Chapter 3- We Follow God’s Law
Why do you need to follow laws?
 
The Ten Commandments- the Laws of God’s covenant given to Moses on Mount Sinai for the Israelites; explain the ways in which we can be faithful to the loving, covenant relationship into which God has called humankind throughout the ages

1. I am the Lord your God:  you shall not have strange gods before me.
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
3. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.
4. Honor your father and your mother.
5. You shall not kill.
6. You shall not commit adultery.
7. You shall not steal.
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
9. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.

Jesus’ disciples are called to follow the Ten Commandments and live out our covenant with God and to love God, others, and ourselves.
Conversion- turning back to God with all one’s heart

• Parable of the man with two sons- God waits for us to come back to him because he wants us to experience the lasting joy of his presence

Jesus Christ- the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, in whom God has fully revealed himself; leads us to God our Father, inviting us to change our lives and turn to God completely; through Jesus we learn that God’s great love is for all people
 
How does God’s law lead us to happiness?
The Beatitudes- express the message that we will be blessed/happy when we are faithful to God.  Blessed are:

• The poor in spirit- theirs is the kingdom of heaven
• They who mourn- will be comforted
• The meek- will inherit the land
• They who hunger and thirst for righteousness- will be satisfied
• The merciful- will be shown mercy
• The clean of heart- will see God
• The peacemakers- will be called children of God
• They who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness- theirs is the kingdom of heaven

Blessed- people were called blessed in the Old Testament when they were faithful to God
 
New Commandment- Jesus’ teaching that we are to love one another as he loves us; Jesus tells us to live by the Ten Commandments not just out of obedience, but out of love
 
How can you show that you are disciples of Jesus?