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Bible Study

Artist: Andy Mineo
Song: Clarity
Album: I: The Arrow
Featured In: MVL 101

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Andy Mineo

Leader Guide

Artist: Andy Mineo
Album: I: The Arrow
Label: Reach Records
Song: Clarity
From: MVL 101
Writer: Sarah Taylor | First United Methodist Church | Cynthiana, Kentucky

Theme(s): Doubt Faith: Assurance Faith: Within Trials

Objective

Students will be encouraged to hold fast to their faith even in the midst of questions and confusion.

Warm Up

Two Truths and a Lie – Have students come up with three statements about themselves – the more creative, the better. Two of the statements have to be true, one must be a lie. Go around the group and have students share their three statements. Allow time for the rest of the group to decide which statement is false.

Transition

Discuss:

Is knowing what’s true versus what’s not easy for you to do?
Have you ever doubted someone’s word?
What about your faith? Have you ever had doubts about what you believe?

The Video

Andy Mineo’s music video of “Clarity” talks about wanting clarity in the midst of the fog and smoke that can be faith. Pay close attention specifically to the lyrics and spoken word. (Play the video through twice to allow the message to sink in. You may also want to provide lyrics for them to read along.)

Transition

Discuss:

Do you agree with what’s said?
Does having doubts allow for growth in one’s faith?
Is there really value in doubt?

Bible Study

Read Matthew 17:14-20

What’s happening in this passage?
Why couldn’t the disciples cast out the demon?
What is Jesus’ reply?
What do you think Jesus means in verse 20?
Have you ever seen faith move a mountain?
Do you think He literally means that faith can move mountains?
Is your faith strong enough to move mountains? Why/why not?

Read James 1:1-8 and James 1:12-18.

What does this passage say about having faith?
Do you agree that trials help strengthen our faith? Why/why not?
According to this passage, do you think doubts are a healthy part of faith? Why/why not?
What does it say (v 12) one will receive for perseverance under trial?
What do you think that looks like?
If God doesn’t cause temptation, who does?
Do you think temptation can damage one’s faith? How?
So, how can we fight temptation?

Wrap Up

Hebrews 11:1 says that faith is the confidence of things hoped for, it is the assurance of things we do not see. What do you think that means?

There are going to be times in your faith journey where things get rough. Maybe it’ll be the loss of a family member, maybe it’ll be a personal struggle you’ll face. Believing that God is in control, that His plan will win out. Well, it’s easy to say, isn’t it? But when you’re in the middle of the hard stuff, it can be easier to be angry with God and blame Him for the bad stuff, can’t it?

At the end of the song, Madeline L’Engle (author of A Wrinkle in Time and so many other great books) is heard saying, “I want God to wrap me in the everlasting wings and say, ‘There, there – it’s alright.’ And that cosmic affirmation of, ‘Yes, I know it’s terrible. I know it hurts. But, be patient – it’s going to work out. I’m not going to lose. I’m going to win. It’s alright.” And that’s the basic affirmation that I think only true doubters can come to.”

Life is hard – our faith will be tested time and time again. But we have confidence that, in the end, God will win!