Pastor Jon talked about the human propensity to turn just about anything into a small "g" god, or an idol.
MY STORY
Talk about a time when you turned to something or someone other than God to solve your problems—because God seemed to be moving "too slowly." How did it turn out?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO HEAR?
And the Lord said to Moses, "Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, 'These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!'" (Exodus 32:7-8; please read all of Exodus 32)
After God had just led them out of Egypt, the people wanted an idol to follow and worship.
Why do you think these people turned to idolatry so quickly after witnessing all the miracles in Egypt? What do you think the benefits were of having an idol that they could see and touch?
Though it seems as if God is reacting out of anger, we know that God is always intentional in His plan, and that nothing is done without His knowledge and nothing is outside of His control.
What do you think is the point of God telling Moses that He'll destroy His people and make a great nation out of Moses' bloodline?
If someone were to come up to you and accuse you of worshipping one of the idols you mentioned earlier, what would your automatic reply be? Don't think too long on your response!
Compare and contrast Moses and Aaron's responses to being confronted with the fact that the Israelites were worshipping idols.
Which one of their responses had God's approval and why?
How does God discipline his people for their sin? Are these fitting punishments – why or why not?
What does God want us to hear? Based on the passage and the questions above, what "takeaways" do you think God has revealed to you?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO DO?
What are the root issues behind idolatry? Why does the human heart want to puts its ultimate security into something?
Once a person has established that he or she has an idolatry problem, what are some concrete steps that person can take to center his or her life back around God?
What are some preventative measures you can take to stop yourself from backsliding into idolatry, besides just never using the object (or talking to the person, or that fantasy) again? What are some ways your group can hold each other accountable?
What does God want us to do? Flowing out of our reading and interpretation, what action does this passage or the Spirit's leading, call us to?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO?
Consider finding an accountability partner and asking them to question you on how you're doing each with a specific idol you struggle with.
Journal on your own a list of idols in your life that might currently are pulling at your heart. Pray through each one and ask for forgiveness and that God would re-center your mind and heart around Him alone.
What does God want ME to do? What is the personal application and action step God is calling you, personally, toward?
Message Notes
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