Who or what do we worship?

Who or what do we worship?

³“You shall have no other gods before^[a] me.⁴ “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. ⁵ You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God….. Exodus 20:3-4a

 

1.      What is an idol?  How does someone/something become an idol?

 

2.      Name some idols in our world today?

 

3.      How do we identify an idol in our own life?  At what point does something or somebody become an idol in our life?

 

4.      How do we remove an idol from our life and ensure that God stays on the throne of our hearts?

 

20 piercing questions from Tim Keller.

These are great questions to ask ourselves to diagnose heart idols

 

“Life only has meaning/I only have worth if…

1.      I have power and influence over others.” (Power Idolatry)

2.      I am loved and respected by _____.” (Approval Idolatry)

3.      I have this kind of pleasure experience, a particular quality of life.” (Comfort idolatry)

4.      I am able to get mastery over my life in the area of _____.” (Control idolatry)

5.      people are dependent on me and need me.” (Helping Idolatry)

6.      someone is there to protect me and keep me safe.” (Dependence idolatry)

7.      I am completely free from obligations or responsibilities to take care of someone.” (Independence idolatry)

8.      I am highly productive and getting a lot done.” (Work idolatry)

9.      I am being recognized for my accomplishments, and I am excelling in my work.” (Achievement idolatry)

10.  I have a certain level of wealth, financial freedom, and very nice possessions.” (Materialism idolatry)

11.  I am adhering to my religion’s moral codes and accomplished in its activities.” (Religion idolatry)

12.  This one person is in my life and happy to be there, and/or happy with me.” (Individual person idolatry)

13.  I feel I am totally independent of organized religion and am living by a self-made morality.” (Irreligion idolatry)

14.  My race and culture is ascendant and recognized as superior.” (Racial/cultural idolatry)

15.  A particular social grouping or professional grouping or other group lets me in.” (Inner ring idolatry)

16.  My children and/or my parents are happy and happy with me.” (Family idolatry)

17.  Mr. or Ms. “Right” is in love with me.” (Relationship Idolatry)

18.  I am hurting, in a problem; only then do I feel worthy of love or able to deal with guilt.” (Suffering idolatry)

19.  my political or social cause is making progress and ascending in influence or power.” (Ideology idolatry)

20.  I have a particular kind of look or body image.” (Image idolatry)