MODULE 1 OF 6
Before examining any pledge, ritual, symbol, or organization, we begin with the question of devotion. Scripture does not treat the heart, mind, strength, trust, or loyalty as neutral things. They belong first to God.
In this module, you will consider what whole-person devotion means, how idolatry can reach beyond physical images, and why Scripture must have the final word when something meaningful is questioned.
Begin here
This is not scored. Choose the response that best reflects your first instinct. You will return to this question after examining Scripture.
Response saved. Hold that answer in mind as you continue.
Read first
These passages establish the foundation for this study. God does not merely ask to be included among our loyalties. He commands exclusive worship and declares that His glory belongs to Him alone. As you read, notice what He forbids, what He claims, and how seriously He treats divided devotion.
Notice what God forbids His people to place before Him, bow before, or serve.
WEB
God spoke all these words, saying, “I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before me.
“You shall not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me, and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
In plain language: God commands His people to worship Him alone. Nothing else should be placed before Him, bowed to, or served.
Read in context (opens in a new tab)Notice what God says about His name, His glory, and His praise.
WEB
Thus says God Yahweh, he who created the heavens and stretched them out, he who spread out the earth and that which comes out of it, he who gives breath to its people and spirit to those who walk in it: “I, Yahweh, have called you in righteousness. I will hold your hand. I will keep you, and make you a covenant for the people, as a light for the nations, to open the blind eyes, to bring the prisoners out of the dungeon, and those who sit in darkness out of the prison.
“I am Yahweh. That is my name. I will not give my glory to another, nor my praise to engraved images.”
In plain language: God alone is the Creator and Lord. His name, glory, and praise do not belong to anyone or anything else.
Read in context (opens in a new tab)Watch and consider
This short resource introduces idolatry as more than physical images. As you watch, listen for what happens when something receives the trust, reverence, or devotion that belongs to God.
External resource note: This study links to this video for consideration. It does not imply endorsement of every view expressed by the publisher.
Trust Check
When Scripture raises a concern about something meaningful to me, what is closest to my first instinct?
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Before you continue
This first module asks you to begin with God, not with the organization under examination. It is not asking you to settle every question about AKA today, but to establish the biblical standard that will guide the rest of the study. Keep these questions with you as you move forward.
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