How Can I Find My Idols (Part 2 from Sunday)

In this weeks message, “The Centrality of Worship,” I gave two challenges. Here is the second one…

2. Read through the “How Can I Find My Idols” questions and challenge yourself to live a life of worship unto God only… nothing less than a continuous living sacrifice for the glory of God (thanks to Mark Driscoll for the probing questions)!

Who/what are your external idols?

• Who/what is my Lord that rules over my life determining how I live?
• Who/what is my Judge I am living to earn the approval of?
• Where do you give the firstfruits of your wealth?
• Where do you give the firstruits of your time?
• What people and things take the majority of your life?
• What do you plan and pray for?

Who/what are your internal idols?

• What false beliefs do you hold about God?
• Which parts of Scripture do you deeply doubt or even disbelieve?
• Deep down in your heart who/what do you love, cherish, treasure, long for the most?
• Deep down in your heart who/what do you despise and hate the most?
• Who/what makes you happiest? Why?
• Who/what makes you saddest? Why?

Who/what is your mediator between you and God?

• Who or what other than Jesus do you use to get closer to God?
• Who or what if taken from your life would cause you to not walk as faithfully with God?
• How do you define yourself, especially when introducing yourself to others?

Where is your functional heaven?

• When daydreaming about escaping this life, what does your functional heaven look like and how is it different from the real heaven?
• On earth, where do you run for your safety or comfort as your hiding place (e.g. the fridge, alcohol, the television, a person, a place, a hobby)?

Who/what is your functional savior?

• What is your picture of hell in this life (e.g. being single, not having children, being poor, etc.)?
• Who or what do you use to save you from what you fear (e.g. a relationship, children, money, shopping, sex, etc.)?

What good thing has become a god thing?

• Which idols are in your life that when appreciated and/or stewarded correctly are means of worship but have become objects of worship (e.g. work, family, health, friendship, pleasure, leisure, hobby, etc.)?
• What idols am I selling to others?