Scripture
Mark 12:28–31 (ESV): 28 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Biblical Principle
Over the last two weeks, we have learned that God created all things that exist. We also learned that He created man in His image to be reflectors of His glory and attributes. If God created us to glorify Him, how can we do that? We glorify God when we love Him and keep His commands and laws. In Matthew 12, Jesus declared that the greatest command is to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
Why do you think that God requires these two things from us?
Since the Fall took place in Genesis, we have all leaned more and more towards self-centeredness. We think we are the most important person in the universe. But God tells us He is the most important person in the universe. He deserves all of our love and our devotion. But God does not stop there. He wants us to be like Him and care for others. So we are to have the same attitude as Jesus (Philippians 2:5) and think of others as more important than ourselves. We are to love others as much as we love ourselves. This means we are to care for their needs, treat others the way we want to be treated, and much more.
Application
For Parents
What or who do you tend to love more than God?
How does this passage impact your view of your spouse and/or children?
For Children
Why should you love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength?
How do we love our neighbor as ourselves?
Activity
Memorize: Verse 30 and 31. Take the whole week to work on this. Repeat it 15 times together until they get it. If they are old enough to read, have them read the verse 10 times outloud and then recite it 10 times.
Pray: God would remind you and your family to put Him first and to put others before ourselves.
Activity: As a family talk about the idols (things we put before God) in our lives. Then make a list of ways you can put others before yourself.
A Family Devotion Guide similar to this one will be provided on our website under Fellowship Church Resources and social media every Friday for you to use at home.