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Bible Study

Artist: Peabod
Song: Antisocial
Album: Backpack
Featured In: MVL 103

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Peabod

Leader Guide

Artist: Peabod
Album: Backpack
Label: Centricity
Song: Antisocial
From: MVL 103
Writer: Keith Jones | First Baptist Church | Centralia, Missouri

Theme(s): Rest Social Action

Objective
We live in a world where we are connected 24/7 and the noise of life has become deafening; but when we quiet our souls and seek rest and refuge with Christ, He will renew us.

Warm Up

Carry On – For this game, set up your area as an obstacle course. You will need as many items as you can get your hands on. These items shouldn’t be too heavy, but the more cumbersome the better. Have students take turns carrying items around the obstacle course. (Don’t start small – that would take a long time.) Players must complete the course without dropping the items, so the more awkward the items are to carry, the better the game will be. The winner is the person who can carry the most items through the maze without dropping anything. Give a prize to the winner(s).

Transition

As you transition, ask your students what navigating the maze while trying to hold on to all of the items was like. Ask them why it was so difficult to navigate a maze AND carry a lot of things at the same time. Then talk to your students about how difficult it is when they try to juggle all of the information and burdens that come from being connected all the time. Hand out the student guides and play the video.

The Video

In this video, Peabod talks about the pressures and distractions of constantly being connected. In this video he talks about issues very familiar to what teens deal with today. We live in a culture where our teens are literally going to bed with their phones in their hands, under their pillows, or right next to their heads so they don’t miss a single ding or buzz from a notification. As you listen, have the students write down lyrics they relate to in their lives in the section titled Unplugged.

Transition

As you transition to the study, allow your students to reveal the lyrics that related to them the most. Discuss such issues as getting less sleep or constant stress or worry because they are connected so much.

Bible Study

Read each passage. Have the students discuss the answers to the questions, or write them down. Talk with the students about how they can use their devices for good, to help people, but also help them see that they can be the cause of serious spiritual and health issues. Discuss the importance of resting and being still before God. Have them write their responses in the section titled Overload.

Luke 10:38-42

In this well-known passage about Martha and Mary, we see Martha hurrying about to be the perfect host, while Mary sat at the feet of Jesus instead of helping prepare for their guest.

At the end of the passage, why do you think Jesus told Martha that Mary had chosen the good portion?
Was Martha doing anything wrong? Then what kept Martha from the better experience?
How does being connected on a global scale distract us from our growth at the feet of Jesus?

Psalm 46:1-11

This passage deals with the chaos of our lives, hard times, and spiritual warfare. In it, God tells us He is our refuge and strength, but He also reminds us to be still and know that He is God.

What promises are made in this passage?
How does our technological world prevent us from being still?
What do you think it means to be still and know He is God?
How can taking a rest from your “connectedness” benefit you and your spiritual growth?

Matthew 11:25-30

This passage discusses rest found in Jesus. Because of our “connectedness,” not only do we tend to tackle our trials, but many of us take on the trials of those close to us as well, and we have every detail at our fingertips.

What are the promises found in this passage?
What does Jesus mean by “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light?”
With this constant flow of information, why is it important to unplug and take a sabbath from being connected?
What health risks do we take by wanting to be so connected, we sleep with our phones?

Wrap Up

It is very important not to demonize the technology the students are using as it is their language, their form of communication. What is important is to show them the physical and spiritual benefits of breaking away for a time of rest- a sabbath as Peabod puts it. Finish with the Psalm 131:1-3 and use that as your prayer over your students.

Playlist

This song is featured on “The Linc: Rest” Spotify playlist – which is the perfect way to remind your students what you’ve taught them in this session. To share it with them, click the live link on the web version of this study.