Lesson 3 of 4
Commandments about others
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Study objective: Study the commandments concerning other people: parents, life, marriage, property, truth and desire.
Reading: Exodus 20:12–17
Exodus 20:12–17 WEB
12“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the LORD your God gives you. 13“You shall not murder. 14“You shall not commit adultery. 15“You shall not steal. 16“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 17“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”
Background and context
The second part of the commandments protects family, life, marriage, property, reputation and the heart. The last commandment, against coveting, reaches beneath action to desire.
Observe
- Honouring parents comes with a promise (20:12).
- Murder, adultery and stealing protect life, marriage and property (20:13-15).
- False testimony harms a neighbour’s name and justice in court (20:16).
- Coveting concerns what happens inside a person (20:17).
Words, people and events to notice
- Covet
- To desire what belongs to someone else, in a way that can lead to taking it.
Understand
- Why do you think coveting is included among actions like murder and theft?
- How do these commandments protect the vulnerable?
- What does honouring parents involve, and what does it not require?
Connect
- Leviticus 19:18
Love your neighbour as yourself.
- Romans 7:7
Paul says the command “You shall not covet” showed him his own heart.
Reflect
- Which of these commandments speaks most to your life now?
- Where do you see coveting in your culture or your own heart?
Key takeaways
Editorial summary, not Scripture.
- The commandments protect life, family, property, truth and the heart.
- Obedience starts with desire, not only actions.
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