The Christian & Technology: Week 1

Sunday, August 31, 2025

“Escape from idolatry is not merely removing the object of desire but rather it is mainly replacing the object of desire.”  ~ Scott Dixon 

Read aloud Romans 11:33 - 12:2.  Pray together.

Romans 11:33 - 12:2

GUIDING QUESTION

What is shaping your heart? Give some time for and examples of your answers.

Main Idea: Discerning objects of affection accurately and delighting in the best object of affection wholeheartedly transforms us and glorifies God. 

Two Points

Discernment

  1. Accurate discernment will lead to transformation.

    • Three observations on iPhones (or screens)

      1. They are intentionally addicting

        1. What did Scott mean by “screens are designed to create addicts”? 

        2. What are some examples of this statement?

        3. In what ways are we falling prey to these types of addictions? 

      2. They are Intentionally distracting

        1. Who is behind this “intentional distraction”?

        2. In what ways are we manifesting this distraction? 

        3. What did Scott mean when he called this enemy strategy “a continuous partial attention?” How does “the screen” carry us away from “full attention” to the Scriptures and their Author? 

      3. They feed idolatry

        1. How might screens “feed idolatry?” 

        2. What are some idolatries that are prevalent in our culture? How have they shaped your heart in certain ways? Where does the Church find help to escape from “screen-shaping idolatries”?

Delight 

  1. Delight in God fuels duty for God (not the other way around). 

    • What did Scott mean by this principle?  Where in the passage (Rom.11:33-12:2) do we see this truth?

  2. Delight in God leads to a blessed life

    • Read Psalm 1:1-3. What do you see in these verses that are similar to Sunday’s passage? What are some practical practices and disciplines do you notice that will lead you away from idolatry and toward the glories of God in Christ? 

    • Why does sheer duty to God not  bring you out of the slavery to idolatry? 

    • How does delight in Jesus Christ and his accomplished work on the Cross renew your mind? What patterns change when our minds are being transformed by worshipping God in Christ?

Conclusion  

  1. Read quote: Worship is the act of ascribing ultimate value to something in a way that energizes and engages your whole person. [Tim Keller]  

  2. We become what we worship. [Scott Dixon; see also We Become What We Worship; a biblical theology of idolatry by G.K. Beale]

    • How do the quote from Keller and the statement from Scott relate to the Lord’s Supper? 

    • In what ways does the Lord’s Supper help us “remember” our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? What patterns of thought and behavior will we expect to see as we readily reflect on Scripture, repent of sin, relish the Lord’s Supper, and rejoice in Jesus Christ. How will we share with our Growth Group these changes? What prayer requests will we offer as a result of Sunday’s message?