The Call to Commtiment
The Word to Live By: What does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands, and decrees (Deuteronomy 10:12-13a).
Session Truth: We are called to make a total commitment to the will of God.
Session Goals:
*To understand that God sets the choices, and we choose our own destiny.
*To affirm that to love God is to follow His commands loyally.
*To acknowledge that those who hear God’s call of grace and respond in
obedience are elected as His redeemed people.
*To recognize that we are called to make a total commitment to the will of
God.
*To understand that God sets the choices, and we choose our own destiny.
*To affirm that to love God is to follow His commands loyally.
*To acknowledge that those who hear God’s call of grace and respond in
obedience are elected as His redeemed people.
*To recognize that we are called to make a total commitment to the will of
God.
Our commitment to be followers of Jesus Christ includes the promise that we will not turn back or retreat to the old way of living. We have made our choice. We have resolved that wherever He calls us, we will go. Whatever the cost may be, we will pay it. Whatever sacrifice must be made, we will do it to the glory of God.
CONTEXT: HISTORY LESSON ON REBELLION
In last week’s Scripture, Moses warned the people against taking credit for the material blessings God was going to give them. In the Scripture Focus for this session, Moses again reminds the people of the importance of total commitment and obedience to the God who brought them out of Egypt and provided for them despite their rebellion.
In last week’s Scripture, Moses warned the people against taking credit for the material blessings God was going to give them. In the Scripture Focus for this session, Moses again reminds the people of the importance of total commitment and obedience to the God who brought them out of Egypt and provided for them despite their rebellion.
THE CALL TO OBEDIENCE (DEUTERONOMY 10:12-13)
The five one-word actions God requires of His people, according to this scripture is, fear, walk, love, serve, and observe.
FEAR: To respond with awe, reverence, and worship. We should not cringe in terror before God, but respect Him and give the honor due Him as both Creator and Redeemer.
WALK: To pattern our lives according to God’s will.
LOVE/SERVE: For true service is based on love. When we love someone, we can serve with all our heart and soul. As servants of God, our servitude is not to be halfhearted, but willing and purposeful-with all that we have.
OBSERVE: We are to keep the Lord’s commands and decrees. The commands of God specify how we are to live. Our service is not expressed in wishful thinking or meaningless platitudes. There are concrete specifics we are to follow.
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The five one-word actions God requires of His people, according to this scripture is, fear, walk, love, serve, and observe.
FEAR: To respond with awe, reverence, and worship. We should not cringe in terror before God, but respect Him and give the honor due Him as both Creator and Redeemer.
WALK: To pattern our lives according to God’s will.
LOVE/SERVE: For true service is based on love. When we love someone, we can serve with all our heart and soul. As servants of God, our servitude is not to be halfhearted, but willing and purposeful-with all that we have.
OBSERVE: We are to keep the Lord’s commands and decrees. The commands of God specify how we are to live. Our service is not expressed in wishful thinking or meaningless platitudes. There are concrete specifics we are to follow.
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These five directives are not separate items, but a whole. We cannot
observe numbers one, three, and four and think that we please God. God seeks a people who are totally committed to Him. With such a people He will dwell, and His Spirit will sanctify.
*Why is obedience for an individual’s own good (v.13)? For the good of the community?
observe numbers one, three, and four and think that we please God. God seeks a people who are totally committed to Him. With such a people He will dwell, and His Spirit will sanctify.
*Why is obedience for an individual’s own good (v.13)? For the good of the community?
THE GOD WHO CALLS (DEUTERONOMY 10:14-15)
*In verse 14 we see that our God is the Creator to whom all creation belongs. We think we own a house, a car, or a piece of property; however, we only use these things for a few years. They belong to God.
*How do verses 14-15 contrast the vastness of God with His love and concern for His people? (Even though He is Creator, He has chosen the Israelites as His people.)
*In verse 14 we see that our God is the Creator to whom all creation belongs. We think we own a house, a car, or a piece of property; however, we only use these things for a few years. They belong to God.
*How do verses 14-15 contrast the vastness of God with His love and concern for His people? (Even though He is Creator, He has chosen the Israelites as His people.)
THE PROBLEM OF THE INNER LIFE (DEUTERONOMY 10-16)
*Identify the two metaphors (v. 16) that call people to bring their lives into harmony with God. (First: Circumcise your hearts means to divest the will of any indecisiveness. The heart was not the place of emotion, but the center of the person, where mind and will came together to make decisions. Second: this metaphor is a reference to farm animals. An ox or mule that did not want to obey the pulling on the reins while plowing would stiffen its neck and follow its own path. The people were not to be stiff-necked, like disobedient animals.)
*To circumcise your hearts means to replace callous indifference with willing obedience.
*Moses considered the people to be stiff-necked because he had years of experience with their rebellion.
*Identify the two metaphors (v. 16) that call people to bring their lives into harmony with God. (First: Circumcise your hearts means to divest the will of any indecisiveness. The heart was not the place of emotion, but the center of the person, where mind and will came together to make decisions. Second: this metaphor is a reference to farm animals. An ox or mule that did not want to obey the pulling on the reins while plowing would stiffen its neck and follow its own path. The people were not to be stiff-necked, like disobedient animals.)
*To circumcise your hearts means to replace callous indifference with willing obedience.
*Moses considered the people to be stiff-necked because he had years of experience with their rebellion.
LORSHIP AND JUSTICE (DEUTERONOMY 10:17-19)
*In verse 17 we read that the Lord is the God of gods and Lord of lords.
It means that He is above all the gods and lords. This God is mighty and awesome. He is the greatest and most inspiring Power in the universe. He is above all others, whatever power they might possess. The servant of Yahweh does not need to fear any other power or force in the universe. He or she serves the supreme Ruler of all creation.
*What do verses 18 and 19 tell us about God’s nature? (In ancient Israel as in other nations of the time, one looked to one’s family for protection. There were no police to summon for help. Those without a family, such as a fatherless orphan or widow, were vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. The alien had no legal rights and therefore, was also vulnerable. Yet, our God cared for them. God defends [“seeks justice for”] them. The powerful had the resources to defend themselves; when even the powerless are given justice, then a society is truly just.)
*Whom is Israel supposed to love? (As God loves the powerless, so His people are to love them-not just to like or feel sorry for them, but to take care of them. The Israelites lived as aliens in Egypt and were forced into
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*In verse 17 we read that the Lord is the God of gods and Lord of lords.
It means that He is above all the gods and lords. This God is mighty and awesome. He is the greatest and most inspiring Power in the universe. He is above all others, whatever power they might possess. The servant of Yahweh does not need to fear any other power or force in the universe. He or she serves the supreme Ruler of all creation.
*What do verses 18 and 19 tell us about God’s nature? (In ancient Israel as in other nations of the time, one looked to one’s family for protection. There were no police to summon for help. Those without a family, such as a fatherless orphan or widow, were vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. The alien had no legal rights and therefore, was also vulnerable. Yet, our God cared for them. God defends [“seeks justice for”] them. The powerful had the resources to defend themselves; when even the powerless are given justice, then a society is truly just.)
*Whom is Israel supposed to love? (As God loves the powerless, so His people are to love them-not just to like or feel sorry for them, but to take care of them. The Israelites lived as aliens in Egypt and were forced into
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slavery. They were to remember what that was like and not to treat others as they had been treated. As God had freed them, so they were to care for others.)
ISRAEL’S LIFE (DEUTERONOMY 10:20-22)
*In verses 20-21 we find a command and a comfort. In verse 20 Moses again exhorted the people to fear or reverence and respect God by serving Him. They were to hold fast to him; that is, to worship Him only, shunning other gods. Even their oaths were to be taken by using his name, Yahweh.
In verse 21 the phrase “He is your praise” means that God is the object of our praise. God redeemed His people from Egypt by means of great and awesome wonders. To this awesome God Israel owed their praise. No other god helped them in their distress. No other could.
*How does verse 22 show that the Hebrews went into Egypt as a family and emerged as a nation? (When they entered Egypt, they were only seventy in all. Yet, God blessed them so that as He had promised Abraham (15:5), they became as numerous as the stars in the sky. God had kept His word in the past, and they could trust Him to keep his word in the future.
*In verses 20-21 we find a command and a comfort. In verse 20 Moses again exhorted the people to fear or reverence and respect God by serving Him. They were to hold fast to him; that is, to worship Him only, shunning other gods. Even their oaths were to be taken by using his name, Yahweh.
In verse 21 the phrase “He is your praise” means that God is the object of our praise. God redeemed His people from Egypt by means of great and awesome wonders. To this awesome God Israel owed their praise. No other god helped them in their distress. No other could.
*How does verse 22 show that the Hebrews went into Egypt as a family and emerged as a nation? (When they entered Egypt, they were only seventy in all. Yet, God blessed them so that as He had promised Abraham (15:5), they became as numerous as the stars in the sky. God had kept His word in the past, and they could trust Him to keep his word in the future.
DEMAND FOR DECISION (DEUTERONOMY 11:26-32)
*Israel had a choice to make. Moses set the terms of a blessing and curse before the people. They were bound by covenant to God. The question was, which way would they choose to live-in obedience or disobedience?
In verse 26 the blessing of God was bound up with the land, with the fertility of crops, family, animals, and with security from enemies.
In verse 28 the curse would come only if Israel disobeyed God’s commands. The primary commandment given on Mount Sinai was the first: not to have any other gods but Yahweh. To break this command was to break the whole covenant. Everything flows from it: the reverence for God’s name, the sanctity of the Sabbath, the moral requirements of caring for the elderly, not lying, not committing adultery. In the same way, if we break any command, we are not keeping the first.
**The people of Israel were asked to choose between God and other gods (v.28). What are people today asked to choose between?
*Israel had a choice to make. Moses set the terms of a blessing and curse before the people. They were bound by covenant to God. The question was, which way would they choose to live-in obedience or disobedience?
In verse 26 the blessing of God was bound up with the land, with the fertility of crops, family, animals, and with security from enemies.
In verse 28 the curse would come only if Israel disobeyed God’s commands. The primary commandment given on Mount Sinai was the first: not to have any other gods but Yahweh. To break this command was to break the whole covenant. Everything flows from it: the reverence for God’s name, the sanctity of the Sabbath, the moral requirements of caring for the elderly, not lying, not committing adultery. In the same way, if we break any command, we are not keeping the first.
**The people of Israel were asked to choose between God and other gods (v.28). What are people today asked to choose between?
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