"Breaking Chains" - Discipleship Guide - Week 3
- Sean Stanfield
- Mar 16
- 2 min read
Discipleship Guide
Breaking Chains: Tearing Down False Idols
March 23rd, 2025
Rev. Dr. Erin Beasley
Pastor Erin’s sermon focuses on Exodus 20:3, where God commands the Israelites to have no other gods before God. The message highlights how idolatry is not just about worshiping physical idols but anything that takes the place of God in our hearts. While idols often appear as good things, they can become dominant forces that lead us away from a life centered on God.
Idolatry is deceptive because it draws us into spiritual bondage rather than freedom. It shapes our identity, consumes our thoughts, and influences our decisions, leaving us anxious and dissatisfied. Lent is a time of reflection, inviting us to examine what we may have elevated above God and to reorient our hearts toward true devotion. Pastor Erin challenges us to engage in self-examination, recognizing and surrendering anything that competes for God’s rightful place. True transformation happens when we daily choose to put God first, allowing space for renewal, freedom, and deeper intimacy with God.
Questions for Reflection
1. What are some modern-day idols that we may unknowingly place before God? How can we discern when something has become an idol in our lives?
2. Can you think of a time when something good in your life took precedence over your relationship with God? How did it impact you?
3. Exodus 20:3 calls us to exclusive devotion to God. What are some practical ways we can actively ensure God remains at the center of our lives?
4. Pastor Erin says that idols can lead us into spiritual bondage rather than freedom. In what ways do misplaced priorities or attachments create stress, anxiety, or exhaustion in our lives?
5. Lent is a season of reflection and realignment. What specific distractions, habits, or attachments might you need to surrender or reevaluate during this season?
6. Pastor Erin encourages us to pray daily: "God, today I give you first place in my heart." How might consistently praying this prayer reshape your faith, priorities, and daily decisions?
Comments