God loves, listens, acts, and frees God’s people. That always comes first. God then gives commands not as a requirement by which we earn God’s goodness, but as a reflection of the love we’ve been shown. All of God’s laws are intended to keep us organized and safe. When followed, they protect us from chaos. When disobeyed, everyone pays the price.
Worship with Holy Communion this week:
Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel
Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship
9:30 a.m. – Sunday School, Adult study, and fellowship
10:30 a.m. – Contemporary Worship
Devotions for this week: Covenant and Commandments – October 7, 2018
SHARE: What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?
READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding
Monday, Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Moses Dies
Tuesday, Joshua 1:1-9, God’s Commission to Joshua
Wednesday, Joshua 2:1-21, Spies Sent to Jericho
Thursday, Joshua 3:1-17, Israel Crosses the Jordan
Friday, Joshua 6:1-14, Jericho Taken and Destroyed
Saturday, Joshua 6:15-27, Jericho Destroyed and Rahab Spared
TALK: Consider some of these ideas:
Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation. (Exodus 19:5-6a)
Moses has successfully and safely led the Israelites out of slavery into the wilderness. How would they live in their newly gained freedom? Never fear, God is about to lay down the law. And that’s not a bad thing.
- What gods are served in your community other than God (celebrities, money, progress, etc.)? Which gods fail to live up to their promises?
- Which commandments do you find hardest to follow? What gets in your way of following God’s laws?
- For the littles: What is the hardest rule to follow? What is the easiest? God gives us rules so we can be safe and happy.
PRAY: Lord, your law is the sign of your everlasting love. Keep us faithful to your word that our lives might testify to your grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
BLESS: May God bless you with healthy rules. Amen.
