FOUNDATIONS: Project H Facing My Idols

Table of Contents

1 Making the Most of My God Times

2 Making the Most of My Group Times

Project A Making the Most of My Time

Project B Appendix C: “Barnabas Group Project”

3 God’s Purpose for You

4 God’s Power for You

Project C Appendix E: “Testing My Spiritual Power”

5 God’s Process for You

Project D Appendix G: “The Nine Powers of God, the Spirit, and the Spirit-Controlled Christian”

6 Christ’s Love Compels Us

Project E Counting My Blessings

7 God’s Love Through God’s People

Project F Experiencing God’s Love through God’s People

8 God’s Glory Purifies Us

Project G Comparing Christ

9 Jesus is Your Best Friend

10 Jesus is Your Real Identity

11 Your God-given Needs

12 Loving False Gods Rejects the Real God

13 Cursed are Those Who Worship People

14 You are Filled through Christ

Project H Facing My Idols

Appendix A P.O.W.E.R. Plan for God Times

Appendix B P.O.W.E.R. Plan for Barnabas Groups

Appendix C Barnabas Group Project

Appendix D Memory Verses for the FOUNDATIONS Study

Appendix E Testing My Spiritual Power

Appendix F An Outline of the Christian Essentials & The “Transformation Triangle”

Appendix G The Nine Powers of God, the Spirit, & the Spirit-Controlled Christian

Appendix H The Seven Types of Faith in Scripture (optional reading)

Appendix I The Seven Emotional Needs of Humans

Appendix J Recommended Resources for Further Study

Project 2H

Facing My Idols

In chapters 2.11-2.14 we discussed the vital issues of having your identity in Christ and recognizing idols in your life. These two things are obviously related. Not having your needs met by God results in seeking to meet them apart from God. A lack of identity in Christ results in idolatry. Which is why the following questions regarding idols is also a test of your identity.

Therefore, it is important to recognize any false gods in your life. These can be painful to admit. Remember, God has already forgiven you for any idol in your life. But it hurts Him that you love them more than Him. And He is very concerned about how they are hurting your life.

Spend some time with God and honestly consider the “Probable Signs of Idolatry.” We say “probable” because a few of them may not be in certain situations. If you feel one applies to your life right now, mark it.

For any possible idol you have marked, memorize and begin to believe or obey the suggested verse of Scripture provided under “God’s Desires and Promises.” Or you can find other Scriptures that you prefer.

In addition, consider fasting for a period of time from something that has become an idol in your life. Whether it is a person, thing, or activity, doing without it for a while will help you assess the strength of its hold on you. Fasting will also help you experience God without the false god.

Pray the “heart prayer” from Ps 139 for God’s help with this project:

Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any  hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way. (Ps 139:23-24 NASB)

√

Probable Signs of Idolatry

God’s Desires or Promises

Possessions
 

I often worry about money

Matt 6:32-33
 

I depend on my spiritual gifts or ministry to feel significant

1 Cor 4:7
 

I am jealous of the possessions other people have

Ps 23:6
 

I have a lot of debt for things I do not need

Heb 13:5
 

I do not give 10% of my income to my local church

Mal 3:10
 

I believe that worldly possessions are an important sign of success and God’s love

Job 2:3
 

I am really afraid of losing my job

Col 3:23-24
 

I feel very bad if I do not do well in a test, or get a bad grade in school school

Col 3:23-24
 

I feel diminished when others are publicly praised for things I think I am good at

Rom 12:3-8
 

I love animals or nature more than people

1 Tim 1:15
 

I constantly obsess over saving money

2 Cor 9:6-11
 

I often spend money I do not have

Heb 13:5

People
 

I feel condemned by someone

1 Cor 4:3
 

I feel afraid of someone

Prov 29:25
 

I feel great pressure from someone to perform or succeed

Gal 1:10
 

I am obsessed with someone

Matt 10:37
 

Someone really frustrates me

Col 3:13
 

Someone is making me feel like I am not valuable

Eph 1:3-8
 

I feel alone

Heb 13:5
 

I am very afraid of losing someone

Heb 13:5
 

I really hate displeasing people. It is very hard for me to tell them “no”

1 Thess 2:4
 

I am very angry/bitter toward someone

Phmn 1:17-18
 

I really hate conflict with people

1 Cor 4:3-4
 

I am very concerned about what people think of me

Gal 1:10
 

I feel like my happiness or success is being blocked and hindered by someone

Phil 4:11
 

I am very tempted to be sexually immoral

1 Cor 6:18
 

I am very concerned about my physical looks

1 Sam 16:6-7
 

I crave the praise of people

John 5:41
 

I have a boyfriend or girlfriend but am not spiritually or financially ready to be married, or do not intend to marry them.

Song 8:4
 

I keep seeking my sense of security and significance in other people

Jer 17:5
 

I am afraid to correct someone when they need it

Gal 6:1
 

I feel responsible for meeting needs in someone’s life that only God can satisfy.

Matt 11:29-30

Pleasure
 

I look at pornography

Job 31:1
 

I often eat more than I should, especially when I am feeling sad, afraid, angry, or insignificant

1 Cor 10:31
 

I often feel bored

John 15:11
 

I spend a lot of time being entertained by television, games, books, sports, a hobby, etc.

Matt 22:37-38