Witness

Main Point: We all need friends…but we need good friends. We should surround ourselves with people of commitment and integrity.

The Discussion Starter: Witness
Katy Perry is back. Her fifth album officially dropped in early June, but several songs (including Chained to the Rhythm, Bon Appétit, and Swish Swish) have already been released to mixed reviews.

The album’s title track, Witness, is the latest song to enjoy national attention. The tune is about Perry’s confessed need of finding someone to connect with, someone to do life with. But she doesn’t just want a fair-weather friend; she wants someone who will stick by her when things get rough, too. In some parts of the song, she seems to have high standards for this particular someone, but in other parts of the song, she seems to just be looking for someone convenient.

The song has a ton of clichés in it, which is pretty standard for pop music. It also has some language in it, so make a careful decision about the appropriateness for your group. As of this writing, there isn’t an official music video yet, but there is a lyrics video linked below the song’s lyrics.

Song’s Lyrics:

Transitional Statement:

After listening to Katy sing about her search for a witness, there are definitely aspects of her search that we can identify with, right? She wants someone to go through life with, someone to know her, someone to be known by her, and someone who will be there with her in the good times and the bad. Like Katy, we all need friends. But we shouldn’t settle for low standards when it comes to choosing friends. Instead, we should surround ourselves with people of commitment and integrity. Those kinds of people make the best friends. Let’s talk about this more in our discussion groups.

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 CIRLCE: As we get started, let’s all take a second to share our names and our favorite song right now.
2. ASK A FEW: Can you put this song by Katy Perry in your own words? What was she trying to say?
3. ASK A FEW: It’s pretty clear that she’s looking for a friend. What were some of the requirements she lists in the song for a person to be her “witness”?
4. ASK A FEW: In what ways do you agree with her list of requirements? In what ways do you disagree with her list?
5. ASK A FEW: In your opinion, how important is it to pick the right friends in life?
6. ASK A FEW: Who’s your best friend, and what makes that person your best friend?
7. ASK A FEW: How do you go about choosing friends? What’s your strategy?
8. ASK A FEW: What do you think God would say about choosing friends? What would His standards be for our friends?

Read the following passage:

Proverbs 12:18-26 (NLT)

Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. 19 Truth stands the test of time; lies are soon exposed. 20 Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace! 21 No real harm befalls the godly, but the wicked have their fill of trouble. 22 The LORD hates those who don’t keep their word, but he delights in those who do. 23 Wise people don’t make a show of their knowledge, but fools broadcast their folly. 24 Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave. 25 Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. 26 The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray.

9. ASK A FEW: In this passage, the writer compares two different kinds of people, the righteous (or wise) and the unrighteous (or fools). What are some of the distinctions he makes between the two?
10. ASK A FEW: This is just one passage in the Bible about the kind of relationships we should have and the kind of people we should be; there are others. Why do you think God makes such a big deal about this?
11. ASK A FEW: Without naming any names, compare your friends to this list. How do they stack up?
12. ASK A FEW: Based on this passage, which kind of friend are YOU? What evidence do you have?
13. ASK A FEW: What are some ways to attract truth-telling, commitment-keeping, hard-working, godly friends?
14. ASK A FEW: How would your life be different if you chose friends based off the kind of wisdom found in this Bible passage?
15. AROUND THE CIRCLE: What changes do you need to make in the coming week as it pertains to your friends? Do you need to make some new friends? Cut some “friends”? Be specific.

Wrap Up:
During our time together, we listened to a very popular song by Katy Perry. In Witness, she talked about the kind of person she wants in her life as a friend – a “witness” in her terms. She sang over and over again, “We’re all just looking for connection, Yeah, we all want to be seen, I’m looking for someone who speaks my language, Someone to ride this ride with me.”

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

Now turn the coin over: What does God want to say to you about being a friend right now? How well do you do at being a godly friend?

(Again, just pause and let them contemplate this question.)

That’s the kind of witness, the kind of friend, we want you to have!

Close in Prayer

Written by David R Smith