(St James’ Youth Ministry discussion notes, which include excerpts from The Room Where It Happens: A Lent course for groups or individuals based on the musical Hamilton by Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin)
Week 2: ‘Rise Up’: Ambition and Temptation
Prayer: “Lord, teach me to strive to be in the room where I can dream to make a difference, and handle the temptations that come along.
- Can you remember as a child thinking or saying what you wanted to be when you grew up?
- How easy of difficult was it to fulfill that ambition?
- Who or what were some of those obstacles?
- What does ambition look like amongst your peers?
“As a young child, Alexander Hamilton would have watched the other children around him going to school, and may even had known the reason why he had to be home-schooled (his parents were not married and back then children of unmarried parents were treated differently–so he was not allowed to attend the church-run school). We learn that he was a prolific reader and writer.”
Watch Video Clip the song “My Shot.”
Bishop Hudson Wilkins writes, “Sometimes we read stories in the press or hear matters discussed on the news where an individual is referred to as being ambitious. I have even heard it said of the clergy, “Oh, Rec ‘X’ is very ambitious. Here they are not referring to the person aspiring to achieve something noble; someone aspiring to bring something to fruition or make a difference. Instead, it is spoken of in a negative way. What they are really saying is that ‘this person just wants to get to the top.'”
Let us hear from Mark and Luke’s gospel about the disciples jostling for position.
Reading: Mark 10:35-40
Bishop Hudson-Wilkin writes: “I have often asked myself, what possessed the disciples to be arguing about which of them would be the greatest? It is as if they had forgotten what being with Jesus is all about–a life of serving others! I wonder if it is possible that the disciples had lost their way and their sense of purpose and therefore no longer remembered why they were following Jesus.”
- Did the disciples forget what they were about?
- Was sitting to the right or left about positioning themselves?
- What difference would it make as to who was the greatest?
- What is the significance of using a child as an example to them?
Watch Video Clip the song “Say No to This.”
[Simone’s note: Many of us dislike this part of the musical. So much pain. So much hurtful behavior. So much scandal! And if you think this is scandalous, have we got a story for you! You may recall great stories about David from church readings, sermons, or Godly Play lessons. David and Goliath, David and Jonathan, King Saul, and King David. But this next story shows us how human and imperfect David was.]
Read 2 Samuel 11:1-15
What are your thoughts on this story about David? Tell us about some of the important people in it.
- What were the signs of David’s sense of entitlement that led him to make the kind of choices he did?
- What role was played by other’s collusion in the tragedy?
- Someone at the top being engaged in major deception — how does this impact on the wider community?
“Let’s pause and call to mind our own journeys of ambition. Some of us may breathe a sigh of relief and say, ‘Thank God I am not ambitious!’ Benjamin E. Mays said that ‘That tragedy of life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach.’ So what have those goals been that we have been trying to attain? Have we been tempted to go off the beaten path to get there quickly?”
Prayer
The Lord is my pacesetter, I shall not rush.
He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals.
He provides me with images of stillness
which restore my serenity.
He leads me in ways of efficiency,
through calmness of mind,
and His guidance is peace.
Even though I have a great many things
to accomplish each day,
I will not fret, for His presence is here;
His timelessness, His all-importance,
Will keep me in balance.
He prepares refreshment and renewal
in the midst of my activity
by anointing my head with the oil of tranquility.
My cup of joyous energy overflows.
Surely harmony and effectiveness
shall be the fruits of my hours;
for I shall walk, in the pace of my Lord,
and dwell in His house forever.
— Toki Miyashina (based on Psalm 23)
Pray the Lord’s Prayer
Action
In light of what you’ve learned this week, what will you do differently, or take forward?
This week’s Lenten Practice: self reflection
Lent is a good time for us to reflect on the things that occupy our minds, our thinking. And to explore what it is that is driving our ambitions, ensuring that we do not yield to temptations that will destroy us and that which we are seeking to build.
