God the Father

&Q. What do we learn about God as creator from the revelation to Israel?

&A. We learn that there is one God, the Father Almighty, creator of 
heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.


&Q. What does this mean?

&A. This means that the universe is good, that it is the work of a   
single loving God who creates, sustains, and directs it.


&Q. What does this mean about our place in the universe?

&A. It means that the world belongs to its creator; and that we are   
called to enjoy it and to care for it in accordance with God's   
purposes.


&Q. What does this mean about human life?

&A. It means that all people are worthy of respect and honor, because   
all are created in the image of God, and all can respond to the   love 
of God.


&Q. How was this revelation handed down to us?

&A. This revelation was handed down to us through a community created   
by a covenant with God.


The Old Covenant

&Q. What is meant by a covenant with God?

&A. A covenant is a relationship initiated by God, to which a body of   
people responds in faith.


&Q. What is the Old Covenant?

&A. The Old Covenant is the one given by God to the Hebrew people.


&Q. What did God promise them?page 847

&A. God promised that they would be his people to bring all the nations   
of the world to him.


&Q. What response did God require from the chosen people?

&A. God required the chosen people to be faithful; to love justice, to   
do mercy, and to walk humbly with their God.


&Q. Where is this Old Covenant to be found?

&A. The covenant with the Hebrew people is to be found in the books   
which we call the Old Testament.


&Q. Where in the Old Testament is God's will for us shown most clearly?

&A. God's will for us is shown most clearly in the Ten Commandments.


The Ten Commandments

*See pages 317 and 350.*

&Q. What are the Ten Commandments?

&A. The Ten Commandments are the laws give to Moses and the people of   
Israel.


&Q. What do we learn from these commandments?

&A. We learn two things: our duty to God, and our duty to our   
neighbors.


&Q. What is our duty to God?

&A. Our duty is to believe and trust in God; 

  I  To love and obey God and to bring others to know him;  

  II  To put nothing in the place of God;  

  III  To show God respect in thought, word, and deed; 

  IV  And to set aside regular times for worship, prayer, and the study 
of God's ways.