This week of The Story...

Additional Resources:

        Personal Study Guide: Chapter 5

           Click here to download this study guide.

Notes from the back of the bulletin:

Exodus 19:3-6, 8 ; 20:1

1. God gives us His guidelines for healthy relationships.

Exodus 20:1-7

A. God wants a community of love that reflects the relationships of the Trinity.

B. The Ten Commandments shape this community of love.

i. Commandments 1-4 guide our vertical relationship with God

• Put God first in everything.
• Worship only God, nothing and no one else.
• Speak God's name with honor and respect.
• Dedicate one day a week to worship God.

 

 ii. Commandments 5-10 guide our horizontal relationships with others.

• Children, respect/ obey your parents if you want to live a long time.
• Don't murder anyone.
• Don't dishonor marriage by cheating.
• Don't steal.
• Don't lie.
• Don't desire what belongs to someone else.

C. Our sin nature within us causes us to resist God’s guidelines for community. Exodus 32:1, 30-35; 33:3

2. God desires a place to live among His people.

A. God says here’s where I want to live- the Tabernacle. Exodus 25:8-9

B. Our God is an intimate God.

3. God requires that sin be atoned for (covered) by the shedding of blood.

A. Our sin nature is what keeps us separated from God.

B. The sacrificing of animals becomes institutionalized in the priestly sacrificial system so that sin could be constantly atoned for (covered).          

Three Important Applications to our lives:

1. Jesus is our great High Priest and his blood once and for all atones for (covers) our sin.  Hebrews 10:5-10

2. We are the place where God dwells. We are the new tabernacle.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17

3. The Great Commandment is the guideline Jesus gives to and models for us so that we can continue to have healthy relationships. Matthew 22:37-40