Jesus and the Ten Commandments: Week 11 Exodus 20:17

Before we begin

Table Communities are community gatherings for the purpose of:

• Building meaningful relationships through intentional time together
• Engaging in mutual discipleship through directing one another towards Christ with truth shared in love
• Multiplying grace through love, prayer and gifts of the spirit

The notes will guide you through praying together, reading scripture and engaging in intentional relational time together. There are also notes and practices for this month's habit of grace. We know that most groups will not have time to discuss this during their time together, but they are available if time allows and are available for those seeking to intentionally engage with God's grace during the week. If that desire is within you, please read the notes on your own time or go through the habit of grace practices with a spiritual friend or your spouse, so as to build one another up in truth and love.

Kick off with prayer

You can use the kick off prayer below (if you are not comfortable praying aloud), and give time for others to pray into the night together. 

Example prayer, if needed:

‍Father we praise you for gathering us together. Despite whatever weighed on our hearts as we entered this house, we pray that your Spirit guides our time together and free us from anything that is not of you. We pray that by the strength of your might we may speak truth in love to one another. We pray that we are led by the gifts of your spirit, so that we may build up one another and your church as a whole. As we read your word, we pray that we may be filled with the knowledge of your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner pleasing to you.  

Passage: The Ten Commandments

Exodus 20:

17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”

Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 6:

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

• What does it mean to covet?
• What do you find yourself longing for that others seem to have—possessions, relationships, opportunities, health, physical beauty, influence?
• How does envy and comparison impact your relationships—especially with those who have what you want?
• How does envy and comparison make you feel about yourself? 
• What about envy's opposite twin judgement? Do you use judgement to equalise or cope with envy? 
• What hope do you have to be freed from these experiences of the heart? 
• What steps can you take towards that freedom today? [James 5:13-15]

End your time together praying, inquiring God to speak through gifts of the spirit so that you may build one another up. Be bold in sharing any thoughts, pictures or words that come to mind to test if they are given by God to revive the soul. Is God highlighting anything to you personally? Share (confess) and get others to pray for you.

The Word [Scripture]

The Word is the Bible - the primary way God reveals himself to us. Through it we come to know who God is, who we are, and how to trust Him in all of life. It is God’s good gift, restoring our souls and grounding us in His truth.

At Kingscross, we receive the Word as God’s living voice, shaping and guiding us toward His presence. It reminds us that:

• We find rest in God’s presence and freedom from the slavery of always needing to ‘do more.’
• God is in control, even when life feels uncertain.
• Our hope rests in the finished work of Jesus, not in what we can accomplish.
• Our souls are restored and healed as we step outside of the hurry of the world.

The Word anchors us in truth, teaching us to trust, rest, and delight in God’s presence.

View Habit: Sabbath

Practice

• Week 2 – The Story We Live In
  
  • Focus: The Bible is a unified story that leads to Jesus—and reframes our own.
  • Practice: Read a short narrative passage each day (e.g. creation, Abraham, Exodus, Ruth, Jesus’ parables). Ask: Where do I see the character of God? How does this connect to Jesus?
  • Challenge: Identify one “competing story” (e.g. success, fear, busyness) shaping your life. How does Scripture invite you into a better story?
    
    • "competing story" - a story that challenges a familiar or lived narrative in your life.
  
  

Pray

Pray for an illumination of the Holy Spirit into the distractedness and anxiety within your heart and the power to resist. That Kingscross may be place where we gather and find rest, beacuse of the rest we have in Christ.

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This is an example prayer, but please practice praying into your specific discussion and circumstances

Heavenly Father,

You have spoken, and Your Word is life. It is living and active—sharper than a sword, sweeter than honey, and more precious than gold. Yet we confess how easily we neglect it, how quickly we are distracted, and how often we chase lesser voices.

Holy Spirit, we ask for Your power and presence. Help us abide—truly dwell—in the Word of God. Not as a duty, but as a delight. Not just to learn, but to listen. Draw us deeper into intimacy with the Father through every word You have spoken. Open our eyes to see Christ on every page and awaken our hearts to the beauty of Your truth.

We pray for protection, Lord. Guard our minds from the noise of the world. Shield our hearts from apathy. Silence the voices that would pull us away. Let Your Word be the loudest voice in our lives—calming our fears, shaping our desires, and anchoring our identity.

Spirit of God, breathe on us. Empower us not only to read, but to be changed. May Your Word become a lamp to our feet, a fire in our bones, and the joy of our souls.

We long to know You. Speak, Lord into the depths of our hearts

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

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