interlínc: Resources

Bible Study

Artist: Red
Song: The Evening Hate
Album: The Evening Hate
Featured In: MVL 106

Resources for YLO Members

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Red

Leader Guide

Artist: Red
Album: The Evening Hate
Label: Independent
Song: The Evening Hate
From: MVL 106
Writer: Adam Cain | Bethlehem Baptist | Newnan, Georgia

Theme(s): Emotions Sin Relationships: Broken Reconciliation

Objective

Students will be encouraged to rise above hate and restore broken relationships.

Warm Up

As a band, Red often has an in-your-face approach with raw emotion and “The Evening Hate” is no different – so we’re going to dive right into the video.

The Video

As you watch and hear the words, jot down what thoughts come to your mind.

Transition

What does this video speak to you about? I heard a battle between good and evil, and as night came the battle was lost and recovery happened in the morning light. I also thought specifically of the sin of hatred. You and your students may have had other ideas, so spend some time unpacking your thoughts and those of your students before moving on. Remember, this is an opinion question so there is no right or wrong but as you listen to their answers you can begin to learn about where they may be spiritually.

To transition from a time of sharing into the study you can say, “Those are all good thoughts, and now we’re going to focus on what the band has stated about the video and look into God’s Word.”

Bible Study

The video calls to mind war. On the frontlines in World War 1, as night approached, mortars, grenades, and bombs would be fired into the enemy’s trenches and they would do the same. The phrase “The Evening Hate” was coined to describe this event at nightfall. Red’s bassist, Randy Armstrong, said, “While we all experience or witness hate throughout life, whether it be physical, mental, or emotional, we all have the ability to crawl out and rise above such a tremendous adversary, hell bent on division and destruction. Without hate, the world would never know what true love really is.”

As darkness closes in around us, the enemy can throw their worst at us. We can give in to the hate and throw our worst back, or we can rise up and show love instead.

1 Peter 3:8-9

How does verse 9 say we should react to others mistreating us? When someone throws shade at us we can be tempted to react with both words and actions. Peter quoted from Psalm 34 to tell us how not to react.

1 Peter 3:10-12

What does verse 10 say about our talk? We should not sin with our words and talk ugly about others.
What does verse 11-12 say about our walk? We must do good and pursue peace. While verse 10 focuses on what not to say, verse 12 alludes to what we should say. We should use our words to pray to God. Let God deal with the other person. In Romans 12:19, Paul instructed us to not seek revenge but rather let go of the situation and let God avenge the wrong doing.

1 Peter 3:13-17

What do these verses say to you? We are challenged to rise above the hate-fueled battle and to live a Christ-like life.

Wrap Up

Close your eyes and think for a few moments. Is there someone who has hurt you? Are you harboring hate in your heart towards them? You need to let go of that hatred, let go of the bitterness, just let it go. Letting go of it doesn’t mean it was ok. Letting go simply means that you’re going to give it to God and let Him deal with it. Letting go means you want to move on with a life that is focused on your Lord and King not on any enemy.

Spend a moment in quiet reflective prayer and then close with prayer of hope and healing for students who have been hurt.

Playlist

This song is featured on “The Linc: Emotions” 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 link.