Introduction:
- Read Exodus, 20:3-4, Deut. 5:7-8, 1 John 5:21
- What is an idol? (expect to get responses referring to stone images, etc.)
- Does this commandment have any relevance to us today? (expect to receive answer “no.” Do not discuss, but leave question hanging…)
Watch movie:
(note: preview and hide screen for first 5 sec.)
Discussion Questions:
[Note: when I did this, I printed off sheets with the questions, but no answers. I instructed the youth to find the answers by paying attention to the video. Then, when I began asking questions they had already been thinking about them.]
“What is an Idol?”
- Something that occupies the place of God in your life
- Takes priority, precedence, prominence
- It is the most important thing
- It is where we go when we are:
- Grieving
- Happy
- In trouble
- Gives hope for the future
- Gives purpose in life
- (e.g. alcohol)
“What idols were mentioned? Can you think of some idols in your school?”
- Madonnah, movie stars
- Michael Jackson
- Starbucks
- Body image
- Justin Beiber
“Why do these idols always disappoint? Can you tell a story of someone disappointed by an idol? How did it make that person feel?”
- Aren’t perfect
- Don’t live forever
- Not continually faithful
- Twilight? M. Jackson? RPG’s and video games? Dating relationships? Substances?
“What does it mean to ‘worship’ an idol?”
- Make it known to the world that you worship (e.g. starbucks)
- Sacrifice your time, health, energy (e.g. work)
- Devote your emotions to your worship (e.g. Jackson)
- Find fulfillment and identity (e.g. working out)
“What would it look like to worship God?”
- Make your choice known to the world
- Sacrifice time, health, energy
- Devote your emotions to God
- Find fulfillment and identity in God
“Why God, not other idols?”
- He is perfect
- He lives forever
- He is faithful
- He will not disappoint you
* Most of all, you were made to worship God, and you will have a hunger inside which is not satisfied until you truly learn to worship Him with your whole heart.
Take a moment to carefully consider the following questions:
1) Do I have idols? What are they?
2) Are they satisfying my needs and desires? Will they disappoint me?
3) If I were to worship God, what would it look like?
