CSB
Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.
NIV
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly[a] with your God.
ESV
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness,[a] and to walk humbly with your God?
Memorization Strategies
Try one or two of these strategies to make memorizing easier, especially for dyslexia and learning differences.
Do what is right, love mercy, walk humbly with God.
- to act justly: hold your hands out flat like a balanced scale.
- to love faithfulness: place both hands over your heart.
- and to walk humbly with your God: take a small, slow step forward while bowing your head slightly, then point upward.
Draw three simple pictures in a row: a scale or balanced seesaw labeled โjustice,โ a heart labeled โmercyโ or โfaithfulness,โ and a small person walking beside a bigger figure labeled โGod.โ Write โdo justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your Godโ around or under the drawings.
Head Summary
God tells his people clearly what he cares about. He is not only interested in sacrifices and religious activity. What the Lord requires is that his people act justly, love faithfulness and mercy, and walk humbly with him. Justice means doing what is right and fair, especially for those who are weak or mistreated. Loving faithfulness means sticking with loyal, forgiving love. Walking humbly means living close to God without pride. This verse is one of the clearest summaries of Godโs will for how his people should live.
Heart Prompt
As a family, talk about one small situation where you could live out each part of this verse this week: โข Act justly: Is there someone being left out, treated unfairly, or ignored that you could stand up for or include? โข Love mercy: Is there someone you could forgive, be patient with, or show kindness to instead of holding a grudge? โข Walk humbly with your God: Is there a way to admit your need for God, say โI was wrong,โ or depend on Him instead of bragging or pretending you have it all together? Choose one concrete action in at least one of these areas and do it together.
Hands Practice
As a family, talk about one small situation where you could live out each part of this verse this week: โข Act justly: Is there someone being left out, treated unfairly, or ignored that you could stand up for or include? โข Love mercy: Is there someone you could forgive, be patient with, or show kindness to instead of holding a grudge? โข Walk humbly with your God: Is there a way to admit your need for God, say โI was wrong,โ or depend on Him instead of bragging or pretending you have it all together? Choose one concrete action in at least one of these areas and do it together.
Family Question
If someone asked, โWhat is Godโs will for my life?โ, how could you answer using this verse: act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God?
Prayer
Lord, thank You for showing us what is good and not hiding Your will from us. Teach our family to act justly, to love faithfulness and mercy, and to walk humbly with You. Open our eyes to see where we can do what is right, show Your kindness, and depend on You instead of ourselves. Help us to live out Your will in our everyday lives. Amen.