Title:
Love the Lord Your God

Bible Passage:
Deuteronomy 5:32-33; 6:1-7, 13-15

Opening Prayer:
“Almighty God, we thank you that we can gather as a family to sing praise to You and to study and meditate on Your Word. We are heartily sorry for sinning against you in our thoughts, words and deeds and for not doing what you desire of us to do. Please forgive us and cleanse us with the blood of Jesus. May your Holy Spirit guide and inspire us in what we are going to do tonight. In Jesus’ name we pray.”

Praise Time:
2-3 songs

Bible Reading:
Deuteronomy 5:32-33; 6:1-7, 13-15

Sharing:
Because of the disobedience of the Israelites in not entering the promised land from Kadesh Barnea, God did not allow men above the age of 20 years to enter the promised land, except for Caleb and Joshua (Deut. 1:28; 1:34-36; 9:23-24). Because of the rebellion of the Israelites, God also forbade Moses to enter the promised land (Deut. 3:26). (Use a map in the bible to show the locations of Kadesh Barnea, Jordan River and Jericho city.)

So on the eastern side of the Jordan River, Moses instructed the Israelites to obey the commands, decrees and laws of God (6:1) and to teach their children and grandchildren to fear God and keep God’s commands and decrees (6:2a). In so doing, they would enjoy long life (6:2b). It would go well with them and they would increase greatly in the promised land (6:3).

Moses also urged them to love the Lord their God with all their hearts , with all their souls and with all their strength (6:4-5). They were to impress the commandments of God on their next generations (6:7).

Moses also instructed them to fear God, to serve God only and take their oaths in God’s name (6:13). They were not to follow other gods (6:14), because God is a jealous God and He would destroyed them from the face of the land (6:15).

Moses reminded the young Israelites how at the foot of Mount Horeb their parents sinned against God by forcing Aaron to make a calf idol and worshipping the calf idol as the god that brought them out of Egypt, when Moses was spending 40 days and 40 nights with God on Mount Horeb (Deut. 9:16-21; Exodus 32:1-6; 19-25). That day, at the instruction of Moses, the Levites killed 3,000 of the Israelites (Exodus 32:26-29).

By recounting the events in the desert, Moses hoped the young Israelites would learn to fear the judgment and punishment of God so that they would remain faithful to God and would not sin against God in the promised land.

Response:
1/ Read the Ten Commandments (Deut. 5: 6-21)

2/ Actions to show love for God :
– Read the bible daily and meditateon the Word of God
– Pray to God daily
– Write daily journal to record confession, thanksgiving, answered
prayers and petitions to God
– Tell someone the gospel and testimonies (yours or others’)
– Sing praises to God
– Memorize bible verses
– Write songs or poems praising God
– Listen to Christian songs, sermons and talks
– Viewing Christian videos and movies

3/ Examples of not following other gods:
– spend less leisure time on handphone and computer so as to
have some time with God each day.
– do not worship other gods;
– do not seek fortune-telling;
– do not follow astrology;
– do not seek help from medium;
– avoid excessive time for work, business, hobby or entertainment, especially on Sundays.

Prayers:
Each person takes turn to say a short prayer of confession, thanksgiving and intercession.

Closing Prayer:
“Almighty God, thank you for reminding us tonight to love you with all our minds, souls and strength and to obey your commands and to spend some time with You each day, seeking to know Your will and to do your will with the guidance, inspiration and empowerment by the Holy Spirit. We pray all these in the mighty name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.”

By Dato Dr Yao Sik Chi,
Faith Methodist Church, Kuching