Praise: Crediting the Conditions

Engage (30 mintues)

Activity 1: Watch two film clips which are enhanced by their soundtrack. Maybe an action film and a romantic film.

• Ask the group to comment on what the music/ soundtrack adds, not just to the film, but to the experience of those watching the film.
• In the same way that the events are experienced differently because of what accompanies/ surrounds  them so are our lives as followers of Christ – this is the gift of praise.
• Read Habakkuk 3: 16-19 – what difference do you think v 18 makes to the prophet? Why do you think that is? Assig one young person to be a scribe. Write it up on an A1 sheet.

Activity 2: Brew some great coffee.

• Produce 4 different cups/ mugs/ containers. 1 must be a thing of beauty and one must be a Styrofoam / polystyrene cup. Offer crème, sugar and even syrups.
• Ask the young people which one they prefer to drink out of and why?
• In the same way that containers change our experience of what we drink – given the choice few would ever choose the polysterene – so how we frame our lives effects how we experience it. Praise frames our life around the goodness of God.
• Read: Psalm 73 – track the changing emotions of Asaph and notice when the change happens? (v17)
• The hinge of v 17 only makes sense when we work out why Asaph is there. Cross reference with 1 Chronicles 25: 6 – it was his job. Asaph is n the Temple because it is his duty.