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Jun 13
3

This Week’s Catechism – 6/2

Doctrinal Standard #70 & 72

  • Q. What is the seventh commandment?
  • A. The seventh commandment is: You shall not commit adultery.
  • Q. What does the seventh commandment forbid?
  • A. The seventh commandment forbids thinking, saying, or doing anything sexually impure.

Memory Verses

  • “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous” (Hebrews 13:4, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: 1 Corinthians 5
  • Support Passages: Genesis 2:23-24, 20:2-18, 34:5-7, 39:9; Leviticus 18, 20:10-26; Deuteronomy 22:22-27, 27:20-23; Proverbs 7:6-27; Romans 1:24-27
  • Bible Story: 2 Samuel 11,12

Thoughts

  • In the previous lesson, I quoted from C.I. Williamson’s book “The Westminster Shorter Catechism” that God has provided marriage as an appropriate means of controlling sexual desire. If this is true, than it is important for us to discuss whether or not the trend of delaying marriage has an effect on the sexual purity of our people. As our culture continues to promote and “normalize” sexual immorality and at the same time encourages us delay marriage until after earning a degree or starting a career it becomes very difficult for our youth to live a sexually pure heart, speech, and action. It is important to note that I’m not concluding that delaying marriage is the lone reason for our rampant sexual immorality nor am I saying that every Christian should be married before the age of twenty. But if we ignore this obvious correlation, don’t teach our children the biblical reasons for marriage, and fail to prepare them for marriage at a young age, we are setting them up for difficulties in their young adult life.
  • It is very important that when we teach our children about sexual immorality and adultery that we don’t teach them simply in a moralistic way. We must not simply teach them what to do and what not to do we must also teach them why. We must teach them the doctrines behind the do’s and the don’ts so they have knowledge and conviction to make their decisions. Adultery is sinful because of the significance of marriage. God has established marriage as a symbol to illustrate he’s relationship with His people. So many times the people of God in the Old Testament were adulterous towards God. The people of God broke their relationship and walked away yet God remained faithful to His bride and restored the relationship. Much the same way our marriages here on earth are to mirror the relationship God has with his people. They are to remain faithful to one another. When the relationship has a rift they are to remain steadfast and repair the covenant as God did. In our Christian marriage we are called to mirror and proclaim the type of love that Christ has for his bride.

Discussion Questions

  • What is the seventh commandment?
  • What does the seventh commandment forbid?
  • What are examples of being sexually impure?
  • What are ways to avoid sinning in these ways?
  • Why is marriage important? What does it represent?
  • With the previous questions answered, why does God hate adultery?
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Posted in Devotional Thoughts, Moral Law, Seventh Commandment, Ten Commandments, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, 1 Corinthians 5, 12, 2 Samuel 11, Hebrews 1:1-2:4, Posted by Phil. No Comments

May 13
27

This Week’s Catechism – 5/26

Doctrinal Standard #70 & 71

  • Q. What is the seventh commandment?
  • A. The seventh commandment is: You shall not commit adultery.
  • Q. What does the seventh commandment require?
  • A. The seventh commandment requires us and everyone else to keep sexually pure in heart, speech, and action.


Memory Verses

  • “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: 1 Corinthians 7
  • Support Passages: Genesis 1:26-28, 2:23-24, 39:1-18; Matthew 5:27-32, 19:3-12; Hebrews 13:4; Ephesians 5:22-33
  • Bible Story: Matthew 5:20-30

Thoughts

  • Parents, I encourage you to begin this healthy discussion with your sons and daughters earlier than later. It is important that we instill a strong biblical worldview about sex early on as our children will be pressured in so many ways to adopt a secular worldview.
  • “Emphasizing the fact that sexual desire, and the proper satisfaction of it, is not wrong. This is evident from the account of creation. When Adam was first created, ‘there was not found a help meet for him [that is, a mate fit for him]’ (Gen. 2:20). And it was God who said, ‘it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make a help for him’ (v. 18). Then, when God had created Eve and brought her to Adam, he prophesied, saying, ‘Therefore, shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh’ (v. 24). Thus we see that even in a sinless state there was sexual urge. It was divinely created. And there was nothing evil in it then, for we read that ‘they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed’ (v. 25). From this we learn that sex desire is not wrong in itself. Neither is it wrong to satisfy or fulfill this sex desire if this is done in the way that God has ordained. The Bible frankly recognizes the fact that it is this need which draws people together in marriage.”
  • We do well, then, to realize the depths of sinful corruption to which men go. God recognized this, and therefore spoke out plainly about these sins in His Old Testament law. What we need to realize is that we ourselves are – by nature – inclined to these same sins (all sexual sin). We need to realize that it is only by the grace of God that we ourselves can escape the corruption that is in the world (2 Peter 1:4). Let us consider, then, the way in which the Lord enables men to rule the impulse of sex to His glory, and then own good. (1) The Bible says that God gives to some the gift of continency. By this we mean that God enables some to live without having sexual relations, by giving them the strength to resist temptation to adultery. Jesus said, ‘there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there are eunuchs which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it let him receive it’ (Matt. 19:12)… (2)For others, however – and this includes most people – this is not possible. ‘Every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn’ (1 Cor. 7:7-9). Thus, for most, marriage is the God-given means of controlling sexual desire. Even then, however, marriage must be ‘only in the Lord’ (1 Cor. 7:39), that is, between two believers.” [1]

Discussion Questions

  • What is the seventh commandment?
  • What does the seventh commandment require?
  • What are practical ways to keep sexually pure?
  • What are the two ways the Lord enables us to rule the impulse of sex?(refer to thoughts section)
  • Read Matthew 5:28 and discuss Jesus’ teaching about this commandment.
  • Explain why Jesus is not only concerned with our actions but with our heart?

[1] Williamson, C.I. (2003). The Westminster Shorter Catechism – 2nd Edition. Phillipsburg, New Jersey, USA; P&R Publishing Company.

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May 13
20

This Week’s Catechism – 5/19

Doctrinal Standard #66-69

  • Q. What is the reason for the fifth commandment?
  • A. The reason for the fifth commandment is the promise of long life and prosperity, if these glorify God and are for the good of those who obey this commandment.
  • Q. What is the sixth commandment?
  • A. The sixth commandment is: You shall not murder.
  • Q. What does the sixth commandment require?
  • A. The sixth commandment requires making every lawful effort to preserve one’s own life and the lives of others.
  • Q. What does the sixth commandment forbid?
  • The sixth commandment forbids taking one’s own life or the lives of others unjustly or doing anything that leads to suicide or murder.

Memory Verses

  • “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask” (James 4:1–2, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Matthew 5:21-26
  • Support Passages: James 2:1-13, 4; Exodus 21:12-14; Joshua 20:1-6; Numbers 35:29-34; John 2:13-22; Psalm 144; Matthew 5:38-48
  • Bible Story: Genesis 14:1-16

Thoughts

  • If we are not careful, we can read the Ten Commandments and easily dismiss some of them as commandments that we have never nor will we ever break. We must remind ourselves that all of these commands deal not only with our actions but also with our heart. Matthew chapter five records Jesus talking about this very thing.  “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:21–28). God is not only concerned with our actions but also with our heart. “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander”(Matthew 15:19). Therefore, when we read the Ten Commandments we must be careful to not dismiss some them too quickly as if we have never or will never transgress them.
  • Catechism question sixty-six (What is the reason for the fifth commandment? The reason for the fifth commandment is the promise of long life and prosperity, if these glorify God and are for the good of those who obey this commandment) is combined in this lesson because it reminds of the benefits in honoring our father and mother. The teachings of our fathers and mothers are usually those that are concerned with love for one another and the love of God. Fathers and mothers teach their children character traits and skills that will make them successful and content in this life. If more children honored their father and mother we would see a drastic change in the types of crimes committed each and every day.

Discussion Questions

  • What is the sixth commandment?
  • Have you every sinned against this command?
  • What is Jesus perspective on this command?
  • Where does murder and every other sin come from?
  • If Jesus is concerned not only with our actions but with our heart, how do we deal with our heart?
  • What connection is their between honoring your parents and breaking the sixth commandment?
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May 13
12

This Week’s Catechism – 5/12

Doctrinal Standard #69

  • Q. What does the sixth commandment forbid?
  • The sixth commandment forbids taking one’s own life or the lives of others unjustly or doing anything that leads to suicide or murder.

Memory Verses

  • “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord’ (Romans 12:19,ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Romans 12:9-21
  • Support Passages: Deuteronomy 32:35; Matthew 5:38-48; James 2:1-13; Genesis 9:1-7; Romans 5:20-21; Acts 25:11; Luke 23:39-43
  • Bible Story: Acts 21:1-14

Thoughts

  • Below is taken from Training Hearts, Teaching Minds page 229-231.
  • “Murder is an act that God forbids. Hatred and holding grudges are attitudes that God forbids. Hatred for someone usually begins with anger over something the person has done that we did not like. This kind of anger is self-centered and therefore sinful. Today, people teach that we must be sure to feel enough anger when someone wrongs us and we should express it freely. If we do not, these people tell us, we will not be healthy. People who have been hurt are encouraged to keep thinking and talking about what it was that hurt them and to keep feeling the anger again.
    The Bible teaches exactly the opposite. When people hurt us (and they will), we must forgive them and go on with our lives. The 37th psalm speaks of wicked people who hurt others. Even with people like these, this psalm tells us, we should trust God to take care of us and to do what is right in judging them. The psalm tells us several times not to ‘fret’ over what people do that is wrong. To fret over something is to continue to think about it and to continue to let it bother you. When we fret over what someone has done to hurt us, we nurture our anger and cause it to grow. It will quickly turn into hatred. God condemns both anger and hatred, not just murder. Read Psalm 37:7-9.”
  • Not only does this commandment forbid the attitudes of hatred and anger because they are the beginnings of murder, it also forbids the attitude of indifference. To be indifference is to be unconcerned, to not care. There are many people who need food or shelter and who have no money to buy what they need. Their needs are so great that they will die if someone does not help them. When we are aware of people like this and when we have enough money that we could help them, this commandment forbids us to be indifferent. It forbids us being unconcerned and ignoring such people. Job said that whenever he knew of someone in need, he helped him because he knew if he did not help him, he would be sinning against God. Read Job 31:16-23.” [1]

Discussion Questions

  • What does the sixth commandment forbid?
  • Before a person commits murder what is in their heart?
  • Is God only concerned with the act of murder itself? Explain.
  • How are we to guard ourselves from being murderous people in our heart?
  • How are we to help preserve life? Provide practical examples.

 

 


[1] Meade, Starr (2000). Training Heart, Teaching Minds. Phillipsburg, New Jersey, USA; P&R Publishing Company.

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Posted in Devotional Thoughts, Moral Law, Sixth Commandment, Ten Commandments, Training Hearts Teaching Minds, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, Acts 21, Romans 12, Posted by Phil. No Comments

May 13
6

This Week’s Catechism – 5/5

Doctrinal Standard #67-68

  • Q. What is the sixth commandment?
  • A. The sixth commandment is: You shall not murder.
  • Q. What does the sixth commandment require?
  • A. The sixth commandment requires making every lawful effort to preserve one’s own life and the lives of others.

Memory Verses

  •  “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image” (Genesis 9:6, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Numbers 35:9-28
  • Support Passages: I John 3:15; Matthew 5:21-26; John 8:44; Exodus 21:22-32; Deuteronomy 22:8; Joshua 20,21
  • Bible Story: 1 Kings 21

Thoughts

  • Below is taken from Training Hearts, Teaching Minds page 227.
  • “We might feel pleased with ourselves for obeying the commandment not to murder because we have never killed anyone. This commandment goes beyond that, though. It required us to make every lawful effort to preserve life. If we could provide things that would keep people from dying, we must love them enough to give them those things. If we do not, we are at least partly responsible if they die because they did not have what they needed. God is not satisfied if we simply do not kill people. God requires us to show love and compassion by sharing with those who are in need.” [1]
  •  Below is taken from C.I. Williamson book The Westminster Shorter Catechism page 248.
  • “It is equally important to stress the fact that it is not always an act of murder when a human life is taken by another person. This can be clearly seen from the fact that when God gave Moses these Ten Commandments, He also gave him an inspired interpretation of these Ten Commandments in the books of the law (Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). In this divinely inspired interpretation we clearly see that there are times when it may be necessary to kill a human being in order to keep this commandment… ‘If  a thief be found breaking in,’ says Exodus 22:2, ‘and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.’ This means that when a prowler tries to break into my house, I have the duty to try and to protect my family from the harm that this person might do to them. And if, in this just defense of life, the life of the prowler be taken, it is not a case of murder. It is, in other words, the thief alone who is at fault and he alone who caused the violence resulting in his own death.” [2]

Discussion Questions

  • What is the sixth commandment?
  • What does the sixth commandment require?
  • Provide examples on how we are required to preserve life.
  • Why is murder wrong?
  • Is there a difference between murder and killing?
  • How can we guard our heart from breaking this commandment?

[1] Meade, Starr (2000). Training Heart, Teaching Minds. Phillipsburg, New Jersey, USA; P&R Publishing Company.

[2] Williamson, C.I. (2003). The Westminster Shorter Catechism – 2nd Edition. Phillipsburg, New Jersey, USA; P&R Publishing Company.

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Apr 13
29

This Week’s Catechism – 4/28

Doctrinal Standard #66

  • Q. What is the reason for the fifth commandment?
  • A. The reason for the fifth commandment is the promise of long life and prosperity, if these glorify God and are for the good of those who obey this commandment.

Memory Verses

  • “For the Lord is our judge; the Lord is our lawgiver; the Lord is our king; he will save us”  (Isaiah 33:22, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Romans 13:1-7
  • Support Passages: I Peter 2:13-18; Matthew 22:15-22; Genesis 9:5-7; Numbers 35:29-34; Luke 3:7-14; Acts 4:19-21, 5:27-32
  • Bible Story: Acts 17:1-9

Thoughts

  • Below is taken from “Training Hearts, Teaching Minds” Page 220-221.
  • “God first gave the fifth commandment to the Israelites. He promised they would live long in the Promised Land if they kept it. God’s people no longer live in one special country. Does that mean this promise is no longer good? No, the apostle Paul repeated the promise in the New Testament, when God’s people lived in many different countries. Read it in Ephesians 6:1-3. This promise does not mean that the only people who die young are those who failed to honor their parents. Usually, those who honor parents and follow their advice will stay healthier and live longer than those who ignore what their parents tell them.
  • “God tells us to keep this commandment so that it will go well with us and we will enjoy life on the earth. The book of Proverbs shows us some ways this happens. Read Proverbs 1:8-9. A garland on your head or chain or necklace on your neck makes you more attractive. Does this mean you will be better-looking if you honor your parents? No, but you will be more attractive. When we honor our parents by paying attention to their instruction, we will have character qualities that make us more attractive to others and that please God. When our character is Christ like and we live to please God, things will go well with us and we will enjoy life.” [1]

Discussion Questions

  • What is the promise associated with honoring your parents?
  • Is this promise a guarantee or a principal? Explain.
  • Why do you think this promise works?
  • Can you think of real life examples of this promise coming true?
  • What ways can you better honor your parents?

[1] Meade, Starr (2000). Training Heart, Teaching Minds. Phillipsburg, New Jersey, USA; P&R Publishing Company.

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Apr 13
22

This Week’s Catechism – 4/21

Doctrinal Standard #64 & 65

  • Q. What does the fifth commandment require?
  • A. The fifth commandment requires us to respect and treat others, whether above, below, or equal to us, as their position or our relationship to them demands.
  • Q. What does the fifth commandment forbid?
  • A. The fifth commandment forbids being disrespectful to or not treating others as their position or relationship to us demands.

 

Memory Verses

  • “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you” (Matthew 7:6, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Psalm 78
  • Support Passages: Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Psalm 119:97-104; Proverbs 22:6; Matthew 7:6 12; Ephesians 6:1-4; II Timothy 3:12-17
  • Bible Story: 1 Samuel 2:12-17,22-36, 3:12-13

Thoughts

  • Below is commentary from “Training Hearts, Teaching Minds” by Starr Meade.
  • “The duties that children have toward their parents are: listening to their teaching, obeying them, accepting and learning from their discipline, and honoring them when they are older. Children will do all these things when they have a right attitude toward their parents. The right attitude to have toward parents is an attitude of respect. Children who respect their parents are afraid to displease them. This is nor a fear of getting caught and of punishment. It is a sincere desire to do what would please the parent and to keep from doing what would make the parent unhappy. Of course, both parents and children are sinners. Sometimes parents sin and do things that make it hard for children to respect them. Sometimes children sin and do not feel like showing respect for their parents. This commandment calls us to always respect our parents, no matter how we feel.
  • In some countries, older people receive a great deal of respect. In those places, the older a person is, the more he or she is respected for his or her wisdom. In our country, older people do not receive much respect. Younger people receive more respect because they are stronger or prettier. In our country, people value physical attractiveness and strength more than wisdom! These values are not God’s values. God commands us to show respect to people who are older than we are.” [1]

Discussion Questions

  • Who is valued more importantly in our country, younger or older people? Explain.
  • Who has more wisdom, younger or older people?
  • What does scripture tells us about wisdom?
  • “Do you show respect to adults, even adults you don’t know?” (questions from Pg. 216)
  • “Do you greet them, let them go ahead of you, hold doors open for them, and other things that would show them respect?” (questions from Pg. 216)
  • “If an adult, who is not your parent, tells you to do something (or stop doing something), do you respond with respect?” (questions from Pg. 216)

[1] Meade, Starr (2000). Training Heart, Teaching Minds. Phillipsburg, New Jersey, USA; P&R Publishing Company.

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Posted in Devotional Thoughts, Fifth Commandment, Moral Law, Ten Commandments, Training Hearts Teaching Minds, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, 1 Samuel 2, Matthew 7, Psalm 78, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Apr 13
15

This Week’s Catechism – 4/14

Doctrinal Standard #64 & 65

  • Q. What does the fifth commandment require?
  • A. The fifth commandment requires us to respect and treat others, whether above, below, or equal to us, as their position or our relationship to them demands.
  • Q. What does the fifth commandment forbid?
  • A. The fifth commandment forbids being disrespectful to or not treating others as their position or relationship to us demands.

 

Memory Verses

  • Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4, ESV)

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Ephesians 5:22-6:9
  • Support Passages: Genesis 4:20-22, 45:8; Numbers 12; II Kings 13:14; I Corinthians 4:14 21; I Peter 2:13-17, 3:6; Romans 13:1-7; Colossians 3:18-25
  • Bible Story: 2 Kings 2:12-25

Thoughts

  • “The Bible teaches children how to treat their parents. It tells them what they should not do as well as what they should do. As children are commanded to honor their parents, so they are forbidden to dishonor them. They must not show disrespect in any way. Unfortunately, we see all around us children of all ages who demonstrate disrespect for their parents. Such attitudes have become so ordinary that we hardly notice them when we see them. God considers disrespect toward parents as something very serious. God gave the Israelites twelve curses to pronounce as soon as they entered the Promised Land. These were curses for people who would do any of twelve very wrong things. The curses were for things like killing innocent people or worshiping idols. One of the curses was for anyone who treated his parents with disrespect.
  • Children are forbidden to dishonor their parents by attaching them physically, by cursing them, by refusing to obey them, or by mocking or making fun of them. Children also dishonor their parents when they refuse to learn from their teaching. Almost all parents want the best for their children. They teach them what they believe they should know. Children do not always see why their parent’s teaching is so important, yet they should believe that their parents are wiser than they are. They need to be diligent to learn what their parents teach them. Especially when children have Christian parents who will teach them the truth of God’s Word, they should work hard at learning what their parents want them to know.” [1]

Discussion Questions

  • How should parents be treated? Be specific.
  • What expectations does God have for parents?
  • What expectations does God have for children?
  • Why is it that if we disobey our parents we are disobeying God?
  • In what way(s) have you dishonored your parents?
  • What does this reveal about our heart?
  • How does scripture teach us to deal with this?
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warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
that we may present everyone mature in Christ."
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