What kind of relationships had God designed us for?
- Exclusive relationships
- Ex: Genesis 1 man…cleave to his wife
The first commandment is critical because it shows…
The exclusive relationship God desires to have with us
What is a God?
Whatever we bow down to and worship
What makes the first commandment so powerful?
God treats us exactly as the commandment tells us to treat Him
What is the major difference between the true God and the false gods of our lives?
The true God will point out and deal with our sin
What are the distinguishing principles between the first and the second commandments?
- The first commandment is about the object of our worship
- The second commandment deals with the mode of our worship or how we worship God
Why is it not enough to turn our backs on false gods?
We must learn to kneel before God as he is and not as a figment of our imaginations
Why were no images of God to be used in worship?
It was a way to control and manipulate the Lord’s power. The image makes God malleable
What are the 3 ways of misunderstanding God that result from the use of idols?
- It misunderstands God’s freedom
- The use of images grossly undercuts God’s majesty
- The use of images misunderstands God’s covenant with us
What are some things in the bible that God allowed for word pictures for his people?
Wood, clay, metal or other media to sculpt or create art
Latria
Worship in the strict sense is due God only
Dulia
Veneration is a lesser kind of worship which is to be given to images, like a mosaic of a saint
What temptation always makes the second commandment relevant? In what ways do we see thus in our lives?
- We face the temptation to represent God with something else
- Ex: if your idol is your boyfriend/girlfriend then your identity is in relationship performance
Our image of who God must be is shaped by the…
- Written word (the bible)
- Spoken word (preaching based on scripture)
- Living word (Jesus, as mentioned in John 1)
Performance treadmill
You never get off the performance treadmill because you aren’t trusting in how Jesus performed in his life and death for you
Pagan assumption 1
A god is unhappy with me. Therefore, i have to appease him
Pagan assumption 2
A god is reluctant to give me anything, even if it is good. Therefore, I have to coax him
Pagan assumption 3
A god is obligated to come through for me if I can perform the proper ritual. Therefore, I must manipulate him
Pagan assumption 4
A god js changeable and may alter his opinion of me at any time. Therefore, I must constantly prove I am a good person
Pagan assumption 5
A god is simply a responder and will react to me with either punishment or reward. Therefore, I must always do the things that will always call for a reward response from him
