Memory Verse: Jeremiah 2:13
“My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.”
Day 1 – Problem with Idols – Read Exodus 20:1-4; Ecclesiastes 2:4-11; Matthew 6:31-34
Dig In: Why did God start the 10 Commandments with these 2? What was Solomon (the writer of Ecclesiastes) wanting the reader to understand about his pursuits? What life pursuits did he mention in the Eccl passage? How are those pursuits idols? What is Jesus’ promise if we “seek him first”? How does the Matthew passage relate to the previous 2?
Take Root: Solomon, for a season, is a great example of one who does not understand the importance of having no other gods before God and worshipping man-made items and accomplishments. We learned this week that to pursue things outside of God’s plan for your life is fruitless (broken cisterns vs. living spring). We start day one with this reminder and will look at 3 concepts that are the root of idols in our lives.
Cultivate: When was the last time you prioritized your life? Graduation season is a time to remember what it is like to stand at the door of new opportunities and challenges. If you look at your calendar and bank statement, what does it say about your priorities? What makes something an idol? What is one thing in your life that is being placed above your relationship with God? What do you need to do to change that?
Day 2 – Control – Relentless pursuit of Security – Read Luke 18:18-30
Dig In: What was the Rich Ruler really asking Jesus? What can we infer from his intent by his response to the answer that Jesus gave? The man wanted to know the “steps” to eternal life. He seemed to be more concerned about a checklist of spiritual items, than wanting to do what was really needed to depend on God. He wanted to remain in control (rich and powerful) and that led him to refuse to put God first in his life.
Take Root: It is always easy to see idols in other people. In this parable the obvious idol for this ruler is his “stuff”. As we look at what are the roots of idols in our lives, we must begin to see what are we wanting to stay in control of versus releasing.
Cultivate: This week as we are challenged to pursue God first and acknowledge what is keeping us from that. What are you not wanting to release control of? Would people classify you as a “control freak”? As with many things, the problem is not in wanting to be able to have a say or understand the entire process of something, the problem is when that desire to control leads you to pursue idols. What idols (pursuit or longing for something more than God) do you need to call out in your life that are rooted in control?
Day 3 – Significance – Overwhelming Need for Approval and Love – Read Mark 10:35-45
Dig In: Have you ever heard the expression, “there are no dumb questions”? James and John prove that statement false. What were they asking for? What does their question reveal about their desire in the future? What was Jesus communicating when he told them that they did not know what they were asking for?
Take Root: This question was asked in the midst of several events that were taking place during Jesus’ ministry. What is curious is why they would ask this question so close to the time when Jesus rebuked the disciples for arguing over who was the greatest (Mark 9).
Cultivate: There are many ways that we look at Jesus’ Disciples and are amazed at what they got to experience by living with Him, seeing all the miracles and hearing the amazing teachings. This encounter should remind us that the disciples struggle with the same desire for significance and approval we do. In what ways do you see your faith journey as a means to an end for other people to think highly of you? Our need for approval and love from others leads us to pursue positions, relationships, and prestige that are idols.
Journal: Who have been some people in your past or currently in your life that you find yourself trying to get approval from? In what ways did that lead to idolatry? Reminder: desiring to be significant becomes an idol when it becomes more important to you finding your identity in Jesus.
Day 4 – Comfort – Avoid Stress and Responsibility – Read Proverbs 10:1-4, Galatians 6:6-10
Dig In: What is the main point of this Proverbs passage? How is the pursuit of comfort in contrast to this passage? What are we not supposed to grow weary in doing? Who are we to do good to?
Take Root: These two passages point the reader to an understanding that followers of Christ have a responsibility to continue to grow in our faith and serve those around us. Comfort is a root for embracing idols because it draws us from finding our peace in God and leads us to pursue things that help us feel better about ourselves or minimize our responsibilities in life.
Cultivate: It is easy for us to look at children and see how they are more concerned with getting the “next, best things” and how they think it should just happen, because they want it to. What are ways adults do the same thing (overnight success, 3 steps to a perfect walk with God, relationships restored through a text)? The pursuit of comfort leads to idols when we seek peace at all costs and cherish things that help us to avoid responsibility or leadership. God has been denied countless times, by people He has called to missions, because obedience would have cost that person (financial, schedule, or comfort zone). What do you need to do in response to God’s leading that is calling you out of your comfort?
Day 5 – Choosing God’s Way…Today - Read Joshua 24:14-24, 1 John 3:1
Dig In: Joshua was calling the people to a decision. What do all the questions he asked lead the people to do? Why did he challenge them to an ultimate call to deny all other gods and choose the Lord? How does the promise of the 1 John passage help someone to prioritize their relationship with God?
Take Root: Before Joshua called the people to a decision, he reminded them of how God had protected, provided for, and led His people. As we understand our need to put God first and acknowledge and reject the idols that have kept us from doing that, it is important to remember God’s grace, mercy, and love in our lives. He is worthy of the number one spot in our lives!
Cultivate: What is the most important relationship in your life? As a believer the quick answer will be, “God, of course!”. As you process this week’s devotional theme, how is your need for control, significance, and comfort working against choosing God and rejecting idols? Which of the three areas do you need to dedicate the most attention to better prioritize your relationship with God? Today, who will you choose? Today, who will you tell for accountability? Today…can be the day where you “put a steak in the ground” and declare that nothing will get in the way of God having his right place in your life.
Working the soil:
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Vs. 4 – Why is it important to understand that our God is the one true God?
Vs. 5 – What does it look like for someone to love God with all that they are – heart, soul, and might?
Vs. 6 – How does any message get to our heart – make sense and affect our behavior?
Vs. 7 – What does this verse say is the parent’s responsibility? How can children help their parents carry out this truth?
Vs. 8-9 – Weird verse for 2016 - God’s word should always be where we can see it and others can see it in our lives. What is something a family can do to prioritize God’s word in the busyness of today’s world?
Small Group Questions:
Key Passages: Jeremiah 2:13, James 1:22-25
What are some things that people say are an acquired taste? Typically, an acquired taste means it tastes gross, but over time the bad taste seems to go away. The durian fruit from southeast Asia is something that fits that description. It is the worst smelling fruit in the world. Yet, people of SE Asia cannot get enough of it (the fruit is actually banned from many hotels). Google it…and enjoy.
The message from Sunday discussed cisterns and how they were used for storing water in arid regions. The water in those would become stale and gross. How does the water from man-made storage compare to the water from a fresh spring?
Why do people seem to be content with the acquired taste of stale water when God offers the best tasting and nourishing water we can ever imagine? Why is it that we can “taste and see how good our God is” (Psalm 34:8) and become content with a putrid counterfeit?
How can we help each other hear these truths and put them into practice in our lives? How will community help us not “merely listen to the word”, but do what it says?