Study 10: Chasing After Spirituality

Spirituality as an idol:

• Idolatry functions widely inside religious communities when doctrinal truth is elevated to the position of a false god
• Another form idolatry within religious communities turns spiritual gifts and ministry success into a counterfeit god
• Another kind of religious idolatry has to do with moral living itself

Ecclesiastes 5:1-6

1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. 2 Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. 3 For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words.
4 When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. 5 It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. 6 Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands?


Taking a Closer Look: Read Ecclesiastes 5:1-6.

1. What advice does the Teacher give here? Is it good advice?
2. How would the Teacher word his concern about religion?

How Do We Chase After Spirituality?

1. When is religion harmful? Can Christianity be harmful?
2. One philosopher accused religion of being the “opiate of the people,” and another said that religion is “spiritual alcohol.” What did they mean, and do they have any basis at all for their statements?
3. What is the difference between a superficial religion and a religion of the heart?
4. How can you tell true religion from false religion?
5. What does it mean to “put God in a box”?
6. What is the difference between contentment and smugness in religion?
7. In what ways has your spiritual life become out of balance?
8. What Scripture passages give you direction as you seek a more meaningful relationship with Christ? 

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“To keep a vow, therefore, means not to keep from breaking it, but rather to devote the rest of one’s life to discovering what the vow means, and to be willing to change and to grow accordingly.” - Mike Mason