Steps to Life

Training Program for Ministers and Church Leaders

Unit 1 - Foundation and Pillars of the Christian Faith

Lesson 6 – The Law of God – Part 1
Man’s Duty to God

Introduction: The law of God stands unique and separate from the rest of the Bible. The Bible
was written by prophets through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, but the law of God was
written on stone by the finger of God. So sacred, so pure and highly exalted, God would not trust
the writing of His law to a fallen human being even though he be inspired by the Holy Spirit.

“ ‘And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon Mount
Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.’ There are abundant
evidences of the immutability of God’s law. It was written with the finger of God, never to be
obliterated, never to be destroyed. The tables of stone are hidden by God, to be produced in the
great judgment-day, just as he wrote them.” Review and Herald, March 26, 1908 par. 6.

Key Text: “When the LORD finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets
of the Testimony, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.” Exodus 31:18 (NIV).

Reading Assignment
Patriarchs and Prophets, 303-308 – “The Law Given to Israel”

1. What is the central principle of God’s law? 1 John 4:8, 16.

The central principle of the law of God is love

2. Of what is the law of God a transcript? See note below.

God's law is a transcript of his character

Note: “By His life and death Christ taught that only in obedience to God’s commandments
can man find safety and true greatness. ‘The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.’
Psalm 19:7. God’s law is a transcript of His character. It was given to man in the beginning
as the standard of obedience.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 207.

3. What are the two great principles of the law? Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:36-40;
Luke 10:27; PP 305.
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God With all thine heart with all thy soul with all thy might,
1)
2)
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

Note: “In the light from Calvary it will be seen that the law of self-renouncing love is the
law of life for earth and heaven.” Desire of Ages, 20.
Unit 1 - Foundation and Pillars of the Christian Faith
Lesson 6 - The Law of God – Part 1
Page 2

4. For whom did God design the Ten Commandments? PP 305.

It was to be held as a sacred trust for the whole world

Note: “The law of love being the foundation of the government of God, the happiness of all
intelligent beings depends upon their perfect accord with its great principles of righteousness.”
Patriarchs and Prophets, 34. (Emphasis added.)

5. What is the first commandment? Exodus 20:3; PP 305.

Thou shalt have no other God's before me.

6. Men make gods of what two things? PP 305.

1) Men make gods with graven images
2) Whatever people cherish rather than God becomes their god

7. Write out the second commandment. Exodus 20:4-6; PP 305, 306.

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of
anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water

Note: See Insert for more information on idols.

8. What does the second commandment forbid? PP 306.

The second commandment forbids the idol worship of any likeness.

9. How is the close and sacred relation of God to His people represented? PP 306.
The close and sacred relation of God to His people is represented under the figure of marriage

10. Are children punished for their parents’ sins? PP 306.

They are not punished for the parent's guilt or sins.
Unit 1 - Foundation and Pillars of the Christian Faith
Lesson 6 - The Law of God – Part 1
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11. What is the exception to this rule? PP 306.

Except as they participate in their sins

12. How long is mercy promised to those who are faithful in His service? Exodus 20:6; PP 306.
He shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love Him and keep His Commandments

13. What is the third commandment? Exodus 20:7; PP 306.

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain.

14. What does this commandment forbid people to do? Find three things. PP 306.
It forbids people to use the name of God in a light or careless manner.
1)
2)
By the thoughtless mention of God in common conversation.
3)
By frequent and thoughtless repetition of His name

15. Name three ways we dishonor God by our speech. PP 306, 307.
By inheritance, for example the sons become partakers of the father's sins.
1)
2)
Wrong tendencies, perverted appetite, and debased morals.
To keep the Sabbath holy, we should not even allow our minds to dwell upon things of a worldly character.
3)

16. Write out the fourth commandment. Exodus 20:8-11; PP 307.

Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy.To
Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work
But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God
in it thou shalt not do any work thou nor thy son, nor thy daughter,thy manservant,

not thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates
for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea and all that in them is,

and rested the seventh day: where for the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and

hallowed it.
Unit 1 - Foundation and Pillars of the Christian Faith
Lesson 6 - The Law of God – Part 1
Page 4

17. To keep the Sabbath holy, what control must we put on our minds? PP 307.
We must put our minds on the Sabbath day to be remembered and observed as the memorial of the creator's work,

Note: Because of the importance of the Sabbath commandment we will not give further
study to it in this lesson, but will devote all of Lesson 8 to the study of the Sabbath.

Name: Nasilimwe (Evaristo) Namenda

Address: Katima Secondary school
City: State: Zip: Phone: 0976249036
E-mail: evaristonamenda6@gmail.com