How to Share Your Faith Using American Idol
Why does America love American Idol? Maybe we love rooting for and celebrating the underdog. Maybe we love imaging our own 15 minutes (or a TV season) of fame and feeling especially loved and valued by others for who we are. Or maybe we love the feeling of power it gives us to impact the success and future destiny of others.
Whatever it is about the show, both the Tuesday and Wednesday American Idol programs consistently capture the top two spots on the weekly Nielsen TV ratings. According to the show's producers, over half a million Americans have auditioned for the show so far.
Many people have a soft-spot in their heart for the underdog. And Jesus did too. Repeatedly we see Him in the pages of the New Testament reaching out to the down-and-out-the sick (Mark 5:2-41), the poor (Luke 4:18-19), the outcast (John 4:1-42). While the contestants on American Idol wouldn't be categorized as down-and-out-you have to agree that some of them are not the most likely candidates for success and fame based on their musical abilities...and in some strange way that's probably part of our fascination with them as they try to win us over. We can't help but start to root for one or the other of them.
After all, we all can imagine getting our own shot at stardom and we all long to feel loved and valued by others. The amazing truth is that God has already demonstrated to us that He-the creator and sustainer of the universe-loves and values us as individuals! He loves us so much that He sent his son Jesus to die for us and allow us to have a restored relationship with God (John 3:16). What is the fleeting approval and admiration of American Idol judges and TV viewers compared to that?!?
God also loved us so much that He gave each of us the free choice of whether or not to believe in Him and receive His free gift of eternal life. We each have the incredible responsibility of accepting Him or rejecting Him and that decision has more impact on our future destiny than any other decision we'll ever make. Doing what we can to give that free gift away to others is also part of the incredible responsibility God has invested in His followers (Mt 28:18-20). We really do play a part in impacting the future of others-a much larger part than any of us can play by dialing up to cast our vote for the next American Idol .
Another angle on using American Idol to talk with your friends about spiritual things is the role the judges play in determining the future of the participants. Rather than being judged by Paula Abdul & Co., each of us will one day stand before God to be judged. 2 Cor 5:10 describes it this way,
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."
The Good News is that by accepting the finished work of Jesus on the cross we can escape being judged by our works as we stand in God's presence at the judgment seat of Christ as a beloved, forgiven child of God.
With so many people tuned in to the cultural phenom of American Idol, you will easily find frequent openings for using it to talk about spiritual truths. Here are some suggestions to get your conversations headed in a spiritual direction.
- Why do you think American Idol is so popular?
- Do you think people love rooting for the underdog? Share how Jesus is the ultimate example of caring for the underdog, the lost and the broken.
- Do you ever image what it would be like to have your own 15 minutes (or a TV season) of fame? Do you think everyone wants to be loved and valued by others for who they are? Share how God has already demonstrated his love for us as our Heavenly Father.
- Do you think part of American Idol's appeal is that people like to feel like they have the power to impact the success and future of others? Ask your friends if they realize that in the most important and eternal aspect of life they have the power to impact their own future by choosing Jesus.
- After we die, do you think there is a final judgment before God, the REAL Judge, where we receive what is due us? Share the Good News that Jesus paid for our sins in our place.
The American Idol frenzy will only escalate in the next few weeks as the countdown to the next American Idol winner continues. Use it to share your faith!
