Music Discussions

Young Dumb & Broke

February 5, 2018

Main Point:
Often the message teenagers get is if it makes you happy, do it and live young, wild and free. This can lead teens to spend their youth chasing pleasures instead of reaching higher and making their mark for God. Does God expect teenagers to be young, dumb, and broke, or is there something more to live for?

The Music Video: Young Dumb & Broke

Nineteen year old Khalid Robinson burst onto the scene in 2016 with his hit song Location. Reaching the Top 10 on Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart, Location led to his debut studio release American Teen. Released in March of 2017, American Teen debuted at number nine on the Billboard 200. Khalid’s mother served in the military, causing him to move several times as a child, which made touring from city to city an easy transition. He cites his mother, who was a singer in the Army band, as the primary influence on his music career. In 2018, Khalid was nominated in five Grammy categories including Best New Artist.

PASS OUT TO EVERY STUDENT.

Song Lyrics: Young Dumb & Broke

So you’re still thinking of me.
Just like I know you should.
I cannot give you everything, you know I wish I could.

I’m so high at the moment.
I’m so caught up in this.
Yeah, we’re just young, dumb, and broke.
But we still got love to give.

[Chorus]
While we’re young dumb, young, young dumb and broke,
Young dumb, young, young dumb and broke.
Young dumb, young dumb?
Young, young dumb and broke
Young dumb broke high school kids
Young dumb broke high school kids

[Verse 2]
We have so much in common.
We argue all the time.
You always say I’m wrong.?
I’m pretty sure I’m right.
What’s fun about commitment??
When we have our life to live.
Yeah, we’re just young dumb and broke.
But we still got love to give.

[Chorus]
While we’re young dumb
Young, young dumb and broke
Young dumb
Young, young dumb and broke
Young dumb
Young, young dumb and broke
Young dumb broke high school kids

Young dumb broke high school kids

[Bridge]
Jump and we think – do it all in the name of love
Love
Run into sin, do it all in the name of fun
Fun
Whoa-oa-oa

I’m so high at the moment?I’m so caught up in this
Yeah, we’re just young, dumb and broke
But we still got love to give

[Chorus]
While we’re young dumb
Young, young dumb and broke
Young dumb
Young, young dumb and broke
Young dumb
Young dumb
Young, young dumb and broke
Young dumb broke high school kids
Young dumb broke high school kids

The Music Video: The music video can be viewed for free at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPfJnp1guPc

Transitional Statement:
Khalid is a young man who has just finished his high school years, giving him relatability in the things he sings about. He sings with confidence throughout this song, saying things such as, “so you’re still thinking of me, just like I know you should” and “You always say I’m wrong, I’m pretty sure I’m right.” The tune is catchy, and the lyrics are pointed, but are the things he sings about true? Are the teenage years about carefree living and just “giving love” as Khalid says? Or is there something more?

Let’s talk about this a bit and then look and see what God’s Word says on the subject.

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: Khalid’s mom was in the Army for many years. If you were going to be in the military, which branch would you choose and why?

ASK A FEW: How do you feel about the phrase “young dumb and broke high school kids?” Is it relatable? Offensive? Humorous? Explain.

ASK A FEW: Khalid is singing this song to a girl (or girls). What do you think his message is toward this girl (or girls)?

ASK A FEW: Why do you think teenagers will relate to this song?

ASK A FEW: What does the phrase “run into sin, do it all in the name of fun” mean? Why do you think it’s easy for teenagers to live that way?

ASK A FEW: What are three words other than young, dumb, and broke that you would use to describe how you see teenagers?

Read the following passages:

Ecclesiastes 12:1
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them.

Ephesians 5:15
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise

ASK A FEW: What does Ecclesiastes 12:1 say we should do in our youth? Why?

ASK A FEW: What do you suppose it looks like in your life to remember your Creator in the days of your youth?

ASK A FEW: What do you think wisdom means? Why is it important?

ASK A FEW: How can you increase wisdom in your life at a young age?

ASK A FEW: Would you say you live in a way that would be considered careful and wise? Why or why not?

AROUND THE CIRCLE: If God is inviting you to a better way to live, what would keep you from choosing His way instead of living the life Khalid sings about?

Wrap Up:
During this time, we listened to Khalid’s R&B song “Young Dumb & Broke.” We heard him sing about making choices with minimal concern for consequences because that’s just part of being young.

Jump and we think – do it all in the name of love
Love
Run into sin, do it all in the name of fun
Fun

Khalid isn’t trying to convince people to live this way. He just assumes this is how teenagers will live. It seems right to him. Proverbs 14:12 says;

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death

The word translated death can also mean destruction. There is a way that will seem right, but in the end it won’t take you where you want to go. Can you think of something in your life that has seemed right, but ultimately didn’t end up taking you where you thought it would?

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

Is it possible that God loves you so much that He wants to not only save you from making regrettable choices in your youth, but wants to shape you into something greater? Is it possible that God is inviting you to use your youth for something beyond just chasing what feels good for a moment?

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

It is easy to hear catchy fun songs like Young Dumb & Broke and allow the sense of relatability to keep us from engaging further with the message. The irony here is this song was written by a guy who is young, but clearly not dumb or broke! Hopefully during this time, you have been able to think through what is being communicated in this song and considered if you believe it represents your generation, or if there is something more to strive toward. The truth is God never puts limits on age when it comes to making your mark for Him. He calls young people to remember Him in their youth and live carefully with wisdom because He knows there are things that will easily distract from living the life He has created you for. When God says don’t, He means don’t hurt yourself. There are things that seem harmless, but in the end lead you to a place God never wanted you to go. Let His love guide you toward a higher way to live. Let your youth be spent pursuing the One who made you, loves you, and wants you to be involved in His work. Make your mark for God now!

CLOSE IN PRAYER

Written by Rob Chagdes