After closing the last lesson, I showed this video as well. I used this as an example of "What is Always Right." Way to go Beyonce. She remembered what it was like for her when she was Taylor's age, and had the courage to act. She saw a wrong and she "righted" it.
This video is a perfect example of someone who is WRONG. The way I used this video was for a lesson I entitled "What is Right"
Opening: Have youth shout out things they believe to be "Always Right" Do not critique or discuss, just write them down on a big sheet of paper, or into power point. Next have youth do the same with things they believe to be "Always wrong"
Go through each list and discuss if there are any that need to be taken off the list because they do not fall into the "Always" category. Narrow the list as the group decides.
I then got the youth into small groups. Each was given a scenario and were to decide "What was right." One example was recently Oregon University football player LeGarret Blount punched an opponent after a game. I showed the video from the tv coverage and asked them based on what they saw, what was the right thing to do (suspend him, have him apologize, etc.)
I ended with this video as an example of "Always wrong." I thought it summarized how I feel about something that is so wrong, it cannot be excused. Kanye West steps on stage and steps on Taylor Swift's heart.
Discuss:
Why is what he did wrong?
Where do you get your sense of right and wrong?
How do you decide what is right in a given situation?
Select scripture that applies based on your youth.
I ended explaining that even if Kanye's opinion was right (which is debatable), even if Beyonce did have the best video of all time, he was still wrong. You can be right, and still be wrong.
I had the youth flesh that out for a while and then I closed in prayer (because they were all too whimpy to pray! I would love some suggestions on changing that!)
I am not a big NBA fan. In fact, I usually only watch the playoffs. And typically I am reading the paper or facebooking while the game is on, so I am not even totally interested then either. Although I am not an NBA fan, I am a fan of an athlete that uses the stage their achievements provide them with to show appreciation and thanks to God and the people God has placed in their lives.
That is exactly what David Robinson recently did during the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. He used the spotlight to turn the spotlight around on his family and friends, and to turn the spotlight upward to God. While Michael Jordan used his 30 minutes to tell the world what we already know, that he is the best basketball player ever, David who was given only 7 minutes, told us something we may know, but certainly need to be reminded of. First, it is not about us. Second, we need to always be thankful
I have heard the parable of the ten lepers preached on dozens of times. Every time the focus has been on the 9 that did not return. The sermons have been about how ungrateful we are towards God and how we are always wrapped up in ourselves. David shifts that to draw focus to the one who was thankful. David is the one.
Thank you David for an inspiring message and a wonderful reminder to be thankful. Thank you God, for creating such a Godly man who used the platform you provided him to recognize Your presence and power in his life and in all our lives. The old commercials may say "I want to be like Mike." No disrespect MJ, but "I want to be like David."
