Whiskey Glasses

Whiskey Glasses – Morgan Wallen

Main Point: When life goes wrong, it’s very tempting to turn to alcohol…but we should turn to God instead. Alcohol only causes more problems while God’s love can actually change our lives for the good.

About the Artist:
Morgan Wallen was born in Tennessee, the son of a Baptist pastor. Growing up, he played baseball and even won a scholarship to play in college, but chose to pursue music instead. That decision looks to be a good one so far. Wallen is as talented in the studio as he was on the field; he plays the piano, violin, and guitar.

Others have recognized his musical abilities. Usher and Adam Levine both picked him for their teams on Season 6 of The Voice. Those two weren’t the last to want Wallen associated with them. After signing with a record label, Wallen has collaborated with some of the biggest names in country music, for instance, Florida Georgia Line, and has gone on tour with them, as well.

Wallen’s debut single, The Way I Talk, has garnered almost 40 million views on YouTube to date and secured his name among some of the hottest in contemporary country music. Whiskey Glasses is proving to be another strong performer for Wallen and is currently in the #4 spot on Billboard’s Country Music Chart.

Speaking of whiskey, alcohol is a consistent theme in his music and an ever-present visual in his videos.

Song Lyrics – Whiskey Glasses

Pour me, pour me another drink
‘Cause I don’t wanna feel a thing
No more, hell no
I just want to sip ’til the pain wears off
Pour me, pour me another round
Line ’em up and knock ’em down
Two more, let’s go
‘Cause I ain’t ever hurt like this before
Don’t wanna think about her
Wear a ring without her
Don’t wanna hit the karaoke bar
Can’t sing without her
So make them drinks strong
‘Cause, brother, she’s gone
And if I’m ever gonna move on

I’ma need some whiskey glasses
‘Cause I don’t wanna see the truth
She’s probably making out on the couch right now
With someone new
Yeah, I’ma need some whiskey glasses
If I’m gonna make it through
If I’ma be single
I’ma need a double shot of that heartbreak proof
And see the world through whiskey glasses
See the world through whiskey glasses

Last call
I swear this will be my last call
I ain’t drunk dialing no more at 3am
Mr. Bartender, hit me again

Don’t wanna think about her
Wear a ring without her
Don’t wanna hit the karaoke bar
Can’t sing without her
So make them drinks strong
‘Cause, brother, she’s gone
And if I’m ever gonna move on

I’ma need some whiskey glasses
‘Cause I don’t wanna see the truth
She’s probably making out on the couch right now
With someone new
Yeah, I’ma need some whiskey glasses
If I’m gonna make it through
If I’ma be single
I’ma need double shot of that heartbreak proof
And see the world through whiskey glasses
See the world through whiskey glasses, yeah

 Line ’em up, Line ’em up, Line ’em up, Line ’em up
Knock ’em back, Knock ’em back, Knock ’em back, Knock ’em back
Fill ’em up, Fill ’em up, Fill ’em up, Fill ’em up
‘Cause if she ain’t ever coming back

Line ’em up, Line ’em up, Line ’em up, Line ’em up
Knock ’em back, Knock ’em back, Knock ’em back, Knock ’em back
Fill ’em up, Fill ’em up, Fill ’em up, Fill ’em up
‘Cause if she ain’t ever coming back

I’ma need some whiskey glasses
‘Cause I don’t wanna see the truth
She’s probably making out on the couch right now
With someone new
Yeah, I’ma need some whiskey glasses
If I’m gonna make it through
If I’ma be single
I’ma need double shot of that heartbreak proof
And see the world through whiskey glasses
See the world through whiskey glasses, yeah
See the world through whiskey glasses, yeah

Introducing the Song – You Say This: I want to show you a music video that’s currently sitting near the top of the country music charts. Written and performed by Morgan Wallen, “Whiskey Glasses” is a song about the singer’s plan to get through his most recent breakup. Hint: it involves lots and lots of whiskey. As we listen to the song and watch the music video, pay close attention to his relationship with alcohol.

The Music Video: The music video can be viewed for free at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjBp30kjzTc

Hand out Lyrics and Play Song.

Transition Statement – You Say This: So, we find out at the beginning of the song that the singer and his significant other have just experienced a break up. He’s clearly upset about the loss of the relationship…and his only plan for dealing with the grief is getting drunk on whiskey down at the bar. Most of us can sympathize with the singer because we’ve gone through tough times, as well. But alcohol is never the answer for our struggles. Sure, it can be very tempting to turn to alcohol when life goes wrong, but the best move we can make is to turn to God instead. Alcohol only causes more problems while God’s love can actually change our lives for the good.

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, let’s all take a second to share our names and our favorite genre of music.
2. ASK A FEW: How would you summarize the message in Morgan Wallen’s song Whiskey Glasses?
3. ASK A FEW: In the opening verse of the song, he says, “I just want to sip ‘til the pain wears off.” Obviously, he’s talking about trying to drown his sorrows in whiskey. Is that a good strategy or not…and how do you know? (Leaders – Of course not! The best he can hope for is temporary relief from his grief. When he sobers up, he’s still going to be in the exact same predicament he was before he got drunk.)
4. ASK A FEW: In the chorus of the song, Wallen kept repeating this line: “I don’t wanna see the truth.” What do you think he’s referring to…and why in the world wouldn’t he want to know the truth?
5. ASK A FEW: When life gets hard, or something goes wrong, how do you usually react?
6. ASK A FEW: What does the Bible suggest we do when life gets difficult?

Read the following passage:

Ephesians 5:15-18 (NLT)

So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise.  16 Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days.  17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do.  18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. 

7. ASK SOMEONE: Just so we’re all on the same page, what was King Nebuchadnezzar’s rule about the statue…and what was the punishment for breaking that rule?

8. ASK A FEW: What do you think it would have been like to be in Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s position?

9. ASK A FEW: What was Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s response to King Nebuchadnezzar?

10. ASK A FEW: Clearly Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were demonstrating incredible faith in their statement of defiance to King Nebuchadnezzar. What does God often do when we display great faith in Him? Why?

11. ASK A FEW: There is certainly some wisdom packed into those few verses. What would our lives look like if we were to obey each of those points?

Read the following passage:
You say this – Interestingly, Paul tells us exactly what will happen if we obey this teaching. Take a listen as we read the next three verses in this same chapter!

Ephesians 5:19-21 (NLT)

Then you will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to the Lord in your hearts.  20 And you will always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  21 And further, you will submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 

12. ASK A FEW: Of each of these benefits, which is the most important to you and why?

13. ASK A FEW: Paul says that if we are filled with the Holy Spirit instead of alcohol or drugs or any other controlled substance, we will be able to “always give thanks for everything.” Are you able to give thanks for everything, the good and the bad? If so, how? If not, why not?

14. ASK A FEW: Let’s say you were in the exact same situation as the singer: your significant other broke up with you. If you turn to alcohol – which lots of teens would – you know you’ll just get wasted, lose money, and still have to confront the problem when the alcohol wears off. But if you turn to God in prayer, what might He do?

15. AROUND THE CIRCLE: Are you facing a problem in life right now that’s tempting you to lose control to alcohol or drugs?

16. AROUND THE CIRCLE: What can you do this week to make sure you turn to God instead of alcohol or drugs?

Wrap Up – You Say This: During our time together, we watched a music video about a guy who thought he could drink his problems away. Though the song never says what happened when he got to the bar that night, we all know how alcohol works. It dulls our senses. It costs us money. It can make us drunk. And in the end, we still have to face the exact same problem the next day when we sober up. 

Of course, we have less brain cells and less money by then…. 

Meanwhile, the Apostle Paul offers a completely different strategy. He says we should turn to God, allow the Holy Spirit to fill us, and seek His will and His outcome to the problems we’re facing. Only then will we be able to have such a strong walk with God that we can give thanks to Him in the good times and the bad times.   

So the choice is ours. How we choose to handle the tough times in life is completely up to us. We can try to bury our problems in alcohol or drugs or porn or some other addiction…or we can turn to God and learn to trust Him. I don’t know what God might choose to do so I don’t necessarily know how every one of your stories will end. However, I do know what will happen if you turn to alcohol or drugs. You’ll only regret it the next day…and you’ll still be looking for a solution for your problems. 

I’m going to close in prayer in a moment, but before I do, I want to extend to you an offer to speak with one of our adult leaders if you’re facing a tough time right now. You may have walked in here battling something or someone really big, but you don’t have to do that alone. We are here to help because we love you. So if we can walk with you and God through something to help you out, that’s exactly what we want to do. Just let one of us know you’d like some help before you leave.

Close in Prayer 

Written by David R Smith