Before the Session

Facilitator: In advance of the session

• Have the Bible Background Video ready to view.
• Review today’s scripture text and the session activities to help better facilitate the discussion.
• Encourage your group to listen to the Faithelement podcast ahead of the next session (Share the link via email or social media)

Context (From the Media Session Page)

Play the Glee video clip and ask:

• What are some crazy things you have done in the name of love?”
• What is your favorite silly love song and why?
• Why do you think we enjoy silly loves songs (well most of us)?
• What is wrong with filling the world with silly love songs?
• Why do you think it is sometimes so hard to talk about love?

Content (From the Current Session Page)

Read Psalm 91, then watch the Bible Background Video.

Ask questions like these:

• What do you think the relationship is like between the “beloved” and God in this verse?
• Nikki talked about orienting our lives in a particular way. In what ways does this compare to your understanding of living a life of love for God?
• Nikki talks about how too many love songs talk about undying love, but love is often more complicated than that. In what way do ideas like “protect” and “support” define love as you understand it and why?

Closure (from the Mind Session page)

Continue by asking:

• Nikki mentioned “lawnmower” and “helicopter” parenting. Where have you seen this kind of parenting before?
• In what ways are these parenting styles beneficial or harmful to a child?
• How can loving and supportive parents help their children learn to face life’s challenges?
• In what ways have you experienced God’s protection in the past?
• When have you experienced God’s presence as you still experienced hard times?
• If you could create your own “silly love song” that expressed your hope for God’s protection or for a changed world, what would it say?
• How do we help people become more aware of God’s protective presence in their lives without encouraging them to turn their image of God into that of a “helicopter parent?”
• In what ways can we be redemptive to people who view God’s not acting in a protective way that they expect as evidence that God does not care for them?

Close with prayer.