Fake Love

Main Point of Discussion:
Our love and devotion to our Father should be characterized by humble authenticity.

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 release of Fake Love demonstrates once again that Drake is consistently brutally honest in his lyrics, and a common running theme in his songs is the whole subject of what is ‘fake’ and ‘real’ in people and relationships. After a year of basically going on the attack, though, Fake Love is clearly a victim perspective being played out as Drake lyrically parades out observations he’s made with all the folks who are being insincere with him, and what emotional impact it has left.

Fake Love is currently #11 on the Hot 100 Billboard chart, and the video has been viewed over 3 million times.

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 video can be found for free at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO6k9Fncwqs

Introducing the Music Video:
This is one of the more popular songs/videos out right now, and it brings up several critical important themes that are worth discussing.

Song Lyrics:

Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):

Q: When it comes to this song, what’s “Fake Love” about?

A: Fake Love is about the artist Drake feeling like the people surrounding him are fake and not genuine with him. He feels like a victim and that no one is really with him for the right reasons. He is clearly looking for more.

Q: Do you think it is human nature to be fake with people? Why or why not? And if so, why do you think we often give in to the temptation of being hypocritical or fake with people?

A: Some possible answers: Sadly, it’s definitely in human nature to sin and being fake or hypocritical is the same as lying. People often fall into the trap of being insincere for lots of reasons like fear of rejection, fear of getting into trouble or caught, wanting to be liked by others and somehow believing that your real self isn’t good enough, and possibly being fake in order to get something (which is probably the case with Drake being that he is famous and has lots of money).

Q: Why is the video/song so popular?

A: Drake has a very popular sound/rhythm to his music that people like. Possibly it’s also popular because the theme resonates with people—we can all relate on one point or another of the song.

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.

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…) Obviously Drake is experiencing a crisis of trust as you hear the observations he is making about all the people in his life that are insincere or jealous or everything in-between. And that is probably why this song is so popular, because who among us can’t relate on one level or another to having ‘fake love’ in our lives?

That being said, I sometimes wonder if it would be worth our time to consider if we are guilty of that as well, not only with other people, but with God our Father?

More Discussion Questions:

1. HAVE ALL YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS ANSWER: Before we dive in, everybody answer this question- if you could ‘fake’ being any celebrity, who would you choose and why?
2. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: Are there times when it is OK to be insincere? Why or why not?
3. ASK SOMEONE: What is the balance between being fake and overly honest with people?
4. ASK A FEW: Do you think Drake is making too big of a deal out of his experiences? Why or why not?
5. ASK A FEW: Which specific lyrics can you personally relate to?
6. ASK A FEW: How can you tell if someone is giving you ‘fake love’?
7. ASK A FEW: Why do we give in to the temptation of being hypocritical with people?

Read the following passage in the Bible:

1. 1. Matthew 5:5-6 (NLT)

“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

1. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: What is the connection between this passage and these lyrics from the song:
   Somethin’ ain’t right when we talkin’
   Look like you hidin’ your problems
   Really you never was all in
2. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: Why do you think Jesus calls the people praying in public ‘hypocrites’? (the Greek word for hypocrite is a reference to someone who is a play actor)
3. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: Why is prayer such a critical part of our relationship with God the Father?
4. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: So if we pray with the motivation of impressing others, are we guilty of showing ‘fake love’ to God the Father? Why or why not?
5. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: Why do you think Jesus commands us to pray in private?
6. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: In what other ways might we be guilty of showing fake love to the Father?
7. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: What do you think the rewards are for having a humble and authentic relationship with God the Father?
8. AROUND THE CIRCLE: What is one thing you need to change to bring more authenticity into your relationships?

Wrap Up:
Drake has definitely tapped into a popular theme of insincerity and hypocrisy that we all can relate to. But rather than wallowing in self pity when people are treating us that way, perhaps we would be wise to consider whether or not we are guilty of the same treatment with God when we pray, or even read the Bible or go to church.

At the end of the day, we need to reflect and check our motivations when we come to God in prayer. And if we have been guilty of this, we can confess our ‘fake love’ and go back to our first love, which is infinitely more satisfying than all the applause and acceptance this world has to offer!

Close in prayer