Background: FM Static
is a pop-punk side band started by two members of the Christian
hardcore group Thousand Foot Krutch. Two of the band's YouTube
videos have become huge Internet hits, garnering millions of
views.
Albums: Dear Diary (2009), Critically Ashamed (2006),
What Are You Waiting For? (2003)
What Parents Should Know:
Dear Diary is an interesting comparison to Green Day's latest
release. It's also a concept album about two teenagers who are
dealing with big issues. The difference is that on Dear Diary, these
questions ultimately lead to God. FM Static is a positive
alternative to Green Day, while addressing some of the same tough
issues.
What FM Static Says: Singer Trevor McNevan discusses
the album's autobiographical roots: "There are a lot of…things that
I remember thinking. Things like big life questions, and also things
that seem so big when you're in high school and then you look back
at them now and think, ‘That's hilarious, it totally didn't matter.'
"
Discussion Questions: Read Psalm 37:1-9. Why should we
trust God? Is that hard or easy for you, and why? What "big life
questions" do you struggle with the most right now, and how can God
help? | |
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musicspotlight
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Albums:
21st
Century Breakdown (2009), American Idiot (2004), Dookie
(1994) | Background: Green Day
has been around for almost 20 years. Their sound remains as
pop-punky as ever, but the lyrics have deepened—tackling issues such
as war, politics, and organized religion. Green Day has sold 22
million records in the United States and has won three Grammy
Awards.
What Parents Should Know: Green Day's angry-punk
attitude sounds tired, now that band members are middle-aged
multimillionaires. Their new album is about a young, disenfranchised
couple who feels left behind by the church, the state, and adults.
The band's pessimistic outlook believes in self, leaving no room for
God.
What Green Day Says: Singer Billie Joe Armstrong
reflects on the state of pop culture: "People want blood. They want
to see other people thrown to the lions."
Discussion
Questions: When have you felt abandoned by someone, and how did it
affect you? Read Deuteronomy 31:6-8. Can God's love and presence
replace that of a human's? How might God's promise in these verses
make it easier to deal with abandonment by others? Explain.
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filmwatch
Star
Trek
PG-13 (for
sci-fi action and violence, and brief sexual
content)
Genre:
Action-Adventure
Synopsis: Director J.J. Abrams is at the
helm of this fun, much-needed reboot of the beloved
science-fiction series. Captain Nero, a Romulan madman, blames
just about everyone for his family's death. He is seeking
revenge, and that's the framework for introducing us to the
young new crew of the USS Enterprise.
Discussion
Questions: Kirk has problems with authority in this film. Is
it ever okay to push back against authority? Explain. Read
Romans 13:1-5. What do these verses say about the source of
authority? What should a Christian do if people in authority
are corrupt or cruel? What if their actions go against
biblical teaching? What does rebellion say about how much we
trust God?
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Here's a
snapshot of online social activities:
Millions of
teenagers now expose themselves, their feelings, and their
thoughts in personal blogs (web logs) posted on one of the
many social-networking websites. Public online journals have
replaced hidden, locked private diaries. Today, both teenage
girls and their male peers are openly sharing their "secrets"
for anyone in the world with Internet access to see. Kids use
blogs to vent and share commentary about every aspect of
teenage life. They also post pictures of themselves, artwork,
and personality profiles. Self-expression is encouraged, and
the sites are highly interactive. Here are suggestions for
dealing with this phenomenon: