Deuteronomy 10:12-22
Removing our heart’s unhealthy attachments and stubborn preferences allows us to be open to God’s work in life.
Through His past deeds, God had shown Himself to be the great Protector and Deliverer of His people. In light of His loving character, God’s people should wholeheartedly love, worship, fear, and walk with Him. One of the main ways God calls His people to demonstrate that love is in caring for groups of people who are vulnerable and need help.
Read Deuteronomy 10:12-15:
- Thinking back over your life, do you tend to focus more on dramatic moments or small everyday steps?
- What do you think it means to fear God? (Is it different than being afraid of God?)
- Why do you think the Bible uses the word “walk” to describe a relationship with God? How is our relationship with God like a walk?
- Why is it important to believe that God’s commands and decrees are given for our own good?
- If God knew His people could not live up to these commands, why did He give them in the first place?
Read Deuteronomy 10:16-22:
- When is a time you have felt unwelcome?
- What responsibilities did God give to His people to take care of groups of vulnerable people?
- Widows, orphans, and immigrants (“border-crossers”) are linked 36 times in Scripture. Does ministry to widows and orphans come to us more naturally than ministry to foreigners?
- What specific reason did God give His people for remembering “the foreigner”?
Taking it home:
- In our efforts to “walk in all of His ways,” how can we make sure we aren’t performing external acts of obedience while forgetting the gospel?
- What are some ways that we, as God’s people, can support foreigners in our own community?
Ways to pray:
- Adoration: Worship God as Creator and Ruler of every part of the universe (and beyond).
- Contrition: Admit any tendency to be hard-hearted toward disadvantaged people in your community.
- Thankfulness: Thank God for choosing to show mercy and kindness to you when He didn’t need to.
- Supplication: Ask for opportunities this week to extend God’s grace to people around you who need it.
Other Scriptures to Engage with this week:
- Deuteronomy 14:22-29
- Leviticus 19:31-37
- Psalm 146
- Acts 7:54-8:8
- Ephesians 2:11-22
- 1 Peter 2:9-25