Leader Guide

Objective
Students will explore the meaning of patriotism and how it relates to Christfollowers.

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Warm Up
Stand Your Ground – Have the students pair up with a partner, face each other, and put their right foot side by side each other. Next, have them hold each other’s right hand (web-to-web, fingers facing up.) On your “go”, have the students try to knock each other off balance. They can only push and pull the arm that they have connected. They cannot use their body or move their legs. Winners play other winners, until only one student is the victor.

Transition
Ask the students what was required for them to win. What were some of the strategies they used? What was important to do to make sure you could stand your ground?

The Song
Our foundation is important. Where and what we are rooted in should affect our everyday lives. The Rhett Walker Band’s song “Here’s to the Ones” is an ode to patriotism, standing your ground for what you believe in, and how community is an important part of life. (Have students to prepare their Here’s To The Ones section on their Student Guides.) Play the song.

Transition
Discuss some of the lyrics that really stood out to them and the answers to their opening questions.

Bible Study
Say something like, “The topic of patriotism has been a consistent theme, especially here in America. Having pride in where you come from, where you live, and the values you hold are all great, but what does patriotism have to do with our faith?” Read Psalm 33:12. Go over the questions and answers from the Patriotism section on the Student Guide. Many people associate patriotism with being from a particular physical country. However, a nation is actually defined as a group of people who share a common history, belief, or culture. When we think of the word “patriotism” we think of things like flags, banners—and for those of us in America, “the red, white, and blue” are synonymous with patriotism. Yet, the Bible discusses a nation as its true definition: a people who share something in common. Our patriotism (or pride in our nation) should be rooted in the kingdom of the Lord. As Christ-followers, we share a nation founded in Christ. As the verse states, we are a blessed nation of Christ. Let’s take a look at a couple more verses.

Read Philippians 3:20 and 1 Peter 2:9-10. Rhett Walker Band dedicates this song to the “people like us.” What do you think that means? Being likeminded and of the same nation is what the band is describing. Biblically, as Philippians states, our citizenship is of Heaven. Our patriotism should resonate with such a citizenship. If we are patriotic in our spiritual life as much as in our physical life, how should we act? According to Peter, we need to declare praises to our Heavenly Father and share with others about what our Savior has done for us.

An interesting part of the song is about people who stand their ground and never back down. Read 1 Corinthians 16:13. Much like the song describes, part of being patriotic means standing up for what you believe. We should show pride and strength for what we believe, so long as we do so in a loving way. When people see that we are patriotic in our faith, they are more able to see the affect our relationship with Christ has on our spirit.

Wrap Up
Being patriotic for your country or heritage is great, but we should be just as zealous in our spiritual patriotism. We need to remember that we are a nation of chosen people. Have the students fill out their Citizen of Heaven section on their Student Guide and discuss some of their responses. End in prayer with focus on being patriotic in our faith, as well as a special prayer for the nations who cannot show the same patriotism without persecution.