Bible Study: Unmasking Popular Idols of Modern Society

Welcome to our new study on modern idols! Over the next 13 weeks, we are going to take a deep dive into unmasking the modern idols in our lives and how to get our focus back on God!

Now, you might be thinking, “I don’t have statues or anything like that in my house.”

But idol worship can be more than just statues—it’s anything we put above God in our lives.

Below, you will find all the study materials for this in-depth study.

Beginning with Week 2, there are 12 modern idols listed and I will add the study questions and additional materials for each individual idol at the beginning of that week (just to help keep us focused on the idol of the week).

This page does have ads displaying. I know they can be a bit annoying but this is how I’m able to keep these studies affordable for you so I do apologize in advance for the annoyance!

Each lesson does have a printable version that is ad-free that you can download and add to your study binder.

Table Of Contents
  1. What is an Idol?
  2. Embracing True Worship

What is an Idol?

An idol is anything that takes the place of God in our lives. It can be something we love, trust, or prioritize more than God.

In the Bible, idols were often physical objects like statues or altars dedicated to false gods.

But in our modern world, idols can be much more subtle and sneak into our lives without us even realizing it.

Week 1: History of Idol Worship in the Bible

Before we dive into uncovering modern idols, it is important that we understand just how important this topic is from a biblical perspective. Here are 3 stories of idol worship in the Bible – that didn’t end well.

For each one, you can download an expanded summary of the full story to help you make more sense of it.

  1. The Golden Calf (Exodus 32) (Download summary notes and questions)(Watch video lesson)(Read devotional)
    • What Happened: When Moses went up Mount Sinai to talk to God and get the Ten Commandments, the Israelites got impatient waiting for him to come back. They asked Aaron to make them a god they could see and worship. So, Aaron collected their gold jewelry and made a golden calf.
    • The Outcome: God was really angry with them for worshiping the calf instead of Him. Moses pleaded for mercy, but still, 3,000 people died because of their sin, and a plague hit the rest of the people. This story shows how serious God is about us putting Him first.
  2. King Solomon’s Downfall (1 Kings 11) (Download summary notes and questions)(Watch the video lesson)(Read devotional)
    • What Happened: King Solomon, known for his wisdom, made a big mistake by marrying many women from different nations. These wives brought their own gods and influenced Solomon to worship these gods too.
    • The Outcome: Because Solomon turned away from God and worshiped other gods, God said that the kingdom would be torn away from Solomon’s family. This led to the division of Israel into two kingdoms after Solomon’s death. This teaches us that even wise people can be led astray if they’re not careful.
  3. The Prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18) (Download summary notes and questions)
    • What Happened: During the time of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, many Israelites started worshiping Baal, a false god. Elijah, a prophet of God, challenged 450 prophets of Baal to a contest to prove whose god was real.
    • The Outcome: God showed His power by sending fire from heaven to consume Elijah’s sacrifice, while Baal did nothing. The people saw this and turned back to God, and the false prophets were defeated. This story highlights God’s power and the importance of worshiping Him alone.

Modern-Day Idols

In today’s world, idols can look very different from the golden calves and statues of ancient times. Below, you will find 12 of the most common modern idols that we struggle with today.

Over the next 11 weeks, we’ll be diving deeper into each one.

For each week, there will be a video lesson, a devotional reading, and printable study/reflections. Just go to the current week and download your material!

several hands holding cell phones

Week 2: Technology and Devices:

Smartphones, computers, TVs, and gaming systems can dominate our attention and time, often becoming the first thing we engage with in the morning and the last at night.

The can also become the things we spend the most time each day. For every 24 hour period, think about how much “screen time” you spend on these devices.

Is it more or less than the time you are spending with God or in doing activities bringing you closer to God? Are you also spending more time on screens than with your family?

4 people standing with their faces covered by signs depicting social media icons

Week 3: Social Media

Social media has woven itself into the fabric of our daily lives, often becoming a central focus that can overshadow more meaningful pursuits.

For many, the pursuit of likes, comments, and followers can turn into an obsession, consuming hours that could be spent in prayer, Bible study, or meaningful interactions with loved ones.

The constant need for validation and the fear of missing out can create a cycle of dependency, where our worth and identity become tied to our online presence rather than our relationship with God.

This shift in focus can lead us to prioritize our virtual lives over our spiritual growth, subtly turning social media into an idol that distracts us from our true purpose.

a woman holding a wad of cash

Week 4: Money and Wealth

The pursuit of financial success can easily become an overriding focus, leading people to sacrifice relationships, integrity, and even their spiritual well-being.

Money is a necessary part of life, but it’s also a part that can become complicated and, at times, overwhelming.

The challenge for us as believers is to ensure that while we handle money, we don’t let it handle us.

the word politics in the center of a cross with n e w s at the four ends

Week 5: Politics

Is your political ideology taking a front seat to the person that is truly in charge?

Politics can easily become an obsession that drives us from trusting in God to trusting in a particular person or party.

Let’s remember that our hope and security don’t come from any political system or leader, but from Jesus Christ.

He is our rock, our refuge, and our ultimate authority. By keeping our eyes on Him, we can navigate the political landscape with wisdom, grace, and love.

woman walking up a ladder made out of books that indicate the ladder of success

Week 6: Work and Career Success

Professional achievements and job status can become a primary source of identity and self-worth, pushing spiritual and family life to the background.

But, success is a beautiful thing when it’s placed in the right perspective.

God wants to see you thrive, to use your gifts, and to achieve great things for His glory.

But He also wants you to remember that your worth is not tied to your accomplishments.

woman looking in the mirror with text overlay that says am I pretty enough

Week 7: Physical Appearance and Beauty:

In a society where physical appearance is often prioritized above all else, the pressure to conform to an idealized standard of beauty can become overwhelming.

This relentless focus on looks can easily transform from a simple desire to look our best into an all-consuming obsession, where every waking moment is spent critiquing our reflection or chasing the latest trends.

As we pour more time, energy, and resources into perfecting our outward appearance, there is a real danger that we may begin to neglect the development of our inner spiritual life.

The pursuit of beauty, when left unchecked, can distract us from nurturing our relationship with God, cultivating virtues like love, kindness, and humility, and growing in our faith.

In this way, the world’s fixation on body image can subtly erode our spiritual well-being, leaving us empty and disconnected from the deeper, more fulfilling aspects of life that truly matter.

woman looking surprised with text overlay that says are you a control freak

Week 8: Control

Our desire for control, while often driven by good intentions, can have deep spiritual consequences that we may not even realize.

When we prioritize our own plans and attempt to manage every detail of our lives, we unknowingly put ourselves in the place of God, trusting in our own strength rather than His.

This need to control can create a barrier between us and God, preventing us from fully experiencing the peace, guidance, and closeness that comes from surrendering to His will.

Instead of walking in faith, we find ourselves burdened with anxiety and disconnected from the true source of our strength, missing out on the fullness of the relationship God desires to have with us.

It's all about me youtube video cover image

Week 9: Self

Perhaps the most subtle idol we face is the self—our desires, ambitions, plans, and comfort can gradually take precedence over our devotion to God without us even realizing it.

We may start to prioritize our personal goals, thinking that pursuing them will bring us fulfillment, but in doing so, we risk placing our wants above God’s will.

Our comfort and convenience can begin to dictate our choices, leading us to serve ourselves rather than obeying God’s call.

This shift happens quietly, almost imperceptibly, but it can distance us from the life of faith and surrender that God desires for us.

Recognizing this subtle idol is the first step in re-centering our lives on Christ and His purposes for us.

I'm always right youtube thumbnail

Week 10 Self-Righteousness

Perhaps one of the sneakiest idols we encounter is self-righteousness.

It creeps in when we become more focused on being “right” than on living in grace and love.

We start to measure our worth by how well we follow the rules or how much we know about scripture, slowly elevating our own knowledge and actions above the humility God calls us to.

Without even realizing it, we place our moral superiority and desire to correct others above God’s heart for compassion and understanding.

This shift happens subtly, but it can lead us away from the grace-filled life of humility and surrender that God desires for us.

Recognizing the idol of self-righteousness is the first step toward walking in true humility and dependence on Him.

Embracing True Worship

As we reflect on these 10 modern idols—it’s clear that our world is filled with countless distractions vying for our attention and devotion.

These idols may not be made of wood or stone, but they hold the same potential to draw our hearts away from God.

In the midst of this, let’s remember the first commandment: “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3).

Our call as Christians is to worship God alone, keeping Him at the center of our lives.

This doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the blessings and advancements of modern life, but it does mean we need to be vigilant about where we place our ultimate trust and devotion.

Let’s take practical steps to examine our hearts and remove anything that might be taking God’s rightful place.

Whether it’s setting boundaries with our devices, being mindful of our spending habits, or prioritizing our relationships, we can choose to honor God in every aspect of our lives.

As we strive to keep God first, we’ll find true peace, fulfillment, and joy—things that no modern idol can ever truly provide.

Let’s encourage one another to live lives of genuine worship, reflecting God’s love and grace to those around us.

Thank you for journeying with me through this important topic. Let’s continue to hold each other accountable and support one another in our walk with Christ.

May God bless you and guide you as you seek to honor Him above all else.

Be sure to join our FB study group (women only) where we dive into different Bible studies and have fellowship with Christian women across the globe!

Ready for another study? Check out the Heart Check 4-week Devotional Study.

Bible Study Lesson - Unmasking Modern Idols
PIN ME FOR LATER!

Sharing is caring!

Scroll to Top