NEW CITY CATECHISM QUESTION
Q: What does the law of God require?
A: That we love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, and love our neighbor as ourselves.
ICEBREAKER QUESTIONS
Play “Would you Rather” by asking the following questions.
Would You Rather . . .
BEGIN WITH A FAMILY GAME
Set up a board or card game for the family to play.
Explain to the family that there are special rules for the game today. The special rules are this: There are no rules! Explain that they do not need to observe the normal rules of the game. Let the family play for a while to illustrate that a lack of rules can actually be quite frustrating. Reflect on how helpful rules can be. Even in something as simple as a board game, they make playing easy, ordered, and enjoyable.
Either clean up the game or leave it out. May return to the game later if desired!
READ MATTHEW 22:34-40
The Pharisees heard that the Sadducees weren’t able to answer Jesus. So the Pharisees got together. One of them was an authority on the law. So he tested Jesus with a question. “Teacher,” he asked, “which is the most important commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your mind.’ (quoting Deut 6:5) This is the first and most important commandment. And the second is like it. ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ (quoting Lev 19:18) Everything that is written in the Law and the Prophets is based on these two commandments.”
WATCH TEACHING VIDEO
Q: What does the law of God require?
A: That we love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, and love our neighbor as ourselves.
ICEBREAKER QUESTIONS
Play “Would you Rather” by asking the following questions.
Would You Rather . . .
- Have one eye in the middle of your head or two noses?
- Only be able to crawl on your hands and knees or only be able to walk backwards?
- Be able to fly or be able to turn invisible?
- Be a bird or a horse?
- Have a pet panda bear or a pet zebra?
- Go to the zoo or to the aquarium?
- Have really small hands or really big feet?
BEGIN WITH A FAMILY GAME
Set up a board or card game for the family to play.
Explain to the family that there are special rules for the game today. The special rules are this: There are no rules! Explain that they do not need to observe the normal rules of the game. Let the family play for a while to illustrate that a lack of rules can actually be quite frustrating. Reflect on how helpful rules can be. Even in something as simple as a board game, they make playing easy, ordered, and enjoyable.
Either clean up the game or leave it out. May return to the game later if desired!
READ MATTHEW 22:34-40
The Pharisees heard that the Sadducees weren’t able to answer Jesus. So the Pharisees got together. One of them was an authority on the law. So he tested Jesus with a question. “Teacher,” he asked, “which is the most important commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your mind.’ (quoting Deut 6:5) This is the first and most important commandment. And the second is like it. ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ (quoting Lev 19:18) Everything that is written in the Law and the Prophets is based on these two commandments.”
WATCH TEACHING VIDEO
DISCUSS
RESPONSE ACTIVITY
Can you think of someone you know who loves God wholeheartedly and loves people well? As a family, write a note of gratitude to that person. Be sure to mail it!
PRAY
Express gratitude to God for who he is and what he has done for us.
- Does keeping God’s law please God?
- What happens if we break God’s law? Or keep breaking God’s law?
- How can we better love our friends, family, and neighbors?
RESPONSE ACTIVITY
Can you think of someone you know who loves God wholeheartedly and loves people well? As a family, write a note of gratitude to that person. Be sure to mail it!
PRAY
Express gratitude to God for who he is and what he has done for us.