Catechism – Week 9 – The Law

What is the Purpose of the Law?

Israel was in slavery in Egypt for a long time. God delivered them through Moses who gave them the Law which gave rules to their society. Some of these rules we still keep today, like “you shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). Others often seem weird to us like “anything in the seas or the streams that does not have fins and scales…you shall not eat” (Leviticus 11:10-11). Please direct students of appropriate age to view this animated explanation:

Matthew 22:37, 39b-40 – And [Jesus] said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind…[and] you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.’ (ESV)

What does the law tell people to do?
The Law tells us to love God with everything that we are and to love people as we love ourselves.

What is its purpose?
The Law shows us how to fulfill our purpose to delight in the Lord and reflect his glory and rule to everyone.

Romans 3:20 – For by works of the law no human being will be justified in God’s sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. (ESV)

What are other purposes of the Law?
The Law shows us that God is holy. The Law also shows us that we are not because we have broken the Law.

Scripture Memory Verse:

Luke 10:27 – And he answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.’ (ESV).

What is the purpose of the Law?
God’s Law helps us live his purpose for our lives and to show us how we have sinned against God.

Adults and older students are encouraged to receive a fuller explanation from Dr. Tim Tennent (President of Asbury Theological Seminary) by clicking this link.