How to Share Your Faith Using Hannah Montana
Tweener phenom Hannah Montana's (a.k.a. Miley Cyrus') whirlwind tour is packing concert venues across the country. If she hasn't already descended on a city near you... trust me, when she does, you're going to hear about it before, during and after her entourage sweeps in and out of town! Like it or not the buzz is deafening. Scoring a ticket has become a notable event in and of itself, if not for the swoon effect exhibited by ultra-devoted Hannah Montana fans, then for its potential resale value. Hannah's buzz is so intense and intentional that ticket prices on the resale market start at $300 in most concert cities and have reached a reported $2565.00 for a single ticket to the Charlotte, NC show.
Perhaps you are already more aware of this phenom than you want to be, but for the benefit of those who are still Hannah-oblivious, here's the crash course...Disney's Hannah Montana is a normal teen by day and a rock star by night - but this dual life is a secret from all but her family and her closest friends. Fanatical fans, world travel, shoes, hot clothes - did I mention shoes? - fill her world when she's inhabiting her rock star persona. But each morning a regular day-life awaits her as a typical teen with the normal teen joys and challenges - so what's not to love? As the song goes, it's "The Best of Both Worlds." Who wouldn't want to live their stardom dream AND keep their normal life?
And maybe that's the appeal. Deep down we all want to live our dreams. But how do you figure out in the first place what your dream is? What will really satisfy you in life? And if you're a believer, where does God fit into your dreams for the future?
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The Bible offers some insights for answering these kinds of difficult, but incredibly important questions. Check out some of these truths based on Bible verses that deal with the whole subject of what life is all about:
• Because we were created for a relationship with God, we will only find ultimate fulfillment in the midst of a personal relationship with him.
Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son. (Ephesians 1:4-6, The Message)
• A satisfying life focuses on loving God and loving others.
Jesus said..."love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy. And here is the second: love others as well as you love yourself. There is no other commandment that ranks with these." (Mark 12:30-31, The Message)
• God designed you uniquely - discover your unique blend of spiritual gifts, natural abilities, passions and personality and use them for his glory.
God's various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! (1 Corinthians 12:4-6, The Message)
Seek a dream for your future that will fold these truths together and will allow you to live your life in harmony with God's desire for his kingdom to come and his Good News to be spread to the ends of the earth. Living a double life as a rock star like Hannah Montana may be Miley Cyrus' dream, but God has made you uniquely you, so unleash the gifts and abilities he's given you and find a way to use them for his glory RIGHT NOW and in your future as well.
And be his light in the midst of your circle of friends who don't know him by taking the Hannah Montana phenom and using it to turn the conversation toward God-talk. Try some of these kinds of questions:
• Have you ever wished you lived a secret double life? Do you think being rich and famous would make you happier? Why or why not?
• Do you have a dream for your future? What is it? What were the steps along the way in your life that have helped you discover your dream?
• Did God play a role in the formation of your dream? Why or why not?
• If you haven't yet discovered what your dream for your future is, do you have a plan for figuring it out? Does God play a role in your plan? Listen, and share what role God plays in your life and in your dreams for the future.
• One of Hannah/Miley's hit songs is called "Nobody's Perfect." What do you do when you mess up? Is it easy or hard for you to ask for forgiveness? Is it easy or hard for you to forgive yourself? Share how God's standard for heaven is perfection, and how he sent his Son Jesus to pay the price for our mess ups and to restore our relationship with God. For help explaining this, check out the GOSPEL Journey.
Discussing what makes life satisfying is a perfect opening for talking about your relationship with God. Make sure your friends know that Jesus has opened the door to the real "Best of Both Worlds" - life with God in the here and now, and life with him in heaven for all eternity!
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Jane Dratz works for Dare 2 Share Ministries in Arvada, Colo., a ministry committed to energizing and equipping teens to know, live, share and own their faith in Jesus. For more information on Dare 2 Share Ministries, please visit www.dare2share.org. Send feedback to jane@dare2share.org.
