In what ways can we ensure we practice and teach God's commandments daily? Foundational Verse “So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:19) Why Both “Practice” and “Teach” Matter • Practice without teaching stays private; teaching without practice rings hollow. • Jesus links greatness in His kingdom to the union of doing and instructing. • John 14:15 reminds us, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” Love is proven by obedience, and obedience overflows into influence. Keeping the Commandments Close to Heart • Daily Scripture intake – Read broadly (whole-Bible plan) and deeply (slow meditation). – Psalm 119:11: “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” • Memorization that fuels instant recall during decisions. • Journaling to trace how a verse applies to today’s tasks, conversations, temptations. • Quick obedience in “small” matters; God trains us for larger ones through everyday choices (Luke 16:10). Teaching Through Life Example • Consistency: the same integrity at work, home, and church. • Transparency: share victories and failures, showing how repentance works (1 John 1:9). • Service: let children, coworkers, neighbors see you prioritizing others (Matthew 20:28). Formal and Informal Instruction • Family Worship – Deuteronomy 6:6-7: talk of God’s words “when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road.” – Short, regular times—sing a psalm, read a paragraph, pray briefly. • Small-Group or Class Leading – Prepare with 2 Timothy 3:16-17; all Scripture equips. – Invite discussion, always tethered to the text. • One-on-One Discipleship – Titus 2:7: “In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works.” – Share life skills—budgeting, parenting, conflict resolution—filtered through biblical commands. Guardrails to Prevent Drifting • Accountability friendships: Hebrews 10:24-25 urges mutual encouragement toward love and good deeds. • Corporate worship: hearing the Word preached reinforces personal study. • Regular self-examination: ask, “Where am I excusing a ‘least’ commandment?” (James 1:23-25). • Guard media and influences that normalize disobedience (Psalm 1:1-2). Relying on the Spirit’s Power • Ezekiel 36:27 promises God’s Spirit will “cause you to walk in My statutes.” • Prayer before action: “Lord, enable me to delight in Your will.” • Fruit inspection: Galatians 5:22-23 marks Spirit-empowered obedience—love, joy, peace, and more. Blessings Tied to Faithful Obedience • Personal assurance and joy (John 15:10-11). • Credible witness that opens doors for the gospel (1 Peter 3:15-16). • Generational impact—children learn a lived-out faith (Psalm 78:5-7). • Eternal commendation: being “called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:19). Putting It All Together Today 1. Open God’s Word each morning; choose one command to focus on. 2. Ask the Spirit for grace to obey in the next tangible decision. 3. Look for a natural moment to tell someone why that command matters. 4. Close the day by thanking God for successes and confessing failures. 5. Repeat tomorrow—because practicing and teaching God’s commandments is a daily, lifelong privilege that honors the King and blesses the world He loves. |
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