Read Exodus 20
This chapter is extremely significant in the plan of salvation. God uses the law (as initially given here and further expounded upon and explained later by Moses and Jesus) as the measuring stick against which all humanity will be measured. As we will see, no man is capable of keeping the law, God’s standard of holiness.
1. Restate each of the 10 commandments in your own words. Which ones are problems for you?
2. What do you notice about the first four commandments? The second six?
3. What does Jesus tell us about the law in Matthew 22:36-40?
4. What is God prohibiting in the first commandment? Why is this significant in the history of the world? History of Israel?
5. What does Deuteronomy 6:14 add to this?
Challenge question: How does idol worship figure into the captivity of Israel?
6. What does God mean in verse 5 when He refers to Himself as “a jealous God?” What do you do that makes God jealous?
7. What kinds if things do we see today that qualify as carved images like those referred to in Exodus 20:4?
8. How does someone take the name of the LORD in vain? (Note: “in vain” means without effect or avail; to no purpose; in an improper or irreverent manner. Source: Dictionary.com)
9. What do you learn about the Sabbath from the following verses?
□ Exodus 31:14-16
□ Isaiah 58:13
□ Matthew 12:8
□ Mark 2:27
10. What does it mean to honor your father and mother? How long does that command last in one’s life?
11. What do these verses add to your understanding?
□ Exodus 21:17
□ Deuteronomy 21:18-21
□ Ephesians 6:2
12. What do you learn about the command not to murder from Matthew 5:21-24?
13. What do you learn about the command not to commit adultery from these verses?
□ Leviticus 20:10
□ Proverbs 6:32
□ Matthew 5:27-28
□ Matthew 5:32
14. What do the following verses teach you about lying or bearing false witness?
□ Exodus 23:1
□ Proverbs 6:19
□ Proverbs 14:5
□ Proverbs 19:5, 9
15. What do you learn about the law from these verses?
□ Psalm 19:7-11
□ Matthew 5:19
□ Romans 3:20
□ Romans 7:7
□ Galatians 2:16
□ Galatians 3:11, 20
□ James 2:10
