编者按
这是一套在美国很受欢迎的教材，按年龄共分三部分：0-6岁学龄前儿童教程，6-12岁学龄儿童教程，和12岁以上青少年教程。我们将陆续翻译成中文，分享给大家。
这套教材里的每一篇，无论是教程还是各种活动，都独立成篇，没有先后顺序，大家可以按需要和负担选择使用。
*更多内容：thedoorofsheep.com/青少年 课程目的
1.帮助学生识别他们生活中的偶像
2.教育学生避免让偶像进入他们的生活
3.鼓励学生摒弃他们的生活中的偶像，以帮助他们爱和事奉耶稣
主题
应许、辨识、尊崇神、偶像、牺牲
背诵经文
约翰一书 5: 21
开始祷告(5-10分钟)
团队建造(5分钟)
这是一个词语联想游戏。说出词语，然后请学生说出他们脑海中首先想到的想法。词语示例包括：鸭子，家庭作业，太阳，蛇，汽车，篮球运动员，彩虹糖果，非洲。
在完成以上各词后，再做最后的一个词语，说：“当你听到‘偶像’这个词时，你首先会想到什么？”
很多时候，我们认为偶像是原始宗教中雕刻的雕像。它们可能是由金、木或石头制成的，大小各异。我们常常将偶像视为有形的崇拜对象。也许你会想到热门的真人秀节目“美国偶像”。今天，当我们使用这个词时，我们要使用的定义是：“偶像崇拜是对创造者神以外任何人事物的崇拜。”
课堂起头(10分钟)
在这个时间段，我们将专注于重述以色列人历史上的一个故事。课前事先读出埃及记11-32章。课堂上通过提问来引导学生，以便在不直接读的情况下讲述神的伟大故事。
你们中有多少人知道以色列人出埃及的故事？让我们今天重新讲述这个故事，从十灾开始。有人知道最后一灾是什么吗？（击杀长子）
神通过灾祸展示祂的威严和伟大，法老终于受不了了，他让以色列人离开，释放了超过250万名奴隶。当以色列人行走时，神白天以云柱引导他们，夜晚以火柱引导他们。好像这还不够壮观，神在祂的百姓穿越旷野时还行了各种神迹。（请愿意的孩子逐一说出发生的各种神迹。根据需要帮助他们。）
• 神引导众人渡过红海。没有一个以色列人丧命，而同时神摧毁了埃及的军队。
• 当摩西将一条树枝扔进水中时，神就将苦水变甜了。
• 神用玛哪和鹌鹑每天为以色列人提供食物。
• 摩西击打磐石，神就为百姓提供饮水。
• 神帮助以色列人打败了那片土地上的仇敌。当摩西举起手臂，约书亚带领军队作战时，亚玛力人就被打败了。
• 神亲自在两块石版上写下祂的诫命，将它们交给摩西。当摩西在真神面前时，他的脸发光。
从山上下来时，摩西看到了什么？（重新讲述出埃及记32章）
一般讨论：
• 神如此奇妙惊人，为以色列人做了这么多事，为什么他们几乎又立刻就转向了偶像？
• 这是今天也正在发生的事吗，还是只有以色列人在事奉神时才会遇到困难？
• 你曾经见过神做了伟大的事，然后发现自己正在转离或怀疑吗？
真相是，我们是不忠信健忘的民族。在整个旧约历史中，我们看到了忠信之后是遗忘的模式。那些曾经赞美神的人，后来却被发现在崇拜偶像。
深入学习(20分钟)
读 约翰一书5:20-21
问题讨论：
1.约翰为什么以这种方式结束这本书？
2.约翰在书中一直没提到偶像，现在却提到偶像，这是否合适？
约翰并没有用传统的告别方式结束他的书信，而是以严厉的警告结束：“孩子们，你们要保守自己，远避偶像。” 这个警告是基于约翰对读者的爱，并确认了他在整封信中一直在建立的一个非常重要的真理，那就是“拒绝虚假，拥抱真实”。
偶像崇拜的定义是什么？偶像崇拜是对除神以外的任何人事物的崇拜。也指对神的崇拜不够神当得的。事实是，我们所有人都是内心需要崇拜的人。我们可以选择崇拜神，也可以选择崇拜偶像。
一般讨论：
• 如今世上有哪些常见的偶像？（我们的世界充满了偶像。其中一些是社会接受的，而另一些则受到指责。性、权力、成功、教育、人际关系、形象、职业和舒适性都是偶像的例子。）
• 性、权力、成功、金钱、教育、人际关系、形象、职业或舒适性是怎么成为偶像的？
• 这些偶像中，哪些更常见？
当我们把某样东西置于神之前，它就成了偶像。这意味着，如果我们被除神以外的事物驱使，那种兴趣或活动就可能成为偶像。一个常见的情况是金钱成为偶像。如果你崇拜金钱之神，你可能会发现自己在追求高中的好成绩，以便能够进入好的大学，从而获得好的职业，以便赚取大量金钱。
我们的文化中非常普遍的另一个偶像是舒适。人们几乎会为了沉浸在舒适中而不惜一切。
当我们把以下三个方面献给某个人事物时，我们就知道生活中存在偶像：
荣耀
偶像是任何除神以外的事物。我们可以把思想、哲学、科学、物品、宗教，甚至关系都当作神来崇拜。在这方面你需要问自己一些问题：
一般讨论：
• 你在寻找什么来帮助你度过这一天？
• 你珍视什么？你崇拜什么？
• 当一切顺利时，你会转向什么？一切不顺利时呢？
• 是什么让生活变得有价值？
• 在回答上述四个问题时，注意到有什么东西在你的生活中占据了神应有的地位？
要记住，偶像崇拜涉及内心，和对任何不是神的事物的崇拜。
读 启示录4:11和罗马书1:22-24
问题讨论：
1.为什么只有神是值得荣耀的？（神创造了万物，并按照祂的旨意使它们存在。）
2.那些把本该归给神的荣耀献给偶像的人会发生什么？（他们会变得愚昧。神将他们交付给他们的罪恶欲望。）
奉献
偶像是我们专注于的任何事物，它分散了我们对神的专注。神渴望单纯、专一的心。当我们追逐世俗的事物时，就是偶像崇拜。在这方面，你需要问自己：你对什么忠诚？
一般讨论：
• 你的时间都花在哪里？你常去哪里？
• 你把精力花在做什么上？
• 你的每周日程是什么样的？
• 你是否与某些团队保持一致？（例如，是否与某些团体保持联系？）
• 这些问题有帮你注意到生活中可能存在的偶像崇拜吗？
请记住，神是嫉妒的神。祂创造我们是为与祂有亲近的关系。如果我们把99%的时间和精力奉献给其他事物，我们就不是真正在跟随祂。
读 箴言5:22-23和箴言15:21
问题讨论：
1.那些缺乏自律的人会发生什么？（他们的愚蠢会使他们走上歧途。）
2.对于缺乏判断力的男女来说，什么会让他们高兴？（愚蠢的行为。）
3.有见识的人会做什么？（走在正直的道路上。）
牺牲
通过观察我们为偶像所作出的牺牲来识别我们生活中的偶像。耶稣为我们做出了伟大的牺牲，因此我们也要献出自己，为神舍命。当我们为其他人事物做出牺牲时，我们可能正在崇拜偶像。以下是一些问题，可以帮助我们判断是否在为除唯一真神以外的事物牺牲。
一般讨论：
• 如果整天都是自己的时间，你会做什么？
• 如果有100美元，你会怎么花？
• 有没有什么你不愿意为神而放弃的？
读 诗篇51:17，箴言15:8和罗马书12:1-2
问题讨论：
1.哪种类型的牺牲会讨神喜悦？（对罪忏悔）
2.所有的牺牲都会讨神喜悦吗？（不，神憎恶恶人的祭物）
使徒保罗在罗马书12:1-2中告诉我们要做什么？（我们应该把身体献上，当作活祭，不再随从这个世界的模式。我们应该过有变化的生活，圣洁而令神喜悦的生活。）
应用(15分钟)
让学生们与课堂上的另一个或两个孩子配对。读以下问题，停顿一下，给学生们时间相互讨论。鼓励在这段时间内坦白、悔改并祈祷。
1.今天圣灵有没有在你身上指出你有崇拜偶像或其他的罪？花几分钟讨论一下。
2.你需要采取什么行动？解释一下。
3.除神以外，有没有什么东西是你正在颂扬、致力于或为之奉献的？
4.有没有一个特定的偶像你需要从生活中除去？如何做到这一点？
5.本周你需要哪些祷告来帮助你除去在神前的偶像？
结束祷告(2分钟)
让学生为他们的伙伴祷告。
**** 英文版 *******
1 John
Lesson 6: Idolatry
LESSON OBJECTIVES
Goals
1. To help students recognize idols in their lives 2. To educate students on the dangers of allowing idols into their lives 3. To inspire students to rid their lives of idols to help them love and serve Jesus
Topics
Commitment, Discernment, Honor God, Idols, Sacrifice
Scripture Memorization
1 John 5:21
OPENING PRAYER (5 to 10 minutes)
GROUP BUILDING (10 minutes)
This is a game of word association. Simply say words and ask the students to say the first thoughts that come to their minds. Some examples of words to begin with are: duck, homework, sun, snakes, car, basketball players, Skittles, and Africa.
After you have finished the above list, do one last word, by saying, "What is the first thing that you think of when you hear the word 'idol?'"
Many times, we think of idols as primitive religious carved figurines. They may be made of gold, wood, or stone and can vary in size. We often think of idols as a physical tangible object of worship. Perhaps you may think of the popular reality show, "American Idol". Today, when we use this word, the definition we are going to use is, "Idolatry is the worship of anything or anyone other than the Creator God."
GETTING STARTED (10 minutes)
During this time, you will focus on retelling a story from the history of the Israelites. You will need to prepare by reading Exodus 11-32. You will lead the students by asking questions and filling in gaps, so that the story of God’s greatness can be told without directly reading from scripture.
How many of you know the story of the Israelites coming out of Egypt? Let’s retell this story this morning starting with the ten plagues. Does anyone know what the last plague was? (The plague of the firstborn.)
God displayed His majesty and greatness through the plagues and Pharaoh finally had enough. Pharaoh let the Israelite people go, freeing over 2.5 million slaves. As the Israelites traveled, God led them by a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night. As if that was not spectacular enough, God also performed amazing miracles for His people as they traveled through the desert. (Ask volunteers to name all of the miracles that took place during this time. Help them as needed.)
• God led all the people across the Red Sea. Not one Israelite perished, and God destroyed the Egyptian army. • God turned bitter desert water into sweet water as Moses threw a piece of wood into the water. • God provided food everyday for the Israelites in the form of manna and quail. • God provided water for His people when Moses struck a rock and water poured out of it. • God helped the Israelites defeat the enemies of the land. The Amelekites are defeated as Moses holds up his arms and Joshua leads the army into battle. • God literally writes His commands for His people on two stone tablets and gives them to Moses. As Moses is in the presence of the one true Holy God, his face starts glowing.
What does Moses see when he comes down the mountain? (Retell Exodus 32) General Discussion: • If God is so amazing and did so many things for the Israelite people, why would they almost immediately turn to idols? • Is this something that happens today or was it just the Israelites that struggled with undivided worship of God? • Have you ever seen God do something great and then found yourself turning away or doubting?
The truth is that we are a faithless and forgetful people. Throughout the entire Old Testament history, we see the pattern of faithfulness followed by forgetfulness. The same people, who once praised God, are later found worshipping idols.
DIGGING IN (20 minutes)
Read 1 John 5:20-21
Discussion Questions: 1. Why do you think John ends the book the way he does? 2. Do you think it is appropriate for John to mention idols, when he hasn’t mentioned them at all during this book?
John does not end his epistle with a typical farewell but with a stern warning: “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.” This warning is motivated by John’s love for his readers. It may appear that John’s final address is somewhat anticlimactic, but in reality, it confirms a very important truth that he has been establishing throughout the letter, which is, "Reject the false and embrace the real."
What is the definition of idolatry? Idolatry is worshipping anything other than God. It is also worshipping God as less than what He has revealed Himself to be. The truth is that all of us are worshippers. We can choose to worship God or we can choose to worship idols.
General Discussion: • What are some common idols in our world today? (Our world is full of idols. Some of them are socially acceptable, while others are frowned upon. Sex, power, success, education, relationships, image, career, and comfort are all examples of idols.) • How can sex, power, success, money, education, relationships, image, career, or comfort be idols? • Which of these idols do you see more often?
When we place something before God, it is an idol. This means that if something other than God motivates us, that interest or activity can become an idol. A common scenario is the idol of money. If you are worshipping the god of money, you may find yourself pursuing good grades in high school, so that you can get into a good college, so that you get a good career, so that you can make a lot of money.
Another idol that is very prevalent in our culture is comfort. People will do almost anything to immerse themselves in comfort.
We know we have idols in our lives when we devote one of the following three things to that object, person, or situation.
Glory Idols are anything worshipped other than God. We can make gods out of our minds, philosophies, sciences, objects, religions, and even relationships. One question that you need to ask yourself regarding this aspect is: what is your foundation?
General Discussion: • What are you looking for to help you get through the day? • What do you treasure? Whom do you adore? • To what or whom do you turn when everything is going well? What about when everything is going wrong? • Who or what makes life worth living? • As you answered the previous four questions, did you notice anything taking God's rightful place in your life?
Remember, idolatry concerns the heart and your worship for anything that is not God.
Read Revelation 4:11 and Romans 1:22-24
Discussion Questions: 1. Why is God the only one worthy to receive glory? (God created all things, and by His Will they have their being.) 2. What happens to those who give the glory reserved for God to idols? (They become fools. God gives them over to their sinful desires.) Dedication An idol is anything that we pledge ourselves to that divides our attention from God. God desires a pure, undivided heart. When we chase after worldly things, it is idolatry. One question you need to ask yourself regarding this aspect is: what allegiances do you have?
General Discussion: • Where do you spend your time? Where do you hang out? • What do you spend your energy doing? • What does your weekly calendar look like? • Have you aligned yourself with any teams? (Example, do you associate with certain groups?) • Did any of these questions help you notice the idolatry that may be present in your life?
It is important to remember that God is a jealous God. He created us to have a close relationship with Him. If we dedicate 99% of our time and energy to other things, we are not truly following Him.
Read Proverbs 5:22-23 and Proverbs 15:21
Discussion Questions: 1. What happens to those who lack discipline? (Their foolishness leads them astray.) 2. What delights a man or woman who lacks judgment? (Foolish behavior.) 3. What will a man or woman of understanding do? (Keep a straight course.)
Sacrifice We can identify the idols in our lives by observing how much we sacrifice for them. Because of Jesus’ great sacrifice for us, we are compelled to sacrifice and lay our lives down for God. When we make sacrifices for other things or people, we may be practicing idolatry. Here are some questions that we can think through to help us see if we are sacrificing for something other than the one true God.
General Discussion: • If you had the whole day to yourself, what would you do? • If you were given 100 dollars, how would you spend it? • Is there anything that you are unwilling to give up for God?
Read Psalm 51:17, Proverbs 15:8, and Romans 12:1-2
Discussion Questions: 1. What type of sacrifice is pleasing to the Lord? (A heart that expresses sorrow or repentance in regard to sinful behavior.) 2. Does all sacrifice please the Lord? (No, the Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked.) 3. What does the Apostle Paul tell us to do in Romans 12:1-2? (We should offer our bodies to God as living sacrifices and no longer conform to the pattern of the world. We should lead transformed lives that are holy and pleasing to God.)
MAKING IT REAL (15 minutes)
Have students pair up with one or two friends in class. Read the following questions, pausing to give students time to work through the answers with one another. Encourage confession, repentance, and prayer during this time. This exercise is also included in the student workbook.
1. Did the Holy Spirit convict you of idolatry or another sin today? Take a few minutes and discuss this conviction. 2. What type of action does this conviction require you to take? Explain. 3. Is there anything you are glorifying, dedicated to, or sacrificing for besides God? 4. Is there a specific idol that you need to remove from your life? How will you do this? 5. What prayers will you need this week to help you remove the idols you have placed before God?
CLOSING PRAYER (2 minutes)
Have students pray for their partners.
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