“Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord, who do their work in darkness and think, “Who sees us? Who will know?” You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, “You did not make me”? Can the pot say to the potter, “You know nothing”? Isaiah 29:15-16
Part 1 – THE UPSIDE DOWN: (7 minutes)
Click on this link to watch the video – THE UPSIDE DOWN
Part 2 – Discussion: (25 minutes)
Which of these statements are untrue?
Because of sin, we lost ourselves, our direction, and our home and now build our identities on anything other than God.
One main way this idolatry manifests itself is through a desire to dominate others by undercutting or controlling them.
Leaders can also be idolatrous by having a martyr complex, finding their identities in how well they serve others and being desperate for others’ approval.
What are some ways you’ve seen people build their identities on something other than God?
Think of dominant leaders that you have observed. While dominant leaders tend to be aggressive, how does their dominance reveal that they are insecure?
Think of desperate leaders you know. While it can look like they are being humble, how is their desperation actually another form of pride?
Part 3 – Comment: (10 minutes)
Engage this section as a group and post answers to the questions below in the “join the discussion box”. If the box does not show up, email Pastor John your answers.
Read Isaiah 29:15-16 (see above). The attitude of the pot to the potter sounds pretty hostile.
When we put our value in something other than God, are we really being this antagonistic toward Him?
How can we better recognize our rebellion for what it is?
Part 4 – Prayer: (10 minutes)
Use this time to pray for each other. You can do that by keeping a prayer request journal or by asking for personal prayer requests or prayers that relate to the day’s topic.
Spend your remaining time praying for each other and for Emmanuel’s leaders.
