to be a part of ’em
Never be enough, I’m the prodigal son
I was born to run, I was born for this

Whip, whip
Run me like a racehorse
Pull me like a ripcord
Break me down and build me up
I wanna be the slip, slip
Word upon your lip, lip
Letter that you rip, rip
Break me down and build me up

Whatever it takes
‘Cause I love the adrenaline in my veins
I do whatever it takes
‘Cause I love how it feels when I break the chains
Whatever it takes
You take me to the top, I’m ready for
Whatever it takes
‘Cause I love the adrenaline in my veins
I do what it takes

Hypocritical, egotistical
Don’t wanna be the parenthetical, hypothetical
Working onto something that I’m proud of, out of the box
An epoxy to the world and the vision we’ve lost
I’m an apostrophe
I’m just a symbol to remind you that there’s more to see
I’m just a product of the system, a catastrophe
And yet a masterpiece, and yet I’m half-diseased
And when I am deceased
At least I go down to the grave and die happily
Leave the body and my soul to be a part of thee
I do what it takes

The Music Video: The music video can be viewed for free at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOsM-DYAEhY

Transitional Statement:
Lead singer Dan Reynolds has said this song is about overcoming his own self-confidence issues he has dealt with since he was a child. He says, “since I was young…I was taught that you could do whatever you could dream of, you just had to work harder than everybody else and you had to never give up. It’s a cliché, but there’s a reason it’s a cliché.” The question for you today is, “what has God given you a passion for that you would do whatever it takes to achieve?”

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: When you listen to this song, what are some feelings that you experience?

1. ASK A FEW: What is the hardest you have worked for something? Tell us what you did, and how it worked out.

1. ASK A FEW: What is something you love doing that the people in this circle don’t know about?

1. ASK A FEW: Think about how God has wired you. Maybe you’re an introvert, maybe you’re super outgoing. Perhaps you are really organized, or maybe you are a dreamer. Why do you think God specifically wired you the way you are?

1. ASK A FEW: What is something you have done in your life that will matter a hundred years from now? In other words, what is something you have done that will outlast you?

1. ASK A FEW: When Imagine Dragons sings, “I love how it feels when I break the chains,” what do you think that means?

Read the following passage:

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.

1. ASK A FEW: What does it look like to work at something with all your heart?

1. ASK A FEW: What do you think the difference is between working at something for the Lord and working at something for others?

1. ASK A FEW: When the Bible says “whatever you do” do you think this is literal, or are their exceptions to what you are called to do for the Lord?

1. ASK A FEW: If you lived out this verse, how would that impact how you pursue the thing or things God has wired you for?

1. AROUND THE CIRCLE: Dream a little. If you could do anything for God, and resources were not an issue, what would you do?

AROUND THE CIRCLE: How would your life look different if you adopted a “whatever it takes” attitude when it comes to the things God has wired you for?

Wrap Up:
During this time, we watched the Imagine Dragons video “Whatever it Takes.” Ephesians 2:10 says, “we are God’s handiwork, created in Jesus to do good works.” As you consider this verse and the things we have already discussed, what do you think God is calling you to do in response?

(Pause and give them a moment to consider this question.)

You can be confident that life is going to get in the way of our efforts to do whatever it takes. We are going to fail, fight discouragement, and question if it’s even worth it. What are some things that you know you will have to fight against as you strive to do whatever it takes for Jesus?

(Pause and give them a moment to consider this question.)

During this song, Reynolds sings “I was born for this…Working onto something that I’m proud of.” Jesus says He has “come that you might have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). As you take steps forward in response to this discussion, remember that God is for you. He created you to do great things, to have abundant life. You have everything you need to do the things God has called you to. It’s up to you to step out in faith, trusting Him one step at a time. Close out this time by praying for each other as you strive to do whatever it takes for Jesus.

CLOSE IN PRAYER

Written by Rob Chagdes