What’s in a name?

01 · GATHER ROUND

Start with a question.

“Do you know what your name means—or why it was chosen for you?”

If you know the story behind each child’s name, this is a sweet moment to tell it. If a name’s story is unknown or tender, share what you love about how that name fits them.

03 · OPEN THE BIBLE

Names matter.

You win a shiny trophy, and there’s your name on it—spelled wrong. Or someone you barely know uses your name as a joke. It stings, doesn’t it? Your name isn’t just a word. It stands for you.

The first three commandments are all about keeping God in his rightful place. The first says to worship only the one true God. That means more than knowing he’s real. It means trusting him—leaning on him, listening to him, and letting him be the most important one in our lives.

The second commandment warns against idols. Long ago, people carved statues and bowed down to them. We might not do that, but we can still build idols in our hearts—things we treat as more important than God, like winning, being popular, or always getting our own way. We’ll talk more about idols in a few weeks.

The third commandment is about God’s name. In the Bible, God’s name tells us who he is: holy, faithful, loving, and strong. Treating his name with reverence means speaking it with respect and wonder. When people toss God’s name around as a joke or an exclamation, they treat the greatest name in the universe as if it doesn’t matter.

Moses sums it up in our reading: fear the Lord, serve him only, and don’t follow other gods. Fear here doesn’t mean being scared of God the way you might be scared of a spider. It means awe—knowing God is so holy, powerful, and good that we take him seriously, trust him completely, and want to honor him with our whole hearts.

Of course, we don’t always keep God first. But Jesus always did, and he gives his people new hearts that want to. And here’s good news: God knows your name, too. He never spells it wrong, and he never forgets it. You matter to him.

04 · WONDER TOGETHER

Let’s talk about it.

1. What’s something that could become more important to you than God if you’re not careful?
2. Why do you think God cares about how people use his name?
3. What’s the difference between being scared of God and being in awe of him?

Try answering one yourself first. “I don’t know yet” is a fine place to start a conversation.

06 · TALK TO GOD

Let’s pray.

Holy God, there is no one like you, and your name is the greatest name of all. Forgive us for the times we put other things first or use your name carelessly. Help us trust you, worship only you, and speak your name with love and wonder. Thank you that you know each of our names and never forget us. Amen.

Then invite everyone to add one thing they want to tell God.

07 · MAKE IT STICK

A little truth to learn by heart.

Grab a soft ball and play Catch and Say. Whoever throws calls out “first,” “second,” or “third,” and whoever catches says that part of the answer. Keep tossing until everyone has caught every part at least once.