Who are we worshiping?

Last Sunday I had fun exploring the lectionary themes of idols, trying to follow both God and pagan gods, trusting in God to provide and doing things to please God, not other people.

There was a lot to unpack from the story of Elijah and the two altars (1 Kings 18:20-39). The one to God ended up a fiery inferno that decimated not only the bull offering and wood, but the stones and water that Elijah had the Israelites pour on it three times and that filled a trough all around it. The altar to Baal, despite their wailing and self-mutilation, just sat there, the gods hollow and silent.

This hugely contrasted with the gospel lesson (Luke 7:1-10) of the centurion whose slave was sick and who knew Jesus was a healer. He sent for Jesus, but before Jesus reached his house sent word that he wasn’t worthy to have Jesus come inside his home. He knew that Jesus had the authority to heal and trusted Jesus to do it. The reading from Galatians 1:1-10 had Paul highlighting the need to please God, not other people.

At children’s time we talked about the cool things that you just “had” to have to fit in and whose posters were on our bedroom walls growing up. While we can probably readily identify certain idols – objects of excessive devotion – some others may not be so obvious. We can idolize our possessions, our pets, our homes, our bodies and our work, just as much as we can idolize actors, athletes, sports teams, royalty, musicians and media and business moguls.

As we work with children and youth, we can often see what their “idols” are – cell phones, social media, video games, boyfriends/girlfriends, sports, etc. Our talents, interests, relationships and stuff all play a role in our lives and can be healthy and help us grow. How do we help learners to engage and be aware of when these things have taken over and become idols, at the expense of their much-needed relationship with God? Consider one or more of the following:

1. Have older learners draw a circle that represents either a typical day or week. Have them make slices in their pie to show how much time they think they spend doing different things, like school, sleep, eating, sports, computer, homework, prayer, church activities, etc. Another way of doing this is to have them track for a week what they do with a page with the hours of 6 am – midnight along the side and the days of the week across the top. What do they learn about themselves? Are they ok with how they spend their time? What does it say about their relationship with God?

2. Talk about what the word idol means. How is it like an obsession? worship? focus? Who do they know who has become obsessed or even addicted to something? How do you know if you are addicted to something? What can you do if you are? 

3. Talk about how God wants and deserves our devotion. God wants to be in relationship with us. What makes a strong friendship? Talk about ways that kids can get to know God and Jesus better. Brainstorm ideas of how to spend quality time with God (i.e. prayer, reading the Bible, being with others at worship and other church activities). Ask if other people should be able to tell if you love God. How do we show God respect?

4. Talk about worship itself. Often children are only in part of the service and then sent to Sunday school. Look at the main parts of a service – gathering, hearing God’s Word, responding, going out – and talk about some of the things that happen in each of those parts in basic terms. What parts do they like best? What parts are boring? When do they feel closest to God? Do they come to church expecting to experience God?

5. Talk about the idea of an altar. In the Old Testament, God wanted the people’s first and best as a sign that they put God first in their lives. What do we/can we offer to God that shows our love for God? Brainstorm a list and arrange a way to have these things offered, either during a worship service or during learning time on a special table or “altar” that the learners create (the offerings could be actual objects, symbols or words).

As leaders, it can be easy for us to fall in love with the devotion of our kids, to feel pride about what we do, or to even devote ourselves to someone in the congregation we admire or the minister rather than keeping our focus on God. Take time to pray about where your focus is – is it on yourself, on others and keeping them happy, or on Jesus? How can you ensure that your ministry is devoted to Christ?