I do not know if you enjoy the deeper meanings or the reasons behind something or not, but I love looking for the deeper meaning behind songs or sayings. I enjoy learning and discussing the meanings of what prompted a song or a saying to emerge and what made the song or saying powerful for the person who wrote or performed it.
- Can you name a secular song or saying and explain the deeper meaning behind it?
- Many of our church songs also have a deeper meaning behind them. Can you name a church song or saying and explain the deeper meaning behind it?
If you grew up in the church as I did, you may know a lot of songs that have deeper meanings or spiritual truths behind them. When we were kids, we were often taught these songs with hand motions to help us remember the song and then recall God’s truth.
- Can you think of a children’s song that you remember the hand motions for?
- If you grew up in the church, what was your favorite kids’ song from childhood? Do you remember the hand motions? Go ahead and share the motions with your group!
There is a great children’s song written in 1948 by Ann Omley, which included these lyrics:
The wise man built his house upon the Rock,
The wise man built his house upon the Rock,
The wise man built his house upon the Rock,
And the rains came tumbling down.
The rains came down and the floods came up,
The rains came down and the floods came up,
The rains came down and the floods came up,
But the house on the Rock stood firm.
The foolish man built his house upon the sand,
The foolish man built his house upon the sand,
The foolish man built his house upon the sand,
And the rains came tumbling down.
The rains came down and the floods came up,
The rains came down and the floods came up,
The rains came down and the floods came up,
And the house on the sand fell flat.
So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ,
So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ,
So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ,
And the blessings will come down.
The blessings come down as your prayers go up,
The blessings come down as your prayers go up,
The blessings come down as your prayers go up,
So, build your life on the Lord.
The Scripture that this song is based upon is found in Matthew 7:24-27, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
- Is there anything in the Scripture that is not reflected in the song?
- Is there anything extra in the song that is not directly mentioned in the Scripture?
We know that this Scripture is a continued layer of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, and Jesus employed a parable (story or narrative) to help us understand the principle. We are introduced to the two men who built their houses, one built on the rock and the other built on the sand. It is interesting that the same type of storm hits both houses, but the outcome is quite different. The builder who built his house on the rock was a wise builder, and the one who built on the sand is called foolish because his house collapsed, and the loss was great. When the foundation of something is weak or unsteady, the structure on top of it will suffer damage and will need repairs or will completely collapse. We must realize that the life built upon the proper foundation will still see or face the storms, but with the proper foundation, it will stand!
- Go back to the main Scripture. What does Jesus say we must do to build our house (life) on the sure foundation?
Jesus is concerned about those who would not build their lives on the Word of God. I would challenge us that it is more than just hearing Jesus’ words, but what we do with His Word. James 1:22 reads, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” This verse is very challenging because it tells us to not only listen, but put into practice the Word of God in our daily lives. However, there is a warning telling us that if we hear the Word but do not put it into practice, then we deceive ourselves.
- Why is it so hard to put the Scripture into practice?
- Can you think of another verse that gives you encouragement about building your life on Jesus and His Word?
I know for myself and many others that our life circumstances seem to have a very heavy impact on my opinion, actions, and ultimately, how I live my life. We need to be reminded that as we grow, trust, obey, and follow His Word, our lives cannot be shaken by circumstances. This section of Scripture reminds me of a hymn that I learned after I left the children’s church program. It is called “My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less.” This song is also based on this parable. The first two verses and chorus are as follows:
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
- Do you see the truths and comparisons to the parable of the “wise man who built his house upon the rock”? Please name them and share them with the group.