Are There More Gods Than One?

Welcome to Press Pause. It’s the 10-minute family worship podcast designed to help you—dads, moms, grandparents, and guardians—share big truths about Jesus with your kids.

We’re your hosts, and we’re glad you’ve joined us. As you listen to the podcast along with your family, keep your finger near your device so that you’re ready to press pause and talk about this week’s big truth with your kids. 

Host: Before we begin, I have a question for the guys: What was your favorite toy when you were growing up? 

Now Trey, tell us about this week’s big question and answer.

Teacher 1: The big question for today is… Are there more gods than one? And the answer is… No. There is only one God. Let’s say it again. Are there more gods than one? [Together: No. There is only one god.]

Host: Where do we learn about this in the Bible, Trey? 

Teacher 1: We learn about how God is one in Deuteronomy 6:4. That verse says, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the LORD is one.” Another place we see this truth is in the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal. You can find this story in 1 Kings 18:22–39

Press Pause then open your Bible to 1 Kings 18:22–39 and read those verses with your family.

Host: 1 Kings 18:38–39 (NLT) says, “The fire of the Lord flashed down from heaven and burned up the young bull, the wood, the stones, and the dust. It even licked up all the water in the trench! And when all the people saw it, they fell face down on the ground and cried out, “The Lord—he is God! Yes, the Lord is God!”

So, there is only one God, and he is unlike any other. Kevin, can you tell us the Elijah story and why this truth is so important? 

Teacher 2: The story you just read is about a great showdown between the prophets of a pretend god Baal and Elijah, the prophet of the one true God. On Mount Carmel, Elijah issued a great challenge: Both he and the false prophets would build grand altars. Both he and the false prophets would kill a bull to offer as a sacrifice on the altar. However, neither Elijah nor the prophets of Baal would light their offering on fire. Instead, they’d call upon their gods to light up the offering by sending fire from heaven. The prophets of Baal went first. They built an offering and prayed to their gods for an entire morning. By noon Elijah began to taunt and make fun of them: “Shout louder!” he said. “Your god must be deep in thought, or busy, or traveling, or in the bathroom! Maybe he’s asleep and you need to wake him up!” When Elijah had enough, he and his helper poured barrels of water on their altar; they made it so that it would be even more difficult to light. Then, Elijah prayed to God, the one true God... and he answered. Boy did he answer! God sent fire from heaven that burned up the offering, the stones of the altar, and even some of the ground underneath. 

God showed the people that he is the only God, greater than anything else they were tempted to love or worship. God alone is our almighty Creator, our standard of love, goodness, perfection, knowledge, and truth. No one is like him! That’s why in God’s law we are instructed not to let anything else come close to the kind of love and honor we give to God. 

Teacher 1: Not even our families, or our favorite video games, or our Lego creations? 

Teacher 2: No, Trey. Nothing. Nothing we can love is as great as God. Even though we may show great devotion to our favorite things, they make bad gods. They can’t answer our prayers, and they won’t satisfy our deepest needs. There is only one God. He alone is worthy of our worship, honor, and praise.

Press Pause and talk about it with your family. Answer this question together: Is there anything you are tempted to love and honor more than God? 

Host: Okay, we’re back. So, Kevin, can you answer your question? Is there anything you are tempted to love and honor more than God? 

Teacher 2: At first, we’re tempted to say “No” to that question. God is God, so of course, we honor him the best, right? But how do we spend our time or money? Do we spend them first for ourselves—on what feels good for me—or do we share time and money with God and others? Let’s pause and confess to God the ways we honor other things above him. God, you alone are God, but we fail to love you best. Thank you for being faithful to us even when we are not faithful to you. Amen.

Sponsorship: Press Pause is brought to you in part by the Love Thy Neighborhood podcast: exploring today’s cultural moments through true stories of social action and Christian faith. Check out the show that Christianity Today called “amazing and authentic” by searching for Love Thy Neighborhood on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or at love thy neighborhood dot org.

Outro: Thanks again for listening to Press Pause, the under 10-minute family worship podcast. Be sure to subscribe to Press Pause in your favorite podcasting app and leave us a rating or review. Also be sure to follow Gospel-Centered Family on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Join us next week for more big truths about Jesus for your whole family.

Quote for Show Notes: “God is distinct in His deity… God says, ‘Don’t make any likeness of me, because anything you come up with will make me look bad.” —Tony Evans, Our God is Awesome