Bible Reading: 1 John 2:7-11
I am not writing a new commandment, for it is an old one you have always had … to love one another. 1 John 2:7
Alexander’s parents bought him a ruler with all the books of the Bible printed on it. At church camp he even learned a rap. But he still always got stuck somewhere after Obadiah. Worse yet, he couldn’t figure out why that was so awful.
Talk about it: Does the front part of the Bible matter today?
Yes! Jesus said, “I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17).
The Ten Commandments, for example, teach us loving things to do—and unloving things to avoid—in our relationships with God and others:
1. Do not worship any other gods besides me says your love for God should be pure—unrivaled by any person, thing, or idea.
2. Do not make idols of any kind says to focus your loving dedication to God on him—not on religious props or fake gods.
3. Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God says your loyalty to God includes respect for his person and his name.
4. Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy says you should honor God by spending time weekly in worship and rest.
5. Honor your father and mother says to express love for your parents by respecting and obeying them.
6. Do not murder says you show your love for others through a huge regard for human life.
7. Do not commit adultery says to stay faithful and pure for your spouse or future spouse.
8. Do not steal says you care for others by respecting their possessions.
9. Do not testify falsely against your neighbor says you show love through honesty and truthfulness.
10. Do not covet says love for others should focus on what you can give to others instead of how you can get what belongs to them.
God doesn’t want us guessing about what love looks like. He lovingly, clearly spells it out in his commands. We have an incredibly caring God!
TALK: What good does the Old Testament do you?
PRAY: God, teach us right and wrong through your unchanging commands.
ACT: Memorize the books of the Old Testament or the Ten Commandments.
