Capturing Your Imagination King's Cross Church
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- Christianity
We come to the second commandment: "no graven images." That seems so... ancient. Why would that matter to us now? Well, in a day filled with headlines over statues being torn down, maybe it is much more relevant than it would seem at first glance. With political debates erupting over art and imagery, our society seems to know instinctively that the way to change a culture is to “capture our imagination.” God pressed that thought into his people long ago. What does it mean for us today? What does God want with our imagination?Discussion Questions:Hank Willis Thomas states "monuments are critical tools in shaping the values and identity of society." How so? Why does it matter what images we choose to preserve and celebrate as a society? How might that connect with God's concern around "graven images" in the second commandment?How does the second commandment differ from the first? In what ways does our theme (i.e., "The Rescue came before the Rules") change how we understand this commandment?image (eye vs. ear)Our society is the most 'visual' in history. What are some pros and cons of being so increasingly visual? Consider the golden calf episode (Ex.32). What are the problems with reducing God to a graven image? Considering few of us have ever carved such an image, what might be parallels to the golden calf for us now?Did you have an imaginary friend in childhood? Describe that "relationship." While fun for a time, why did that relationship end? Considering past real friends, what are some reasons to prefer an "imaginary" one? What happens when our "imagined" assumptions about friends are proven wrong? Why would that be even more problematic with God? How has God disappointed you, and do you still think you were justified in thinking so?graven (carved vs. living)Read Isaiah 44:12-19. What is the irony Isaiah is drawing out?Do you have a mental "image" for God? To what degree is that image a composite of your preferred notions? Where are you at fault for picking and choosing the make-up (constitution, essence, character) of God? Read Genesis 1:26-27. Why does it matter that humanity is made in God's "image"? What hope is there to heal that corrupted image? (Col.1:15; Heb.1:3) If Jesus is the image we were meant to be, is that helpful or just a crushing standard for you? 2 Corinthians 3:18 says that those under the New Covenant are being transformed into the image of Jesus. What does that mean and does any of that happen now?jealousy (worldly vs. godly)What does it mean that God is a "jealous God"? How would you explain this idea to a child or a skeptic? Why could it be offensive to say God is jealous? Do you embrace and celebrate this attribute of God, or not so much?Tim Keller said: "worldly jealousy is love gone extinct (hate); godly jealousy is love fighting extinction (love)." Explain this in your own words. What’s the difference between self-centered love and others-centered love?God then gives a stark picture of both his justice and mercy (v.4-5). How does the cross answer this seeming contradiction?Final thought: Are there any mental statues of God currently that this commandment is directly calling out? What would it look like for you to strive to remove them and know the true God more deeply?
We come to the second commandment: "no graven images." That seems so... ancient. Why would that matter to us now? Well, in a day filled with headlines over statues being torn down, maybe it is much more relevant than it would seem at first glance. With political debates erupting over art and imagery, our society seems to know instinctively that the way to change a culture is to “capture our imagination.” God pressed that thought into his people long ago. What does it mean for us today? What does God want with our imagination?Discussion Questions:Hank Willis Thomas states "monuments are critical tools in shaping the values and identity of society." How so? Why does it matter what images we choose to preserve and celebrate as a society? How might that connect with God's concern around "graven images" in the second commandment?How does the second commandment differ from the first? In what ways does our theme (i.e., "The Rescue came before the Rules") change how we understand this commandment?image (eye vs. ear)Our society is the most 'visual' in history. What are some pros and cons of being so increasingly visual? Consider the golden calf episode (Ex.32). What are the problems with reducing God to a graven image? Considering few of us have ever carved such an image, what might be parallels to the golden calf for us now?Did you have an imaginary friend in childhood? Describe that "relationship." While fun for a time, why did that relationship end? Considering past real friends, what are some reasons to prefer an "imaginary" one? What happens when our "imagined" assumptions about friends are proven wrong? Why would that be even more problematic with God? How has God disappointed you, and do you still think you were justified in thinking so?graven (carved vs. living)Read Isaiah 44:12-19. What is the irony Isaiah is drawing out?Do you have a mental "image" for God? To what degree is that image a composite of your preferred notions? Where are you at fault for picking and choosing the make-up (constitution, essence, character) of God? Read Genesis 1:26-27. Why does it matter that humanity is made in God's "image"? What hope is there to heal that corrupted image? (Col.1:15; Heb.1:3) If Jesus is the image we were meant to be, is that helpful or just a crushing standard for you? 2 Corinthians 3:18 says that those under the New Covenant are being transformed into the image of Jesus. What does that mean and does any of that happen now?jealousy (worldly vs. godly)What does it mean that God is a "jealous God"? How would you explain this idea to a child or a skeptic? Why could it be offensive to say God is jealous? Do you embrace and celebrate this attribute of God, or not so much?Tim Keller said: "worldly jealousy is love gone extinct (hate); godly jealousy is love fighting extinction (love)." Explain this in your own words. What’s the difference between self-centered love and others-centered love?God then gives a stark picture of both his justice and mercy (v.4-5). How does the cross answer this seeming contradiction?Final thought: Are there any mental statues of God currently that this commandment is directly calling out? What would it look like for you to strive to remove them and know the true God more deeply?
44 min