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Bible Study

Artist: Joe Melendrez
Song: Freedom
Album: Chosen
Featured In: MVL 102

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Joe Melendrez

Leader Guide

Artist: Joe Melendrez
Album: Chosen
Label: Indie
Song: Freedom
From: MVL 102
Writer: Albert Forsythe | Diocese of Knoxville | Knoxville, Tennessee

Theme(s): Freedom Forgiveness Salvation: Redemption Grace

Objective

Students will realize that we are imperfect beings and while we make mistakes, with God there is freedom through His love and grace.

Warm Up

Scoop Ball Lacrosse – Make some “scoop ball” sets from two goals/garbage cans, large buckets, ultimate frisbee goals, and frisbee golf goals. Make a way to identify teams (consider using colored bandanas.) Each team tries get the ball into their goal. The ball is passed from person to person (lacrosse style) using only the “scoops”. A goalie is optional.

Transition

Ask:

Did you find it hard to aim the ball at first?
What made it so hard to aim, pass, and shoot?
How many times did a shot on goal “fall short” or miss compared to the times there was a actually a goal?

Say, “That reminds me of a word that we use quite a bit around church: sin. The word actually comes from an archery term that means to ‘miss the mark’. Check out this verse about sin and missing the mark.” Read Romans 2:22-24. This game was much like our life. God has set up a goal of holiness for us to aim for, but so often we fall short of that goal, that standard, and falling short is sin. Thankfully Jesus came to give us forgiveness for all the times over and over again that we have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”

The Video

Say, “Let’s watch the video of Joe Melendrez’s song ‘Freedom’ from his album Chosen. As the video plays, listen for ways that God comes to your aid and gives you healing when you feel broken and things might seem desperate or in those times when you feel alone and need to call upon His grace. He will give you everything you need to be complete.”

Transition

Explain that this video reminds us that God gives us freedom from sin. Show the Joe Melendrez On “Freedom” #1 video. It’s located on MVL102 under the Artist Bible Study Video Section. Explain that many examples of God’s faithfulness and restoration by God’s grace can be found throughout the Bible. Let’s look at some.

Bible Study

You’ll need a supply of newspapers and magazines, markers, scissors, glue sticks, and five large poster boards with one of the following phrases written in large writing in the middle of each poster board:

Proclaim good news to the poor,
Proclaim freedom for the prisoners,
Recovery of sight for the blind
Set the oppressed free
Proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor

Luke 4:14-21 – Instruct groups of students to create a collage of the phrase that they have at the top of their poster board using pictures from magazines or drawing. They should cover the entire poster board. Everyone will need to participate in sharing the amazing things Jesus fulfills.

Group 1: “proclaim good news to the poor”
Group 2: “proclaim freedom for the prisoners”
Group 3: “recovery of sight for the blind”
Group 4: “to set the oppressed free”
Group 5: “to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor”

Explain that the people hearing Jesus say these amazing words from the scroll of Isaiah should have been amazed, but whether they were or not, we should be amazed. Jesus not only read these words, but His actions backed up what He was saying.

Wrap Up

Show the Joe Melendrez On “Freedom” #2 video. It’s located on MVL102 under the Artist Bible Study Videos Section.

Encourage your students to ask themselves these questions:

Have I truly been set free from sin in my life or am I continuing to do things that I know God doesn’t approve of? That is slavery. Slavery to sin.
Do you let worry, fear or anything else stop you from being free in Christ and His power? That is NOT FREEDOM, and as a Christian, it is like you are living in a prison cell that has been unlocked. Jesus does not condemn you. He wants you to be free. Free in every sense. Free to proclaim the good news and freedom to those in the world who are still captive. He is calling us to join Him in setting people free to truly live. But it has to begin with you being free. If you are not free in Christ, ask that He would open your eyes and you would have the courage to accept the freedom that is yours.