Leader Guide
Here we are approaching the wonderful Christmas season. Over the next few weeks, we will be diving into the different names of God. This weekend we looked at how God is a Jealous God and deserves our worship and trust completely.
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
Leaders: This section is designed to get discussions started, examine God’s truth, and apply it to our week. Life Group leaders should not assume everyone in their group is a Christ follower. Because they are taking part in a Life Group, they must have some openness to knowing more, exploring. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
1. Do you remember your first boyfriend or girlfriend or your first crush? Have you experienced jealousy?
2. Read Exodus 34:13-14. Why would God be jealous? Do you think we still struggle with having other gods in our lives today?
Leaders: Qanna is the Hebrew word for Jealous. Idolatry is worship of something or someone other than the one true God. God loves us so much, but He is Holy and will not allow us to put anything in place of Him.
3. Read Romans 1:21-23. What is the difference between an idol/graven image and a monument? What are some idols that we have in our culture?
Leaders: It’s easy to get caught up in rituals like kneeling before a cross, praying to Mary, focusing on a picture or even believing a deceased loved one is acting on our behalf. But God is the only one who sends our blessings, hears and answers our prays and gave His life for us on the cross. The objects should simply serve as reminders of God’s power and that He is the creator of all things.
4. Read Exodus 32:1-4, Colossians 3:5. Who did the Israelites never mention in Exodus 32? According to Colossians what are we to do with idolatry?
Leaders: Our jobs, bank accounts, families, or even sports can easily become idols in our lives. The Israelites did this when they gave credit for all of God’s miracles to a golden calf, they made themselves. God wants us to understand that these things cannot truly help us -- He is our only provider, our source of hope, and help. God’s jealousy isn’t like that of a spouse, a bully, or a control freak. If he allowed us to rely on idols, we’d be lost and hopeless forever.
Action Step: Ask God to reveal anything you might be holding onto too tightly. Bring it to Him, confess it, and allow Him to take His rightful place in your life.