“You don’t know ‘Pink Pony Club’?!” someone exclaimed to me recently when I said I didn’t recognize the song. “You have to know ‘Pink Pony Club.’”
I didn’t. At 30 years old, I’m at an age where keeping up with pop culture takes conscious effort.
So, I listened to “Pink Pony Club.” And although it didn’t resonate with me personally, it does with students, which means the song — along with the thousands of other bits of music and media teens consume each week — is shaping their hearts and minds.
This experience reminded me that, as youth leaders, we have an opportunity to help students think biblically about the pop culture they encounter. The following admonishment from the apostle Paul provides a great framework to guide conversations with students about their media consumption.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. Philippians 4:8
Within this Scripture passage are key concepts that can help students discern how to engage — and when to disengage — with the pop culture that surrounds them.
Whatever is true, whatever is noble
We live in a broken, sinful world. That means that music and media that fails to depict that brokenness can be deceptive — and it’s something students can see right through. Stories and music allow us to wrestle with issues of evil and sin, which means we shouldn’t automatically condemn the pop culture that students are consuming simply because it shows or describes sinful behavior. (If we held that standard, we wouldn’t let them read the Bible!)
Instead, encourage teens to find and focus on what is noble within something that they enjoy. Some parts of culture have nothing redeemable in them, but far more have pieces of truth and spiritual value sprinkled throughout. Rather than pushing students toward preachy Christian content they may not enjoy, have them ask themselves these questions about the media they encounter:
- What redeeming principles or truths does this communicate?
- Does this simply depict sin or is it celebrating it?
Whatever is right, whatever is pure
“Whatever is right” could also be phrased “whatever is correct.” Even if students are consuming pop culture that isn’t preachy, all art reflects the values and worldview of its creator. Talk with your students about what the artist might believe about the world, based upon what they see or hear.
Consider the purity of the Gospel message, its clarity and simplicity. There’s no deception. No confusion. When discussing pop culture with your students, ask them:
- Is the message of the art clear? Why or why not?
- Does it seem like its creator is being intentionally vague and unclear? If so, what do you think they’re trying to communicate?
- Do you agree with the artist’s worldview?
Whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable
We serve a creative, beautiful God (see Psalm 104), and He made us to celebrate beauty and creativity. Pop culture is often popular because it provides some artistic value that many people can appreciate. Good writing, catchy music, and colorful visuals can all be beautiful things that are praiseworthy. Help students find and focus on those beautiful things.
Admire what you can about what your students like, and acknowledge the unique insight they bring to the conversation. Rather than focusing on pointing them away from what they enjoy, point them toward the pieces of pop culture that are uplifting and edifying.
A good question to ask:
- Where in this do you see beauty or creativity?
Think about such things
One way to help your students be wise about pop culture is to find out what they’re interested in and engage with it yourself, perhaps even alongside them. For example, you could offer to take them to a movie they’re excited about and use the opportunity to connect with them on a deeper level. (Bonus points if you let them play the music on the way to the theater and then ask them some of the discernment questions outlined here!)
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The media students are consuming can be a tool that helps you connect with them and cues up deeper spiritual topics. After all, every piece of pop culture tells a story, and all good stories, to some degree, reflect the greatest story ever told — the Gospel.
Use Philippians 4:8 and these discernment questions to help students find Gospel threads when they can in pop culture and be wise about what to do when they can’t.
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Here is some music and media popular with students right now:
- Wednesday – TV show
- Star Trek: Strange New Worlds – TV show
- KPop Demon Hunters – movie
- Fortnite – video game
- Helldivers 2 – video game
- Tears by Sabrina Carpenter – song
- Soda Pop by Saja Boys – song
