New City Catechism, Week 10 (Question 10)

Q: What does God require in the fourth and fifth commandments?

Children’s answer

A: Fourth, that on the Sabbath day we spend time in worship of God. Fifth, that we love and honor our father and our mother.

Adult/older children’s answer

A: Fourth, that on the Sabbath day we spend time in public and private worship of God, rest from routine employment, serve the Lord and others, and so anticipate the eternal Sabbath. Fifth, that we love and honor our father and our mother, submitting to their godly discipline and direction.

Video explanation:

Song to assist with memorization:

Relevant Scripture to read:

Leviticus 19:3

Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and you shall keep my Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God.

Children’s Activity (printable pdfs)

Younger Kids (pages 20 and 21)

Older Kids (pages 20 and 21)

Special thanks to Del Rey Church for sharing their New City Catechism kid resources with us!

Devotional questions for individual/family/group discussion:

  1. How would the Sabbath command have been encouraging to Ancient Israel? Why do you think it is so hard for us?

  2. Have you seen benefits in your life to setting aside time for worship and rest? Have you seen the negative effects of not doing so?

  3. What are 1-2 ways we can honor our mother and father even after we have grown and left the house?

  4. Read the Westminster Larger Catechism, questions 123-133 - how does this help us to see that this commandment goes beyond our parents? Is there an authority figure (government, work, etc.) that you are not doing well at honoring? How does the Catechism guide you in this?

  5. What are some ways that Jesus obeyed and fulfilled these commandments?

  6. When we consider the Sabbath, how does this help us to long for the new heavens and new earth?

For an additional “deeper” dive into this question and answer, check out this video from Dr. Michael Allen (many of the devotional questions are based on his explanation):