We support people who are beaten, tortured, laughed at, imprisoned, falsely accused, disowned, ignored and hated simply for following Jesus.
Video
Living out the words we sing…
Our mate Beth Croft from Soul Survivor reflects on how we can live out the words of the songs we sing to Jesus. Inspired by the stories of Hea Woo, a secret Christian from North Korea, she’s desperate to use her freedom to live out her worship to God.
Watch the thoughts below and make sure you share with your mates…
Reflection questions
If you want to spend a bit more time thinking through the stuff Beth chats about on the little film then think through these questions. If you are a youth leader/small group leader you can grab the questions as a pdf below too and use the video and talking points as the basis of a small group session.
- How do you express your heart to God? Maybe, like Beth, you sing. Maybe you pour your heart out by swirling paint onto a canvas, or filling up a notebook with a stream of words that make up a rap, a poem, a journal. Maybe your feet, your arms, start to itch and you just have to dance.
Think about the different ways which people express their love for God.
How would you feel if you couldn’t, or weren’t allowed to do that?
- ‘The thing is, finding the words can be a big challenge, but actually living them out is an even bigger one. So when I sing of how I’m going to follow him, how I’ll lay down my life for him, really I’m committing to sticking with Jesus no matter what.’
Think about your favourite worship song. Look at the lyrics. What would it look like to live out those lyrics?
Is there a part of your life where you find it tough to live out those lyrics?
Pray and ask God to help you in that area. If you can, give that area over to God.
- Read psalm 46: 1-3
‘God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.’
Think about Hae Woo’s story and the risks she took to sneak out at night, to stand in the pouring rain, reach up to heaven and sing her heart out.
What does worshiping Jesus cost you? Maybe it’s a lie in on a Sunday morning, or playing in a footy match. Maybe it’s the money you invest in paints, your guitar, downloading tracks. Maybe it’s being called names at school or at home.
Think about what you think you would be up for risking to worship Jesus?
Would you risk being thrown in prison?
What about the people you love, would you risk them being sent to a labour camp?
These are the choices persecuted Christians, like Hae Woo, make every day.
Pray for our persecuted family, that they will know God as their refuge and strength.
- ‘Life isn’t always going to go to plan, but I’m just so desperate to make that conscious choice to worship. Not just with my words, but most importantly with my life.’
Look at your life. Your daily routines. Your comings and goings. How do you make the most of the freedom that you have?
Think of one practical change you can make to live your worship. Maybe in the area of your life you gave over to God when you looked at your favourite song.
If you can, share those changes with each other. That way you can check how each other are doing and encourage each other.
Pray for each other that God will strengthen you to live all out for him.
We support people who are beaten, tortured,
imprisoned, falsely accused, and hated simply for following Jesus.
