The track’s title is based on the hip-hop television series Wild N Out on MTV. While many youth workers would get in trouble from parents and/or elder boards if it was assumed that an endorsement was being given for watching the show on a regular basis, the fact is that many of your youth likely watch it regularly or have at least heard about it.

 

Some of the games played on the show, when cleaned up, would actually work quite well with a youth group. One of those games is called “Now You Wild Out” and is played by having two teams of 6-8 square off against each other. Each team takes a turn having selected players go head-to-head with a prompt and then the entire team follows their “leader” with his/her words and motions and the process keeps going back and forth until one team can’t think of a rhyme. You can see an example featuring gymnast Laurie Hernandez here. Give it a try and use the experience to help you ramp up to viewing the video.

 

You’ll want to focus your conversation most poignantly on the lyrics from Lecrae in the second verse. He refers to being on a mission and ends by challenging his listeners to “get back to business.” Ask your students to listen and watch everything that calls out for their attention, but cue them in to give Lecrae’s verse special attention. Here are a few sample questions: 

What do you think Lecrae is referring to when he says, “we cookin’ up, check the recipe”?

 

Lecrae says, “Get out my way, I’m tryna work on my faith.” What gets in the way of your faith?

 

Play the video.

 

Remember the story of Joseph in Genesis 37-50? For the purpose of this study, we’re going to focus on the narrative of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife in Genesis 39. This story, of course, is often used in the context of speaking about sexual temptation and the call for integrity that Joseph displays in running away from the sexual advances from Potiphar’s wife. For this study, however, use the story as an illustration of what it means to be “Wild N Out” as a believer in the face of all potential temptation and distraction. Allow sexual temptation to be just one of many other similar issues battling for the allegiance of your youth.

 

In Lecrae’s verse he raps, Lord as my witness, I handle my business • Put on for the city, became a lietenant… • ….Get out of my way, I’m tryna work on my faith • I been up walking away… • …Stand at attention, Y’all forgot I’m on a mission…

 

There are a multitude of ways that you can tie in Lecrae’s verse and the entire track to how Joseph lived “Wild N Out” against the pressure around him to conform and compromise. He, rather, kept the commitment to the mission of his life and paid a big price until God’s perfect plan was made clear.

 

There are legitimate questions about Joseph’s integrity with the manner in which he shared the details of his dreams with his older brothers, which helped to contribute, perhaps, to their disdain and envy. However, later in his life in Egypt, the decisions he made displaying the integrity of his character were what put him in the center of God’s plan for redemption and forgiveness. In what ways does this represent the characteristic of being “Wild N Out” for Jesus?

 

What does being “Wild N Out” as a follower of Jesus mean? Can it be said about Jesus’ life on earth that He was “Wild N Out” in respect to the culture and priorities of those around Him?

 

This song is featured on “The Linc: Zeal” 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.