Is that stealing? The truth is, when you start digging into what counts as stealing and what doesn’t, it can get pretty daunting. But here’s the thing: following the Seventh Commandment isn’t just about sorting out every gray area. It’s about asking a deeper question: how are my actions impacting my neighbor? Am I showing love for them in the way I treat their possessions, or am I harming them? Seen in that light, the commandment looks radically different. Join us this Sunday as we dig into living out the Seventh Commandment.

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Matthew 22:37-39

37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Philippians 2:6-7

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

For Adult Homes and Groups

Use the following questions and Bible texts to dig into the topic of the 7th Commandment this week.

1. How am I treating the possessions God has entrusted to my neighbor? (Read James 1:17)

2. Do my actions show love and care for the people behind the possessions? (Read Matthew 22:37-39)

3. Where might I be tempted to take advantage - big or small - and how can I choose generosity instead? (Read Philippians 2:6-7)

4. How can I actively honor and bless my neighbor with what God has given me? (Read John 15:13)

For Families with Kids

1. Read and memorize the 7th Commandment.

2. Read Luther’s explanation of the 7th Commandment together. What are we told not to do? What are we encouraged to do?

3. Why do you think Jesus commands us not to steal? How does it hurt Him? How does stealing make other people feel? How does it hurt you?

4. Why would we be tempted to steal? How can being honest help lead us away from stealing? How can we make things right if we have stolen something?

5. Where does everything we have come from? What can we do when we feel like we don’t have enough?

6. Pray out loud as a family about three different things you each are thankful for.