Songs and Music Activities: One of Us
Objective:
For students to gain a greater understanding of their feelings about God. To see how music can help students explore their own beliefs.
Materials:
You will need the song "One Of Us" by Joan Osbourne, as well as a stereo. Students will need their learning logs or other paper.
The Lesson:Play the song for students, asking them to focus on the lyrics. After the song ends, pass out a copy of the words and ask them to do a reflection on the questions in the song. Allow students to "take the topic and run", exploring their thoughts about religion in general, why they doubt God or believe in God, etc. It works well to have them write for a fairly long time, giving ample opportunity for reflection. You could also give the reflection as a homework assignment.
One of Us
If God had a name, what would it be
And would you call it to his face
If you were faced with him in all his glory?
What would you ask if you had just one question?
Yeah, yeah, God is great.
Yeah, yeah, God is good.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
What if God was one of us?
Just a slob like one of us?
Just a stranger on the bus
Trying to make his way home?
If God had a face, what would it look like?
And would you want to see
If seeing meant that you would have to believe
In things like heaven and in Jesus and the saints
And all the prophets?
Yeah, yeah, God is great.
Yeah, yeah, God is good.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
What if God was one of us?
Just a slob like one of us?
Just a stranger on the bus
Trying to make his way home?
Back up to heaven all alone
Nobody calling on the phone
‘cept for the Pope maybe in Rome.
Follow-up/Assessment:
The writing reflection students do will give you a good sense of their exploration of this topic. Students could share their thoughts with the class, or keep them private. Writing back to the student is a powerful way to communicate on paper.