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11/10/21 7th & 8th Grade: Commands + Laws

 

7th/8th gr. Axis Guide Sheet: Commands + Laws                                                         11/10/21

 

Hi Parents/Caring adults & Guides! Here is tonight’s content. We covered a lot of ground last week (breezing through Abraham & Sarah, jumping to Moses & the exodus) so continuing those conversations could certainly take more time this week.

 

- Topic intro

The Law(s)-As Christians, we are familiar with the 10 Commandments. But did you know the Israelite people had hundreds of laws they were to follow? What happened to all of them? What are we supposed to do about them?

Takeaway – The law provided order, protection, & identity to God’s people after their deliverance from slavery. Today, Jesus boils it down to 2; love God & love your neighbor! This is good news for us & our neighbors!

 

Discussion starters:

- How do rules help us? Can they hurt us?

- What are the different rules involved in your life? (i.e. at home, school, activities, etc.)

- Why do you think God chose the 10 Commandments to specifically command?

- The Israelites made a calf idol, an image of a god they could worship. Why do you think they wanted a God they could see?

            - Why do you think God doesn’t want us to worship objects (material stuff)? What idols do we worship in our culture?

            - What had God already created that was in the image of God? Why do you think the people ignored or forgot this?

- Share about a time you experienced grace or mercy after breaking a rule…

- Who do you think is most affected by the breaking of a law: the person who did it, or the

victim(s) of the offense?

- Even when we know God’s laws are good for us, why is it hard for us to follow them?

-What do you think it means to live in God’s ways today?

 

Bible talk (cont’d on back):

- Revisit the 10 Commandments & meanings in the small catechism. 

- Have a volunteer read the key verses, Deuteronomy 5:1-3

Why do you think it’s important for the Israelites (& us) to remember this covenant at all

times?

What things in your life are you most diligent about? (Diligent=constant in effort to

accomplish something; attentive and persistent in doing anything)

 You may continue reading all the way through verse 21 (the 10 Commandments).

- Next check out Matthew 22:34-40…                                                                                                 How do these commands differ from the list in Deuteronomy (10 Commandments)?

Imagine if we didn’t have the Old Testament…would Christianity be different if the

Jewish laws & 10 Commandments never existed?

 

Activity ideas:


Echo the Story - Read the narrative adaptation of Moses receiving the laws below.



Laws, Locks, & Keys –

Part 1) Sometimes societal laws act like locks to keep people from being truly free. Can you think of laws that exist now, or did in the past, that are/were used to hurt people instead of help them?

- Draw a big lock on one sheet of paper. On/in this lock, write down responses to the above question.

Part 2) The intent of God’s laws, is to be keys for healthy lives & relationships between us, God, & our neighbors. Talk together about “keys” that would help you have good relationships in your lives. (i.e. communication, fair pay, etc.)

- Draw a big key on another sheet. Once you have come up with some concise keys (i.e.

patience, communication, etc.) write them on this big key.

 

You-topia – Forget all the laws you know for a moment. Your group is in charge of how people live. What rules would your group/family create for itself?

 

Memorize it  - You can find the 10 Commandments and their explanations in the small catechism in the back of your bible, but this is a helpful trick to at least remember the theme of each commandment -

God – God – Rest – Parents – Kill – Sex – Steal – Lie - Covet - Covet


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