Slices
Prepare
Do you ever feel lost in today’s world, as if there are no clear guidelines? Do you wonder if anyone really cares how you do things? Thank God that he cares. If we follow him, we can’t go far wrong.
Bible passage
The Ten Commandments
20 And God spoke all these words:
2 ‘I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
3 ‘You shall have no other gods before me.
4 ‘You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
7 ‘You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
8 ‘Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labour and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
12 ‘Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
13 ‘You shall not murder.
14 ‘You shall not commit adultery.
15 ‘You shall not steal.
16 ‘You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour.
17 ‘You shall not covet your neighbour’s house. You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour.’
18 When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance 19 and said to Moses, ‘Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not let God speak to us or we will die.’
20 Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.’
21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.
Explore
Have you ever had a conversation with someone who obviously knows you, but you just can’t think who they are? And you can’t quite pluck up the courage to tell them that… No chance of that here with God. He not only announces himself but reminds the Israelites how far he has brought them (v 2). He isn’t setting out commandments as a framework to get to salvation. These are people he has already chosen, and he is educating them in the life they need to lead.
Pause now and take in the wonder of being chosen by God! Of course, they have a lot of back history of beliefs to be erased. They must concentrate on their new life now. The path God lays out involves their (and our) relationship with him (the first four commandments, vs 3–8). The priority is to be right with God. Then comes relationship with others (the last six commandments, vs 12–17). God’s love forges a path through our lives, demanding our complete obedience in every area.
Respond
‘There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear’ (1 John 4:18). The people are frightened that if they see God they will die (v 19). Does God’s presence frighten us? Thank him that in Jesus there is absolutely no need.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 1 Samuel 7–9; Mark 11
Pray for Scripture Union
This Friday, pray for a child or young person you know or know about. Pray that they will meet with Jesus today, either for the first time or in new ways.
