The way to go

Step 4 of “Get Real” is founded on Isaiah 58:13-14. Reading the verses makes me think the Israelites might have had wrong intentions, but nevertheless, they were going about worshipping God the wrong way. Their agenda and focus got between them and God, so their worship was ineffectual. It’s like a football receiver who decided on his own to run a pass route different from what the coach called and then wondered why the quarterback didn’t throw him the ball. Disobedience does not lead to a happy life.

Use an illustration Jesus gave (Matt 5:14-16) and take a flashlight and a bowl to class. Turn the flashlight on and then cover it with the bowl. Make the point that the light from the flashlight affects only what’s inside the bowl--much like we do when we don’t venture outside the church in service to others.