Scripture is God-breathed and GOD’S is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in COMMANDS righteousness,”(2 Timothy 3:16). The Bible contains many instructions God gives to us as His children. God knew that the Israelites needed a set of rules to guide their relationship with Him and with one another, so He gave them the Ten Commandments through Moses, who was their leader at the time. In John 15:14, Jesus also said to His disciples, ‘If you love me, keep my commands.’
As you teach children the lessons for this month, you need to ask yourself the crucial questions? ‘Do I love God?’ and’ Do I obey His commands?’ Your love for God is shown in your obedience to His commands.
Love God with All Your Heart.
Read Exodus 20:1-6; Deuteronomy 6:1-7
Jesus Christ gave His followers the greatest commandment. Read Mathew 23: 37. Do you love God with all your hearts souls and minds? Obedience to His commands shows how much you love Him. Read Exodus 20: 1-6; Deuteronomy 6: 1-7 to learn about the first two commandments and how you can show that you love God by obeying.
While in Egypt, the Israelites submitted to the laws of the land Now, that they were about to enter Cannan, the Promised Land, they needed a new set of rules to guide them Therefore, God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai God directed Moses to tell them the laws that would govern them when they eventually settle in the Promised Land. God also warned them to obey these laws so that they and their children may enjoy a long life, so that they may be well with them, and so that they may increase in the land flowing with milk and honey, which the Lord has promised them.
God told the Israelites to teach the commandments to their children. They were to talk about them as they sat at home, while walking along the road, when they lie down and get up. They were to tie the laws as symbols on their hands and foreheads. They also should write them on their door frames and the gates of their houses.
COMMANDMENT 1: You shall have no other gods before me. God warned the Israelites that He was their Lord and God. Therefore, they must not have any other god apart from Him, and they are to love Him with all their heart, soul, and strength
COMMANDMENT 2: 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.
The Israelites were commanded not to make an image of any form as an object of worship. They were not to bow down or worship any image (idol). An idol is an object such as a statue or image that people worship. God does not want His chosen people to share His love with anything or anyone because He is a jealous God. He said that anyone who disobeys Him by worshipping an idol would be punished by the third and fourth generations. However, God would show love to those who love Him and keep His commandments. Which one do you prefer- God’s love or punishment?
Just as God warned the Israelites not to have any other god apart from Him, the same warning also applies to us as God’s children. What are things like idols in your life, things you have rated higher than God? Do you worship your parents’ riches, cartoons, computer games, and television programs? Whatever or whoever takes the first place in your life apart from God is an idol. Is there any idol you need to confess to the Lord now and repent of it?
You Must Not Misuse the Name of God.
Read Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 24:10-16
Oftentimes, children get angry when their mates call them or abuse them by their father’s name (surname). They consider it an insult and may go to any extent to defend and protect their father’s name. If we so much cherish our surname and do not want to be misused, how much more should we love and defend the name of God? Let us study carefully to the Question-and-Answer session and see what God commands concerning the use of His name.
Question 1 (Nkem): What is the third commandment God gave the Israelites?
Response (Teacher): The third commandment God gave to the Israelites is, ‘You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name’
Question 2 (Habila): Why is this commandment important?
Response(Teacher): This commandment is important because God’s name carries power and authority so we must respect His name at all times. He is the Creator of the entire universe, so He deserves honor at all times, even in the manner in which His name is used.
Question 3 (Folasade): Is there any example of anyone who misused God’s name in the Bible? Response (Teacher): Yes, Leviticus 24:10-16records the story of a man, the son of an Israelite woman, Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri the Danite, and an Egyptian man. There was a fight in the camp between him and an Israelite, so he blasphemed the name of the Lord. (To blaspheme is to curse or show a lack of reverence.)
Question 4 (Effiong): What was his punishment when he was brought before Moses?
Response (Teacher): He was kept in custody until God instructed Moses to take him outside the camp. Then, all who heard him when the incident occurred were to place their hands on his head while the Israelites would stone him to death. So, this became the punishment for anyone, either an Israelite or a foreigner who blasphemes the name of God.
Question 5 (Zainab): In what ways can the name of the Lord be misused?
Response (Teacher): There are different SAEMs the name of the Lord can be misused. They include:
When we joke with the name of the Lord.
When we abuse or curse others with God’s name.
When we swear unnecessarily the name of God. Some people wear with God’s name, yet they are telling lies. (Swearing is permitted in the law court or when assuming an establishment or public office position.) As children of God, swearing should be avoided outside that of the law court. Our simple response should either be’ Yes’ or No.'(Matthew 5:33-37)
Remember the Sabbath Day.
Read Exodus 20:8-11; 16:1-5, 22-30
A survey was carried out on how people spend Sundays and one of the respondents said, “I usually spend my Sundays walking up very late, having brunch (a meal that combines breakfast and lunch), starting at phone/TV and then worrying on Sunday evening about Monday.” Did God give any instruction about the use of our Sundays? What is/are the instructions? Read and meditate on Exodus 20: 8-11 and Exodus 16: 22-30.
The fourth commandment God gave the Israelites is to remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. The Sabbath day was originally the seventh day of the week (Saturday) and was regarded as a rest day. God instructed the Israelites to work for six days, while the seventh day was to be set apart for Him. No male or female servant, foreigners, or even animals, must work on the Sabbath. God, Himself, gave an example by completing the work of creation in six days and then resting on the seventh day.
Soon after the Israelites left the land of Egypt, they set out from Elim to the Desert of Sin between Elim and Sinai. While in the desert, they grumbled against Moses and Aaron due to hunger. So God told Moses, He would rain down, for them, bread from heaven which they were to gather enough for each day.
They were to gather twice as much on the sixth day, to prepare for the Sabbath because they were not expected to do any kind of work on the Sabbath. So, the Israelites obeyed and prepared what they got the day before Sabbath and kept it till morning, and it did not stink or breed maggots compared with when they took extra on other days. Some doubted and went out on the seventh day to gather, but they did not find anything.
Therefore, God warned them through Moses, ‘How long will you refuse to keep my commands and my instructions?’ God asked them to bear in mind that He purposely gave them what to eat for two days on the sixth day. So, they were not to go out on the seventh day but to rest. God desires that you allow your body to enjoy rest by taking time off all your work.
The day was also to be kept holy, which means the Israelites must set aside the Sabbath day to worship and honor God, who has given them the day as a gift. They should not engage in any work that would occupy their time and prevent them from worshipping God and resting
