Question 9: What does God require in the first, second, and third commandments?

Answer: First, that we know and trust God as the only true and living God. Second, that we avoid all idolatry and do not worship God improperly. Third, that we treat God’s name with fear and reverence, honoring also His Word and works.

Kids Answer: First, that we know God as the only true God. Second, that we avoid all idolatry. Third, that we treat God’s name with fear and reverence.

Key Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:13-14

Additional Scripture: Isaiah 46:9; 1 Corinthians 8:6

“So why do these commandments insist on us worshiping God alone and worshiping God as He is and not as we want Him to be? Why is the third commandment so insistent on honoring and respecting His name and His character? It is because God created us with a desire that only He can fulfill—a desire for Him. If we are always trying to change Who God is or replace Him with something else, we’ll never be at peace. We’ll never experience true comfort, true significance, or true joy. We’ll never be whole. But if God is at the center of our lives, not another god or a revised version of God, but the true and living God, we’ll truly be at peace. This is precisely why Augustine wrote, ‘You’ve made us for Yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in You.’”

—John Lin, Lead Pastor, Redeemer Presbyterian Church

Questions to ask: (To help process the truth we learned. Ask yourself, a friend, your group, or your family questions to talk through it together)

• What idols exist in our lives?

• What is proper worship of God?

• What is improper worship of God?

• What does it mean to treat God’s name with fear?