Photo Courtesy of Indiana Conference Youth Ministry
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus
Editor's Note: While this post doesn't pertain directly to leadership issues in the global United Methodist Church, we thought it was such a great response to a headline event that it was worth repeating. May your youth leaders find it helpful!
Did you know that Miley Cyrus had a goal for her VMA performance? Her goal was to be even more shocking than previous performances by Madonna and Britney Spears – music role models to this young star. Miley Cyrus’ performance on MTV’s Video Music Awards definitely captured the world’s attention. Whether or not she achieved her goal is probably up for debate. However, I just can’t help but wonder how a person with so much potential wound up setting such low standards for herself. The reality is that Miley didn’t just wake up one morning and decide her goal was to shock the world! Where she is right now is a result of a slow progression of life circumstances and choices. If you haven’t seen the VMA Video, you might want to watch it before reading the rest of this post.
What was your reaction?
I had several reactions to Miley’s performance, but the ones that still stick are these: Who is speaking into her life right now? What if her goals involved helping – instead of shocking – people? How would her life be different today? How is this video going to impact children (Hannah Montana fans!) and teenagers?
Youth ministers have a really important calling to connect teenagers to Christ in the midst of living in a very confusing world. Part of our role in their lives is to help them sift through the junk this world has to offer with Christ-like lenses. I believe our responses to the actions of others and to performances like Miley’s can effect the way our teens are impacted by them. This is totally teachable stuff for our youth! I hope that you will take some time this week to watch the video with your youth, share responses, thoughts, and then talk about the topics this video helps you talk about. I also hope that you will help them set goals and standards for living that help draw them closer to Christ. It is so important! I’ve given some discussion suggestions below:
Discussion Questions: Who are your role models? Where/who do you get advice from? Does media influence decisions, self-image, views of others? Do you consider others when making decisions? What role does your faith play in your decision making? What role does your faith play when you give advice to others? What are your life goals? What are your immediate goals? How are you guarding your life against sin? Who helps you? Do you think the negative comments about Miley’s performance are hurtful to her? What would you say to her if she were sitting in the room with us right now?
Read the lyrics to Miley’s song We Can’t Stop with youth. Discuss what the lyrics imply and how they compare to the way Christ calls us to live. You can print out the lyrics for them and ask them to write reflection notes based on your discussions and the scripture provided below.
Scripture Sources:
Media Suggestions: Along with Miley’s video, I would also show the music video for Casting Crown’s song Slow Fade. Casting Crowns lead singer, Mark Hall, explains that a slow fade marks the regression that happens when Christians aren’t living intentionally. He explained: “People don’t crumble in a day. You don’t fall, you fade. In your mind, there’s that pride that says ‘I’d never do that’… but you don’t just do it, it’s a slow, series of compromises, little ones that go there eventually, until you’re sitting in a place you’d never go, doing something you’d’ never do… and yet the way you’re living totally makes sense to you somehow because you’re so numb.” I think that’s exactly what has happened in Miley’s life!
Finally, help youth realize that it’s never too late for change. We have to say YES to God and NO to sin. Remind teenagers how deeply they are loved and valued by God and the people in your ministry, and that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Lead them in a time of reflection and prayer to ask God to help them live lives committed to Him.
So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet. James 4:7-10
THANK YOU for all you do to make a difference in the lives of teenagers!
Helene Foust serves as Associate Director of Student Ministries for the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church