Spirit Religions. How do the spirit religions lead people away from the true God?

Transcription

1 LESSON 1 Spirit Religions How do the spirit religions lead people away from the true God? 1. Spirit religions are primitive religions through which Satan deceives people and leads them to trust spirits to help them in their lives. 2. All spirit religions share certain characteristics that suppress the truth about God and lead people to trust in spirits. 3. For followers of spirit religions, rituals are a strong part of their tradition and are actions meant to gain the help of the spirits. Spirit religions are religious systems by which people turn to spirits for help and guidance rather than to the true God. * Psalm 50:15 ** Galatians 3:26 Ephesians 1:7 *1 John 1:7b * Confession: First Hymn 436:1,2,4 Dear Lord, help us understand those in our world who honor spirits and think spirits will give them help and direction in life. As we have the opportunity, may we use what we have learned to speak wisely to those who are trapped in this type of religion. May our study and witness be to your glory. Amen. Use the corresponding volumes of The People s Bible for additional back - ground and explanation of the various Scripture references. When students work through questions with partners or in a group, they benefit in several ways. Even a little bit of movement as they get together with their partner or group enhances the learning process. More blood is pumped to the brain. A well-nourished brain remembers more. Also, as they move around, the momentary break in the learning activity enables them to focus more pointedly as the new discussion begins Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 1

2 Alternate Lesson Plan Sing: From Greenland s Icy Mountains (hymn 571:1,2) Pray: Dear Lord, thank you for rescuing me from the spiritual blindness into which I was born because of sin. You enlightened me through the saving message of Jesus, the Savior of all. Use me to bring the light of your gospel to others who remain in the darkness of unbelief. Amen. Ask students to cite examples from our culture in which we focus on ghosts and spirits. Then find out if any of the students can give examples, from our culture or others, of people worshiping spirits or calling on spirits for help and guidance. [Halloween and scary movies often involve ghosts and spirits. Even today, some Native Americans talk about the spirit of things in nature and some African religions invoke the spirits. As we will see, people sometimes believe such spirits to be those of their departed relatives.] Today we will explore these very old and often primitive religions. We will answer the question: How do the spirit religions lead people away from the true God? Read: Exodus 34:6,7 Pray: O Lord, if it were not for your power and grace, we would succumb to false religions and unbelief. Strengthen us through your Word so that we always believe that you are the only true God and that Jesus is our hope in this life and in the life to come. Amen. Spirit Power? Most religions have temples where people worship, priests to help the people learn about their religion, and books that people can study to learn more about their beliefs. Some religions have few of these resources. Their beliefs are passed from one generation to another by word of mouth. Children hear their parents reciting strange words. They witness village festivals where makeup and dances symbolize deep truths known only to the people of that village or tribe. They see others wearing little pieces of cloth or beads and in hushed tones talking about the meaning of such things. These are people who worship the spirits. Movies and TV shows sometimes glamorize this kind of spiritism. Have you ever seen a movie in which someone practices voodoo? in which some mysterious woman has the power to cast spells on people? Describe what you have seen. These things are associated with spirit religions. Today we will explore these very old and often primitive religions. We will answer the question: How do the spirit religions lead people away from the true God? 2

3 1. Read Copy Master 1 to find out more about spirit religions. 2. The followers of spirit religions are often people who are most in danger from the forces of nature. They feel vulnerable to rain, famines, earthquakes, eclipses of the sun, droughts, and other natural events. What are the followers of these religions looking for? Where do they go for help? [These people are looking for help to cope with things that affect their lives. Since they don t know God, they turn to spirits.] 3. How can the people who follow these religions be sure the spirits are favorable to them? [That is the problem. They can never be sure. Their lives are wrapped up in doing things to appease the spirits and win their favor.] 4. Work in groups of three. One person reads Deuteronomy 32:16-18, where God points out the idol worship of which his own people became guilty. Another person reads 1 Corinthians 10:20,21; the third reads 1 Timothy 4:1. Then discuss: Who are these spirits worshiped by those in tribal and spirit religions? [Scripture says they are demons evil angels that work with the devil himself the very demons who are responsible for false teaching and attempting to lead Christians astray.] What are spirit religions? Spirit religions are primitive religions through which Satan [deceives] people and leads them to trust [spirits] to help them in their lives. 1. Record the information on Copy Master 1, and play the contents for the class. 2. Have students work in small groups. Ask the students each to draw a picture of what they consider the most severe force of nature they would have to face if they lived in a small, flimsy hut or tent. Have them explain their pictures to their groups. Then have them discuss why someone facing that force of nature might appeal to spirits for help. [Fear would lead someone facing earthquakes, tornados, and floods to turn to the spirits of nature for help.] 3. Continuing in small groups, have students discuss how they might react to someone in authority who is angry with them. How does this help us understand followers of spirit religions who assume that the spirits of nature are angry with them? [We tend to try to appease those in authority who are angry with us so that we don t further offend them, as do those in spirit religions.] 4. Respond: Spirit religions are just a lot of mumbo-jumbo and superstitious practices. There are no such things as spirits. (Have students read Deuteronomy 32:16-18; 1 Corinthians 10:20,21; and 1 Timothy 4:1 in preparation for their answers.) [True, many spirit religion practices are mumbo-jumbo. But there ARE 3

4 many spirits demons whom Satan enlists to lead people away from the truth by answer - ing the prayers of spiritists and giving them visions and ecstatic experiences.] 5. How can we help people resist Satan s power and avoid his delusions? [Satan s delusions are too powerful for us to resist on our own. Only through the power of the gospel of God s grace in Christ can we break through Satan s lies. Only by the power of the Holy Spirit working in people s hearts will they turn from their false religions.] 6. Record the information on Copy Master 2, and play the contents for the class. 7. What do those in spirit religions believe causes the bad things that happen in life? What do they feel is the solution? [The cause of bad things is either the displeasure of an evil spirit or that of a dead relative. The solution is to appease the spirits by sacrificing to them or by seeking the advice of the medicine man.] 5. Our church body sends missionaries to an African country called Malawi. Locate Malawi on a map. Many of the people there are very poor and live in remote villages. What kinds of problems would you expect people in this area to face? Why is the true God a much better answer to their problems than worshiping spirits? [They may struggle with diseases like malaria or many others caused by poor nutrition or lack of clean water. They are in danger from flooding or droughts. They feel the need to get control of these forces through the spirits that they believe are working through these forces. Our God, however, is the only one who is truly in control of all things. Because of Jesus, we know that God loves us and that he alone has the power to help.] 6. Read Copy Master 2 to find out more about spirit religions. 7. Imagine that a prominent pagan tribal member has worked hard and built up a large herd of goats. Suddenly, his goats start getting sick. Many of them die. In small groups, consider how this spiritist tribal member might view the situation. How might he explain the loss of his flock and what might he do to solve his problem? [He might wonder if his family neglected bringing offerings to a departed relative, so the relative was showing displeasure by causing the sickness. Or perhaps a jealous neighbor hired someone to curse his flock. To solve the problem, he might make offerings to the spirits or seek the advice of the medicine man.] 8. Read Romans 1: The followers of spirit religions usually believe there is a great spirit but believe they can know nothing about him. Why is this wrong? [All people can know about the true God from observing his creation. They cannot learn about God s Savior but can learn enough to know that they should worship him, not idols or spirits. The Bible tells us many things about God all we need to know for this life.] 8. Read Romans 1: Working in pairs, choose the words on Copy Master 2 that describe the spirit religions relationship with the true God. [The words of point 2. This seems to be what Paul meant 4

5 9. Spirit religions often have an expert to guide the people. Sometimes he is called a witch doctor, and sometimes a medicine man. In either case, the people believe he can help them. What do you think? [People may feel comforted knowing that the medicine man is trying to help, but in reality, Satan is using him and his words to strengthen their belief in the spirits rather than in the true God.] What do the spirit religions have in common? All spirit religions share certain [characteristics] that suppress the [truth] about God and lead people to trust in [spirits]. 10. Put yourself in the place of the man in the story in question 7. Then read Psalm 50:15 and Romans 8:28. As a Christian, what different conclusion would you come to about your problem? [Christians know that in all things God works for their good. They know that they can call on God at any time and he will help them.] when he said that God has revealed his eternal power and divine nature in creation. These people knew God but did not give him glory, honor, or thanks (verse 21).] 9. Read 1 Timothy 2:5,6. In small groups, contrast the role of the medicine man in accessing the Great Spirit with the role of Jesus Christ in the work of redemption. [The people believe the medicine man helps them approach the spirits, including the Great Spirit their idea of a god by showing them how to appease the spirits themselves. Jesus Christ helped sinners by sacrificing himself so that through faith in him people might have access to God. Without Jesus, those in primitive religions remain in the darkness of unbelief, though at times they appear to possess elements of the truth.] 10. Read 1 Kings 18: How were the actions of the Baal prophets similar to those of people steeped in spirit religions? What did God reveal to the Baal prophets that those in spirit religions also need to know? [The prophets of Baal pleaded with their god, prayed fervently, danced, and mutilated themselves. Those steeped in spirit religions often do similar things to appease the spirits. God showed the prophets of Baal that he was the true and almighty God truths that 5

6 those in primitive religions also need to know.] 11. Record the information on Copy Master 3, and play the contents for the class. 12,13. Why is it difficult for new Christians to rid themselves of practices they have grown up with? [It is difficult to let go of traditions that bond families and peoples together. Becoming a Christian sometimes means being shunned by those of one s own family. We also dare not underestimate the power of our sinful nature. It tries to convince them that they cannot trust in Jesus alone. The influence of relatives is also very strong.] 14. Do or have students do some brief Internet research on tribal dances, such as a rain dance, the Ghost Dance, or the Sun Dance of certain Native Americans. [Most of these dances are done to get the attention of the appropriate spirits to provide for human needs rain, sunshine, and even cleansing the land of evil influences so that peace may prevail.] 11. Read Copy Master 3 to find out more about spirit religions. 12. Evaluate this statement: Rituals are a common and important part of spirit religions. [Rituals are one of the trademarks of spirit religions. Rituals reflect traditions of specific tribes of people. In a sense, they form a bond that identifies people as part of the tribe. Rituals are also important to the people because they believe they are able to ward off evil spirits or enlist the help of spirits through the rituals.] 13. Mikea and Mito, a brother and sister from an African tribe, have just become Christians, much to the chagrin of their parents. In small groups, have students role-play Mikea and Mito while the rest of their group interviews them about their struggle to break away from their spirit religion in order to become Christians. [Possible struggles: (a) The strong, ingrained pull to appease the spirits when bad things happen. (b) Parental pressure to return to the religion in which they were raised.] Note that the truth that Jesus loves them, takes care of them, and promises to work out everything for their good may take a great deal of reinforcement. 14. The rain dance is perhaps the most familiar Native American dance. What is its purpose? Can it do any good? [The rain dance is designed to get the spirits to send rain. But God alone controls the weather, and he alone can help us.] Why are the rituals such a misleading part of the worship of spirit religions? For followers of spirit religions, rituals are a strong part of their [tradition] and are actions meant to gain the [help] of the [spirits]. 6

7 15. Spirit religions are gaining in popularity among Native Americans in our country. Why do you think that is? [People are religious by nature. If they separate themselves from the true God (which is happening as Western culture continues to become more secularized), they will always find a substitute. Shunning innovations like European Christianity and going back to primitive religions is a natural, though spiritually deadly, choice. Also, many people, even those who consider themselves religious, believe that all religions will yield the same result. They encourage people to reflect their heritage, as if religion is nothing more than a tradition. Note: This phenomenon will be revisited when we study the New Age Movement.] Question: How do the spirit religions lead people away from the true God? Answer: [Spirit religions are religious systems by which people turn to spirits for help and guidance rather than to the true God.] Pray: Lord God, many people are still caught in the grip of spirit religions. Give success to missionaries who work in areas where these religions are practiced, and open our eyes to opportunities all around us to testify to the truth. Amen. 15. Have you ever heard a missionary from Africa speak about his experiences with spirit religions? Tell about something you learned. Where in Africa do we have missionaries? [If the students have any experience in this area, let them tell about it. This question can be used to heighten the students awareness of where our missionaries encounter such practices. Option: Introduce the concept of a congregational mission festival.] Sing: Use O God, Our Help in Ages Past (441:1-3) to help the students express confidence in the true God who will always be their help. * Psalm 50:15 * 1 John 1:7b Ephesians 1:7 ** Galatians 3:26 * Confession First: What is confession? Confession has two parts. The one is that we confess our sins; the other, that we receive absolution or forgiveness from the pastor as from God himself, not doubting but firmly believing that our sins are thus forgiven before God in heaven. 7

8 Hymn 436:1,2,4 1 Jesus, shepherd of the sheep, Who your Father s flock does keep, Safe we wake and safe we sleep, Guarded still by you. 2 In your promise firm we stand; None can take us from your hand. Speak we hear at your command, We will follow you. 4 Father, draw us to your Son; We with joy will follow on Till the work of grace is done, There to live with you. Activities 1. Table Talk Have the students ask their parents what they know about spirit religions. Encourage the students to share with their families what they have learned in this lesson, including gratefulness that they know the true God as he reveals himself in the Bible. 2. A Warm Welcome Invite someone who has dealt with people caught up in spirit religions to speak to your class about his or her experience. 3. Options to Explore Word Today 1 Agree or disagree: The fact that spirit religions are found in different cultures around the world and have existed throughout history proves that they are tools put out there by the devil himself to deceive people. [Agree. Read Jesus description of the devil in John 8:44. The devil and his cohorts, the fallen angels, are and always have been behind these false religions that play on human fear and guilt to lead people away from God.] Word Today 2 Frank said, You need to be more open-minded about religion. People in these spirit religions worship the same god you do, but in a different way. Respond. [People s natural knowledge of God can lead them to realize many things about God. Therefore, there is bound to be some truth even in false religions. Yet people can only come to know that God sent his Son to redeem the human race through Jesus life, death, and resurrection in his Word, the Bible. People who do not know Jesus Christ do not worship the true God.] Word Today 3 Evaluate: Dances and contact with medicine men to appease the spirits and drive away evil are forms of work-righteousness. [True. Because of sin, mankind knows he MUST get right with God. But without knowledge of Christ, mankind doesn t know HOW to do that and resorts to finding ways to EARN the favor of God (or the gods).] 8

9 4. A Look Back As a review exercise, write the following statements on slips of paper and put them into a bag. Have students choose them and read them aloud. Allow the rest of the class to respond. a. Spirit religions are just another form of superstition. [There IS common ground between the two: When followers of either group do something wrong, they think something bad is going to happen. Some think it s bad luck; others think it s evil spirits. Both are denying the truth about sin and the true God, who is the solution.] b. True or false: Spirit religions are deceptions the devil uses to keep people in sin, unbelief, guilt, and fear to their own condemnation. [True. Satan s demons are the spirits being worshiped in spirit religions. And the worshipers never really know when those spirits are appeased, which breeds fear and guilt. God wants people to have peace and comfort through the good news that Jesus appeased God s wrath once and for all.] c. True or false: The great god of the spirit world is a lot like our God Father, Son, and Holy Spirit the God of the Bible. [False. God is not the leader over other gods; he IS God the only one there is. And he is not vague, impersonal, and distant. Rather, in his Word he reveals the fact that he is personally involved in the lives of people, sending his Son as Savior and the Holy Spirt to work and strengthen faith in our hearts. That is very different from the great god of the spirit world.] d. Agree or disagree: Spirit religions aren t so bad because it s natural to want to have contact with departed relatives and to believe that they are still around to help you. [It is natural to want contact with departed relatives, even in our modern society. But the fact that it is natural doesn t make it correct. The Bible says that we are to call on God in every trouble, not the spirits of departed relatives. And Scripture strongly implies that those who are departed are not aware of happenings in the physical world (Ecclesiastes 9:5,6).] e. Marcy said, It must be easy to go from superstitious spirit religions to the truth of Christianity. Comment. [This is difficult to do. Even for people in our culture to go from yielding to their sinful flesh to trusting God is never easy. This is even more true with those trained from little on that the spirits need to be appeased because they are angry. The pressure from relatives and others in a culture that still embraces such religions makes following Christ even more difficult.] f. Mark contemplates buying a totem pole at a farm auction because he thinks it will be a neat decoration in his room. He asks your advice. What would you say? [Mark would certainly want to be careful that he doesn t appear to be advocating the worship that is represented by the totem pole.] 5. Sampler of Spirits Use Copy Master 4 to lead students into a more in-depth and specific examination of spirit religions. Students may work as individuals, in pairs, or in groups. Reports may be presented to the class in written form or by using visual aids, such as presentation software or videos. 6. Scripture and Spirits The Bible study provided on Copy Master 5 presents students with an opportunity to look at what Scripture says about idol worship, spirits, and demons. [Answers will vary. Use the following answers to guide your discussions. 1. God detests idol worship. He commanded his people to destroy such practices in the land of Canaan. 2. Consulting idols and spirits of dead people is nothing new. The Egyptians of Isaiah s time engaged in such religious practices. 3. The Lord controls the fates of the spirits of the departed; they do not engage in the affairs of the living. 9

10 4. Evil spirits (demons) do take possession of people s bodies and thought processes, but the Lord Jesus has power over the spirits. 5. Where people leave a spiritual vacuum or empty spot in their souls, the devil and his evil cohorts are bound to fill the void. 6. People who worship idols can be rescued by God when he sends the Holy Spirit to bring them to faith in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. 8. Evil spirits are responsible for false teaching and deceiving people into misbelief and unbelief. 9. When Jesus descended into hell, he proclaimed his victory over all the evil spirits: both unbelieving human beings and fallen angels. 10. Demons ARE behind idol worship, and those who do not repent of their demonic practices will face God s judgment.] 7. God cautions Christians about the unholy influence of those who are captive to false religions. He wants those who are ensnared by them to come away from their false beliefs to the truth. (See also 1 John 5:21.) 10

11 Name Primitive but Perilous This lesson is about spirit religions. We might also call them tribal religions because these religions most often are found among people who live in tribal units. They may live in humble dwellings out in the African bush or on the North American plains. Such people often live close to nature and sense what they believe are mysterious powers in nature. They are especially fearful of natural disasters such as storms and floods, famines, diseases, fires, and earthquakes, which they think are controlled by evil forces. Often they live in an environment in which they face imminent danger of attack from hostile tribes. They may also live in unhealthy conditions. Death always seems close. They feel themselves to be defenseless and weak, surrounded by evil and unable to cope with the many problems they face. They seem to sense an invisible, more-than-human power surrounding them. Through their religious practices, they attempt to link themselves with this power. Much of what they do in their daily lives focuses on trying to win the favor of the spirits so that the spirits will help them and not hurt them. The people may try to entice good spirits to help them by leaving offerings of food and drink for the spirits. The people may try to chase away evil spirits by wearing or surrounding their homes with amulets or trinkets they believe will frighten the spirits. The people live constantly in the shadow of fear of what the spirits may do. Tribal religions can be found all over the world. Some are found in the jungles of South America. Many are found in southern Africa, south of the Sahara Desert. Some are found in eastern Siberia, in Korea, and on the northern island of Japan. Some are found among the native tribes of Canada or among American Indians. Some are found among the Aboriginal people of Australia. Others are scattered across southeast Asia, often in the more remote locations. Each of these tribal religions has its own customs and beliefs. The teachings are seldom written down and are passed on by word of mouth. The religion may be very highly organized, but to the outsider, those involved in tribal religions may seem to have no religion at all. Most tribal religions have legends that explain the creation of the world and the roles their tribes play in the divine plan. Most do not have a system of gods. Rather, they generally believe in a single great power who cannot be seen or understood. The main focus of tribal religions is not on this single deity but on the various spirits the people believe can help them. COPY MASTER Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 11

12 Name Sundry but Similar Many different spirit religions exist throughout the world. They all have different teachings, but they share some basic characteristics. 1. Spirits fill their world. Some are good, some are evil, and some are simply a nuisance that play tricks on people. Some spirit religions also worship various gods. 2. There is usually a great god, high above all the other gods. The Native Americans call him the Great Spirit. But he is high above the world, mysterious, and completely inaccessible. 3. Relatives who have died are still living. These living dead people have dealings with people in the world. They have power to protect and guide. The people must honor their dead relatives. One way they do this is by making offerings to them. 4. People can get into contact with spirits through dreams and visions. Some religions have methods to induce these experiences. 5. Specific rules dictate the rituals people should follow, the sacrifices people should make, and the gifts they should bring to the spirits. 6. Some believe that a person can enlist the spirits to do bad things to other people. 7. There is usually a medicine man. This is an expert who teaches the people about their religion. He is usually a combination of teacher, priest, healer (using various folk and herbal remedies), and one who knows how to access the spirits. 8. They have special festivals. Often these festivals celebrate the change in seasons. COPY MASTER Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 12

13 Name Common and Coming Back Most Christians who live in America have learned about spirit religions from two sources. The first source is missionaries, especially those who serve in Africa. Missionaries will often speak at church mission festivals. They tell about the experiences they have had with spirit religions among the people they serve. They speak about the customs they encounter. The missionaries often relate how difficult it is sometimes for the new Christians to tear themselves away from the practices they have learned since their youth. The missionaries also tell about the victories that the gospel has had in the lives of those who once lived in fear of the spirits but now live in the peace Christ has brought them. The second source of information about spirit religions is right at the doorstep of those who live in the United States and Canada. Back when Europeans first settled in North America, the various native tribes followed spirit religions. The North American Indians acknowledged a Great Spirit. They thought they received help from the spirits in which they believed the spirits in the animals, the rocks, the rivers, and the mountains. They had medicine men to help them learn what the spirits wanted them to do. They danced to get the attention and the favor of the spirits when they needed help (a rain dance is a good example). They built medicine lodges where they used various practices to induce visions and dreams through which they could contact the spirits. When Europeans arrived in North America, Christian missionaries converted many native Americans, sometimes forcing them to become Christians. By God s grace, many believed in their Savior and their families remain Christian. But many did not become believers and continued to follow their spirit religions. In recent years, many Native Americans are openly returning to the old ways. For example, a Blackfoot High School student may take classes in physics during the school day, but after school he might go to his Indian dance club where he will learn about legends, spirits, and medicine. Some places that were tourist destinations 30 years ago are now off-limits because of their sacred significance. Watch for this, especially if you live near a reservation. COPY MASTER Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 13

14 Name Sampler of Spirits Choose one of the following parts of the world in which spirit religions are practiced. Do research in a library and online to get a general idea about the beliefs and practices of the religion of that region. Focus on the following questions. Not all will apply to each religion. Be ready to present a report that follows your teacher s directives. SUGGESTED SUBJECTS The Aborigines in Australia Native Hawaiian Religion Tribal Religions of Central Africa Zulu Religion (East Coast, South Africa) North American Indian Indians of the Andes of South America Another of Your Choosing GUIDELINE QUESTIONS 1. Where is this religion practiced, and what might you say about the culture of the people who practice it? 2. What role do spirits play in this religion? What rituals are practiced to address the spirits? 3. If there is a Great Spirit, what do the people believe concerning that spirit? 4. What is the relationship of the spirit world to the forces of nature? 5. What human practitioners assist worshipers in this religion? (Priests, tribal chiefs, medicine men, witch doctors, and so on.) 6. What do those practicing this religion believe about the spirits of their ancestors? 7. What in this religion surprised you or struck you as particularly interesting? 8. How does this religion lead people away from the true God? COPY MASTER Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 14

15 Name Scripture and Spirits What does each of the following passages have to say about spirits and the spirit world? 1. Deuteronomy 12: Isaiah 19:3 3. Isaiah 26:13,14 4. Matthew 8:16,17 5. Matthew 12: Corinthians 12:2, Corinthians 6: Timothy 4:1, Peter 3:18, Revelation 9:20,21 COPY MASTER Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 15