This is part of a series of kids talks I’m doing in the morning service at Banstead Community Church based on the New City Catechism.
Big Question #12 – What is idolatry? [NCC Q17]
Powerpoint Pictures: Money, School, Tennis Ball, Bride and Groom, Sun lounger on Beach
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What do you dream about? Is about something you’d like to have? Or you like to do? Or about someone you’d like to be?
Maybe it is about some of these things?
Being rich and having lots of money. So you can buy lots of nice things.
Getting good grades at school. Doing well in your exams.
Being a professional sportsman or woman. Winning Premier League. Olympic Gold, Wimbledon.
Getting married. Have a husband or wife. Then a family.
Or travelling the world and going on lots of adventures. Seeing all the wonderful sights there are to see.
Now all of these things are good things. But they can be bad things, if they become an idol.
Idolatry is a sin.
Remember what sin is. Sin is rejecting or ignoring God in the world he created, not being or doing what he requires in his law.
But, what is meant by idolatry?
That’s what our next big question asks. Let’s look at it now…
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Q: What is idolatry?
What comes into your mind when you hear the word ‘idol’?
It could be a statue that people bow down to. Like a golden calf which the Israelites worshipped at the bottom of Mount Sinai.
Those aren’t the only kind of idols there are.
An idol can be anything that takes the place of God in our lives. Anything that we look to, to give us joy and satisfaction, instead of God.
And all of us tempted to look to other things. To things that are created.
What the apostle Paul writes in Romans 1:25 is true of everyone. “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator – who is for ever praised. Amen.” (Romans 1:25)
Worshipping and serving created things rather than the Creator.
That’s what idolatry is.
So, what is the answer to the question “What is idolatry?”
It is this:
A: Idolatry is trusting in created things rather than the Creator.
Let’s say the question and answer out loud together.
What is idolatry? Idolatry is trusting in created things rather than the Creator.
Children when you go out to Sunday School you’re going to learn a song that will help you to remember this.