Worship the Living God
Exodus 20:4-6 | Leader & Student Information

Tyler Bowles • Associate Pastor
October 7, 2026

2 Minute Read
Week 3 Devotional
Scripture

Lesson Summary

The first commandment teaches us to worship God alone. The second teaches us to worship Him as He has revealed Himself. God’s command against carved images does not forbid art; it forbids making images to worship. The living God cannot be reduced to something we create or imagine.

Idols are not always statues. Money, popularity, possessions, comfort, or success can draw our hearts away from God. These things cannot give us the lasting hope and security He provides. God’s jealousy expresses His holy, protective love: His people belong to Him, and He calls them to undivided worship.

We learn what God is like through His Word and, most clearly, through Jesus, the image of the invisible God. Although our families’ choices can influence us, we do not inherit their guilt—or their faith. Each of us needs to trust Jesus personally and follow Him, knowing that God is faithful and merciful.


Small Group Questions

Understanding the Passage
  1. What are some good things that can become too important? How can you recognize when something is starting to take God’s place in your life?
  2. Have you ever discovered that something you thought about God was different from what the Bible teaches? What can help us know God as He really is?
  3. The Israelites made a golden calf while waiting for Moses. When you feel impatient, worried, or unsure, what do you turn to for comfort? What could trusting God look like instead?
  4. God’s jealousy expresses His protective love for His people. How does knowing that God loves you change the way you hear His command to put away idols?
  5. Read Colossians 1:15–17. What does this show you about Jesus? How can knowing Him better help you trust and worship God?
  6. Having Christian parents does not automatically make someone a Christian. What does it look like to trust Jesus personally? Who could help you work through your questions?
  7. What might be drawing your heart away from God? What is one practical step you could take this week to follow Jesus more faithfully?
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Tyler Bowles

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October 7, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
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Week 3 Devotional Scripture Exodus 20:4-6 (ESV) Lesson Summary The first commandment teaches us to worship God alone. The second teaches us to worship Him as He has revealed Himself. God’s command against carved images does not forbid art; it forbids making images to worship. The living God cannot be reduced to something we create or imagine. Idols are not always statues. Money, popularity, possessions, comfort, or success can draw our hearts away from God. These things cannot give us the lasting hope and security He provides. God’s jealousy expresses His holy, protective love: His people belong to Him, and He calls them to undivided worship. We learn what God is like through His Word and, most clearly, through Jesus, the image of the invisible God. Although our families’ choices can influence us, we do not inherit their guilt—or their faith. Each of us needs to trust Jesus personally and follow Him, knowing that God is faithful and merciful. Small Group Questions Understanding the Passage What are some good things that can become too important? How can you recognize when something is starting to take God’s place in your life? Have you ever discovered that something you thought about God was different from what the Bible teaches? What can help us know God as He really is? The Israelites made a golden calf while waiting for Moses. When you feel impatient, worried, or unsure, what do you turn to for comfort? What could trusting God look like instead? God’s jealousy expresses His protective love for His people. How does knowing that God loves you change the way you hear His command to put away idols? Read Colossians 1:15–17. What does this show you about Jesus? How can knowing Him better help you trust and worship God? Having Christian parents does not automatically make someone a Christian. What does it look like to trust Jesus personally? Who could help you work through your questions? What might be drawing your heart away from God? What is one practical step you could take this week to follow Jesus more faithfully?

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