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Title: “Remember, Obey, and Pass It On”  
Passage: Deuteronomy 4:1–9, 15–20 (KJV) 
Theme: Obedience, remembrance, and spiritual legacy 

🟪 Opening Statement 

“As we grow older, we begin to see life with clearer eyes. We remember what God has brought us through, and we long to pass that wisdom on. In Deuteronomy 4, Moses speaks to a generation preparing to enter the Promised Land. His words remind us to hold fast to God’s truth, guard against spiritual drift, and teach the next generation what we’ve learned. This isn’t just history—it’s a call to live faithfully and leave a legacy.” 

🟦 Teaching Sections 

🔹 Verses 1–2: Obey God’s Word Without Additions or Subtractions 

¹ Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. ² Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. 

Read Aloud: “Now therefore hearken, O Israel…” 

• Commentary: Moses urges the people to listen and obey. God’s Word is complete—don’t add your own ideas or subtract what’s uncomfortable. 

• Cross-reference: Revelation 22:18–19 

Revelation 22:18-19 
¹⁸ For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: ¹⁹ And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 

• Insight: Obedience is not about perfection—it’s about reverence and trust. 

• Discussion Question: Why do you think God emphasizes not adding or taking away from His Word? 
  Teaching Tip: Emphasize the importance of spiritual integrity and honoring Scripture as it is. 

🔹 Verse 3: Remember What Disobedience Cost Others 

³ Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baal peor: for all the men that followed Baal peor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you. 

Read Aloud: “Your eyes have seen what the LORD did…” 

• Commentary: Moses recalls the judgment at Baal-peor, where idolatry led to death. 

• Cross-reference: 1 Corinthians 10:6–11 

⁶ Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. ⁷ Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play. ⁸ Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. ⁹ Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. ¹⁰ Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. ¹¹ Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 

• Insight: Memory is a spiritual safeguard. 

• Discussion Question: How has remembering past consequences helped you stay faithful? 
  Teaching Tip: Invite personal stories of lessons learned through experience. 

🔹 Verse 4: Stay Close to the Lord 

⁴ But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day. 

Read Aloud: “But ye that did cleave unto the LORD…” 

• Commentary: Those who held fast to God were preserved. 

• Cross-reference: John 15:5 

John 15:5 
⁵ I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 

• Insight: Spiritual longevity comes from staying connected to the Source. 

• Discussion Question: What helps you “hold fast” to God in daily life? 
  Teaching Tip: Encourage daily habits of prayer and Scripture reading. 

🔹 Verses 5–6: Live Wisely to Show God’s Greatness 

⁵ Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. ⁶ Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. 

Read Aloud: “Behold, I have taught you statutes…” 

• Commentary: Obedience isn’t just personal—it’s a witness to others. 

• Cross-reference: Matthew 5:16 

¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

• Insight: Your life may be the only Bible someone reads. 

• Discussion Question: How can your choices reflect God’s wisdom to others? 
  Teaching Tip: Affirm the value of seasoned believers as examples to younger generations. 

🔹 Verse 7: God Is Near When We Call 

⁷ For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? 

Read Aloud: “For what nation is there so great…” 

• Commentary: Unlike idols, our God listens and responds. 

• Cross-reference: Hebrews 4:16 

¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 

• Insight: Prayer is proof of God’s nearness. 

• Discussion Question: When have you felt God especially close in prayer? 
  Teaching Tip: Lead a short moment of prayer or reflection. 

🔹 Verse 8: God’s Laws Are Righteous and Good 

⁸ And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? 

Read Aloud: “And what nation is there so great…” 

• Commentary: God’s commands are not burdens—they’re blessings. 

• Cross-reference: Romans 7:12 

¹² Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. 

• Insight: God’s Word protects us, not restricts us. 

• Discussion Question: How has obeying God’s Word brought peace or protection? 
  Teaching Tip: Share examples of how biblical principles have guided life decisions. 

🔹 Verse 9: Teach What You’ve Seen to the Next Generation 

⁹ Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons; 

Read Aloud: “Only take heed to thyself…” 

• Commentary: Don’t let spiritual memory fade—pass it on. 

• Cross-reference: Psalm 78:4 

⁴ We will not hide them from their children, 
shewing to the generation to come 
the praises of the LORD, and his strength, 
and his wonderful works that he hath done. 
 

• Insight: Legacy is built one story, one lesson at a time. 

• Discussion Question: What spiritual lesson do you want your children or grandchildren to remember? 
  Teaching Tip: Encourage writing down testimonies or sharing them with family. 

🔹 Verses 15–16: Guard Against Idolatry 

¹⁵ Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire: ¹⁶ Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female, 

Read Aloud: “Take ye therefore good heed…” 

• Commentary: Israel saw no form of God—He’s not to be reduced to images. 

• Cross-reference: John 4:24 

²⁴ God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 

• Insight: Idolatry today may look like misplaced priorities. 

• Discussion Question: What modern “idols” can distract us from true worship? 
  Teaching Tip: Gently guide the group to reflect on heart-level devotion. 

🔹 Verses 17–18: Don’t Worship Creation Instead of the Creator 

¹⁷ The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air, ¹⁸ The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth: 

Read Aloud: “The likeness of any beast…” 

• Commentary: God made the birds, beasts, and stars—but they are not Him. 

• Cross-reference: Romans 1:25 

²⁵ Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 

• Insight: Awe belongs to God alone. 

• Discussion Question: How can we enjoy creation without turning it into an idol? 
  Teaching Tip: Use nature as a bridge to worship, not a substitute. 

🔹 Verse 19: Beware of Being Drawn Away by Beauty or Power 

¹⁹ And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven. 

Read Aloud: “And lest thou lift up thine eyes…” 

• Commentary: The sun, moon, and stars are majestic—but they’re not divine. 

• Cross-reference: Colossians 2:18 

¹⁸ Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 

• Insight: Not everything impressive is worthy of worship. 

• Discussion Question: What helps you keep your focus on the Creator? 
  Teaching Tip: Contrast worldly admiration with spiritual devotion. 

🔹 Verse 20: You Are God’s Chosen People—Remember Your Rescue 

²⁰ But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day. 

Read Aloud: “But the LORD hath taken you…” 

• Commentary: God brought Israel out of Egypt to be His inheritance. 

• Cross-reference: 1 Peter 2:9 

⁹ But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 

• Insight: Your story is part of God’s bigger plan. 

• Discussion Question: How does remembering your spiritual rescue shape your gratitude? 
  Teaching Tip: Invite testimonies of salvation and spiritual turning points. 

🟪 Closing Statement 

“God’s Word is not just for the young—it’s for the wise. You’ve lived through seasons of joy and trial, and your testimony matters. Deuteronomy 4 reminds us to stay faithful, remember what God has done, and pass it on. Your life is a living witness. Keep teaching, keep praying, and keep shining—because the next generation needs your voice.” 

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