The Greatest Commandment

Discussion Questions: “The Greatest Commandment”

The greatest commandment described in two of the Synoptic Gospels:  Matthew 22:34-40 and Mark 12:28-34 cover the “Greatest Commandment” Jesus teaches the disciples. 

1.      The Sadducees are silenced. (Read the verse outlined in purple: Matthew 22:34-35, and Mark 12:28a) Mark identifies the man as a scribe, Matthew identifies the man as a lawyer.  Is there any difference between the two? If so, what?  ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2.      “Which is the greatest commandment?” (Read the verse outlined in red: Matthew 22:36, and Mark 12:28b).  In what book(s) are the 613 commandments in the Bible? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3.      What are the Ten Commandments? (Read Exodus 20:1-17)

1.      _____________________________________________________________

2.      _____________________________________________________________

3.      _____________________________________________________________

4.      _____________________________________________________________

5.      _____________________________________________________________

6.      _____________________________________________________________

7.      _____________________________________________________________

8.      _____________________________________________________________

9.      _____________________________________________________________

10. _____________________________________________________________

4.      What is significant about the first commandment? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5.      The second commandment has three elements, one in each of the three verses.  What are they?

1.      _____________________________________________________________

2.      _____________________________________________________________

3.      _____________________________________________________________

6.      The third commandment.  What does it mean to take the Lord your God in vain?  We are not expecting to you state it, but you may be “descriptive.”   ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7.      The fourth commandment.  How are we supposed to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy?  And when is it? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8.      The fifth commandment.  How do we honor our father and mother?  ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9.      The sixth commandment.  What is the difference between “kill” and “murder?”  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. The seventh commandment.  How is Jesus’s interpretation of adultery differ from God’s? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11. The eighth commandment.  Other than taking of someone’s possessions, what are other forms for stealing? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

12. The ninth commandment.  What damage is there of bearing false witness against your neighbor? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

13. The tenth commandment.  Why is this commandment different than all others? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

14. Jesus states the Greatest Commandment: (Read the verse outlined in blue: Matthew 22:37-38 and Mark 12:29-30) What are the four key elements in loving the Lord your God? __________________________________________________

15. Which element was omitted by Matthew? _______________________________

16. Where is this found in the Old Testament?  ______________________________

17. The Jewish prayer.  Found in Deuteronomy 6:5-6, Matthew 22:37-39 and Mark 12:29-31.  What did the Jewish people call Deuteronomy 6:5-6?  _____________

18. Why would the Jewish people pray this prayer? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

19. What does it mean to love the Lord your God with all your heart?  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

20. What does it mean to love the Lord your God with all your soul?  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

21. What does it mean to love the Lord your God with all your mind?  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

22. What does it mean to love the Lord your God with all your strength?  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

23. How do we demonstrate this love to God (Man’s love for God)?  __________________________________________________________________

24. Love your neighbor as yourself (Man’s love for each other). (Read the verse outlined in green: Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:31a).  How do we demonstrate our love for our neighbor?  __________________________________________________________________

25. These two commandments are the greatest commandments (Read the verse outlined in black: Matthew 22:40, and Mark 12:31b).  ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

26. The Lawyer’s response. (Read the verse outlined in orange: Mark 12:32-34) Why did Jesus say to the scribe, “You are not far from the kingdom of God?”  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

27. Prior to the Good Samaritan Parable (Read the verse outlined in grey: Luke 10:25-28).  Prior to the Good Samaritan Parable, what teaching was Jesus trying to convey to the lawyer?  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________