Unobvious Idols: Wk 6
Colossians 3:16-17 (NLT)
16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
The way to protect ourselves from idols – obvious or not – is by remaining in Jesus.
John 15:1-4 (NLT)
1 “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
1. We remain in Him through Christ-centered living by placing Jesus first in our:
– Priorities
– Desires
– Thoughts
– Actions
– Decisions
John 15:5-8 (NLT)
5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
2. When we remain in Jesus, it brings joy that hobbies can’t provide.
Acts 4:13 (NLT)
13 The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.
3. There is an invitation from Jesus for us to remain in Him while He remains in us.
John 15:15-16 (NLT)
15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. 16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.
SMALL GROUP MEETING OUTLINE
Where your faith intersects with real life!
Reconnect:
Each person shares a recent high and low from their life.
Explore:
Review the message notes.
Big Idea: Running to your hobbies as an escape rather than remaining in Jesus is a form of idolatry.
Consider:
Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.
▶ Pastor Dustin mentioned that hobbies can become idols when we use them as an escape. Are there any hobbies in your life that might be taking priority over your relationship with Jesus?
▶ Read John 15:1-4 (NLT). What does it mean for your hobbies to produce “good fruit”? Share examples of how your hobbies have positively impacted your life or the lives of those around you.
▶ Read John 15:15-16 (NLT). How could Jesus defining our relationship as friends impact how you spend time with Him?
Activate:
Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share with the Group.
Read Acts 4:13 (NLT). Will people know that you are a person who has been with Jesus? How can you ensure that your relationship with Him is evident in your daily life?
Prayer:
Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.
Pray that we would remain in Jesus, and that we would experience the great joy that comes from abiding with Him.