Family Worship Resources: The 10 Commandments

 

Introduction

As we begin a mini-series preaching through the 10 Commandments Exodus 20:2–17, we wanted to provide you with a collection of recommended resources for growth in personal and family discipleship. These resources include Bible memory, catechisms, music, and books. These resources can be adapted, supplemented, and applied however works best for you and your family.

Our hope is that you would use these resources for your own edification, as well as the spiritual growth of your families. The 10 Commandments answer the question, “What does the Lord, the one who graciously saved us from the bondage of sin, require of me?” Our prayer is that Emmaus Road Church would be people who not just know and follow God’s law, but people who would say with David in Psalm 119:97, “Oh, how I love your law!”

Reading & Memorization

Memorize the 10 Commandments in order.

  • Here is a fun resource to memorize the commandments in order. 

Memorize Exodus 20:1–17 word-for-word.

  • It is one thing to know the basic 10 commandments, but to memorize Exodus 20:1–17 word-for-word will give one a deeper sense of the promises and divine commentary of each of the commandments.

Read through Psalm 119.

  • Spend the summer (either daily or weekly) reading through Psalm 119. Other than being the longest chapter in the Bible, this psalm is a love poem of David about the law of God. Psalm 119 shows us the beauty and goodness of the law of God and its value for our lives, and it exemplifies the attitude every believer should cultivate toward God’s law.

Catechisms

  • Most orthodox catechisms include within them sections on the 10 Commandments. These are historic teaching tools that the Church has used throughout the ages to instruct both adults and children in great doctrinal truths found in Scripture. They are structured helpfully to be a Q/A format. This is a great tool around the dinner table.

Music

As people of the Word, we want to be saturated with Scripture and to have the word of Christ dwell richly in us. To that end, here are some great albums to play in the car or in your home. 

  • Dana Dirksen, Questions With Answers, Vol. 4: The Word of God

Books

Kevin DeYoung, The Ten Commandments: What They Mean, Why They Matter, and Why We Should Obey Them (Amazon)

  • From the back cover: “Highlighting the timelessness and goodness of God’s commands, pastor Kevin DeYoung delivers critical truth about the 10 Commandments as he makes clear what they are, why we should know them, and how to apply them. This book will help you understand, obey, and delight in God’s law—commandments that expose our sinfulness and reveal the glories of God’s grace to us in Christ.”

Jani Ortlund, His Loving Law, Our Lasting Legacy: Living the Ten Commandments and Giving Them to Our Children (Amazon)

  • From Pastor Greg: “Jani Ortlund, wife of Pastor Ray Ortlund Jr., has written an excellent book, particularly addressing mothers, with a view of living and teaching the Ten Commandments to our children.   The book not only serves as a useful devotional, but a helpful teaching guide for explaining the right understanding and use of the decalogue.  One respected pastor friend referred to it as the most helpful commentary he had for preaching through the Ten Commandments.”

J.I. Packer, Keeping the Ten Commandments (Amazon)

  • From the publisher: “They're often mistakenly considered God's "rules"—his outdated list of do’s and don’ts that add up to a guilt-ridden, legalistic way of life. But as beloved author and Bible scholar J. I. Packer probes the purpose and true meaning of the Ten Commandments, you'll discover that these precepts can aptly be called God's blueprint for the best life possible. They contain the wisdom and priorities everyone needs for relational, spiritual, and societal blessing—and it’s all coming from a loving heavenly Father who wants the best for his children. Not only does Packer deliver these truths in brief, readable segments, but he includes discussion questions and ideas for further study at the end of each chapter. This book will challenge you to view the commandments with new eyes and help you to understand—perhaps for the first time—the health, hope, and heritage you’re offered there.”

Thomas Watson, The Ten Commandments (Amazon)

  • From the description: “Originally written in the 1600's, Thomas Watson's commentary on the Ten Commandments is as relevant today as it was then, if not more so. The text was carefully updated for modern readers, with much care taken to convey the truth in Watson's writings in such a way that readers today can more easily understand his writing, and as such, more easily apply the truth to their own lives. May the Lord God of heaven and earth bless you richly as you read and obey!”

 
Matt Groen