This is the final study in our Exodus series this year, and we conclude with the Ten Commandments, an introduction to (and summary of) all of God's laws in the Old Testament. This study will help us to think through each commandment one by one.
Read Exodus 20:1-17
Why do you think God gave his people these rules? (You might want to recall last week's bible study on chapter 19, or read this helpful quote: [1])
Why do you think so many of these laws are phrased, "you shall not..."? What do you think is the effect of this?
1&2. Reread verses 1-6
What is the significance of these being the first two commandments?
Read Acts 17:24-29. How does Paul take the 1st and 2nd commandments and connect them with the Gospel of Jesus?
What sort of 'other gods' or 'idols' do many secular Australians bow down to? How are we as their friends and neighbours tempted to join them?
3. Reread verse 7
What is the significance of God's 'name' in the book of Exodus? With this in mind, why is the third commandment concerned with the name?
How do we honour the name of God in our own lives and our own hearts?
4. Reread verses 8-11
What is the significance of work and rest in the book of Exodus? With this in mind, why is the fourth commandment concerned with rest?
5. Reread verse 12
The fifth commandment shifts our focus from loving God to loving our neighbour, beginning close to home with parents. Why do you think this is so important to God (one of the 10 commandments, not just one of the laws!)
How do you imagine honouring parents was intended to form a healthy society in this ancient context? What about this commandment might we need to apply for our modern world?
6. Reread verse 13
In the context of Exodus, what is the significance of this commandment?
Read Matthew 5:21-22. How does Jesus expand our understanding of this commandment?
7. Reread verse 14
How does this commandment connect with the 5th commandment (v12)? What sort of society was God setting up with these two commandments?
Read Matthew 5:27-30. How does Jesus expand our understanding of this commandment?
8,9&10. Reread verse 15-17
How do these last three commandments link to one another? What sorts of values do you think underpin these three commandments?
How does breaking these commandments show a lack of faith in God?
The tenth commandment is sometimes thought of as a commandment about our 'thoughts' rather than outward actions (a bit like Jesus commandments in Matthew 5). What do you think the significance of this would have been in the ancient Exodus context? What about in our own world?
What does it mean for us to follow God's commandments today? Do you think they are still relevant for us? Why/why not?
If you think they are relevant to you, in what sense do you keep the ten commandments? What motivates you to try to do this?
[1] Alec Motyer writes,
"It was the God of salvation who imposed his law on his people; the grace that saves preceded the law that demands. The people were given the law not in order that they might become the redeemed, rather it was because they had already been redeemed that they were given the law. The law of God is the way of life he sets before those whom he has saved, and they engage in that way of life as a response of love and gratitude to God their Redeemer. Grace and law belong together, for grace leads to law; saving love leads to and excites grateful love expressed in obedience.”
Alec Motyer, Bible Speaks Today: Exodus, p.214
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