Study Questions

God Sees Idolatry

June 7, 2026

1 Samuel 5

Study Questions

1.    What would you say are some of the more obvious idols in our society today?

2.    Read 1 Samuel 5:1-5. What clear message is God teaching the Philistines having the ark of the Lord within the temple of Dagon?

3.    According to verse 5, why do you think those who entered the temple of Dagon would no longer step on the threshold of the entrance?

4.    Read 1 Samuel 5:6-12. Why did the Lord ultimately strike the Philistines with a plaque of tumors? Why do you think they reacted the way they did? 

5.    What “Dagons” in your life need to fall—habits, idols, or things you’ve placed above God? (Could they even be ‘good gifts’ from God). Have you ever acted like you could “control” or “contain” God instead of honoring and revering His holiness?

6.    God says that He is a ‘jealous God’. What is He jealous of? Read Exodus 34:14-17.

7.    Read Exodus 20:4-5. Why is the Lord so clear about not having idols in your life? Why are so called idols so alluring to human beings? What is the deeper struggle in our sinful nature? See: 1 John 2:15-16.

8. What does it look like for you to honor the Lord Jesus every day? What are you willing to change in your heart/ with your priorities for that to be evident to Him?