That You May Believe - Study Guide

Week 4 - January 24th, 2021

Deuteronomy 6:6-7

6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Context: In Moses’ final words to the people of Israel, he tells the story of the nation’s history and summarizes the laws given by God. Moses summarizes the Ten Commandments, capping his summary with the words “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and might.” This instruction will go on to be the capstone of the Jewish faith, memorialized as the Greatest Commandment.

Meaning: The command “on the heart” implies a love for the LORD that is deeper than mere obedience, but one that is fully integrated to all of life and affection. The command pairs of sit/walk and lie/rise imply every place, time, and activity should be saturated in the Word of God.

Life Application: This Scripture ought to inform how we govern our lives and families. We should seek to be Scripture-centered people, guiding our lives by the instructions of the Word and seeking to grow in an understanding of its message. We should create time, moments, milestones, and modeling focused on training ourselves and our families in what scripture says and what it means for our lives. At MCA, we call this Family Worship.

For Further Study: The image of the law on the heart is a poignant one in the story of redemption, appearing again in Jeremiah 31. Why is this such a big development in the story of Scripture? What does this promise mean for us today?