John 18:1-27 NRSV

Matthew 12:1-8 An Invitation to Rest, Part 2 Summary: Once Jesus and his disciples were accused of breaking the Sabbath, because they were picking heads of grain and eating on the Sabbath Day. Jesus talked to these Pharisees about what the Sabbath day really means. Let's think about it so we too can understand why God graciously still gives us a day of rest: Outline: 1. The Sabbath is about freedom, not burdens 2. The Sabbath is about God's kingdom work, not man-made rules 3. The Sabbath is about grace, not works 4. The Sabbath is about Jesus' Lordship, not man's Verse: Mark 2:27 “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

Exodus 20:8-11 An Invitation to Rest Summary: Did you know that God has given us one special day every week? God loves us so much that he has given us the weekly gift of a day where we get to stop from our normal work. Can you guess what day it is? It is the Lord's Day, Sundays, where we get to rest, be with God's people, worship and be refreshed. God thinks this gift to us is so important that he put it in his Ten Commandments. Let's think about it: Outline: 1. God's pattern for a day of rest 2. God's reasons for a day of rest 3. God's goal for our rest Verse: Exodus 20:8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. What is the point of the fourth commandment? Why do you think this commandment is so important to God? How might it be different for us to know that it was God's creation pattern for us to follow? 2. How is the Sabbath a picture and a reminder of our salvation? How is the Sabbath a gift to us, and not a drudgery? 3. What is your current practice on the Lord's Day? Do you set apart the day for rest, worship, fellowship, etc? Why or why not? Do you feel stressed and overwhelmed with busyness? How might a true day of rest, worship and refreshment change you?

John 13:1-17 NRSV

Exodus 20:7 Name Above All Names Summary: Today we get to think about the third of God's Ten Commandments. God tells us not to

Romans 8:31-39

Romans 8:29-31

Romans 8:28-30

Romans 8:18-27

Does God Care How We Worship Him? Exodus 20:4-6 Summary: Does God care how we worship him? Do you think it matters? Yes it does! God's second command tells us that He does not want us to try to make up an image of Him for worship. Israel often made these idols, and worshipped them as false images of God. Let's think about how this applies to us today: Outline: 1. God does care HOW we worship Him? a. The command b. The reason c. The warning d. The promise 2. The point: worship Jesus, the image of God Verse: Exodus 20:4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image...5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them... Questions for Family Worship and Devotions: 1. Why do you think God gave this command to Israel? What happens when we try to reduce God to a carved image or an artist's rendering of God? How does it reduce our view of God? 2. What about Jesus? Since Jesus had a body, is it acceptable for us to make images of Jesus? What is the danger of using those images of Jesus to help us worship? 3. In John 4, Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that true worshippers worship

John 7:37-52 NRSV

Romans 8:12-17 Heirs with Christ, Adoption

Exodus 20:3 God Refuses to Share Summary: Have you ever had something so important that you knew you should not share it with someone else? Maybe someone told you a secret, or it was a valuable possession. There are some things that God doesn’t share as well. He tells us in the Ten Commandments, “You shall have no other gods before me.” He wants our hearts completely, and does not want us to share that worship and love with anyone or anything else but Him. Let’s think about it: Outline: 1. The command: To God alone be the glory 2. The danger: our hearts will worship something 3. The hope: The Gospel of Jesus breaks the chains of idolatry Verse: Exodus 20:3 (ESV): You shall have no other gods before me. Questions for Devotions and Family Worship: 1. Why do you think this was the first command God gave to Israel? Why was it so central for them and now also for us? 2. What things or people in your life might be taking the place of God, possibly becoming an idol for you? How does God want us to respond to these things? 3. Since Jesus came to fulfill the law, how did He do that with this first command? How can the Gospel of Jesus help break the chains of idols in your life?

John 5:35-59 NRSV

Exodus 20:1-2 Matthew 5:17-20 Restoring the Law's True Intent Summary: Did you know Jesus spoke a lot about God's law? In fact, he wanted us to know that God's law is still important, even though it was given so long ago. If we want to understand why God's commands are important, we need to go to God's Word, and we'll see how they point us to Jesus. Let's think about it: God's law is: 1. Fulfilled by Jesus 2. Upheld by Jesus 3. Enforced by Jesus 4. Clarified by Jesus Verse: Matthew 5:17 (ESV): Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. What did Jesus mean when he said

No condemnation in Christ Jesus

John 5:1-18 NRSV

Exodus 20:1-2 What Motivates You to Obey God? Summary: What makes you want to obey? When your parents or your teacher tell you to do something, do you want to obey, or is it usually a struggle? When God gave us the Ten Commandments, he told Israel powerful words to help them obey joyfully and willingly. Let's think about it: 1. God's sovereignty 2. God's covenant promise 3. God's redemption Verse: Exodus 20:2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. Questions for Devotions and Family worship: 1. Which one of the truths about God in this passage motivates you the most to obey Him? What aspects of God’s authority, God’s covenant and God’s redemption do you find most compelling? 2. Why is it so important to read and understand these verses before studying the Ten Commandments?

can't do the things I want

Soon after Pentecost , the apostles began to be persecuted for preaching the truth.