Lord’s Day 34
Q93. How are these commandments divided?
Into two groups. The first four commandments teach us how to love God. The last six commandments teach us how to love our neighbor.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Matthew 22:37–40
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Parent Guide
Discuss this question together
Discussion Questions
- 1
How does the catechism divide the Ten Commandments into two groups?
- 2
Why do you think loving God comes first, before loving our neighbor?
- 3
Which of the two groups do you find harder to obey, and why?
Illustration
A wheel has a hub and spokes. If the hub is off-center, every spoke wobbles. Loving God is the hub. Loving your neighbor is the spokes. If your relationship with God is out of order, your relationships with people will wobble too. That is why the commandments about God come before the commandments about people.
Application
This week, try to notice when a conflict with a brother, sister, or friend traces back to a heart that was not focused on God. Start your day by praying for help to love God first, and see how it shapes the way you treat others.