Intro:
Have you ever had this thought: If I don't have ______, I won't be happy? If you're willing to share, what was or is that for you? Or what might you fill the blank with if you asked yourself this question?
Imagine yourself literally bowing down to worship a golden idol. What stands out to you about the emptiness of idols and idol worship?
Scripture Discussion & Application:
1 John 5:18
How does knowing that you're a child of God actually keep you from sinning (placing anything above Him)?
What's the danger in trying to find identity and belonging in anything apart from God? How does that actually hurt us?
1 John 5:19
Why does it seem so natural to seek things of this world for our security and comfort?
What does it look like for a child of God to love life but not to rely on things of this world for security and comfort?
1 John 5:20
When we have a relationship with Jesus, our perspective and understanding of life and our purpose begins to be directed by Him. What happens when we find ourselves looking elsewhere for perspective, understanding and purpose?
1 John 5:21
An idol is anything that take's God's place in our hearts. Have you identified any idols in your life? Grab a piece of paper and a pen, and quickly write out your answers to these questions:
1. What do you value the most?
2. What do you think about the most?
3. What are you seeking the most in life?
4. What do you always have time and money for?
5. What would you sacrifice for?
6. What do you trust in?
7. What are you terrified to lose?
8. What do you desire and dream about?
You may have noticed that some of your answers were actually good things. So how can you turn your focus towards God's heart without abandoning important responsibilities?
Can anyone in the group share of a time that Christ set them free from an idol in their lives? How did Jesus help you? What were you like before and after?
Next Steps:
What needs to change in order to remove idols in your life?
How do you need help to make sure idols don't sneak back into first place?
What's one thing you can start doing this week in order to "guard" or "keep away" from anything that might take God's place in your heart?
How to Pray This Week:
Confess to God that your sinful heart draws you away from Him to other things.
Ask God to give you clear sight and remove the "blinders" that keep you on guard against.
Ask God to forgive you for your spiritual adultery.
Pray for help from worshipping the many good gifts God's given you instead of thanking and worshiping Him for them.
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Happenings
Christmas Eve Eve Service
Sunday, December 23rd at 5pm at both campuses.
There is no rWorld for the evening service.
(Sunday morning services are still happening that day as well. Normal schedule for those.)
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