On this Third Sunday in Lent, we will examine the Ten Commandants, also known as the Decalogue. These ten commandments were given to God's people to help order their lives so they might live in right relationship with their God and their fellow people. We will consider how the first four commandments were focused on relationship with God, and the remaining six commandments helped to structure right relationship between God's people.
Our Scripture passage is found in the Book of Exodus. You may find the Scripture lesson by selecting the following link: (Exodus 20:1-17).
For continuing study, reflect on these questions (found in the study guide below):
After reading and reflecting on the Scripture reading of the Ten Commandments, is there something that surprised you in the reading; is there something new that you may have "heard" for the first time?
After reading the "WHAT..." paragraph in the guide below, consider the explanation that the Decalogue is separated into Two Tables: one describing our relationship with God (laws one-four) and one describing our relationship with others (law five-ten). Have you heard this explanation before, and does this change or add any meaning to your understanding of the Decalogue?
After reading the "WHERE..." paragraph below, consider the author's statement that the two tables (as described above) are inseparable, and it is a mistake to reduce the laws to an ethical list of actions...what does this mean to you?
After reading the "SO WHAT..." paragraph below, reflect on how the Ten Commandments are a gift to the Church; and consider the last sentence in this paragraph and how it impacts your journey through Lent: "Lent is a journey of deepening holiness shaping lives in the image of Christ to praise God and live in friendship with one another."
