Law of God Honor

Missionary Activities - Bible Studies

Requirements

1. Know the 10 Commandments of the Law of God. (Exodus 20:3-17; Deuteronomy 5:7-21)

   Answer: The 10 Commandments: 1) You shall have no other gods before me. 2) You shall not make a carved image to worship. 3) You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. 4) Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 5) Honor your father and your mother. 6) You shall not kill. 7) You shall not commit adultery. 8) You shall not steal. 9) You shall not bear false witness. 10) You shall not covet what belongs to your neighbor. — Adventists follow the Protestant numbering: the 4th commandment is the complete Sabbath, and the 10th is coveting. The Catholic Church combines the 1st and 2nd (with no explicit commandment against images) and splits the 10th into two. The commandments were written by God on two tablets of stone (Ex 32:15-16).

2. Discover whether Jesus abolished or confirmed the importance of obedience to the Law of God for the Christian Church. (Matthew 5:17-18)

   Answer: Jesus confirmed and fulfilled the Law of God — He did not abolish it. In Matthew 5:17-18 He declares: '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. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.' Thus, obedience to the Law of God remains important for the Christian Church. — To fulfill means to fill with full meaning, not to eliminate. Jesus condemned Pharisaic hypocrisy but reaffirmed the commandments. John 14:15: 'If you love me, you will keep my commandments.' Adventists believe that the moral law (10 commandments) is eternal, unlike the ceremonial law (sacrifices) which ceased at the cross.

3. Understand why we must obey God's commandments. (John 14:15; 15:10; 1 John 2:3-4)

   Answer: We must obey because we love God. John 14:15 says: 'If you love me, you will keep my commandments.' John 15:10 shows that obedience is how we remain in love. — Christian obedience is not legalism, but a response of love. Whoever loves a father obeys naturally. Salvation is by grace (Eph 2:8-9), but the saved person demonstrates love by obeying. Adventists distinguish 'obeying in order to be saved' (wrong) from 'obeying because one was saved' (correct, the fruit of the Spirit).

4. Explain why we must keep all 10 Commandments and not just some of them. (James 2:10-11)

   Answer: James 2:10-11 teaches that whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles in one point becomes guilty of all. The Law is a unity — breaking one part breaks the whole. Whoever does not commit adultery but kills is a transgressor. — The Law of God reflects His character. Each commandment expresses an aspect of divine holiness. James uses a legal analogy — breaking 1 law is violating the entire legal authority. Adventists defend this holistic approach against the common idea of 'optional commandments' based on convenience.

5. Define the two great principles that summarize the 10 Commandments. (Luke 10:27)

   Answer: The two principles are: 1) Love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind; 2) Love your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27 brings together the 10 commandments: the first 4 (relationship with God) and the last 6 (relationship with neighbor). — Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 when making this summary. Romans 13:10 adds: 'Love is the fulfillment of the Law.' Adventists use this principle to show that commandments are not arbitrary, but a practical expression of love — the basis for any coherent Christian ethic.

6. Memorize and recite the 10 Commandments in order.

   Answer: Memorize them in order (Exodus 20:3-17): 1st You shall have no other gods. 2nd You shall not make images. 3rd You shall not take God's name in vain. 4th Remember the Sabbath. 5th Honor father and mother. 6th You shall not kill. 7th You shall not commit adultery. 8th You shall not steal. 9th You shall not bear false witness. 10th You shall not covet. Use mnemonics: 1-4 = relationship with God; 5-10 = relationship with neighbor. — Memorization creates a mental reserve for evangelistic conversations and moments of temptation. Psalm 119:11 says: 'I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.' Reciting regularly reinforces learning. Use mnemonics: 1-3 = God, 4 = Sabbath, 5-10 = neighbor.

7. Share with a friend the benefits promised to those who obey the Law of God. (Psalm 119:98-99, 165; 1 John 3:22)

   Answer: Ps 119:98-99: the Law gives wisdom greater than that of enemies and more understanding than teachers. Ps 119:165: great peace for those who love the Law, with no stumbling. 1 Jn 3:22: we receive from the Father whatever we ask when we keep the commandments. — The benefits are not magical automatisms, but a natural consequence of living in alignment with God. Moral wisdom, inner peace, and effective prayer accompany genuine obedience. Sharing with friends fulfills the evangelistic mission (Mt 28:19-20). Biblical promises are powerful in spiritual conversations.