Class Lesson April 6, 2025

 The Whole Story 

1 Samuel 1-3 unfolds during a time of spiritual decline in Israel. We are introduced to Samuel during the period of the “Judges.” This was a time marked by disobedience toward God. The priesthood, which was supposed to help people know God, had abdicated its responsibilities. God’s word was rare, and visions were infrequent. This was a time of spiritual barrenness. Despite this dark backdrop, the chapter reveals God’s faithfulness; God is working even if we can’t see it.

Samuel, a young boy serving under Eli in the temple, is the central figure in this chapter. Though Samuel is inexperienced and unaware of God’s voice, his heart is open and willing to serve. This contrasts sharply with Eli’s declining spiritual sensitivity and his sons’ blatant disregard for God’s law. God chooses to bypass the established but failing leadership, calling Samuel to be His prophet and a guiding light in this spiritually dim era.

The most striking part of this story is God’s insistence on speaking with Samuel! Initially, Samuel mistakes God’s voice for Eli’s. Yet God calls repeatedly, showing His patient determination to raise up a faithful servant. Once Eli perceives what is happening, he instructs Samuel to respond, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” This simple yet profound response sets the tone for Samuel’s life, marked by obedience and openness to God’s word.

1 Samuel 3 reminds readers that God is never absent, even in times of spiritual decay. He works through humble and willing hearts, bringing hope and renewal. Samuel’s calling shows how, though rare, God's word can break into the darkest seasons, illuminating the way forward for His people. The word of God coming to Samuel in dark times points us to another time when the Word of God came to a people in darkness. This story points us to when Jesus Christ, the Word of God, came to a people who lived in darkness. Jesus is here, even as Samuel hears the Word of God.

Question

What’s a time you had to learn something the hard way — or from someone else’s failure?

Read 1 Samuel 3:1-21 and make observations about the text.

What is God teaching us in the passage? What does this reveal about who God is, what God has done, and how I should respond? Which part of the text was most meaningful to you and why? What do you need help understanding about this passage?

1 Samuel 3:1-21

The Lord Calls Samuel

1 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. 2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” 5 and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. 6 And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8 And the Lord called Samuel again for the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’” So, Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” 11 Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. 12 On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. 13 And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. 14 Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.” 15 Samuel lay until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. 16 But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he said, “Here I am.” 17 And Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.” 18 So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him.” 19 And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord. 21 And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Samuel 3:1-21

Discussion Questions

1. What does it look like to honor God with your life when others around you don’t?
2. Where are you intentionally placing yourself to be near the presence of God? 
3. How do you discern when God is speaking to you, and what helps you stay attentive? 
4. Have you ever sensed God asking you to do something hard? How did you respond? 
5. What areas of your life do you sense God wants to grow you in right now?

In a time when corruption and compromise were common — even among religious leaders — God raised up a young servant whose heart was open, ears attentive, and life surrendered. Samuel didn’t just serve in God’s house; he listened for God’s voice, obeyed when it was hard, and grew steadily in faith and favor. His story reminds us of the point that faithfulness often begins in quiet places, through simple obedience. Like Samuel, we are called not just to hear God, but to respond — to speak truth, walk humbly, and live set apart.

So where is God calling you to take your next step of obedience, growth, or courage this week?

END

Class Lesson March 30, 2025

 The Whole Story

Have you ever faced a situation that seemed hopeless, but later you saw how God was working behind the scenes?

The book of Ruth is more than a love story — it is a story of redemption, providence, and faithfulness that foreshadows the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Ruth, a Moabite widow, finds herself in a desperate situation, yet through her faith, steadfastness, and divine guidance, she becomes part of God’s redemptive plan.

This week's lesson will explore the major themes of Ruth, including God’s sovereignty, Ruth’s faith, and Boaz’s role as a kinsman-redeemer, a role that points ultimately to Christ, our true Redeemer.

I would encourage you to read the full story of Ruth chapter's 1 - 4 as it's not a long read and it's important that you grasp the desperation and despair that is at stake here. 

The book of Ruth is the story of tragic loss, unimaginable grace, and God’s ability to redeem even the most broken of circumstances. Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi, find themselves in a horribly broken and hopeless situation as both of their husbands are dead, they are separated from the people of God, and they have no prospects of financial provision. 

Have you been here? Are you here right now? 

 

RUTH 1:1-5 and 4:13-22

Beginning & End

Naomi Widowed

1 In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. 2 The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. 3 But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4 These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years, 5 and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband.

 

Ruth and Boaz Marry

13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. 14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! 15 He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. 17 And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

The Genealogy of David

18 Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez fathered Hezron, 19 Hezron fathered Ram, Ram fathered Amminadab, 20 Amminadab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon, 21 Salmon fathered Boaz, Boaz fathered Obed, 22 Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ruth 1:1-5, Ruth 4:13-22

Questions for Discussion:

How does Boaz’s role as a kinsman-redeemer foreshadow Christ’s work of redemption?

How do we see God’s invisible hand at work in the “coincidences” of Ruth’s story?

What does Ruth’s transformation from an outsider to a covenant member teach us about the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s redemptive plan?

Naomi’s suffering led to Ruth’s redemption — how does this reflect the greater biblical theme of God using suffering for His redemptive purposes?

How does Boaz’s willingness to redeem Ruth contrast with the law’s inability to redeem, and how does this point us to Christ?

END

Teacher's Notes:

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Class Lesson March 23, 2025

 The Whole Story

"Are we there yet?"

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“Are we there yet?” 

Every parent knows the painful repetition of this question being asked on a long road trip with children. At this point, Joshua probably knows the same pain. Joshua came out of Egypt with the people of Israel. Joshua had been a spy sent into Canaan to scope out the land. Then, Joshua witnessed the people rebel against God, and he had been subjected to wandering in the wilderness with the rebels for the past forty years. All of that was changing, though. Now, the people of God had finally arrived at the place that God had promised them. The people had crossed over the Jordan River, and they were going to take what was theirs.

That was the plan anyway, until they came to Jericho. Jericho was a great city in the Ancient Near East. It had the reputation of being impenetrable and the capacity to survive any siege. In short, Jericho was unconquerable to the army that had come to conquer it. It’s safe to say that as the people of Israel approached Jericho, they had no idea what they would do.

 

Repeatedly in the Bible, when the people of God see no way forward, God shows up to reveal that His plan was never in doubt. 

What happens next is almost unbelievable. 

The siege of Jericho involves mighty warriors, mighty musicians, odd battle plans, and unexpected heroes who point us in the direction of the true hero to come. The Battle of Jericho introduces another “scarlet thread” that reminds us Jesus is here, even as the walls come tumbling down.

Read Joshua 5:13-6:27 and make observations about the this week's text.

The Commander of the Lord’s Army

13 When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” 14 And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” 15 And the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

  

The Fall of Jericho

6 Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in. 2 And the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor. 3 You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days. 4 Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. 5 And when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him.” 6 So Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, “Take up the ark of the covenant and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord.” 7 And he said to the people, “Go forward. March around the city and let the armed men pass on before the ark of the Lord.” 8 And just as Joshua had commanded the people, the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the Lord went forward, blowing the trumpets, with the ark of the covenant of the Lord following them. 9 The armed men were walking before the priests who were blowing the trumpets, and the rear guard was walking after the ark, while the trumpets blew continually. 10 But Joshua commanded the people, “You shall not shout or make your voice heard, neither shall any word go out of your mouth, until the day I tell you to shout. Then you shall shout.” 11 So he caused the ark of the Lord to circle the city, going about it once. And they came into the camp and spent the night in the camp. 12 Then Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the Lord. 13 And the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord walked on, and they blew the trumpets continually. And the armed men were walking before them, and the rear guard was walking after the ark of the Lord, while the trumpets blew continually. 14 And the second day they marched around the city once, and returned into the camp. So they did for six days. 15 On the seventh day they rose early, at the dawn of day, and marched around the city in the same manner seven times. It was only on that day that they marched around the city seven times. 16 And at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, “Shout, for the Lord has given you the city. 17 And the city and all that is within it shall be devoted to the Lord for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live, because she hid the messengers whom we sent. 18 But you, keep yourselves from the things devoted to destruction, lest when you have devoted them you take any of the devoted things and make the camp of Israel a thing for destruction and bring trouble upon it. 19 But all silver and gold, and every vessel of bronze and iron, are holy to the Lord; they shall go into the treasury of the Lord.” 20 So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city. 21 Then they devoted all in the city to destruction, both men and women, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys, with the edge of the sword. 22 But to the two men who had spied out the land, Joshua said, “Go into the prostitute’s house and bring out from there the woman and all who belong to her, as you swore to her.” 23 So the young men who had been spies went in and brought out Rahab and her father and mother and brothers and all who belonged to her. And they brought all her relatives and put them outside the camp of Israel. 24 And they burned the city with fire, and everything in it. Only the silver and gold, and the vessels of bronze and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the Lord. 25 But Rahab the prostitute and her father’s household and all who belonged to her, Joshua saved alive. And she has lived in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho. 26 Joshua laid an oath on them at that time, saying, “Cursed before the Lord be the man who rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho. “At the cost of his firstborn shall he lay its foundation, and at the cost of his youngest son shall he set up its gates.” 27 So the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame was in all the land.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Joshua 5:13 - 6:27.

Sermon Recap

Joshua and the Israelites have finally made it into the Promised Land and through the first five chapters God is intentionally preparing his people to conquer the land.

The Lord promised Joshua that the battle over Jericho was already won.

Like the Israelites, God calls us to surrender to His battle plan. He promises that through Jesus, we are already victors!

As believers we are now called to participate in battles with obedience, surrender, and worship

Just as God was faithful to give Israel the victory over Jericho, He was gracious to save Rahab (along with her family) because of her faith. Rahab the prostitute would be restored and used in God’s redemptive plan.

 

Discussion Questions

How does Joshua’s encounter with the Commander of the Lord’s army challenge our understanding of God’s authority and our role in His plans?

 

What does the fall of Jericho teach us about God's power and faithfulness, and how should this shape our trust in Him today?

 

In what ways does Rahab’s story reveal God’s mercy and sovereignty, and how does it challenge our view of who can receive God’s grace?

 

Why do you think God required Israel to follow such an unusual battle plan, and what does this teach us about living in obedience even when we don’t fully understand His ways?

 

How does this passage encourage us to surrender control to God, and what specific areas of your life is He calling you to trust Him with more fully?

The story of Jericho’s fall reminds us that true victory comes not by human strength, but by trusting in God’s power and obeying His commands. Joshua and the Israelites had to believe that God’s way — marching, waiting, and shouting — was better than any military strategy they could devise. Likewise, we are called to trust that God’s ways are higher than ours, even when they seem unusual or difficult. 

END

Class Lesson March 16, 2025

 The Whole Story

Deuteronomy 6

We live in a culture that tells many lies about what faith should be. One prevailing lie about faith in our time is that faith should be kept private. Culture tells us that faith should be kept to yourself. It’s not something that should impact our lives.

God has a different idea of what faith should look like. Our relationship with God should impact every single part of our lives. Faith should be at the center of our lives, determining what the rest of life looks like. In Deuteronomy 6, Moses instructs how faith should be dominant in our lives.

Moses clarifies that what we believe is the most important thing about us. Thus, he delivers the “Shema,” the cornerstone of the Old Testament theology. “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.” The declaration, though simple, is earth-shattering in its theological implications. Moses clarifies that there is only one God, the Lord over all things.

What is the response to such a serious theological statement? As the people of God, we should love the Lord with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. Later, a Jewish Rabbi will teach His followers that this is the greatest commandment in the faith.

Believers should have a faith that is so serious that they love the Lord more than they love anything else in the entire world. That Rabbi’s name was Jesus. Listen today as we hear the long-established words of our faith. Look at the Shema, and you will see that Jesus is here, even in the Shema.

 

Bottom Line:

Your love for God determines your life for God.

Sermon Recap:

• Deuteronomy 6 is foundational to the Israelite people and to us today. The “Shema” helped Israelites understand who God was and understand their response.                                                                                                     
• One of the best ways to love God is by remembering the Lord for who He is and what He has done for us.                                                                                             
• Loving God requires us to love with everything we have. This is a lifelong commitment.                                                                                                                        
• Deuteronomy 6 teaches us that another way to love God is by raising up the next generation to love the Lord.

 

Deuteronomy 6:1-15

“Now this is the commandment — the statutes and the rules — that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, 2 that you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son’s son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long. 3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey. 4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 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. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. 10 “And when the Lord your God brings you into the land that he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you—with great and good cities that you did not build, 11 and houses full of all good things that you did not fill, and cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant—and when you eat and are full, 12 then take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 13 It is the Lord your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear. 14 You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you — 15 for the Lord your God in your midst is a jealous God — lest the anger of the Lord your God be kindled against you, and he destroy you from off the face of the earth

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Dt 6:1–15.

Discussion Questions:

Deuteronomy 6:4 says, ‘The Lord our God, the Lord is one.’

How does recognizing God’s oneness shape the way you prioritize Him in your daily life, especially when other ‘gods’ (like work, hobbies, or relationships) compete for your attention?

 

In verse 5, we’re called to love God with all our heart, soul, and might.

Which of these areas do you find easiest to give to God, and which is hardest? What’s one step you could take to grow in the harder area?

 

Verses 6-7 urge us to keep God’s words on our hearts and teach them diligently to our children.

How have you seen faith passed down (or not) in your own family or community? What’s one way you could be more intentional about sharing God with the next generation?

 

Deuteronomy 6:10-12 warns against forgetting God when life gets comfortable.

What’s a blessing in your life (like a home, job, or family) that could tempt you to rely less on God? How can we keep gratitude alive in those moments?

 

Jesus quotes the Shema in Mark 12:29-30 as the greatest commandment.

How does His life and sacrifice deepen your understanding of what it means to love God fully? How might that inspire you this week?

 

Closing 

Applying the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) to daily life begins with anchoring our routines in the truth that “the Lord our God, the Lord is one,” letting His singular authority shape our priorities. Practically, we can love God with all our heart, soul, and might by starting each day with prayer or Scripture, aligning our desires and energy toward Him — perhaps reciting the Shema itself as a reminder. Throughout the day, we weave His commands into ordinary moments: discussing a Bible verse over breakfast with family, listening to worship music during a commute, or pausing to thank Him before bed. For those influencing others, like children or friends, we model this love by sharing what God’s teaching us — maybe explaining a faith lesson during a walk or praying together at night. It’s not about perfection but consistency, letting God’s Word dwell in us richly (Colossians 3:16) so that our lives, from sunrise to sunset, reflect a wholehearted devotion to Him.

END

  

Class Lesson March 9, 2025

 The Whole Story

Deuteronomy 5

When many people think about the Bible, they think about a book full of rules, a bunch of thou shall, and thou shall nots. Most don’t realize that the Bible is much more than that. The Bible is the story of how God is always working for the salvation and redemption of His people. However, God, in His grace, doesn't leave us without any clue how to live.

In the Ten Commandments, we have God’s rules for how to live in a relationship with Him. Many people see these rules as restrictive. God intends them to be anything but restrictive. God intends the Ten Commandments to be freeing. When we walk in accordance with the Ten Commandments, we experience the freedom of life in God's way. The Ten Commandments function as boundaries that provide a safe space for us to run. The Ten Commandments function as guard rails that keep us from catastrophe.

The problem with the Ten Commandments is that we don’t have any power, in and of ourselves, to keep those rules. We know the commandments, but so often, our hearts long for things outside of the commandments, things the commandments forbid. The Christian does not just need a list of rules, we need a Savior who can forgive us when we break the rules. We need a Savior who can give us a new heart, a heart that wants to follow the rules. Jesus does both things. Jesus forgives our sins when we break His law. Then, Jesus gives us a heart that obeys the law because it loves the law. Jesus is here, even in the Ten Commandments.

 

Bottom Line: 

Our relationship with God leads to our obedience 

to His commands.

Deuteronomy 5:1-21 

The Ten Commandments Revisited

5 And Moses summoned all Israel and said to them, “Hear, O Israel, the statutes and the rules that I speak in your hearing today, and you shall learn them and be careful to do them. 2 The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. 3 Not with our fathers did the Lord make this covenant, but with us, who are all of us here alive today. 4 The Lord spoke with you face to face at the mountain, out of the midst of the fire, 5 while I stood between the Lord and you at that time, to declare to you the word of the Lord. For you were afraid because of the fire, and you did not go up into the mountain. He said: 6 “‘I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 7 “‘You shall have no other gods before me. 8 “‘You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 9 You shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 10 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. 11 “‘You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. 12 “‘Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you. 13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter or your male servant or your female servant, or your ox or your donkey or any of your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates, that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you. 15 You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore, the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day. 16 “‘Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. 17 “‘You shall not murder. 18 “‘And you shall not commit adultery. 19 “‘And you shall not steal. 20 “‘And you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 21 “‘And you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. And you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field, or his male servant, or his female servant, his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.’

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Dt 5:1–21.

Sermon Recap:

• God gives rules to follow only after he has delivered His people. This makes clear that the 10 Commandments do not function as our path to earn God’s approval. Rather, these are how we maintain our relationship with the God who rescued us.                                      
• The 10 Commandments express how to best relate to God and to others. Commandments 1-4 show how to best love God. Commandments 5-10 show how to best love others.                                                          
• The 10 Commandments allow humans to walk in freedom. When we do life as God intended, life goes better.                                                                         
• The 10 Commandments leave us in despair. Though we know we should obey these commands, we fail in obedience repeatedly. The 10 Commandments reveal one great truth: we need a savior to forgive our sin and empower our obedience.

 

Discussion Questions:

God’s Identity and Our Response (vv. 1-6):

"Verse 6 reminds us that God introduces Himself as the One who brought Israel out of Egypt before giving the commandments. How does knowing God as our rescuer — not just our rule-giver — change the way we approach His commands in our lives today?"

Exclusive Devotion (vv. 7-11):

"The first three commandments call us to worship God alone, avoid idols, and honor His name. In our modern world, what are some ‘other gods’ or ‘idols’ that compete for our attention, and how can we refocus on God instead?"

Sabbath as Gift (vv. 12-15):

"The Sabbath command ties rest to God’s deliverance, setting it apart from just a day off.

How do you currently practice rest, and what might it look like to make it a time to celebrate God’s freedom in your life?"

Relationships and God’s Heart (vv. 16-21):

"The last six commandments protect our relationships with others — family, neighbors, even enemies. Which of these feels most challenging to you right now (e.g., honoring parents, avoiding envy), and what’s one step you could take to align with God’s heart in that area?"

Law and Grace Together (Whole Passage):

"Jesus said He came to fulfill the law, not abolish it (Matthew 5:17). How do you see these commandments pointing us to Jesus, and how does His grace help us live them out in a way the Israelites couldn’t on their own?"

END

Teacher Notes:

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Mom - remember how it started, I was 5 years old, and I stole my brother’s sweets? You didn’t correct me, and I remember when I was 7 - the day I stole my neighbor’s toy and hid it at home, you said nothing. And remember when I was 12 and I hid my cousin’s ball in the garage, when he came to play with us at home and you said you didn’t see it, but you did.

Do you remember the day I was expelled from school at 15? Dad wanted to punish me, but you said no and that very day you had a big argument with dad because you were defending me. You said I was still young, you said the teachers were wrong to say that I was not attending class. You defended me, you said I was right, yet you knew I was wrong. Mom, do you remember when you saw me steal our neighbor’s bicycle when I was 17, you didn’t tell anyone I stole it, no – mom you were silent? You loved me so much, yes, you loved me, but you didn’t correct me, instead you spoiled me. That is how it started, and it graduated slowly until today when I will be executed for bank robbery and murder.

Mom, I was just a kid and I needed guidance. By the time you read this I will be gone. Yours truly, your loving son.