A Bible study on “What Other Gods Are People Following Today?” explores how modern society has replaced the worship of the one true God with various “gods” or idols. While people in the Bible often worshiped literal idols, today’s idols tend to be subtler and can be anything that takes the place of God in our hearts. This study helps us identify these idols, examine their impact, and realign our worship to God alone.
Key Scripture on Idolatry
Scripture: Exodus 20:3-4
- Exodus 20:3-4 – “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.”
Key Insight:
- God’s commandment is clear: He alone is to be worshiped, and nothing should take His place in our lives. Idolatry is not just about statues or images but anything that takes priority over God in our hearts.
1. The “God” of Wealth and Materialism
Scripture: Matthew 6:24, 1 Timothy 6:9-10
- Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
- 1 Timothy 6:9-10 – “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”
Modern Application:
- Wealth and possessions have become a god for many people today. The pursuit of money, success, and material goods often takes priority over faith in God. This idol leads to greed, selfishness, and discontentment.
- Impact: Chasing wealth can distract people from their relationship with God and from serving others, leading to a life focused on accumulating wealth rather than growing spiritually.
Discussion Questions:
- How does the love of money and material possessions manifest in today’s culture?
- Are there areas in your life where the pursuit of wealth has taken priority over your relationship with God?
2. The “God” of Self and Personal Autonomy
Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-2, Romans 1:25
- 2 Timothy 3:1-2 – “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy.”
- Romans 1:25 – “They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised.”
Modern Application:
- Self-worship has become increasingly prevalent in today’s culture, with many placing themselves at the center of their lives, pursuing their desires, ambitions, and personal satisfaction above all else.
- Impact: This idol of self leads to pride, entitlement, and a rejection of God’s authority. People begin to prioritize their will over God’s will, seeking personal autonomy rather than submission to God.
Discussion Questions:
- In what ways does our society promote the worship of self over the worship of God?
- How can we guard against the temptation to make ourselves the center of our lives instead of God?
3. The “God” of Entertainment and Pleasure
Scripture: Philippians 3:19, Ecclesiastes 2:1-2
- Philippians 3:19 – “Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.”
- Ecclesiastes 2:1-2 – “I said to myself, ‘Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.’ But that also proved to be meaningless.”
Modern Application:
- Entertainment, pleasure, and indulgence can become gods in today’s world. Whether it’s through media, sports, vacations, or other forms of recreation, people often prioritize these pursuits over their relationship with God.
- Impact: While entertainment and pleasure are not inherently sinful, they become idols when they consume our time, energy, and focus to the point where we neglect God and spiritual growth.
Discussion Questions:
- How can entertainment and the pursuit of pleasure distract us from our relationship with God?
- What boundaries can you set to ensure that entertainment and pleasure don’t become idols in your life?
4. The “God” of Technology and Social Media
Scripture: Psalm 115:4-8, Matthew 6:21
- Psalm 115:4-8 – “But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see… Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.”
- Matthew 6:21 – “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Modern Application:
- Technology and social media have become dominant forces in modern life, often occupying more time and attention than our relationship with God. Many people are consumed with their online presence, social media following, and the latest technological gadgets.
- Impact: Technology, while useful, can become an idol when it replaces meaningful time with God and relationships. Social media can also foster comparison, envy, and self-promotion, drawing us away from the humility and contentment that God desires.
Discussion Questions:
- How can technology and social media become idols in our lives?
- What steps can we take to ensure that technology serves us rather than enslaves us?
5. The “God” of Relationships and People
Scripture: Luke 14:26, Matthew 10:37
- Luke 14:26 – “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.”
- Matthew 10:37 – “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”
Modern Application:
- Relationships, whether romantic, familial, or friendships, can become idols when we prioritize them over our relationship with God. We may seek validation, security, or identity in people rather than in God.
- Impact: While relationships are gifts from God, they should not become the source of our identity or the ultimate priority in our lives. If we place people in the position that belongs to God, we risk making them idols.
Discussion Questions:
- How can we tell if a relationship has become an idol in our lives?
- How can we keep our relationships in proper alignment with our relationship with God?
6. The “God” of Politics and Power
Scripture: Psalm 146:3, Isaiah 31:1
- Psalm 146:3 – “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.”
- Isaiah 31:1 – “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord.”
Modern Application:
- Politics, government, and power can become idols when people place their trust in political leaders or systems instead of in God. Some may believe that ultimate solutions to the world’s problems can be found in political ideologies or governments.
- Impact: While Christians are called to engage with society and politics responsibly, we must never place our hope in human institutions or leaders. Our ultimate trust must be in God alone, not in earthly powers.
Discussion Questions:
- How can political involvement or allegiance to a particular leader or ideology become an idol?
- How can we ensure that our trust remains in God rather than in human leaders or systems?
7. The “God” of Comfort and Security
Scripture: Luke 12:19-20, Matthew 6:31-33
- Luke 12:19-20 – “And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you.'”
- Matthew 6:31-33 – “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we do?
Living the Christian life can be very challenging and sometime it appears to be impossible, however God has promised to give us grace to live a rewarding Christian life.
2 Corinthians 12:9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.
A study on God’s grace is sufficient Link Got Questions Ministry