Welcome to Session Three!

In Session Two, we learned to identify potential idols in our lives as well as the functional gods we tend to lean on instead of the only One who can satisfy. This week, in Session Three, we are exploring the root causes for our turning to false gods. We know in our hearts that God is all we need, but when we go through certain situations or experience particular needs, it is the default response of our flesh to turn to immediate, but inferior solutions that deceive us into believing they will make us feel better.

It is time to wake up and realize what we are doing. These false gods will never meet our needs in the long term, and they always leave us wanting more. Only God can satisfy the longings of our hearts.

On day one, we studied 1 Samuel where the Israelites had demanded a king. They merely wanted to have what all the other nations around them had because their sense of identify had been shaken. Even though Samuel warned them of the problems that would come with rejecting God’s perfect plan, they continued to insist on their own way. What they really needed was to grasp their identity as God’s chosen people. They had been told exactly who they are, and they would never be settled until they accepted this truth.

For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. Deuteronomy 7:6 NIV

Similarly, the solution to our own identity crisis is to understand what God’s Word says about us. It is foolish to yearn for temporal fixes when God offers eternal satisfaction that will never leave us wanting. Let these words sink in and heal the brokenness of our false sense of identity:

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-12 NIV

 

The things the world finds its identify in – wealth, fame, romance, position, fashion, pleasure, fitness, power – are fleeting and unsatisfying identify markers. These things can’t define me, or can they give me a fulfilling and lasting idea of my worth. ~Kelly Minter

In addition to the holes that an identity crisis can leave in our hearts, we also explored other causes for our turning to false gods. Here are some of the most common pitfalls:

• Sometimes we get tired of waiting for God to answer our prayers in the way we expect, and we may take matters into our own hands. Instead of trusting and waiting on God, we may become impatient and force a quick fix that will ultimately make even more of a mess. That is what Abraham and Sarah did. They had waited for God to fulfill the promise of a son, but they became impatient and botched up the plan. This one act of throwing Hagar into the mix and bringing Ishmael into the world caused a huge landslide of a mess that is at the core of all the Middle East problems even today!

“…for the Lord has heard your cry of affliction.” Genesis 16:11b CSB

 “Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart be courageous.
Wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 CSB

• At times we may experience such deep emotional pain in our lives, that we will settle for anything that will numb the pain rather than going to the only One who can heal our pain. This is why so many people become buried in addiction to substances or behaviors, such as food, alcohol, drugs, shopping, social media, etc. We turn to things that will dull our senses for just awhile to help us avoid the pain. Ultimately, however, the situation only gets worse until dealt with. But, when we leave it in God’s hands, He will work something beautiful out of our pain. He will meet our needs and work everything out for our good, but it will be in His perfect way and His perfect timing.

The Lord is near the brokenhearted;
he saves those crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:14 CSB

And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 CSB

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV

• On Day Three, we learned what to do when we can’t find God, or when He seems silent. We all have seasons when it seems that God is distant when we need Him most, but that is merely because our perception is off. He is there, always working on our behalf, and we cannot rely on our feelings alone. We must be careful about seeking temporary substitutes when we can’t feel God. Allow your faith to grow and be strengthened by trusting God’s Word regardless of what your physical senses tell you.

 “…but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.” 1 Kings 19:11b-12 NKJV

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God…” Psalm 46:10a NIV

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 NIV

• Fear is a biggie! We can be so consumed by fear and anxiety, that it can become our ruler. Fear is paralyzing, debilitating, and deceptive. This is one of the devil’s favorite weapons to use against us, but we need to see it for what it is. God’s Word has a sure antidote for every fear the enemy throws our way, and we need to dig in and use the Sword of the Spirit to drive out those irrational fears rather than falling for Satan’s tactics to entice us toward a false sense of security.

“Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 CSB

When I am afraid,
I will trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 56:3-4 CSB

I hope these main “Idol Magnets” have been an eye opener to you this week. Once we recognize the root causes for our false gods, we have the opportunity to change course and turn to our loving, Heavenly Father who loves and cherishes us more than we can ever comprehend! I hope you know how loved you are!

Have a blessed week of study, and I hope to see you in a small group!

Session Three Discussion Questions

ICE BREAKER: What was your first, or most interesting job? What did you like or not like about it?

QUESTION 1: Why do you think we often try to find our identities in false gods? What is a better way?

QUESTION 2: Describe a time when you were convinced you had to fix something on your own because God wasn’t moving fast enough or in the way you hoped He would. What was the result?

QUESTION 3: Why do you think God purposely allows, or even brings, pain into your life? Describe a time you experienced this personally and how it affected your faith in Him. How does knowing He is good help you through these times?

QUESTION 4: Have you ever experienced silence from God? Why do you think we so quickly turn to a false god to help us when we feel as though God is silent? What can we do in these times?

QUESTION 5: Share a time that fear spiritually paralyzed you. Then follow that up by sharing how you moved from fear to faith in that situation.

QUESTION 6: What truth from this week had the greatest impact on you? Why?

Reading Schedule

• May 14 – 20: Read Session 4, pp. 63-87; Small groups: Discuss Session 3
• May 21 – 27: Read Session 5, pp. 89-113; Small groups: Discuss Session 4
• May 28 – June 3: Read Session 6, pp. 115-139; Small groups: Discuss Session 5
• June 4 – 10: Read Session 7, pp. 141-165; Small groups: Discuss Session 6
• June 11 – 17: Read Session 8, pp. 167-193; Small groups: Discuss Session 7
• June 18 – 23: Catch up and complete study; Small groups: Discuss Session 8

How to Participate

1. If you haven’t yet, be sure to register by leaving your name and email address in the comments below.
2. Purchase the study book.
   • KellyMinter.com
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4. Join our closed Facebook group, Heart to Heart Women’s Bible Study, for weekly interaction, activities, videos, and small group sessions. Closed means that no one will be able to see our posts unless they are members of the group. This is for your safety and privacy.
5. Small Groups: There will be a schedule for small groups pinned to the top of the Facebook group, Heart to Heart Women’s Bible Study, as we get closer to the time. All you need to do is show up at the scheduled day and time, and the discussion will take place underneath the group photo. 
6. Follow my ministry page on Facebook, Shari Lewis Ministries, to stay up-to-date on ministry events and for daily prayers, nuggets of wisdom and encouragement for your life, photos that you are welcome to share, and faith building blog posts to strengthen you in your walk with Christ.

Have a blessed week!