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Music Resources

Artist: The Gray Havens
Song: Endless Summer
Album: Blue Flower
Featured In: MVL 114

Resources for YLO Members

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The Gray Havens

Leader Guide

Artist: The Gray Havens
Album: Blue Flower
Label: Artist Garden Entertainment
Song: Endless Summer
From: MVL 114
Writer: Kevin Miles | National Network Of Youth Ministries | Stephenville, Texas

Theme(s): Hope: In God Faith: Assurance Joy

Objective
To help students understand the hope that can be found in Jesus Christ when the world seems so hard to navigate.

Warm Up

Prepare an obstacle course using objects in the room, such as chairs or tables. Challengers who can carry a lit candle through the obstacle course (only by walking) win a prize. Have 3-5 other students with small water guns trying to squirt the candle’s flame out as the challenger passes by. For an added challenge, blindfold the challenger.

Transition

Life can be difficult. Just going through the obstacle course alone could be a challenge. Then, on top of that, you had to keep your candle lit with people trying to put it out. Even through the difficulties of this life, we can have hope — the prize at the end. In the song, “Endless Summer”, the singer says, “Have you ever missed somewhere that you’ve never been before.” That is the hope that we have inside of us as believers but also is available to anyone who asks. Take a look at the music video as we begin.

The Video

Play the “Endless Summer” video by The Gray Havens.

Bible Study

Read 1 Peter 1:13

Peter tells us to set our hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Have you ever been in a race or a competition where you wanted to give up?
Why did you feel that way?
Did you give up? Why or Why not?
Did you finish?
What kept you going?

Peter explains that is the same with our lives. The only way to keep going is to keep your hope set completely on the grace of God.

Read Philippians 4:6-7

In the second verse, the singer says, “Then one day all that’s hold you back just doesn’t hold a candle anymore.”

What is something that you face or have faced that seems to worry you or keeps you from reaching your goal?

Paul tells us when things come, pray about it. Place your hope and confidence in Jesus Christ. Whatever is holding you back will be conquered by the peace of God, which surpasses every thought and will guard your heart and mind.

What is holding you back right now?
What do you need to offer to God in prayer to help you conquer or overcome?

Read John 17:17-18
In the last verse of the song, the singer mentions, “I’m giving standing room to the cold for now but not a place upon a throne.” John 17 is Jesus’ longest recorded prayer. Jesus is praying for us! Look at what He says. He does not want us to leave the world, but for us to be protected by God and be sent into the world.

You are here for a reason. There are probably things you are going through and experiencing right now that no one knows about. If so, know that it does not define you or defeat you. Jesus’ prayer is that you have strength and protection.

Where do you need the strength of God right now?
What are you going through that does not need a place upon a throne in your life?

Wrap Up

There is hope found in Jesus Christ. Whatever you might be going through, have gone through, or will go through will not hold a candle to the power of God.

Give each student an index card. As a time of commitment, instruct them to write one of two words on it and then come place it in a bucket either at the front of the room or the middle of your circle.

Have them write “Summer” if they feel confident in their walk with God and find their hope in Him or “Winter” as a prayer to God to help them during this season they are going through if they are struggling with something right now.

Close with a time of prayer over those cards and what they wrote. (You may choose to keep the cards anonymous or have students write their names so you can be praying for them throughout the week.)

Playlist

This song is featured on “The Linc: Hope In God” 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.