Exodus 20:1-17
“‘Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me.” Exodus 19:5 (p.58)
- I Will Love And Obey God.
Series Memory Verse: “No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.” Joshua 1:5 (p.168)
- Love God.
Commandments:
I. “You must not have any other god but me.” Exodus 20:3 (p.59)
II. “You must not make for yourself an idol…” Exodus 20:3 (p.59)
III. “You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God.” Exodus 20:7 (p.59)
IV. “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” Exodus 20:8 (p.59)
- Love others.
Commandments:
V. “Honor your father and mother.” Exodus 20:12 (p.59)
VI. “You must not murder.” Exodus 20:13 (p.59)
VII. “You must not commit adultery.” Exodus 20:14 (p.59)
VIII. “You must not steal.” Exodus 20:15 (p.59)
IX. “You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.” Exodus 20:16 (p.59)
X. “You must no covet…” Exodus 20:17 (p.59)
“Jesus replied, ‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37–40 (p.753)
My Next Step This Week:
_____ I will sign up for the 10 Commandments reading plan by texting Moses to 520-492-0122.
Small Group Questions
One Thing: I Will Love And Obey God.
Key Verse: “No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.” Joshua 1:5 (p.168)
Bible References: Exodus 19:1-25 & Exodus 20:1-17 (p.58-59)
CONVERSATION STARTER
// Did you ever listen to your parents or other grown-ups when you were young, or did you go your own way in making key decisions? What happened?
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
The Ten Commandments are famously seen as a list of rules and regulations, but there were traditionally seen in Moses’ time as a portrait of a Godly life. A Commandment was originally seen as the expression of God’s will for his people. The Ten Commandments are given to a people newly set free with no understanding of the right relationship with God or with each other. God’s will for His people has not changed and these Commandments still express His will for your life right now. Jesus said in Matthew 5:17a (p736) I did not come to abolish the law of Moses.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
// Read Exodus 20:3; 7-8 (p.59). God wants us to Love Him and Obey Him.
- What does obeying God look like?
- What role does love play in obedience? Can you obey without love?
- If you are married, did you have as part of your vows to love, honor, and obey? Are there similarities between our husband/wife relationship and God and us?
// Read Matthew 7:24-27 (p.738). In this passage Jesus wants us to build our life on His Word which is seen as a solid foundation.
- What foundation are you building on right now?
- How is God’s Word seen as a solid foundation?
// Read Exodus 20:12-14 (p.59). These commandments keep our relationships healthy.
- What are the signs of healthy relationships? What are the signs of an unhealthy relationship?
- How can you live out God’s commandments in your life right now?
// Read James 1:22 (p.930). God wants our actions to reflect our words.
- How have you seen the truth of this verse lived out?
- What is the difference between listening and obeying?
// Read Exodus 20:15-17 (p.59). We are called to love others well.
- Is there someone in your life that you God’s help to love well?
- How do the Ten Commandments express God’s will for you in your life?
- Look at John 13:34-35. How do these verses fit in with the passage today?
NEXT STEP
My Next Step This Week: ___ I will sign up for the 10 Commandments reading plan by texting Moses to 520-492-0122.
DIGGING DEEPER
Read John 15:10-14 (p.824). John wants us to realize that when we stay in obedience to God’s commandments we stay in His love. They are not separate but connected and we need to actively both love and obey God.
Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (p.144). This passage reiterates that we must love God with everything we have and in all areas of our lives. That is how He designed us to live.
Joshua 1:7-8 (p.168) Romans 5:18-19 (p.860) 1 John 5:3 (p.943) John 14:15 (p.823)
Read 1 John 2:7-11 (p.941). How difficult is it to follow this command of Jesus? How do deal with someone in the church who is not showing love to you? Or who you are not showing love to?
We prayed for ‘our one’ earlier this year. What about the ones in the church already (including the wider Church)? There is no relationship or negative relationship yet through Christ’s blood, but we are going to spend eternity together. Share with your Life Group this person or it may be yourself and ask for prayer over the situation. Maybe consider some active mediation.
Remember that we are in the job of restoration, and it includes the restoration of broken relationships between believers.