“Shout to the Lord” on American Idol

On American Idol's Idol Gives Back televised event, the show assembled the eight semifinalists on stage with chorus and orchestra to close the show with Darlene Zschech's "Shout to the Lord."T he finale was "powerful and inspirational," but not without controversy. The writers changed the opening line "My Jesus, my Savior" to "My Shepherd, my Savior," leading to some complaints about "taking Jesus out of the song." But in watching and listening to the performance, one has to admit that it is first-class singing and arranging, and it was not buried in the middle of a commercial or promotion. It was the major finale to the charity evening. Unfortunately, the YouTube video also includes Ben Stiller's bleeped-out profanity that came after the performance.

There's a second version recorded the following night -- not as commercial, not as glitzy, and without the profanity-laced postlude by Stiller that marred the first performance. It's available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6G0U8Vg6nY.

You might consider taking a break in your Sunday school class for one week and watch this video on YouTube (the song is also in The Faith We Sing, 2074) and then discuss it:

1. How do you feel about changing the words of the verse in the first video from "My Jesus" to "My Shepherd"? Why would they do that? Why would they change it back to "My Jesus" on the video recorded the second time?
   
2. What is the impact of Ben Stiller's bleeped-out profanity in the clip that immediately follows the performance in the first video?
   
3. Of the eight singers in the video, two apparently are professing Christians, two are Mormons, and four are musicians. Does the status of the singers or the use of a Christian song in such a secular setting affect how you feel about the video?
   
4. Read through the lyrics of the verse and refrain. Some criticize this song, saying it is more about "me" and "I" than about Jesus. Is that true? Is this criticism deserved?
   
5. What is the difference between seeing this song sung on American Idol with great singers, a back-up choir, choreography, a full orchestra with electronic enhancements, a professional light show, glitter being blown about the stage, and a big crowd of people applauding and shouting their approval, all for the benefit of millions of television viewers . . . and your congregation singing the same song on a Sunday morning in your church situation?