Read Exodus 20: 1-17 (today’s focus is v. 1-3). 1. How do we know that the 10 Commandments are given directly by God? (hint: see Exodus 20: 1 and 31: 18) 2. What does it mean to you that the 10 Commandments were etched in stone by the finger of God? How do you treat these Commandments in your everyday living? 3. Why do you think these Commandments are on two tablets instead of all being on one tablet? Is it just a matter of space, or is there more to it than that? 4. Read Matthew 22: 37-38. How does Jesus’ response to the Pharisees connect with the 10 Commandments and the two tablets? 5. How does the way we relate to God impact the way we relate to others, and vice-versa? 6. Read Psalm 119: 97-104. How did David feel about God’s Law? How does this compare with the way you view God’s Law? 7. Why is it so important to put God first in our lives? 8. In what ways did the Israelites and other ancient cultures have other gods? In what ways does our current culture have other gods? 9. What “gods” of this world compete for your attention and threaten to distract you from putting God first in your life? What can you do to avoid these distractions and truly have no other gods before God? 10. Read Exodus 34: 14. How is God jealous? Why is God jealous? What does this mean to you? Prayer for the Week: Gracious and loving God, Oh how we love your Law. Give us hearts and minds to meditate on it all day long. Help us to seek you, find you, and put you first, above anyone and anything else in our lives. Forgive us for the times we have allowed the things of this world to distract us and push you out of your rightful place in our lives. Forgive us our transgressions and draw us closer to you that we might share your pure and perfect love with everyone around us. We pray all of this in the name of the One who makes all things possible, our Risen Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.