Tuesday Family Devotion - The Greatest Commandment

Scripture Reading - Matthew 22:34-40

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Thought of the Day
We know that there are 10 Commandments that we are supposed to follow, but Jesus knows that 10 can be a lot of rules to follow so he breaks it down for us. Instead of 10, there are 2 things that we are called to do.
1. Love God
2. Love God’s People
These can be hard things to do all the time but God knows that if we do this we will live good lives. When we love God, we keep Him first in our lives and know that He is important. And when we love God’s people as we love ourselves, then we think about what other people would want when we make decisions. If the whole world followed these two commandments what a great world it would be!

Discussion questions
1. Which of these commandments is easier? Loving God or God’s people? Why?

2. What are some ways we can show God we love Him?

3. What are some ways we can show God that we love His people?

Prayer
Dear God,
Following rules can be hard. Thank you for simplifying things and sending Jesus to help teach us to love you and your people. Give us the strength to think about you and your people as much as we do ourselves. AMEN.