** Unlocked은 Keys for kids Ministries에서 지원받은 프로그램입니다. 원본으로 듣고 싶으신 분들은 홈페이지 Unlocked.org로 들어가시면 <February 17, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**
The Third Commandment What's in a Name
• READ: EXODUS 20:7; MATTHEW 5:33-37; 2 CORINTHIANS 5:18-21
There is a lot of debate about what the third commandment actually means, but it all boils down to one thing: because God is so good and so holy and because He chose to reveal Himself to us through His personal name, we should use His name only in ways that reflect His character.
There are many good ways to be careful with God’s name. The most popular application is that we shouldn’t use God’s name as a cuss word. And this makes total sense! God’s name is holy, and to use His name as a cuss word would not be treating His name with the respect it deserves.
Another thing we should think about is that if we take God’s name for ourselves—since we call ourselves "Christ"ians—we live lives that reflect the name we carry. In fact, the original Hebrew for this command literally means, “You shall not bear/carry My name emptily.” God’s name is holy, and He calls His people to live up to that holiness.
This command is weighty. It’s sobering. It makes us slow down to think through our words and actions. It asks the question, “Am I being holy as God is holy?” And none of us can answer that question with a yes (Romans 3:23).
But the good news is, if we know Jesus, He is living inside of us, giving us His holiness in God’s eyes. Through the Holy Spirit, He lives up to the name that we carry so we don’t have to. Therefore, since nobody besides Jesus can live up to that name perfectly, He gives us grace when we fall short. We can live in joy and freedom, rejoicing in the holy name we carry. • Taylor Eising
• What does it mean that God is holy?
• Read Ephesians 2:8-10 and 1 Timothy 1:8-9. Why is it so important that we can’t be holy without putting our faith in Jesus?
• To learn more about what it means to put your faith in Jesus, check out our "Know Jesus" page.
So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NLT)
** Unlocked은 Keys for kids Ministries에서 지원받은 프로그램입니다. 원본으로 듣고 싶으신 분들은 홈페이지 Unlocked.org로 들어가시면 <February 19, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**
The Fifth Commandment: Lifelong Honor
• READ: DEUTERONOMY 5:16; EPHESIANS 6:1-4
What does it mean to “honor” your parents? Following this command looks different depending on your age, but a few things remain consistent. Much like our obedience to God, honoring our parents flows not out of guilt but out of gratitude and trust that they love us and have our best interests at heart. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we honor the work and care they have poured into us by living lives that glorify God and point to His Son, Jesus.
As children, this means simply obeying our parents and trusting them to take care of us—pointing to our obedience to and trust in Jesus. As we grow older and our parents give us more freedoms, we can honor them by using those freedoms well—and by taking on more responsibilities around the house, helping our parents out of gratitude for all the ways they have cared for us. In the same way, as we grow in Christ, we can use the freedom from sin He has given us to better serve Him.
As we become adults, honoring our parents means spending time with them and, as they get older, taking care of them. This doesn’t mean you will never disagree with your parents. But it does mean relying on Jesus to help you resolve conflict lovingly and respectfully.
Honoring our parents can also look different depending on some other circumstances. Parents aren’t perfect. We are all sinners. Obedience to God—our good Father—comes before our obedience to our parents, so if your parents want you to do something that goes against God’s good law, it’s okay to disobey them in that case (Matthew 7:11; Acts 5:29). In situations of abuse, talk to a trusted adult immediately. Silence about abuse does not honor your parents.
By honoring our parents, we point forward to the day when our loving Heavenly Father will be fully united with His people, who will be free from sin and able to live in perfect obedience to Him. • Taylor Eising
• How does knowing Jesus affect the way you interact with your parents?
Honor your father and mother. Deuteronomy 5:16a (NLT)
