Sometimes the most important things in life are so obvious we miss them. Avoiding idol worship seems like one of those things. Anyone familiar with the Bible knows God strictly forbids idol worship and since none of us have seen a golden calf lately, isn’t this a sin of the past? And what does idol worship have to do with church relationships? On Sunday, these questions and more will be answered in “Developing Worship,” part of The Flip-Side Series.
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MESSAGE STUDY NOTES
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WARM UP
What were your first thoughts when you found out that the Hebrew people worshiped a golden calf after crossing the Red Sea?
SCRIPTURES USED
Romans 12:3, 16; I Corinthians 6:27-29, 8:2; Psalm 10:4 138:6; Proverbs 13:10, 21:24; Matthew 23:30; Luke 22:24; II Corinthians 12:7
Sin Lists:
Proverbs 6:16-19; Matthew 15:19; Mark 7:21-23; Romans 1:29-32;
I Corinthians 5:10-11, 6:9-10; II Corinthians 12:20-21; Galatians 5:19-21;
Ephesians 5:3-5; Colossians 3:5, 8-9; I Timothy 1:9-11; I Peter 2:1, 4:3;
Revelation 21:8, 22:15
MESSAGE POINTS
What does God say about idol worship?
Idol worship:
1. Proves you are not a follower of Jesus
2. Is self-destructive
3. Keeps us immature
4. Is often placed on good things
How does idol worship affect our lives?
1. Emotions
2. Spending
3. Mental Health
How can I spot my idols?
1. What do I pray for?
2. What do I pay for?
3. What makes me anxious?
Solution to idol worship: A-Adoration, C-Confession, T-Thanksgiving, S-Supplication
GENERAL QUESTIONS
1. Jesus said the gospel message is crowded out by “the cares and riches and pleasures of this life.” (Luke 8:14) What do you think he is referring to?
2. Paul writes that “they traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.” (Romans 1:25)
3. What lie do you think Paul is talking about? Why?
APPLICATION QUESTION
In the section “How can I spot my idols?,” what would you say are (at least) the potential idols in your life? Why?
MENTORING QUESTION
How would you counsel a young Christian adult who is involved in watching pornography (the idol of sex)?
