10: Honor
Ken Curtis   -   February 2, 2025

This Sunday, we continue our new year worship series, “10.” In the weeks between now and Lent, we’ll take a deep dive into Ten Commandments and explore how these ancient set of codes are relevant to our lives as Christians today. Check out week one, “No Other”, week two, “Idol”, and week three’s “Name.” Last week, we explored “Rest.”

Sermon Reflections:

  • How do you interpret this commandment to “honor your father and your mother” in the context of your own family relationships, both past and present? Where do you feel you excel in this, and where do you feel you fall short?
  • The Hebrew word for “honor” is khavod, which means “heavy” or “weighty.” Who in your life deserves to be treated as “weighty” and significant? How can you actively demonstrate that to them? This could be family, friends, mentors, or even within your community.
  • We acknowledge together that some people have had difficult or even abusive relationships with their parents. How can the principles of forgiveness and prayer, as mentioned in the sermon, help in navigating these complex situations? If you have experienced this, what steps can you take towards healing?
  • The idea of “elder orphans” is presented: older adults who have no close family or friends. How does this concept challenge your understanding of community and caring for others? What practical steps could you take to support the elderly in your life or community, whether they are family or not?
  • The four phrases shared by the pastor – “Thank you,” “I love you,” “You matter to me,” and “Can we hang out?” – are simple yet powerful. Which of these phrases resonates most with you, and who in your life could benefit from hearing it? How could incorporating these phrases into your vocabulary impact your relationships?
  • The command to honor our parents is intertwined with the idea of a social contract and generational care. How does this perspective influence your view of aging and your responsibility towards future generations? How can we as a society better support both the aging and those who care for them?