The Ten Commandments - Lesson 5: The Third Commandment

The Ten Commandments

Lesson 5: The Third Commandments

Exodus 20:7 “You shall not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain, for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things which I say?

The main points for this commandment:

Don't misuse God's name.

We misuse God's name with our mouth when we use it as a cuss word, and also when we make a promise, or even say yes, but do not keep our word.

We misuse God's name with our life when we are called by God's name (a Christian), or we call him Lord, and yet do not live as a Christian should, and we do not obey the one we call Lord.

Instead, we should honor God's name.

With our mouth we honor God's name when we treat God's name with respect, and when we say yes and mean yes (we keep our promises).

With our life we honor God's name when live in obedience to God, whose name we bear and whom we call Lord.

Suggestions:

Open each lesson with prayer for the teacher and the students and this class time.

For stories to illustrate this commandment, I recommend using one or more of the stories from Matthew 25. All three stories show us people who called him Lord. Not everyone who called him Lord was accepted. The obedient were rewarded. The disobedient found that they were calling him Lord in vain. They had taken his name in vain.

Besides these stories, Jesus asks a question very much related to this commandment, “Why do you call me, Lord, Lord, but don't do the things which I say” (Luke 6:46).

Below, I have included a number of scripture portions, along with a few comments. This is more for the Sunday School teachers, than for the children. My goal was to help those teaching better understand from the Scriptures some of the ideas related to this commandment, so that the ideas can then be conveyed in a more appropriate manner for level of understanding of the children.

Close the lesson with prayer related to the subject and the students. Pray the Lord's Prayer together.

Stories:

Matthew 25:1-13,14-30,31-46 – Note that in these stories, both the good and the wicked call him “Lord” (we do not read of the wise virgin's calling him Lord). While the righteous are received, the wicked (who also call him Lord) are not received. The wise and righteous took the Lord's name along with obedience. The foolish and wicked took the Lord's name without obedience, and so took his name in vain.

Luke 6:46-49 [46] “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things which I say? [47] Everyone who comes to me, and hears my words, and does them, I will show you who he is like. [48] He is like a man building a house, who dug and went deep, and laid a foundation on the rock. When a flood arose, the stream broke against that house, and could not shake it, because it was founded on the rock. [49] But he who hears, and doesn’t do, is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream broke, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

Matthew 7:20-23 [20] Therefore by their fruits you will know them. [21] Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’ [23] Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’

They called Jesus 'Lord.' Yet in that day, he told them that he did not know them, and in fact never knew them. He does not speak ill of the good works they cite as their references. In response to the good works they hoped would bring them eternal treasure, Jesus points to them as workers of iniquity. While they were prophesying, casting out demons and doing mighty works, they were also walking in unrepentant sin. They worked iniquity. They thought they could serve two masters. They thought they could serve Jesus Christ as Lord and their favored sins at the same time. They were wrong. May God deliver us from making the very same error, resulting in the same eternal consequences.

Luke 13:22-30 [22] He went on his way through cities and villages, teaching, and traveling on to Jerusalem. [23] One said to him, “Lord, are they few who are saved?” He said to them, [24] “Strive to enter in by the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter in, and will not be able. [25] When once the master of the house has risen up, and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside, and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ then he will answer and tell you, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ [26] Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ [27] He will say, ‘I tell you, I don’t know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity.’ [28] There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets, in the Kingdom of God, and yourselves being thrown outside. [29] They will come from the east, west, north, and south, and will sit down in the Kingdom of God. [30] Behold, there are some who are last who will be first, and there are some who are first who will be last.”

John 13:1-17 [1] Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. [2] During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, [3] Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God, and was going to God, [4] arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel, and wrapped a towel around his waist. [5] Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. [6] Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” [7] Jesus answered him, “You don’t know what I am doing now, but you will understand later.” [8] Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.” [9] Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” [10] Jesus said to him, “Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.” [11] For he knew him who would betray him, therefore he said, “You are not all clean.” [12] So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? [13] You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ You say so correctly, for so I am. [14] If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. [15] For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. [16] Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither one who is sent greater than he who sent him. [17] If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

1 Samuel 20:6-17,42 [5] David said to Jonathan, “Behold, tomorrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to dine with the king; but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field to the third day at evening. [6] If your father miss me at all, then say, ‘David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city; for it is the yearly sacrifice there for all the family.’ [7] If he says, ‘It is well;’ your servant shall have peace: but if he be angry, then know that evil is determined by him. [8] Therefore deal kindly with your servant; for you have brought your servant into a covenant of Yahweh with you: but if there is iniquity in me, kill me yourself; for why should you bring me to your father?”

[9] Jonathan said, “Far be it from you; for if I should at all know that evil were determined by my father to come on you, then wouldn’t I tell you that?” 

[10] Then David said to Jonathan, “Who shall tell me if perchance your father answers you roughly?” 

[11] Jonathan said to David, “Come, and let us go out into the field.” They both went out into the field. [12] Jonathan said to David, “By Yahweh, the God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if there is good toward David, shall I not then send to you, and disclose it to you? [13] Yahweh do so to Jonathan, and more also, should it please my father to do you evil, if I don’t disclose it to you, and send you away, that you may go in peace: and Yahweh be with you, as he has been with my father. [14] You shall not only while yet I live show me the loving kindness of Yahweh, that I not die; [15] but also you shall not cut off your kindness from my house forever; no, not when Yahweh has cut off the enemies of David everyone from the surface of the earth.” [16] So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “Yahweh will require it at the hand of David’s enemies.” [17] Jonathan caused David to swear again, for the love that he had to him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

[42] Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, because we have both sworn in Yahweh’s name, saying, ‘Yahweh shall be between me and you, and between my seed and your seed, forever.’” He arose and departed; and Jonathan went into the city. 

This is a good example of someone swearing in the name of the Lord, and remaining faithful to what he swore in the Lord's name. In 2 Samuel 9:1-13, we see David carrying out this promise he made to Jonathan (2 Samuel 9:7). Again in 2 Samuel 21:7 we see David remaining faithful to the oath he swore to Jonathan, by sparing his son Mephibosheth.

1 Samuel 24:16-22 [16] It came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” Saul lifted up his voice, and wept. [17] He said to David, “You are more righteous than I; for you have done good to me, whereas I have done evil to you. [18] You have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, because when Yahweh had delivered me up into your hand, you didn’t kill me. [19] For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away unharmed? Therefore may Yahweh reward you good for that which you have done to me this day. [20] Now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. [21] Swear now therefore to me by Yahweh, that you will not cut off my seed after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father’s house.” [22] David swore to Saul. Saul went home; but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

More Stories and Examples:

2 Chronicles 7:13-14 [14] if my people, who are called by my name …

Proverbs 30:7-9 [7] “Two things I have asked of you; don’t deny me before I die: [8] Remove far from me falsehood and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with the food that is needful for me; [9] lest I be full, deny you, and say, ‘Who is Yahweh?’ or lest I be poor, and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.

Jeremiah 7:1-15 [1] The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying, [2] “Stand in the gate of Yahweh’s house, and proclaim there this word, and say, ‘Hear Yahweh’s word, all you of Judah, who enter in at these gates to worship Yahweh.’” [3] Thus says Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, “Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. [4] Don’t trust in lying words, saying, ‛Yahweh’s temple, Yahweh’s temple, Yahweh’s temple, are these.’ [5] For if you thoroughly amend your ways and your doings; if you thoroughly execute justice between a man and his neighbor; [6] if you don’t oppress the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, and don’t shed innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your own hurt: [7] then I will cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, from of old even forever more. [8] Behold, you trust in lying words, that can’t profit. [9] Will you steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods that you have not known, [10] and come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, ‛We are delivered;’ that you may do all these abominations? [11] Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I, even I, have seen it,” says Yahweh. [12] “But go now to my place which was in Shiloh, where I caused my name to dwell at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel. [13] Now, because you have done all these works,” says Yahweh, “and I spoke to you, rising up early and speaking, but you didn’t hear; and I called you, but you didn’t answer: [14] therefore will I do to the house which is called by my name, in which you trust, and to the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I did to Shiloh. [15] I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brothers, even the whole seed of Ephraim.

Matthew 6:9-13 [9] Pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.

1 Timothy 6:1 Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed.

Other Verses:

SWEARING / OATHS / VOWS

Deuteronomy 6:13 You shall fear Yahweh your God; and you shall serve him, and shall swear by his name.

Deuteronomy 10:20 You shall fear Yahweh your God; you shall serve him; and you shall cling to him, and you shall swear by his name.

Psalm 63:11 But the king shall rejoice in God. Everyone who swears by him will praise him, for the mouth of those who speak lies shall be silenced.

Zephaniah 1:4-6 [4] I will stretch out my hand against Judah, and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place: the name of the idolatrous and pagan priests, [5] those who worship the army of the sky on the housetops, those who worship and swear by Yahweh and also swear by Malcam, [6] those who have turned back from following Yahweh, and those who haven’t sought Yahweh nor inquired after him.

Ecclesiastes 5:4-6 [4] When you vow a vow to God, don’t defer to pay it; for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay that which you vow. [5] It is better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay. [6] Don’t allow your mouth to lead you into sin. Don’t protest before the messenger that this was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands?

Matthew 5:33-37 [33] “Again you have heard that it was said to them of old time, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,’ [34] but I tell you, don’t swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God; [35] nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. [36] Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can’t make one hair white or black. [37] But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.

While Jesus was on the earth, the people of God had rewritten God's laws to serve their own evil ways. Some said that if you swore an oath on a certain thing (see Matthew 23:16-22) you didn't need to keep that oath, but if you swore the oath on a certain other thing, then you had to keep the oath you made. It is likely that others said that if you simply told someone yes or no, you were not obligated to keep your word, but if you gave your yes or no with an oath or vow, then you had to keep your word. When the people of God (today, the disciples of Jesus Christ) decide (and so live) that at times they should keep their word, and at other times they do not need to keep their word, by this they are dishonoring the name of God which they bear. This is one reason Jesus tells us that our yes should mean yes and our no should mean no. We should not need to make an official vow for someone to be able to know that we be true to our word.

James 5:12 But above all things, my brothers, don’t swear, neither by heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath; but let your “yes” be “yes”, and your “no”, “no”; so that you don’t fall into hypocrisy.

Colossians 3:9 Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings,

Ephesians 4:25 Therefore putting away falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor. For we are members of one another.

In the Old Testament, God commanded his people to swear by his name. When they made a promise, they were to use God's name to show that the promise was good. “I promise you by God's name that I will do this or that.” God's people were to take God's name. However, if they made a promise using God's name that they did not intend to keep, or a thoughtless promise using God's name that they would forget they made, then they were taking God's name in vain. God promises to punish those who take his name in vain. It was also wrong to swear by God's name and also to swear by the name of another god or idol.

In the New Testament, Jesus tells us not to swear by anything at all, but to mean yes when we say yes, and to mean no when we say no. Now we do not use God's name with our mouth when we say yes or no. Instead, a Christian has taken God's name on his very self. When a Christian says yes or no, he is still saying yes or no with the name of Christ upon him. When a Christian does not tell the truth, he is taking God's name in vain.

WE ARE CALLED BY HIS NAME

2 Chronicles 7:13-14 [13] “If I shut up the sky so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; [14] if my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name:

Proverbs 30:7-9 [7] “Two things I have asked of you; don’t deny me before I die: [8] Remove far from me falsehood and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with the food that is needful for me; [9] lest I be full, deny you, and say, ‘Who is Yahweh?’ or lest I be poor, and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.

1 Timothy 6:1 Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed.

Romans 2:23-24 [23] You who glory in the law, through your disobedience of the law do you dishonor God? [24] For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” just as it is written. (also: Ezekiel 36:22)

In both the Old Testament and the New Testament, God's people are called by his name. Just as a child has the name of their family, a Christian has the name of God. God's people are people who are called by his name.

Just as a child's behavior can bring honor or shame to his parents and his family name, so the behavior of a child of God brings honor or shame to God's name.

WE CALL HIM OUR LORD / WE SPEAK IN HIS NAME

Psalm 50:14-15 [14] Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Pay your vows to the Most High. [15] Call on me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

Luke 6:46-49 [46] “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things which I say?

Matthew 25:1-13,14-30,31-46 – Note that in these stories, both the good and the wicked call him “Lord” (we do not read of the wise virgin's calling him Lord). While the righteous are received, the wicked (who also call him Lord) are not received. The wise and righteous took the Lord's name along with obedience. The foolish and wicked took the Lord's name without obedience, and so took his name in vain.

Acts 19:13-17 [13] But some of the itinerant Jews, exorcists, took on themselves to invoke over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.” [14] There were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did this. [15] The evil spirit answered, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?” [16] The man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. [17] This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived at Ephesus. Fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

Mark 9:38-40 [38] John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone who doesn’t follow us casting out demons in your name; and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow us.” [39] But Jesus said, “Don’t forbid him, for there is no one who will do a mighty work in my name, and be able quickly to speak evil of me. [40] For whoever is not against us is on our side. (Luke 9:49-50)

Deuteronomy 18:20 But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.”

A Christian calls Jesus “Lord.” It is good to call Jesus Lord, and to call to Jesus as our Lord. We pray to the Lord, and call to the Lord for help. On the Judgment Day, when we stand before Jesus, we will call him Lord.

While it is good to call Jesus “Lord,” and it is good to call to the Lord for help, Jesus tells us it is not good to call him “Lord,” while we do not obey him. Jesus told several stories about those who called on the Lord. Some obeyed him in their life, and some did not. Those who called him “Lord” but did not obey him discovered that they were calling him Lord in vain. They were taking God's name in vain.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

Matthew 6:9-13 [9] Pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. [10] Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. [11] Give us today our daily bread. [12] Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. [13] Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’

Matthew 5:16 Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Jesus taught us to pray. One thing we should pray for is that God's name would be kept holy. We can pray that we would live so that God's name will be glorified. Then, with God's help, we should do what is right and good so that those who see and know us will glorify our Father in heaven.

The Ten Commandments - Lesson 4: The Second Commandment

The Ten Commandments

Lesson 4: The Second Commandment

Exodus 20:4-6 [4] You shall not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: [5] you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me, [6] and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon.

The main points for this lesson / commandment:

The main point of the commandment is, Do not worship idols.

Explain what an idol is. In some countries, such as India, people worship statues, which the Bible calls idols. In this country we do not generally worship statues, but we may still have idols. One idol in our country is money and possessions. God tells us in the Bible that greed (or covetousness) is idolatry. Jesus taught us that we cannot serve God and Mammon* at the same time (Matthew 6:24).

*Mammon refers to money and possessions in this life.

We should not worship or serve idols. What should we do instead? We should worship, serve and obey God first, and God alone.

Suggestions:

Open the lesson with prayer for the teacher and the students and this class time.

A simple way to explain this to children: We should not have any second place gods. Perhaps we worship and serve God first, but maybe we want a second god for something else.

While many stories may be useful to teach this commandment, two stories which may fit the young children are the story of the three men in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3), and the story of the story of the rich young man. You can use either story or both stories, as you see fit to best teach the second of the Ten Commandments.

For this lesson, please remember as you go through the story with the children, that the main point of the story is to help to teach the children the second commandment. The story of the three men in the fiery furnace provide a good illustration of men who remained faithful to God by not bowing down to any idol. The story of the rich young man shows us someone who tried to serve both God and the idol of money and possessions. In the end, he had to choose one or the other.

Close the lesson with prayer related to the subject and the students. Pray the Lord's Prayer together.

Stories:

Daniel 3 – story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

Matthew 19:16-26 [16] Behold, one came to him and said, “Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” [17] He said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” [18] He said to him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder.’ ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ‘You shall not steal.’ ‘You shall not offer false testimony.’ [19] ‘Honor your father and mother.’ And, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” [20] The young man said to him, “All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?” [21] Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” [22] But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions. [23] Jesus said to his disciples, “Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty. [24] Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.” [25] When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” [26] Looking at them, Jesus said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

A young man who made his possessions his idol.

1 Kings 11:1-13 [1] Now king Solomon loved many foreign women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites; [2] of the nations concerning which Yahweh said to the children of Israel, “You shall not go among them, neither shall they come among you; for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” Solomon joined to these in love. [3] He had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart. [4] When Solomon was old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods; and his heart was not perfect with Yahweh his God, as was the heart of David his father. [5] For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. [6] Solomon did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, and didn’t go fully after Yahweh, as did David his father. [7] Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the mountain that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the children of Ammon. [8] So he did for all his foreign wives, who burnt incense and sacrificed to their gods. [9] Yahweh was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned away from Yahweh, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, [10] and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he didn’t keep that which Yahweh commanded. [11] Therefore Yahweh said to Solomon, “Because this is done by you, and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you, and will give it to your servant. [12] Notwithstanding I will not do it in your days, for David your father’s sake; but I will tear it out of the hand of your son. [13] However I will not tear away all the kingdom; but I will give one tribe to your son, for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen.”

2 Chronicles 33:1-13 [1] Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign; and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. [2] He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, after the abominations of the nations whom Yahweh cast out before the children of Israel. [3] For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down; and he reared up altars for the Baals, and made Asheroth, and worshiped all the army of the sky, and served them. [4] He built altars in Yahweh’s house, of which Yahweh said, “My name shall be in Jerusalem forever.” [5] He built altars for all the army of the sky in the two courts of Yahweh’s house. [6] He also made his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom; and he practiced sorcery, and used enchantments, and practiced sorcery, and dealt with those who had familiar spirits, and with wizards: he worked much evil in the sight of Yahweh, to provoke him to anger. [7] He set the engraved image of the idol, which he had made, in God’s house, of which God said to David and to Solomon his son, “In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name forever: [8] neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from off the land which I have appointed for your fathers, if only they will observe to do all that I have commanded them, even all the law and the statutes and the ordinances given by Moses.” [9] Manasseh seduced Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that they did more evil than the nations whom Yahweh destroyed before the children of Israel did. [10] Yahweh spoke to Manasseh, and to his people; but they gave no heed. [11] Therefore Yahweh brought on them the captains of the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh in chains, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. [12] When he was in distress, he begged Yahweh his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. [13] He prayed to him; and he was entreated by him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that Yahweh was God.

More Stories and Examples:

Numbers 25:1-13 [1] Israel stayed in Shittim; and the people began to play the prostitute with the daughters of Moab; [2] for they called the people to the sacrifices of their gods. The people ate and bowed down to their gods. [3] Israel joined himself to Baal Peor. Yahweh’s anger was kindled against Israel. [4] Yahweh said to Moses, “Take all the chiefs of the people, and hang them up to Yahweh before the sun, that the fierce anger of Yahweh may turn away from Israel.” [5] Moses said to the judges of Israel, “Everyone kill his men who have joined themselves to Baal Peor.” [6] Behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought to his brothers a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, while they were weeping at the door of the Tent of Meeting. [7] When Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from the midst of the congregation, and took a spear in his hand. [8] He went after the man of Israel into the pavilion, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her body. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. [9] Those who died by the plague were twenty-four thousand. [10] Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, [11] “Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, in that he was jealous with my jealousy among them, so that I didn’t consume the children of Israel in my jealousy. [12] Therefore say, ‘Behold, I give to him my covenant of peace. [13] It shall be to him, and to his seed after him, the covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was jealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel.’”

Joshua 24:14-28 [14] “Now therefore fear Yahweh, and serve him in sincerity and in truth. Put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River, in Egypt; and serve Yahweh. [15] If it seems evil to you to serve Yahweh, choose this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.” [16] The people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake Yahweh, to serve other gods; [17] for it is Yahweh our God who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and who did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way in which we went, and among all the peoples through the midst of whom we passed. [18] Yahweh drove out from before us all the peoples, even the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve Yahweh; for he is our God.” [19] Joshua said to the people, “You can’t serve Yahweh; for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God. He will not forgive your disobedience nor your sins. [20] If you forsake Yahweh, and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you evil, and consume you, after he has done you good.” [21] The people said to Joshua, “No; but we will serve Yahweh.” [22] Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen Yahweh yourselves, to serve him.” They said, “We are witnesses.” [23] “Now therefore put away the foreign gods which are among you, and incline your heart to Yahweh, the God of Israel.” [24] The people said to Joshua, “We will serve Yahweh our God, and we will listen to his voice.” [25] So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and made for them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem. [26] Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God; and he took a great stone, and set it up there under the oak that was by the sanctuary of Yahweh. [27] Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us; for it has heard all Yahweh’s words which he spoke to us. It shall be therefore a witness against you, lest you deny your God.” [28] So Joshua sent the people away, every man to his inheritance.

Joshua warns the people that God is a jealous god. He will not allow his people to worship or serve other gods as well as him.

1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 [8] For from you the word of the Lord has been declared, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone out; so that we need not to say anything. [9] For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you; and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, [10] and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Other Verses:

Acts 15:22-29 [22] Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers. [] [23] They wrote these things by their hand: “The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings. [24] Because we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law,’ to whom we gave no commandment; [25] it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, [26] men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. [27] We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth. [28] For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things: [29] that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell.”

1 Corinthians 5:9-11 [9] I wrote to you in my letter to have no company with sexual sinners; [10] yet not at all meaning with the sexual sinners of this world, or with the covetous and extortionists, or with idolaters; for then you would have to leave the world. [11] But as it is, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother who is a sexual sinner, or covetous, or an idolater, or a slanderer, or a drunkard, or an extortionist. Don’t even eat with such a person.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 [9] Or don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, [10] nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortionists, will inherit the Kingdom of God. [11] Such were some of you, but you were washed. But you were sanctified. But you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God.

1 Corinthians 10:1-22 [6] Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. [7] Neither be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” [14] Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

Ephesians 5:5-10 [5] Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God. [6] Let no one deceive you with empty words. For because of these things, the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience. [7] Therefore don’t be partakers with them. [8] For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, [9] for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth, [10] proving what is well pleasing to the Lord.

Colossians 3:1-6 [1] If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. [2] Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. [3] For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory. [5] Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; [6] for which things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.

1 John 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

A JEALOUS GOD

Exodus 34:10-17 [10] He said, “Behold, I make a covenant: before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been worked in all the earth, nor in any nation; and all the people among which you are shall see the work of Yahweh; for it is an awesome thing that I do with you. [11] Observe that which I command you this day. Behold, I drive out before you the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite. [12] Be careful, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, lest it be for a snare in your midst: [13] but you shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and you shall cut down their Asherah poles; [14] for you shall worship no other god: for Yahweh, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. [15] “Don’t make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, lest they play the prostitute after their gods, and sacrifice to their gods, and one call you and you eat of his sacrifice; [16] and you take of their daughters to your sons, and their daughters play the prostitute after their gods, and make your sons play the prostitute after their gods. [17] “You shall make no cast idols for yourselves.

Deuteronomy 4:23-26 [23] Be careful, lest you forget the covenant of Yahweh your God, which he made with you, and make yourselves an engraved image in the form of anything which Yahweh your God has forbidden you. [24] For Yahweh your God is a devouring fire, a jealous God. [25] When you shall father children, and children’s children, and you shall have been long in the land, and shall corrupt yourselves, and make an engraved image in the form of anything, and shall do that which is evil in the sight of Yahweh your God, to provoke him to anger; [26] I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that you will soon utterly perish from off the land which you go over the Jordan to possess it. You will not prolong your days on it, but will utterly be destroyed.

Deuteronomy 6:10-19 [10] It shall be, when Yahweh your God brings you into the land which he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you, great and goodly cities, which you didn’t build, [11] and houses full of all good things, which you didn’t fill, and cisterns dug out, which you didn’t dig, vineyards and olive trees, which you didn’t plant, and you shall eat and be full; [12] then beware lest you forget Yahweh, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. [13] You shall fear Yahweh your God; and you shall serve him, and shall swear by his name. [14] You shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the peoples who are around you; [15] for Yahweh your God in your midst is a jealous God; lest the anger of Yahweh your God be kindled against you, and he destroy you from off the face of the earth. [16] You shall not tempt Yahweh your God, as you tempted him in Massah. [17] You shall diligently keep the commandments of Yahweh your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he has commanded you. [18] You shall do that which is right and good in the sight of Yahweh; that it may be well with you, and that you may go in and possess the good land which Yahweh swore to your fathers, [19] to thrust out all your enemies from before you, as Yahweh has spoken.

Deuteronomy 29:16-21 [16] (for you know how we lived in the land of Egypt, and how we came through the midst of the nations through which you passed; [17] and you have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them); [18] lest there should be among you man, woman, family, or tribe whose heart turns away this day from Yahweh our God, to go to serve the gods of those nations; lest there should be among you a root that produces bitter poison; [19] and it happen, when he hears the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, “I shall have peace, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart, to destroy the moist with the dry.” [20] Yahweh will not pardon him, but then Yahweh’s anger and his jealousy will smoke against that man, and all of the curse that is written in this book will fall on him, and Yahweh will blot out his name from under the sky. [21] Yahweh will set him apart for evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all of the curses of the covenant that is written in this book of the law.

Jeremiah 25:4-9 [4] Yahweh has sent to you all his servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them (but you have not listened, nor inclined your ear to hear) [5] saying, Return now everyone from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that Yahweh has given to you and to your fathers, from of old and even forever more; [6] and don’t go after other gods to serve them or worship them, and don’t provoke me to anger with the work of your hands; and I will do you no harm. [7] Yet you have not listened to me, says Yahweh; that you may provoke me to anger with the work of your hands to your own hurt. [8] Therefore thus says Yahweh of Armies: Because you have not heard my words, [9] behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, says Yahweh, and I will send to Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against its inhabitants, and against all these nations around; and I will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and a hissing, and perpetual desolations.

1 Kings 14:21-22 [21] Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which Yahweh had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there: and his mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonitess. [22] Judah did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they committed, above all that their fathers had done.

1 Corinthians 10:19-22 [19] What am I saying then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? [20] But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God, and I don’t desire that you would have fellowship with demons. [21] You can’t both drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You can’t both partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons. [22] Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

2 Corinthians 11:2-3 [2] For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. For I married you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ. [3] But I am afraid that somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness, so your minds might be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.  

The Ten Commandments - Lesson 3: The First Commandment

The Ten Commandments

Lesson 3: The First Commandment

Exodus 20:1-3 [1] God spoke all these words, saying, [2] “I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. [3] “You shall have no other gods before me.

The main points for this lesson / commandment:

The main point again is to teach the first commandment. We should have no other gods before God.

We should love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.

Suggestions:

A simple way to explain this commandment is that God must be number one. He must have first place. We must not have any other first place gods.

Two stories from the Bible to convey the idea of this commandment are the story of Caleb and the story of Daniel and the lions den (Daniel 6). The story of Daniel may be most suitable for the age-groups we are with.

The story of Daniel can be used to show someone who did not have any other gods before God, and who loved and served God with his whole heart.

Stories:

Numbers 13:1-33;14:1-4,20-24 – Caleb followed the Lord fully

Daniel 6 – story of Daniel and the lions den. He refused to pray to anyone else, but would worship and serve only the Lord God.

2 Chronicles 12:1-14 [1] When the kingdom of Rehoboam was established, and he was strong, he abandoned Yahweh’s law, and all Israel with him. [2] In the fifth year of king Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had trespassed against Yahweh, [3] with twelve hundred chariots, and sixty thousand horsemen. The people were without number who came with him out of Egypt: the Lubim, the Sukkiim, and the Ethiopians. [4] He took the fortified cities which pertained to Judah, and came to Jerusalem. [5] Now Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, who were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them, “Thus says Yahweh, ‘You have forsaken me, therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.’” [6] Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, “Yahweh is righteous.” [7] When Yahweh saw that they humbled themselves, Yahweh’s word came to Shemaiah, saying, “They have humbled themselves. I will not destroy them; but I will grant them some deliverance, and my wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. [8] Nevertheless they shall be his servants, that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.” [9] So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of Yahweh’s house, and the treasures of the king’s house. He took it all away. He also took away the shields of gold which Solomon had made. [10] King Rehoboam made in their place shields of brass, and committed them to the hands of the captains of the guard, who kept the door of the king’s house. [11] It was so, that as often as the king entered into Yahweh’s house, the guard came and bore them, and brought them back into the guard room. [12] When he humbled himself, the wrath of Yahweh turned from him, so as not to destroy him altogether: and moreover in Judah there were good things found. [13] So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which Yahweh had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there: and his mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonitess. [14] He did that which was evil, because he didn’t set his heart to seek Yahweh.

2 Chronicles 32:20-21 [20] Hezekiah did so throughout all Judah; and he worked that which was good and right and faithful before Yahweh his God. [21] In every work that he began in the service of God’s house, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.

More Stories and Examples:

Joshua 24:14-15 [14] “Now therefore fear Yahweh, and serve him in sincerity and in truth. Put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River, in Egypt; and serve Yahweh. [15] If it seems evil to you to serve Yahweh, choose this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.”

Other Verses:

The Ten Commandments - Lesson 2: Introduction to the Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments
Lesson 2: Introduction to the Ten Commandments

Deuteronomy 5:29 Oh that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children forever!

The main points for this lesson / commandment:

God spoke these to the people from the mountain. The people heard God speak the Ten Commandments. How many times have you heard God speak with a voice you can hear? Usually God spoke to Moses, and Moses told the people what God said. For the Ten Commandments, God spoke directly to all the people.

God gave us the Ten Commandments. For those who want to follow God, here he shows us the way to please him and to obey him, so that it will go well with us (Deuteronomy 5:29). Included in this thought is the idea that the best way to bless your children is to obey God.

The Commandments teach us how to love God, and how to love our neighbor.

There are many “do not”s in the commandments. But they are not simply a list of do and do nots. Through them God shows us what not to do and what to do. He also shows us what should be in our hearts.

Suggestions:

This Sunday, for our lesson, we will be introducing the Ten Commandments to the children. I recommend reading the following verses to prepare (also posted below). You do not need to read all of the verses listed to the children.

Exodus 19:10-13,16-22,25

Deuteronomy 5:1-5,22-27

Deuteronomy 5:29

Don't forget to read the Ten Commandments with the children at some point. As you read through them, you can ask them questions about them, and they may ask questions about them as well.

You can use the verses above (and other verses if you like) to convey the main points. Again, you don't need to read all the verses to the children to convey these points. That said, I would encourage using Deuteronomy 5:29 (spoken by God) to convey God's thought or reason for giving the Commandments and the promised blessing for obedience to the commandments God has given.

Stories:

Exodus 19:10-13,16-22,25 [10] Yahweh said to Moses, “Go to the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments, [11] and be ready against the third day; for on the third day Yahweh will come down in the sight of all the people on Mount Sinai. [12] You shall set bounds to the people all around, saying, ‘Be careful that you don’t go up onto the mountain, or touch its border. Whoever touches the mountain shall be surely put to death. [13] No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether it is animal or man, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds long, they shall come up to the mountain.” [14] Moses went down from the mountain to the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. [15] He said to the people, “Be ready by the third day. Don’t have sexual relations with a woman.” [16] On the third day, when it was morning, there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of an exceedingly loud trumpet; and all the people who were in the camp trembled. [17] Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God; and they stood at the lower part of the mountain. [18] Mount Sinai, all it, smoked, because Yahweh descended on it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly. [19] When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by a voice. [20] Yahweh came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. Yahweh called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. [21] Yahweh said to Moses, “Go down, warn the people, lest they break through to Yahweh to gaze, and many of them perish. [22] Let the priests also, who come near to Yahweh, sanctify themselves, lest Yahweh break out on them.” [23] Moses said to Yahweh, “The people can’t come up to Mount Sinai, for you warned us, saying, ‘Set bounds around the mountain, and sanctify it.’” [24] Yahweh said to him, “Go down! You shall bring Aaron up with you, but don’t let the priests and the people break through to come up to Yahweh, lest he break out against them.” [25] So Moses went down to the people, and told them.

Deuteronomy 5:1-5,22-27 [1] Moses called to all Israel, and said to them, “Hear, Israel, the statutes and the ordinances which I speak in your ears this day, that you may learn them, and observe to do them.” [2] Yahweh our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. [3] Yahweh didn’t make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day. [4] Yahweh spoke with you face to face on the mountain out of the midst of the fire, [5] (I stood between Yahweh and you at that time, to show you Yahweh’s word: for you were afraid because of the fire, and didn’t go up onto the mountain;) saying, [6] “I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

[22] Yahweh spoke these words to all your assembly on the mountain out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice. He added no more. He wrote them on two stone tablets, and gave them to me. [23] When you heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, you came near to me, even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders; [24] and you said, “Behold, Yahweh our God has shown us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire. We have seen this day that God does speak with man, and he lives. [25] Now therefore why should we die? For this great fire will consume us. If we hear the voice of Yahweh our God any more, then we shall die. [26] For who is there of all flesh, that has heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived? [27] Go near, and hear all that Yahweh our God shall say, and tell us all that Yahweh our God tells you; and we will hear it, and do it.”

Deuteronomy 5:29 Oh that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children forever! 

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After the lesson:

As part of the lesson, we read through the Ten Commandments. As I asked questions, and as the children asked questions, this led to some interesting conversation.

As part of reading Deuteronomy 5:29, I explained that the best way to bless your children is to obey what God has said. This is more important than education, or a great job. Your obedience is the greatest blessing you can give your children.

The Ten Commandments - Lesson 1: The Greatest Commandment

The Ten Commandments

Lesson 1: The Greatest Commandment

Matthew 22:34-40 [34] But the Pharisees, when they heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, gathered themselves together. [35] One of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, testing him. [36] “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?” [37] Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ [38] This is the first and great commandment. [39] A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ [40] The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

The main points for this lesson / commandment:

These are the greatest commandments. These are most important.

Jesus does not answer with one commandment, but two. The two go together. You cannot love God if you are not loving your neighbor. And you cannot love your neighbor if you are not loving God. Or, to love God, you must love your neighbor. To love your neighbor, you must love God.

All the other commandments depend on these two commandments. That is, all other commandments, as we understand them, fit into these two commandments.

Also, if you desire to fulfill all the other commandments, you must love God and love your neighbor first and foremost.

Suggestions:

Read the verses in Matthew 22:34-40. Ask about the question and Jesus' answer. How many commandments did the man ask about? How many did Jesus speak of in answer to the question?

Read the story in Luke 10:25-27 to the children. What did the man ask Jesus? What was Jesus' answer? Why do you think the man wanted to justify himself? How did the Samaritan man love his neighbor?

Ask if they remember the story of the sheep and the goats at the judgment. Help them to see the connection in this story between loving their neighbor and loving God.

Other questions to ask the children: Who are your neighbors? How could you love them?

Stories:

Luke 10:25-37 [25] Behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” [26] He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” [27] He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” [28] He said to him, “You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live.” [29] But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” [30] Jesus answered, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. [31] By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. [32] In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side. [33] But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion, [34] came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. [35] On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, and gave them to the host, and said to him, ‘Take care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return.’ [36] Now which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?” [37] He said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

It would appear that the man's conscience told him that he did not love his neighbor as himself. Rather than repenting, asking forgiveness, and then asking for help with this, he wanted to justify himself. The man wanted to ease his conscience so that he could feel okay about not loving his neighbor. Jesus told the story of the good Samaritan to respond to this.

More Stories and Examples:

Matthew 25:31-46

In telling of his return to judge all men, Jesus shows at least one connection between loving your neighbor and loving the Lord your God. Jesus tells the sheep that when they loved their neighbor, they were in fact loving him. The goats are told that when they did not love their neighbor, they were not loving Jesus.

Mark 12:28-34 [28] One of the scribes came, and heard them questioning together. Knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the greatest of all?” [29] Jesus answered, “The greatest is, ‘Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one: [30] you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. [31] The second is like this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” [32] The scribe said to him, “Truly, teacher, you have said well that he is one, and there is none other but he, [33] and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” [34] When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” No one dared ask him any question after that.

Other Verses:

Leviticus 18:1-5 [1] Yahweh said to Moses, [2] “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘I am Yahweh your God. [3] You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived: and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you; neither shall you walk in their statutes. [4] You shall do my ordinances, and you shall keep my statutes, and walk in them: I am Yahweh your God. [5] You shall therefore keep my statutes and my ordinances; which if a man does, he shall live in them. I am Yahweh.

Leviticus 9:17-18 [17] “‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. [18] “‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am Yahweh.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 [4] Hear, Israel: Yahweh is our God. Yahweh is one. [5] You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. [6] These words, which I command you this day, shall be on your heart; [7] and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up. [8] You shall bind them for a sign on your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes. [9] You shall write them on the door posts of your house, and on your gates.

Deuteronomy 30:1-6 [1] It shall happen, when all these things have come on you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you shall call them to mind among all the nations, where Yahweh your God has driven you, [2] and return to Yahweh your God, and obey his voice according to all that I command you this day, you and your children, with all your heart, and with all your soul; [3] that then Yahweh your God will release you from captivity, have compassion on you, and will return and gather you from all the peoples where Yahweh your God has scattered you. [4] If your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of the heavens, from there Yahweh your God will gather you, and from there he will bring you back. [5] Yahweh your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you will possess it. He will do you good, and increase your numbers more than your fathers. [6] Yahweh your God will circumcise your heart, and the heart of your seed, to love Yahweh your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, that you may live.

Proverbs 19:16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die.

John 14:21 One who has my commandments, and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him.”

Romans 13:8-10 [8] Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. [9] For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” [10] Love doesn’t harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.

Galatians 5:14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

1 John 3:11-18 [11] For this is the message which you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; [12] unlike Cain, who was of the evil one, and killed his brother. Why did he kill him? Because his works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. [13] Don’t be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. [14] We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. He who doesn’t love his brother remains in death. [15] Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. [16] By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. [17] But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him, how does the love of God remain in him? [18] My little children, let’s not love in word only, neither with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.

1 John 4:7-12 [7] Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves has been born of God, and knows God. [8] He who doesn’t love doesn’t know God, for God is love. [9] By this God’s love was revealed in us, that God has sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. [10] In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. [11] Beloved, if God loved us in this way, we also ought to love one another. [12] No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love has been perfected in us.

1 John 4:20-21 [20] If a man says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who doesn’t love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? [21] This commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should also love his brother.