Don’t Let Me Down

Main Point of Discussion:
It is normal for Christ followers to go through doubt, and oftentimes remembering His faithfulness in the past can help us resolve it.

Vital Info Before You Get Started:
The following info should help you contextualize this very popular song so you can have a great discussion about it with your kids.

The Chainsmokers must have really hit (no pun intended) on something with their latest hit “Don’t Let Me Down”, as it is currently #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the video has racked up more than 100,000,000 views.

The song addresses and illustrates the universal experience of being let down, and all the emotions that accompany that kind of difficult season of life. It is during those times that we all look for answers, and fortunately there is truth to be found in the Bible that can help us when we are let down.

IMPORTANT NOTE TO PARENTS: We at The Source for Parents believe that certain elements in our youth culture can serve as good discussion jump starters with students. At the same time, we would never hope to introduce students to a negative influence that they haven’t already encountered. This balance is a delicate one. In our experience most students, churched and unchurched, keep pretty current with music and music videos. Thanks to YouTube, MTV.com, and iTunes, the most popular music videos and songs are free to access only a click away.

Since this song is so popular, your kids have heard it. When you sit down to discuss this song, make sure to have a copy of the lyrics available (below) and access to the music video (which we provided in the link below, as well).

Above all, don’t appear as if you have a “canned” discussion in your head and rattle off questions like a teacher giving a pop quiz—your kids get enough of that in school. This is a guide, primarily—not a verbatim script. Just familiarize yourself with the content here and start a conversation in the most natural, unforced way you know how.

The Music Video:
The music video can be found online and played for free at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io0fBr1XBUA

Song Lyrics:

Q: When it comes to this song, what’s “Don’t Let Me Down” about?
A: The song is basically a strongly worded diatribe that Bieber is writing to a comes from a place of deep disappointment and the need for someone to come and save him.

Q: Why is it important that we deal with disappointment in a healthy way?
A: People tend to become either bitter or better when they deal with abandonment and let down. That’s why we need to learn how to process those feelings and experiences well, so we don’t allow Satan to have a foothold in our life through bitterness.

Q: Why is the video/song so popular?
A: This song addresses the area of relationships and getting along with others, which is a common struggle for everyone. We all experience disappointment and hurt, and we need to figure out healthy ways to deal with that.

Where to Take It from Here:
Wherever it feels natural. If these questions lead to a longer discussion on the topic, wonderful! (There’s a guide just after this paragraph that helps you do just that.) If your kids are barely uttering grunts, don’t get discouraged—the next time it feels right, try out another song. Keep engaging them.

Introducing the Music Video:
This is one of the more popular songs/videos out right now, and the topic of feeling disappointed and let down is a very common experience- especially among teenagers.

For Deeper Discussion: (If your kids seem into diving in deeper, the following discussion guide can help take you there.)

Want help getting your teenager engaged in conversation? CLICK HERE for a helpful article from our “Parenting Help” page providing you with 3 Essentials to Talking with Today’s Teens.

Transitional Statement:
(Say something like this…) Feeling like you have been let down and even abandoned starts at a very young age for most people, so on one level or another we can all relate to this song-right? And while it is a common and universal experience, there are probably hundreds of different ways that people choose to deal with disappointment in life and relationships in order to cope.

But the bottom line is that when we face being let down, we choose to take the bitter route or the better route. One way leads to the path of depression and hopelessness, while the other leads to contentment and hope. The question is – how do we choose the ‘better’ path when life let’s us down? Let’s talk about that now.

More Discussion Questions:

1. HAVE ALL YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS ANSWER: Before we dive in, everybody take a few minutes and talk about some of your earliest memories of being let down by something or someone.
2. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: How were you able to get past the disappointment?
3. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: What do you think is going on in the life of the person who wrote this song?
4. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: Do you think that the words of this song would make an appropriate prayer to God? Why or why not?

Crashing, hit a wall
Right now I need a miracle
Hurry up now, I need a miracle
Stranded, reaching out
I call your name but you’re not around
I say your name but you’re not around
Read the following passage from the Bible:

1. 1. Psalm 77:1-12

I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands,
and I would not be comforted.

10 Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
12 I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

1. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: In what ways is this Psalm of David like the lyrics to “Don’t Let Me Down”?
2. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: Was David wrong to express his honest complaints of feeling let down by God? Why or why not?
3. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: What is the difference between complaining TO God vs. complaining ABOUT God?
4. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: Does it sound like David is taking the ‘bitter’ way or the ‘better’ way?
5. ASK A FEW: If you thought about it, would you be able to name quite a few times when “The Most High stretched out his right hand” to save you?
6. HAVE ALL YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS ANSWER: When was there a time when remembering how God has helped you in the past helped you get through the feeling of being let down?

Wrap Up:
Unfortunately, all of us go through times of needing a miracle and feeling let down. But the bright side of the dark times is that we have a God who is always by our side, and when we go through disappointments, we can look to all the times in the past when He delivered us and caused all things to work together for our good. This week, start a list of all the times God has demonstrated mighty works and miracles in your life, and keep that handy so you can refer to it in the future when someone or something lets you down. That is the way we can always choose the ‘better’ path!

Close in prayer