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Contents Introduction.......................................................................................................2

SEGMENT ONE: IDOLS OF FAITH Episode 40 Episode 41 Episode 42

Identifying Idolatry........................................................ 4 Church of the Past......................................................... 6 Church of the Future..................................................... 8

SEGMENT TWO: IDOLS OF CULTURE Episode 43 Episode 44 Episode 45 Feature Episode 46

Acceptance and Applause........................................... 10 Money, Power, and Control......................................... 12 Living the Dream......................................................... 14 Little Shop of Horrors................................................. 16 Politics......................................................................... 18

SEGMENT THREE: IDOLS OF SELF Episode 47 Episode 48 Episode 49 Episode 50 Episode 51 Episode 52 Daily Bible Readings

Self............................................................................... 20 Chasing Fairy Tales..................................................... 22 Relationships............................................................... 24 Image........................................................................... 26 Entertainment and Celebrity....................................... 28 Fill in the Blank........................................................... 30 ..................................................................................... 32

Faith Café Editors: Kristi Cain, Laura Derico Writer: Chris Maxwell DVD Video Producers: Charles Powell, Michelle Wheeler Faith Café is a registered trademark of LifeSprings Resources and is used with permission. Licensed adaptation Copyright © 2008 Standard Publishing. All rights reserved. Published by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, Ohio. Printed in USA. Scripture, unless otherwise indicated, taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Scriptures marked The Message taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. When passages are paraphrased by the editor for the sake of clarity, they are consistent with a commitment to the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Bible. Cover photo © Simon Marcus/Corbis. Interior photos from Dreamstime.com: p. 2 © Zoom-zoom, p. 4 © Rosmizan Abu Seman, p. 6 © Tomasz Slowinski, p. 8 © Pmphoto, p. 10 © Miflippo, p. 12 © Viktoriia Kulish, p. 14 © Tom Schmucker, p. 18 © Aleksandar Radovanovic, p. 20 © Constantin Opris, p. 22 © Wrangler, p. 24 © Marcin Balcerzak, p. 26 © Adam Radosavljevic, p. 28 © Kheng Guan Toh, p. 30 © Crni_arapin, p. 32 © Boguslaw Kupisinski; from Bigstockphoto.com: p. 3 © Dirk Paessler; from istockphoto.com: p. 16 (top) © Achim Prill, p. 16 (bottom) © Christoph Ermel, and p. 17. All Web site addresses were accurate at the time of printing. Any corrections can be sent to Standard Publishing, www.standardpub.com.

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Introduction

E

ach time we begin a new topic for Faith Café, I try to read one book on the subject in order to help me get immersed in it. So as I headed out the door for the airport one morning, I had intended to pick up Bob Hostetler’s American Idols but, almost by accident, I instead grabbed Madeleine L’Engle’s book on idols, Penguins and Golden Calves. The more I read, the more I knew I would not be able to put this book down.

One of the most challenging themes was her observation that an idol is seldom some terrible sin or vice. More often, it’s the good blessings God has given us that we allow to take his place. When I think of the term idol this way, I am compelled to acknowledge that L’Engle’s thesis is true. For example, in my attempt to be the “perfect” mom, I can give my boys so much of myself, my time, my energy, and my attention that I have very little if anything left to give the other things and people in my life, including God. Should I be concerned about being the best mom I can? Absolutely! Does being a great mom mean giving them so much of

myself that I have nothing left over? No. In fact, my children will benefit more from a healthy mom who has enough energy to take care of herself, her marriage, and her relationship with God. Basically, I have two options: I can worship my children, making them the ultimate priority in my life, or I can worship God and love with the magnified, wonderful love that God gives me for my children. It’s a simple choice, really.

As you study and discuss idols of faith, culture, and self, be a little introspective about your relationship to the good gifts from God in your life. Do you value any of them too highly? Spend some time in prayer the next few weeks and ask God to examine your heart and show you the things you need to surrender. Then be honest and authentic with your group. Share your struggles with one another, and grow as together you learn to place a priority on letting Christ be really the Lord of your life.

ENTER In our gatherings we do not want you just to sit back and listen. Faith Café invites you to enter into an environment where it is safe to ask for and seek answers. Phrases lure your mind toward deeper paths; quotes dare you to stare into your real self; questions give you a chance to talk to yourself and your friends about what is relevant in your lives.

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I n t ro d u c t i o n

DRINK

WALK

This segment highlights portions of Scripture to help you gain a better understanding of truth, while friends beside you voice their own reflections about how the biblical story inspires them to believe in new ways. Your soul can be refreshed by drinking in the living water of God’s Word.

As we examine society’s trends and scrutinize Christianity’s core beliefs, we choose not to leave it there. We offer suggestions to walk out with the truth you’ve explored and straightforward strategies for declaring doctrine daily to those around you. Actions such as writing letters, serving meals, or visiting hospitals will allow you to take your faith and share the delight with desperate people.

Every session includes an invitation to experience the truth you’re studying on a regular basis. Spiritual disciplines such as intercession, silence, worship, study, and journaling help move you toward transformation. Your heavenly Father can guide and change you as you evaluate your habits and lifestyle.

SAVOR You will savor the stories of the struggles, musings, and triumphs of imperfect people like us who are journeying into a deeper relationship with Jesus. You will get a taste of ancient reality as it touches our fast-paced culture. And these bites of life will help to guide, challenge, and focus you.

EXPERIENCE Faith Café also offers statistics to investigate, books to read, video clips to watch, Web sites to peruse, and thoughts to ponder. The discussions of our society today will provoke groups to enter and experience lessons together. You’ll create community and in doing so, learn more about yourself.

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You are invited to taste and see, to drink and be refreshed. By reflecting and exploring, by examining and investigating, by meditating and applying, you just might discover a way to know God more and to get closer to the person he created you to be. We have no doubt you’ll be glad you decided to sit, sip, and talk about life at Faith Café.

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EPISODE 40

I D O L S O F FA I T H

Identifying Idolatry ENTER

DRINK

G-O-D. The one who made us and offers hope to us in this life and for eternity. God is also the one who demands first place in our lives.

Idolatry refers to the worship of any object as a god, such as the worship of stars, planets, and oceans.

It can also refer to the act of bowing to animals or ancestral representations. We often think of such things as being from a different time, in a more primitive society. But what about us?

In this series of lessons, we ask you to evaluate your desires. Determine what matters most to you.

And ask, Is God what really matters most to me?

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.

—Psalm 96:1-5

In a modern world filled with freedom, diversity, beauty, and technological achievement, does idolatry exist? Think about these questions: n What idols do you have in your life? n What idols have you? n To what things are you particularly devoted? n At what point do you think devotion can become idolatry?

The television was Tom’s “fix” for the evening. His family had left for the weekend to visit relatives. His job had dominated his time all week, so he hardly knew they were gone. Arriving late, he had made it home each night just in time to climb into bed. Leaving early, he had had breakfast meetings scheduled with important clients each morning. He had called his wife a few times throughout each day to check on her and the children. Each time he’d called, he had been in a hurry. Rushing here, racing there, discussing here, and debating there: such was Tom’s week.

Tonight was different. Tom was home alone. A reclining chair was his throne; television was his entertainment; the channel selector was his control; food was his drug. He opened the bag of burgers he had picked up on his way home and flipped the channel to ESPN, where he knew they’d be showing the sports news show he had been waiting all week to watch.

Plus, he remembered the cable company had given them free movie channels this month. Ahhh . . . Tom needed—actually deserved deserved—a night like this.

Consider it “The prophetic task was twofold: to name the idols and to call the people back to the Lord.

In order to free the captives, the captivity had to be named. The prophets pointed the way of return to God by restoring the collective memory of the people.”

—Jim Wallis, from “Betraying Jesus”

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SAVOR

Season One Episode 40 The show brought a little laughter to Tom, his first of the week. Two men debated about which high school basketball stars would play college ball to follow through on their scholarships and which ones would go straight to the NBA. Tom knew what he would do if he had been one of those talented teenagers. He didn’t think about what he would want his son to do if he turned out like those the analysts discussed.

He stood up to get a little more soda during a commercial. Tom recognized the patriotic song he heard playing and he sang along as the ad lured observers to purchase a particular vehicle. Tom thought back to the commercial that had convinced him to change cars last year.

Everybody always smiled on commercials. They always looked happy: no problems, no sadness, and no issues. Though Tom knew life isn’t really like that, he enjoyed the fictional life for a night.

Tom sat back down just in time to watch one last plastic commercial smile before the show returned to the ongoing debate. He shook his head, smiling again as the men discussed success, possible contracts, and potential shoe deals for these tall, young, financially poor-for-only-a-little-longer athletes.

Tom looked to his left and noticed the lottery ticket he had purchased on his way home. Samantha would never know. He knew his wife disapproved of his small gambling indulgences. But what if they won? How would she feel then? Tom held the ticket, looked at the number, and grabbed a handful of french fries.

When his cell phone rang, he didn’t really want to answer. The caller ID showed it was Samantha. He lowered the TV volume, put down his lottery ticket, and said, “Hey, honey.”

EXPERIENCE I remember a conference in New York City. The topic was social justice. Assembled for the meeting were theologians, pastors, priests, nuns, and lay church leaders. At one point a Native American stood up, looked out over the mostly white audience, and said, “Regardless of what the New Testament says, most Christians are materialists with no experience of the Spirit. Regardless

of what the New Testament says, most Christians are individualists with no real experience of community.” He paused for a moment and then continued: “Let’s pretend that you were all Christians. If you were Christians, you would no longer accumulate. You would share everything you had. You would actually love one another.

And you would treat each other as if you were family.” His eyes were piercing as he asked, “Why don’t you do that? Why don’t you live that way?” (from Jim Wallis, The Call to Conversion)

Look into it n n n n n

Bob Hostetler, American Idols Madeleine L’Engle, Penguins and Golden Calves Henri Nouwen, In the Name of Jesus www.boundless.org/features/a0000905.html www.somareview.com/betrayingjesus.cfm

WALK What do you own that in some ways actually owns you? Spend some time in prayer this week honestly asking God if any material possession has become an idol to you.

Assess your idolatry potential: n Keep a chart of how much time you spend each day in various activities. How much time do you spend with God? n Choose to give away something you are very attached to. How much will you miss it? Give it to someone who needs it more than you.

This week’s spiritual discipline is praise: Read Psalm 96 every day this week as a discipline of giving thanks to God. Pray the words to God as you read. Praise him for what he has given you and for what he has kept away. Praise with song, reverence, silence, shouts of joy, and honest confessions. Rewrite your own version of this ancient song. Let the discipline of praise help you enter these sessions with an open, thankful, humble heart toward your heavenly Father.

EPISODE 41

I D O L S O F FA I T H

Church of the Past ENTER When change in our place of worship means removing what is dear to us—such as how things have always been done in church, how to dress, how to pray, how to preach, or what songs to sing—we should ask ourselves, “Do we love our method of experiencing God more than we love God himself?”

Let’s think about change in the church: n Has a church you’ve attended gone through significant changes? How so? n What positive effects can change have? n What negative effects of change have you experienced? n What changes in their traditions do you think the disciples experienced?

Consider it “Anxiety can drive us to seek protection. . . .

But the churning uneasiness can also fuel creativity, engender excitement, nudge us toward a fresh appreciation of the Spirit’s guidance. The quest for new wineskins can open doors to fresh ministries and vibrant witness that might never have emerged if discomfort hadn’t mobilized us.”

—Douglas R. Loving, “Wine Tasting”

DRINK No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do men pour new wine into old

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wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.

—Matthew 9:16, 17

SAVOR Brother Cloud sat still. He was very quiet. He watched, listened, and thought, but said very little.

I explained to him our plans to plant a new church in his area. Since denominational leaders had informed me about his living in a nearby subdivision, they suggested we meet.

We were different. I was a young, inexperienced, confident man moving from a youth pastor role to planting a new church as the senior pastor; he had retired from pastoring and evangelizing over a decade ago. I had long hair; he didn’t, and he didn’t like mine. I had on jeans; he wore his coat.

We both had Bibles, though, so that was good. I wanted to read a passage to explain my case for starting a church, so I opened my New International Version (NIV) as Brother Cloud opened his King James Version.

Our conversation covered all the subjects I thought might be controversial: music styles, worship length, preaching method, and evangelism methods. We had differing views on many of the topics, but a few times we spoke the same language. We laughed together.

We chatted about an awesome God together. We prayed together.

Brother Cloud stopped asking questions. He told me his story: camp meetings and revivals that lasted for weeks; poor people serving him all the food they had; raising children as a traveling preacher; songs, shouts, prayers, and anointing. I felt as if Brother Cloud had just taken me there. I heard the excitement