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Feb 13
4

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #51

Doctrinal Standard #51

  • Q. What does the second commandment forbid?
  • A. The second commandment forbids our worshiping God with images or in any other way not established in His word.

Memory Verses

  • “Take care, lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God, which he made with you, and make a carved image, the form of anything that the Lord your God has forbidden you” (Deuteronomy 4:23, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Matthew 15:1-14
  • Support Passages: Mark 7:1-13, Deuteronomy 4, Acts 17:29, Romans 1:21-25
  • Bible Story: Daniel 3

Thoughts

  • Parents, much of the focus on this doctrinal standard and commandments discuss whether or not images of Jesus Christ are forbidden.
  • I’m providing two links with two views that will allow you to begin to think through this command for yourself and direct the conversation with your children as you see appropriate.
  • This first article is by the reformed teacher RC Sproul – click here
  • The second article is by a reformed teacher and one of the founders of Westminster Theological Seminary, John Murray – click here.

Discussion Questions

  • Why do you think God wants to be worshiped a certain way?
  • How do we know how God wants to be worshiped?
  • Read the actual command in Deuteronomy 5 and Exodus 20 and discuss whether or not images of Jesus Christ are acceptable.  Explain.
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Posted in Devotional Thoughts, John Murray, RC Sproul, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, Daniel 3, Deuteronomy 4, Matthew 15, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Jan 13
28

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #49 & 50

Doctrinal Standard #49 & 50

  • Q. What is the second commandment?
  • A. The second commandment is: You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 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 fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand [generations] of those who love me and keep my commandments.
  • Q. What does the second commandment require?
  • A. The second commandment requires us to receive, respectfully perform, and preserve completely and purely all the regulations for religion and worship that God has established in His word.

Memory Verses

  • “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Deuteronomy 12:1-32
  • Support Passages: Ephesians 5:18-19; Colossians 3:15-16; Malachi 3:8-9; Acts 15:21; II Timothy 4:2; Deuteronomy 17:18-20
  • Bible Story: John 4:1-30


Thoughts

  • Below are a few excerpts from C.I. Williamson’s book, The Westminster Shorter Catechism regarding doctrinal standards 49 and 50.
  • “This is the great principal contained in the second commandment: the duty to worship God as He himself commands. This means that God may not be worshipped properly in any way invented by men. In order to bring out clearly what we mean, let us study figure 37.1 9 (Worshiping God – Views).

    It will be clear from side A that true worship (according to the Reformed view) will contain only such elements as can be proved from Scripture to be the will of God. Thus there will be the reading and preaching of the Scriptures, singing of psalms, administration of the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and prayer. Here we see the simplicity and spiritual nature of Reformed worship. But in such as the Roman Catholic, or Lutheran, for example, there will be the other view (side B). In this view, the things commanded by God constitute only a part (often only a small part) of what is considered to be true worship. The Roman Church therefore has seven sacraments, only two of which are actually commanded in Scripture. The Roman Church also finds a place for special garments for clergymen, crosses, candles, statues, and so on. And there is even room to add more of these things in the future. For (according to this view) the only thing that is wrong in the worship of God is what God has specifically forbidden in His word. It is wrong, for example, to use an image of Baal because the Bible expressly condemns any image of Baal. But it is not wrong to use an image of the Virgin Mary, according to this view, because God has not said (in so many words) that it is wrong to use an image of Mary. In answer to this, a Reformed Christian would say: ‘No, God has not given us a long list of every possible thing that He would forbid in His worship. If God had done that, the Bible would be so big no one could read it all. What God has done is to give us a simple principle. And by this principle we know that what He commands is sufficient, and that what He does not command is therefore forbidden.” [1]

  • It is important to note that no church is perfect in following this view. While perfection is unattainable in how we worship God this side of heaven, it is important for individuals and churches to struggle with and to strive to worship God in the way that he prescribes.

Discussion Questions

  • Read the second of the Ten Commandments and then explain or summarize it in your own words(Deuteronomy 5, Exodus 20, or the Catechism).
  • Can man worship God however they want to? Explain.
  • Why do you think God has commanded man how He wants to be worshiped?
  • What are some of the ways God wants to be worshiped?
  • According to the second commandment ,who suffers from not worshiping God correctly? Why do you think this is?


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

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Jan 13
21

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #47 & 48

Doctrinal Standard #47 & 48

  • Q. What does the first commandment forbid?
  • A. The first commandment forbids denying God or not worshipping and glorifying Him as the true God and our God. It also forbids giving worship and glory, which He alone deserves, to anyone or anything else.
  • Q. What are we specifically taught in the first commandment by the words before me?
  • A. The words before me in the first commandment teach us that God, Who sees everything, notices and is very offended by the sin of having any other god.

Memory Verses

  • “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good” (Psalm 14:1, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Jeremiah 44:1-23
  • Support Passages: Psalms 14 and 53; Hebrews 11:6; Jeremiah 2:20-28
  • Bible Story: Acts 19:23-41

Thoughts

  • Below is a few excerpts from C.I. Williamson’s book, The Westminster Shorter Catechism regarding doctrinal standards 47 and 48.
  • “Syncretism is the attempted blending of irreconcilable principles. Religious syncretism is the attempt to harmonize the true religion with any of the many false religions of this world. And it is this sin that the first commandment warns us against. We may not, under any circumstance, act as if the God of the Bible and any of the false gods of this world are one and the same. This, for example, is the basic evil in many secret organizations such as the Order of Freemasons (commonly called the Masonic Lodge). Freemasonry is, in its own words, ‘that natural religion in which all men agree.’ In other words, according to the teaching of this lodge, the Christian, the Jew, the Muslim, and so on, can assemble together as a religious fellowship, and unite in prayer to the Great Architect of the Universe. This is possible, says Freemasonry, because men of all faiths worship the same deity under different forms. Thus it is said that Freemasonry ‘in no way conflicts with any other religion, unless that religion holds that no one outside its portals can be saved’ (J.S.M Ward, Freemasonry: Its Aims, and Ideals, p. 187). Or in other words, Freemasonry is the religion which says – as its most basic principle – that all ‘gods’ are equal.  But the Bible denies this very thing above all. ‘For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men’ (1 Tim. 2:5). ‘No man can come to God except through Jesus Christ’ (John 14:6).”
  • “We must mention the strong temptation that comes to us today from the commonly accepted idea of religious neutrality. Much of what we see in modern life, in various aspects of society, is molded by the idea that it is possible to be neither for nor against any particular religion. Much of what our government is doing is ruled by this concept: it takes no stand for, or against, any particular religion. This is the theory, the idea. But Jesus said, ‘He that is not with me is against me’ (Luke 11:23). And this means that religious neutrality is simply impossible. If we do not profess Jesus Christ as the one true God, then – by not doing so – we show that we refuse His claims. If we profess nothing verbally, in other words, we still profess much – because actions speak as loudly (at least) as words. It is for this reason that Christian people have begun to realize that those who are not for Christ are really against Him. They are beginning to realize that Christ has been denied in one sphere of life and society after another under the innocent-sounding claim of religious neutrality.” [1]

Discussion Questions

  • Do Christians, Jews, Muslims, and all the other religions worship the same God? Explain.
  • Look up John 14:6. How many ways are there to God?
  • If there is only one true God and one true religion how are we to treat the people of other religions?
  • What does the Bible say about people that are “neutral” about believing in God? Refer to Luke 11:23.
  • In what ways have you given worship or glory to something other than God? Explain.

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

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Posted in Devotional Thoughts, C.I. Williamson, First Commandment, Ten Commandments, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, Acts 19, Jeremiah 44, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Jan 13
14

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #45 & 46

Doctrinal Standard #45 & 46

  • Q. What is the first commandment?
  • A. The first commandment is: You shall have no other gods before me.
  • Q. What does the first commandment require?
  • A. The first commandment requires us to know and recognize God as the only true God and our God, and to worship and glorify Him accordingly.

Memory Verses

  • “For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist” (1 Corinthians 8:5–6, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Luke 14:25-35
  • Support Passages: Deuteronomy 4:35,39; I Samuel 2:2; II Samuel 7:22; I Kings 3:12, 8:60; Acts 4:12
  • Bible Story: Judges6:25-32

Thoughts

  • “The first commandment is concerned with the object of true worship. The principal set forth in this commandment is this: It is true and living God (and none other) who is to be worshiped and served by men. Before we concern ourselves about the proper manner of worship (in the second commandment), or the proper attitude (in the third commandment), or even the proper time of worship (in the fourth commandment), we must first be certain that the object of our worship is the true and living God.
  • Here we see how contrary this commandment is to popular religious opinion. For nothing is more common than the idea that it doesn’t matter what particular religion one may have, or what denomination one belongs to, since it is taken for granted by most people that those different religions have the same object in view. The different religions, in other words, are commonly thought to be just different ways of knowing one and the same God. But the Bible does not agree with this. No, it says ‘though there be [those] that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) but to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we by him’ (1 Cor. 8:5-6). Since there are many ‘gods,’ and since only one God is the true and living God, it becomes extremely important to know and acknowledge the true God as God.
  • If God were only the creation of man’s imagination, then all ‘gods’ would be ‘created equal.’ One ‘god’ would have no higher claim than another. This is the exact truth with all the ‘gods’ that men have made. In ancient times men created “gods” for themselves. They made these ‘gods’ out of wood, stone, silver, gold, and so on. Today men create ‘gods’ for themselves having no material form. They imagine a ‘god’ who is without wrath, for example; a ‘god’ who does not punish sin. Now of course these ‘gods’ that men create in their minds have no real existence. They only seem real to those who ‘believe in them.’ Just as the idols in the Old Testament times were only wood or stone, so these ‘gods’ that men have created out of their own imagination today are nothing more than idols.” [1]

Discussion Questions

  • What is the first commandment of the Ten Commandments?
  • What are the types of “god” men put before the real God?
  • What does this first command require?
  • How can people who say they worship God really be worshiping an idol (refer to thoughts section)?
  • Why is it important to know as much as we can about God?

 

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

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Dec 12
31

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #43 & 44

Doctrinal Standard #43 & 44

  • Q. What introduces the Ten Commandments?
  • A. These words introduce the Ten Commandments: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
  • Q. What does the introduction to the Ten Commandments teach us?
  • A. The introduction to the Ten Commandments teaches us that, because God is Lord and is our God and redeemer, we must keep all His commandments.

Memory Verses

  • “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery (Exodus 20:2, ESV).
  • “You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities (Amos 3:2, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Amos 1-3
  • Support Passages: Isaiah 40:18-31, Malachi 3:6, I Samuel 8:10-22, II Chronicles 7:14
  • Bible Story: 1 Samuel 5

Thoughts

  • The introduction of the Ten Commandments reminds the Israelites and all believers that the Ten Commandments were given to God’s people after they were delivered from bondage in Egypt. Viewing this from a redemptive historical approach, this is rather significant. Prior to the giving of the Ten Commandments, God manifested his attributes and mission as redeemer in a real tangible way by miraculously freeing His people from Egypt. He reminds His people of this before giving them a Law that, in much the same way, will enslave people to sin requiring the redemptive work of God. Not in a physical sense, as in the land of Egypt, but rather in the spiritual realm requiring the blood and perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ.
  • Whenever talking about the Law of God, I find it important to clarify the various uses of the Law. God’s Law has a “pedagogical use (usus elenchticus sive paedagogicus), it shows people their sin and points them to mercy and grace outside of themselves” (Lems). It is this use that I’m referring to when I say that God’s law enslaves all mankind. God’s Law also has a “normative use (usus didacticus sive normativus). Which means this use of the law is for those who trust in Christ and have been saved through faith apart from works” (Lems) The law cannot save people because they are unable to keep it. But God’s law does direct the behaviors of those who are part of the family of God. The law is what helps guide believers in becoming holy as God is holy. The commands of the Lord are an essential part in the sanctification process of a believer. The law also has a “civil use (usus polititcus sive civilis). That is, the law serves the commonwealth or body politic as a force to restrain sin. This falls under the general revelation discussion in most of the scholastics as well as natural law (cf. Rom 1-2)” (Lems). [1]
  • God has prefaced His Ten Commandments to remind His people that He is LORD – control and sovereign over all and as redeemer to teach his people that they are completely dependent upon him for everything.

Discussion Questions

  • What major event (story) took place before the Ten Commandments were given.
  • Why did the Israelites need a redeemer from Egypt?
  • Why do we need a redeemer from the commands of God?
  • What are the three nouns used to describe God in doctrinal standard #34?
  • What does it mean that God is LORD? Because of this why should we obey Him?
  • What does it mean that God is God?  Because of this why should we obey Him?

 

 

 

 


[1] Lems, Shane. Three Uses of The Law, Reformedreader.com

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Posted in Devotional Thoughts, Reformed Reader, Ten Commandments, Three Uses of the Law, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, 1 Samuel 5, Amos 1-3, Exodus 20, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Dec 12
26

Catechism Insight – Review Doctrinal Standard WSC #36-42

Review Doctrinal Standards #36-42

WSC # 36

Q. What benefits in this life go with or come from justification, adoption, and sanctification?

A. The benefits that in this life go with or come from justification, adoption, and sanctification are: the assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Spirit, and growing and persevering in grace to the end of our lives.

WSC #37

Q. What benefits do believers receive from Christ when they die?

A. When believers die, their souls are made perfectly holy and immediately pass into glory. Their bodies, which are still united to Christ, rest in the grace until the resurrection.

WSC #38

Q. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?

A. At the resurrection, believers, raised in glory, will be publicly recognized and declared not guilty on the day of judgment and will be made completely happy in the full enjoyment of God forever.

WSC #39

Q. What does God require of man?

A. God requires man to obey His revealed will.

WSC #40

Q.What rules did God first reveal for man to obey?

A. The rules He first revealed were the moral law.

WSC #41

Q. Where is the moral law summarized?

A. The moral law is summarized in the Ten Commandments.

WSC #42

Q. What is the essence of the Ten Commandments?

A. The essence of the Ten Commandments is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind, and to love everyone else as we love ourselves.

Memory Verses

  • “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:4–5, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Deuteronomy 6:1-9

Thoughts

  • This should be a time of reflection, assessment, and re-teaching.
  • There are a couple of different ways to approach this review lesson. First, the review questions and answers could be made into a game that forces the students to remember what they have learned while assessing their understanding. Another idea is to quiz each student on each of the 7 questions making sure to encourage and celebrate their accomplishments. Last, it would be beneficial to review each of the question and answers drawing out their central truths and mentioning how they are connected.

Discussion Questions

  • Explains what justification, adoption, and sanctification mean in the life of a believer.
  • When does justification take place?
  • When does adoption take place?
  • When does sanctification take place?
  • What benefit does a believer have when he or she dies?
  • What two commands summarizes the Ten Commandments and all of scripture?
  • How has the catechism helped you grow in their faith and understanding?
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Dec 12
17

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #42

Doctrinal Standard #42

  • Q. What is the essence of the Ten Commandments?
  • A. The essence of the Ten Commandments is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind, and to love everyone else as we love ourselves.

Memory Verses

  • “And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: I Samuel 18:1-4; 20:17-42
  • Support Passages:  I Corinthians 2:9 (Isaiah 64:4), Joshua 22:5, Psalm 97:10, 116:1-2, 119:97; Proverbs 10:12; Amos 5:15; John 8:42, 13:35, 15:13; Romans 12:9, 13:8-10
  • Bible Story: Luke 10:29-37

Thoughts

  • When Jesus was asked which is the greatest of all the commandments he responded love God and love your neighbor. The catechism tells us that this is the essence of the Ten Commandments. Jesus teaches us that “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:40). The pinnacle of all of God’s law is first to love God and second to love those around you. All of God’s command teach, direct, and guide an individual on how they can practically love God and love their neighbor. For example, the Ten Commandments:  you shall have no other gods before me, you shall not make for yourself a carved image, you shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, observe the Sabbath day, honor your father and your mother, you shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, and you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife all provide specific commands on how we are to love God and love our neighbor. Scripture is filled with commands beyond the Ten Commandments on how we are to practically love God and our neighbor. But if we are to be obedient to the first and second greatest commandment it requires that we know and understand the scriptures.

Discussion Questions

  • What are the two greatest commandments?
  • How is the command to love God and your neighbor the essences of the Ten Commandments?
  • Provide evidence from the Ten Commandments or other scripture that teach us how to love God.
  • Provide evidence from the Ten Commandments or other scripture that teach us how to love our neighbor.
  • What does our obedience to God’s law prove about our faith? Explain
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Dec 12
10

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #40 & 41

Doctrinal Standard #40 & 41 (4 of 4 weeks)

  • Q. What rules did God first reveal for man to obey?
  • A. The rules He first revealed were the moral law.
  • Q. Where is the moral law summarized?
  • A. The moral law is summarized in the Ten Commandments.

Memory Verses

  •  “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:4–5, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Deuteronomy 6  
  • Support Passages:  Romans 7:14, Colossians 3:5, Proverbs 1:19, Matthew 15:4-6, Job 36:21, Hebrews 11:25, I Thessalonians 5:22, Genesis 18:19
  • Bible Story: Luke 10:38-42

Thoughts

  • When Jesus was asked what is the greatest commandment  he responded with, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (Matthew 22:37). Providing his response from Deuteronomy informs us that man’s primary purpose is to love God. Or as question one of the catechism tells us the chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. Scripture provides a clear explanation on how we are to love God. We are to obey him.  Jesus says in John 14:15, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Jesus is quoted in John 14:21, “whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” We love God when we keep his commandments and obey him.
  • It is important to remember the source and heart of this obedience towards God. We must always remember that our obedience will not and cannot be good enough to be accepted before God. It is only by the blood of Christ and His perfect life that we are accepted before him. But we must realize that Christ’S death and resurrection has not only made us acceptable before God but also freed us from the bondage of sin. With the help of the Holy Spirit we are able to live a life in obedience to Him. Scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit helps to convict us of sin leading to repentance and guides our lives in obedience to God’s word. Because of the work of Christ we can show our love and gratitude towards God by following his commands. No longer are his laws a burden unto condemnation but rather a joy that is pleasing not only to God but also to the believer.

Discussion Questions

  • What is the greatest commandment?
  • What is man’s problem in obeying this commandment?
  • What needs to take place before an individual can obey this command?
  • How can you love God with all you are?
  •  What gives us the ability to obey the commands of God?
  • What does obeying God’s commands prove?
  • Are God’s commands a burden or liberating? Explain
  • What does your answer reveal about your heart?
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