Playlist | In My Blood

Big Idea:

You discover success in your life by what is happening in you, not what happens to you.

Getting Started:

·      Listen to “In My Blood” by Shawn Mendes for all who did not get to join on Sunday

·      What are your initial thoughts when you hear the words in this song?

·      Are the things he discusses in the song the majority of what people struggle with or a minority of the struggle?

This series is meant to finds truths within songs to live our lives to, not live by the songs we are singing.

Digging In

Shawn Mendes became a successful artist before he turned 18, many Grammy nominees, along with having 3 top 200 albums, all BEFORE releasing this song.

·      First, what is the “Bathroom floor”?

·      How could he achieve all that success and still find himself on the bathroom floor?

·      This is an extremely clear example of success not working out for a songwriter, but it’s more difficult when we look at the life of a 9-5 regular joe/jane. How can we find ourselves lying on the Bathroom floor?

Often, when we find ourself at this place, we reach out for something to ease our pain; Something to get us through the struggle.

o   Shawn said “Just have a drink and you’ll feel better, Just take her home and you’ll feel better. Keep telling me that it gets better, does it ever?”

·      How do we supplement our pain?

·      What does that supplement do for us while we’re in a place of pain, confusion, or regret?

“medicating symptoms can keep you from the cure”

·      If you were to break something on your body, say your wrist, how much good would ice do for it? What about a tylenol or oxycodone?

·      These things will absolutely subside the pain, for a moment, but they wont fix what’s actually wrong.

·      In terms of those times we find ourselves lying on the bathroom floor, it’s vital to know what the actual cure is. Discuss with the group what that could be.

On Sunday, the pastor spoke about what we perceive to be the cure. What is that? Success

·      Why is that only a perception of the cure?

Read Philippians 1:14-16

At a point where he was literally chained, the apostle Paul saw it as a moment to grow his confidence in God and a place to defend the good news.

·      How did Paul find contentment in his heart while his hands were in chains?

·      How can we, like Paul, keep our focus on proclaiming the Gospel as opposed to trying to fixing our situation?

·      How will your purpose redirect your circumstances?

Next Step

There is a joy that the world cannot offer and the world cannot take away. This is only a Joy that comes from God. The way that you remain in that source of joy of to stay close to the one who offers it. Every day for the next week read James 1:2-4 and consider what it requires to have that kind of joy.