This Leader Guide is provided to help you in leading a discussion utilizing the Waves Discussion Tool.
Objectives
It has been said that “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Images are very powerful and can help start deeper conversations. The themes in the ‘Waves’ music video cut to the heart and are very real, raw, and honest.
The first objective of this tool is for people to connect with its themes on a personal level.
A second objective is to help your group go deeper, building into a spiritual discussion about the Gospel.
The Flow Of This Tool
1) Have the group watch the ‘Waves’ music video.
2) Click on each image below the music video on the Waves Discussion Tool. These are images taken from the music video along with questions about each image.
3) Discuss the images and questions.
4) Build/dig deeper from there!
Backstory
Check out the following video interview with Zak Alwin. In this short video, he details what ‘Waves’ is all about and the meaning(s) behind the music video. Understanding the backstory will help you better drive the discussions.
Some Suggestions
1) Pray. Pray that God would use you as you use these questions to engage with others. The goal is to connect on a deeper/spiritual level with people, especially in regards to the Gospel.
2) Know the backstory. In knowing the heart and meaning behind the ‘Waves’ music video, you can build further into the discussion questions. It’s up to you if want to view part or all of the interview video with the group and when (the beginning, middle or end of the discussion time). I would recommend sharing the first half of the interview where Zak shares the backstory at or near the beginning, but then sharing at the end of the discussion time the conclusion of the video that asks the viewer to respond to the “Cycle Breaker.”
3) Group size. Try to keep discussion groups small. Perhaps no more than 6-8 people per group. Large group settings tend to not be conducive for personal sharing. A smaller group will help keep the discussions more personal and will help promote sharing. Be sure to have a leader/facilitator for each group.
4) Listen. Be sure to listen to the person’s answers and really hear where they are coming from. Especially in a group setting, allow each person to be heard and try to steer clear from any cross-talk while someone else is talking.
5) Dig deeper. Build on the discussions but try not to “fix” or “solve” someone’s issues. It’s okay to not have all of the answers. Allow God to meet people where they are and for Him to work within their hearts, minds, and spirits.
6) The Gospel. Keep the Gospel message simple and focused. Put it into a language or context that your audience can understand. Remember, this is “GOOD NEWS” that has eternal ramifications. Be excited about sharing this.
Ways To Share The Gospel Message
View the Story
Life On Mission
Helpful Scripture References
Genesis 1:1; 31 (ESV)
1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth; 31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Genesis 3:1-6 (ESV)
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.
He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’
4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.”
John 1:12 (ESV)
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
John 3:16 (ESV)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 14:6 (ESV)
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Acts 4:12 (ESV)
And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Acts 16:30-31 (ESV)
30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Romans 3:22-24 (ESV)
22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Romans 5:8 (ESV)
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 6:23 (ESV)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 10:8-10 (ESV)
8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (ESV)
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.
Revelation 3:20 (ESV)
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
