This week, we explore how love and law are deeply connected. The Bible teaches that obeying God’s law is not just about rules—it is about love in action. To truly follow God, we must love Him and love others. Jesus showed that love is the true fulfillment of the law, guiding our actions and relationships.

- SAT – Introduction

- Memory Text

Romans 13:8

KJV ⁸ Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. CEV ⁸ Let love be your only debt! If you love others, you have done all that the Law demands.

- Lesson

A church member once told a pastor, “We can’t make decisions based on compassion.” The pastor wondered, if love is the fulfillment of the law, how could compassion be ignored? The Bible teaches that true obedience comes from love, and without love, law-keeping is meaningless.

We often think of law as rules and love as feelings, but in God’s kingdom, law and love are inseparable.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Ellen White explains that God’s law is not just rules—it is a reflection of His love and justice.

- Conclusion

To truly obey God, we must love Him and love others—this is the heart of the law.

- Reflection

What does Romans 13:8

KJV ⁸ Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. CEV ⁸ Let love be your only debt! If you love others, you have done all that the Law demands.
teach about the connection between love and the law?

Reveal Suggested Answer

How can we ensure that our obedience to God is based on love, not just duty?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- SUN – The Law of Love

- Lesson

Read the following:

Exodus 20:1-17

KJV ¹ And God spake all these words, saying, ² I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. ³ Thou shalt have no other gods before me. ⁴ Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. ⁵ Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; ⁶ And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. ⁷ Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. ⁸ Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. ⁹ Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: ¹⁰ But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: ¹¹ For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. ¹² Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. ¹³ Thou shalt not kill. ¹⁴ Thou shalt not commit adultery. ¹⁵ Thou shalt not steal. ¹⁶ Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. ¹⁷ Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. CEV (Deuteronomy 5.
1-21) ¹ God said to the people of Israel: ² I am the Lord your God, the one who brought you out of Egypt where you were slaves. ³ Do not worship any god except me. ⁴ Do not make idols that look like anything in the sky or on earth or in the ocean under the earth. ⁵ Don't bow down and worship idols. I am the Lord your God, and I demand all your love. If you reject me, I will punish your families for three or four generations. ⁶ But if you love me and obey my laws, I will be kind to your families for thousands of generations. ⁷ Do not misuse my name. I am the Lord your God, and I will punish anyone who misuses my name. ⁸ Remember that the Sabbath Day belongs to me. ⁹ You have six days when you can do your work, ¹⁰ but the seventh day of each week belongs to me, your God. No one is to work on that day — not you, your children, your slaves, your animals, or the foreigners who live in your towns. ¹¹ In six days I made the sky, the earth, the oceans, and everything in them, but on the seventh day I rested. That's why I made the Sabbath a special day that belongs to me. ¹² Respect your father and your mother, and you will live a long time in the land I am giving you. ¹³ Do not murder. ¹⁴ Be faithful in marriage. ¹⁵ Do not steal. ¹⁶ Do not tell lies about others. ¹⁷ Do not desire to possess anything that belongs to another person — not a house, a wife, a husband, a slave, an ox, a donkey, or anything else.

The Ten Commandments are not just rules—they are instructions for relationships. The first four teach us how to love God, and the last six teach us how to love others.

Jesus summarized the law in two commands: love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-40

KJV ³⁷ Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. ³⁸ This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. ⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. CEV ³⁷ Jesus answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. ³⁸ This is the first and most important commandment. ³⁹ The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” ⁴⁰ All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets are based on these two commandments.
).

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Ellen White explains that the law is based on love for God and others and cannot be kept without love.

- Conclusion

The commandments show us how to live in love with God and people.

- Reflection

What does Exodus 20:1-17

KJV ¹ And God spake all these words, saying, ² I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. ³ Thou shalt have no other gods before me. ⁴ Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. ⁵ Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; ⁶ And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. ⁷ Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. ⁸ Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. ⁹ Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: ¹⁰ But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: ¹¹ For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. ¹² Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. ¹³ Thou shalt not kill. ¹⁴ Thou shalt not commit adultery. ¹⁵ Thou shalt not steal. ¹⁶ Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. ¹⁷ Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. CEV (Deuteronomy 5.
1-21) ¹ God said to the people of Israel: ² I am the Lord your God, the one who brought you out of Egypt where you were slaves. ³ Do not worship any god except me. ⁴ Do not make idols that look like anything in the sky or on earth or in the ocean under the earth. ⁵ Don't bow down and worship idols. I am the Lord your God, and I demand all your love. If you reject me, I will punish your families for three or four generations. ⁶ But if you love me and obey my laws, I will be kind to your families for thousands of generations. ⁷ Do not misuse my name. I am the Lord your God, and I will punish anyone who misuses my name. ⁸ Remember that the Sabbath Day belongs to me. ⁹ You have six days when you can do your work, ¹⁰ but the seventh day of each week belongs to me, your God. No one is to work on that day — not you, your children, your slaves, your animals, or the foreigners who live in your towns. ¹¹ In six days I made the sky, the earth, the oceans, and everything in them, but on the seventh day I rested. That's why I made the Sabbath a special day that belongs to me. ¹² Respect your father and your mother, and you will live a long time in the land I am giving you. ¹³ Do not murder. ¹⁴ Be faithful in marriage. ¹⁵ Do not steal. ¹⁶ Do not tell lies about others. ¹⁷ Do not desire to possess anything that belongs to another person — not a house, a wife, a husband, a slave, an ox, a donkey, or anything else.
teach about how love is connected to the law?

Reveal Suggested Answer

How can we demonstrate love for God and others in our daily actions?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- MON – The Law Is Holy and Righteous and Good

- Lesson

Read the following:

Romans 7:7-12

KJV ⁷ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. ⁸ But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. ⁹ For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. ¹⁰ And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. ¹¹ For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. ¹² Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. CEV ⁷ Does this mean that the Law is sinful? Certainly not! But if it had not been for the Law, I would not have known what sin is really like. For example, I would not have known what it means to want something that belongs to someone else, unless the Law had told me not to do this. ⁸ It was sin that used this command as a way of making me have all kinds of desires. But without the Law, sin is dead. ⁹ Before I knew about the Law, I was alive. But as soon as I heard that command, sin came to life, ¹⁰ and I died. The very command that was supposed to bring life to me, instead brought death. ¹¹ Sin used this command to trick me, and because of it I died. ¹² Still, the Law and its commands are holy and correct and good.

Paul explains that the law is not sinful—instead, it reveals what sin is. The law shows us our need for grace but does not save us.

God’s law is holy, just, and good because it reflects His character—a character of love, justice, and righteousness.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Ellen White explains that the law reveals our sinfulness and points us to Jesus for salvation.

- Conclusion

The law is not a burden but a guide to righteousness and love.

- Reflection

What does Romans 7:7-12

KJV ⁷ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. ⁸ But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. ⁹ For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. ¹⁰ And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. ¹¹ For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. ¹² Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. CEV ⁷ Does this mean that the Law is sinful? Certainly not! But if it had not been for the Law, I would not have known what sin is really like. For example, I would not have known what it means to want something that belongs to someone else, unless the Law had told me not to do this. ⁸ It was sin that used this command as a way of making me have all kinds of desires. But without the Law, sin is dead. ⁹ Before I knew about the Law, I was alive. But as soon as I heard that command, sin came to life, ¹⁰ and I died. The very command that was supposed to bring life to me, instead brought death. ¹¹ Sin used this command to trick me, and because of it I died. ¹² Still, the Law and its commands are holy and correct and good.
teach about how the law reveals sin?

Reveal Suggested Answer

How does seeing the law as holy and good change how we view obedience?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- TUE – Love and Obedience

- Lesson

Read the following:

John 14:15

KJV ¹⁵ If ye love me, keep my commandments. CEV ¹⁵ Jesus said to his disciples: If you love me, you will do as I command.

1 John 5:3

KJV ³ For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. CEV ³ We show our love for God by obeying his commandments, and they are not hard to follow.

Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15

KJV ¹⁵ If ye love me, keep my commandments. CEV ¹⁵ Jesus said to his disciples: If you love me, you will do as I command.
). Love is not just a feeling—it is a choice to obey God. 1 John 5:3

KJV ³ For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. CEV ³ We show our love for God by obeying his commandments, and they are not hard to follow.
teaches that God’s commandments are not burdensome when kept out of love.

Legalism happens when people obey for the wrong reasons—trying to earn salvation instead of responding to God’s love.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Ellen White explains that obedience should never be about fear but should come from a heart filled with love for God.

- Conclusion

Obedience is not about earning salvation—it is a response to God’s love.

- Reflection

What do John 14:15

KJV ¹⁵ If ye love me, keep my commandments. CEV ¹⁵ Jesus said to his disciples: If you love me, you will do as I command.
and 1 John 5:3

KJV ³ For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. CEV ³ We show our love for God by obeying his commandments, and they are not hard to follow.
teach about the relationship between love and obedience?

Reveal Suggested Answer

How can we ensure that our obedience to God comes from love, not obligation?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- WED – The Greatest Commandment

- Lesson

Read the following:

Deuteronomy 6:4-5

KJV ⁴ Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: ⁵ And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. CEV ⁴ Listen, Israel! The Lord our God is the only true God! ⁵ So love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength.

Matthew 22:37

KJV ³⁷ Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. CEV ³⁷ Jesus answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.

Jesus called love for God the greatest commandment. It means putting Him first in all areas of life. Deuteronomy 6:4-5

KJV ⁴ Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: ⁵ And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. CEV ⁴ Listen, Israel! The Lord our God is the only true God! ⁵ So love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength.
shows that this was always God’s expectation for His people.

When we love God fully, everything else—including obedience and love for others—flows naturally.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Ellen White explains that loving God with all our heart means complete surrender—placing Him above everything else.

- Conclusion

Loving God is more than belief—it is about putting Him at the center of our lives.

- Reflection

What do Deuteronomy 6:4-5

KJV ⁴ Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: ⁵ And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. CEV ⁴ Listen, Israel! The Lord our God is the only true God! ⁵ So love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength.
and Matthew 22:37

KJV ³⁷ Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. CEV ³⁷ Jesus answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
teach about the importance of loving God?

Reveal Suggested Answer

How can we show that we love God with all our heart, soul, and mind?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- THU – Love in Action

- Lesson

Read the following:

1 Corinthians 13:1-7

KJV ¹ Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. ² And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. ³ And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. ⁴ Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, ⁵ Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; ⁶ Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; ⁷ Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. CEV ¹ What if I could speak all languages of humans and even of angels? If I did not love others, I would be nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. ² What if I could prophesy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge? And what if I had faith that moved mountains? I would be nothing, unless I loved others. ³ What if I gave away all that I owned and let myself be burned alive? I would gain nothing, unless I loved others. ⁴ Love is patient and kind, never jealous, boastful, proud, or ⁵ rude. Love isn't selfish or quick tempered. It doesn't keep a record of wrongs that others do. ⁶ Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. ⁷ Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting.

James 2:14-17

KJV ¹⁴ What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶ And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? ¹⁷ Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. CEV ¹⁴ My friends, what good is it to say you have faith, when you don't do anything to show you really do have faith? Can this kind of faith save you? ¹⁵ If you know someone who doesn't have any clothes or food, ¹⁶ you shouldn't just say, “I hope all goes well for you. I hope you will be warm and have plenty to eat.” What good is it to say this, unless you do something to help? ¹⁷ Faith that doesn't lead us to do good deeds is all alone and dead!

Paul describes love as patient, kind, and selfless. James teaches that faith without works is dead, showing that real love must be demonstrated.

Loving God and others is not just about emotions—it is about our actions and choices.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Ellen White explains that true love is revealed in acts of kindness and service.

- Conclusion

Genuine love is not just words—it transforms how we treat others.

- Reflection

What do 1 Corinthians 13:1-7

KJV ¹ Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. ² And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. ³ And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. ⁴ Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, ⁵ Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; ⁶ Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; ⁷ Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. CEV ¹ What if I could speak all languages of humans and even of angels? If I did not love others, I would be nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. ² What if I could prophesy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge? And what if I had faith that moved mountains? I would be nothing, unless I loved others. ³ What if I gave away all that I owned and let myself be burned alive? I would gain nothing, unless I loved others. ⁴ Love is patient and kind, never jealous, boastful, proud, or ⁵ rude. Love isn't selfish or quick tempered. It doesn't keep a record of wrongs that others do. ⁶ Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. ⁷ Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting.
and James 2:14-17

KJV ¹⁴ What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶ And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? ¹⁷ Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. CEV ¹⁴ My friends, what good is it to say you have faith, when you don't do anything to show you really do have faith? Can this kind of faith save you? ¹⁵ If you know someone who doesn't have any clothes or food, ¹⁶ you shouldn't just say, “I hope all goes well for you. I hope you will be warm and have plenty to eat.” What good is it to say this, unless you do something to help? ¹⁷ Faith that doesn't lead us to do good deeds is all alone and dead!
teach about the nature of true love?

Reveal Suggested Answer

How can we make sure that our faith and love are active, not just theoretical?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- FRI – Further Thought

- Lesson

This week’s study has shown that love and law are inseparable. We obey God because we love Him, and we love others because we reflect His character.

Love is not just a feeling—it is seen in obedience, justice, and service. Jesus showed perfect love, and He calls us to follow His example.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Ellen White explains that God’s law is not about restrictions but about living in love.

- Conclusion

When we love as Jesus loved, we naturally fulfill God’s law.

- Reflection

How does understanding that love fulfills the law change how we live our faith?

Reveal Suggested Answer

How can we grow in love so that our obedience flows from a transformed heart?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- LESSON SUMMARY

Love Is the Fulfillment of the Law

This week’s lesson showed that love is at the heart of God's law. True obedience flows from love, and following God means reflecting His love to others. When we live in love, we fulfill God’s law in the way He intended.