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Respecting God’s holy name

Any time

Throw a party to honour your children’s favourite toy or stuffed animal.

Discussion point: We show God honour by never using His name as a swear word.

Have fun decorating for your party and preparing snacks. Find as many ways as you can to show honour to the toy being celebrated: let the toy sit in a place of honour, wear a special party hat, blow out the candles, be served first, receive gifts etc.

Questions for discussion
  • Where is your favourite stuffie sitting?
  • Why did you choose that special place for it?
  • Why did we serve your special stuffie first?
  • How would you feel if I were to squirt ketchup on your favourite stuffie?
  • If your brother, sister or a friend started calling your stuffie rude names, what would you do?
  • Would it be okay if I called your stuffie not rude names but just silly names, like Foo-Foo Face?
Key concepts

It would likely make you angry or upset if someone disrespected your prized stuffed animal or toy by getting it dirty or making fun of it. When we value something, we are protective of it. Likewise, if others are going to mistreat a person we love, we are quick to come to that person’s defence.

We honour a person or possession when we treat them with extra care. God deserves more honour than people or toys and we should be careful to give special honour to Him.

The Bible tells us that it’s wrong to misuse or dishonour God’s name (Exodus 20:7). People dishonour God when they use His name as a swear word, by saying “Oh my God!” or writing the letters “OMG.” Another way people dishonour God’s name is by saying “Holy cow” or “Holy smoke” or even “Holy hell.” Only God is holy, so using the word “holy” to describe these other things is extremely dishonouring to God.

Acceptable ways to use God’s name are during prayer or if we are talking politely about Him. It’s unacceptable to use God’s name, Jesus’ name or the word “holy” as an exclamation of any sort. An important part of loving and fearing God is honouring His name.

Relevant Scripture

Exodus 20:7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.”

Malachi 2:2 “If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to My name, says the Lord of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart.”

Revelation 4:11 “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created.”

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