The Ten Commandments, listed in the book of Exodus, chapter 20, has got to be one of the quintessential lessons taught to kids in Sunday School. But if you ask the average kid to recite them, more than likely you will come up with more blank stares than answers. One of the main reasons that kids don't memorize the Ten Commandments, is because they don't understand what they mean and why they are commandments of God in the first place. "Thou shall not ____!" or "Thou shall____!" are things kids hear constantly. One of the first things that kids need to understand is that the Commandments are not a list of "do's" and "don'ts" to make life more difficult, but they are a list of blessings for a full life. They are moral guidelines established by God because He alone knows what is best for us as we journey through life. When kids begin to see that the Ten Commandments represent His love and not anger, they will begin to understand the importance of following them in the first place. Let's take a look at each them. Don't worry, there won't be a grown up quiz later... or will there?
First Commandment: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. "
Basically, this command makes it very clear to kids that there is only one God. In a pluralistic culture, this is essential for them to understand before anything else.
Second Commandment: “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments."
Building on the first commandment, the second teaches that if God is the only God, why would you worship something that's not God? An idol is anything we put in a place of importance before God. Kids need to understand that many things can become idols, such as sports, video games, school, friends, money and yes; the all mighty iphone!
Third Commandment: “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name."
I call this one the "Bad Word" or "No Cussing" commandment. Grown ups know about this one, right? Bite your tongue and don't say "G.D." Kids need to see that just as we respect our parents and friends, God deserves respect as well and His name should never be connected to anger, joking or anything other than worship.
Forth Commandment: “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy."
In today's culture, we find it very difficult to rest. It almost goes against our nature to just do nothing. We are inadvertently taught that idle time means a lack of productivity. But the Bible is very clear God made us to need rest. Part of of human spirit cries out for rest and hurts when it doesn't receive it. If we can teach kids, while they are young, that resting one day a week is healthy for our bodies, minds and spirits, they will continue this into adulthood. And probably have less physical and emotional problems.
Commandment Five: “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you."
Yeah right! I can't count how many times I've had to say, "Watch that mouth, mister!" Not only is this an important commandment for parents, but it clearly says that we will live longer if we just respect our parents. This is a commandment with a promise, so kids can clearly see the benefits of this one. Basically, if they want to eventually play a Virtual Xbox, they need to live long enough to see it!
Commandment Six: “You shall not murder." Pretty simple one, right? Well, you would be surprised how many kids bring up war, capital punishment and self-defense. Kids need to understand that there is a big difference between killing and murder. What I believe the sixth commandment is speaking to us about is murder; the taking of an innocent life for selfish, unjust or malicious reasons. Many faithful people will differ on what this murder entails and parents can discuss this with their children according to your beliefs.
Commandment Seven: “You shall not commit adultery."
Good luck with this one! Explaining this one should open up a nice conversation about the birds and the bees! But what this commandment does is provide a great opportunity to explain what marriage is. If you're married, talk about the relationship with your spouse and how close you are to each other. Explain the special bond you have to each other and how marriage is the only thing that creates that bond. Then explain that adultery is when people try and create this bond outside of marriage. If you're not married, use some friends or family as an example. I'll be praying about the questions that might come up with this one!
Commandment Eight: “You shall not steal."
Kids understand this commandment pretty well and understand the moral aspects of stealing. Most of them know that it's wrong to steal, but also this commandment gives you the chance to explain how stealing hurts others. You can also use this as an opportunity to explain the importance of hard work and earning the things you have in life. This also opens the door to discuss the importance of patience and that waiting for the things we want in life is not always a bad thing.
First Commandment: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. "
Basically, this command makes it very clear to kids that there is only one God. In a pluralistic culture, this is essential for them to understand before anything else.
Second Commandment: “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments."
Building on the first commandment, the second teaches that if God is the only God, why would you worship something that's not God? An idol is anything we put in a place of importance before God. Kids need to understand that many things can become idols, such as sports, video games, school, friends, money and yes; the all mighty iphone!
Third Commandment: “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name."
I call this one the "Bad Word" or "No Cussing" commandment. Grown ups know about this one, right? Bite your tongue and don't say "G.D." Kids need to see that just as we respect our parents and friends, God deserves respect as well and His name should never be connected to anger, joking or anything other than worship.
Forth Commandment: “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy."
In today's culture, we find it very difficult to rest. It almost goes against our nature to just do nothing. We are inadvertently taught that idle time means a lack of productivity. But the Bible is very clear God made us to need rest. Part of of human spirit cries out for rest and hurts when it doesn't receive it. If we can teach kids, while they are young, that resting one day a week is healthy for our bodies, minds and spirits, they will continue this into adulthood. And probably have less physical and emotional problems.
Commandment Five: “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you."
Yeah right! I can't count how many times I've had to say, "Watch that mouth, mister!" Not only is this an important commandment for parents, but it clearly says that we will live longer if we just respect our parents. This is a commandment with a promise, so kids can clearly see the benefits of this one. Basically, if they want to eventually play a Virtual Xbox, they need to live long enough to see it!
Commandment Six: “You shall not murder." Pretty simple one, right? Well, you would be surprised how many kids bring up war, capital punishment and self-defense. Kids need to understand that there is a big difference between killing and murder. What I believe the sixth commandment is speaking to us about is murder; the taking of an innocent life for selfish, unjust or malicious reasons. Many faithful people will differ on what this murder entails and parents can discuss this with their children according to your beliefs.
Commandment Seven: “You shall not commit adultery."
Good luck with this one! Explaining this one should open up a nice conversation about the birds and the bees! But what this commandment does is provide a great opportunity to explain what marriage is. If you're married, talk about the relationship with your spouse and how close you are to each other. Explain the special bond you have to each other and how marriage is the only thing that creates that bond. Then explain that adultery is when people try and create this bond outside of marriage. If you're not married, use some friends or family as an example. I'll be praying about the questions that might come up with this one!
Commandment Eight: “You shall not steal."
Kids understand this commandment pretty well and understand the moral aspects of stealing. Most of them know that it's wrong to steal, but also this commandment gives you the chance to explain how stealing hurts others. You can also use this as an opportunity to explain the importance of hard work and earning the things you have in life. This also opens the door to discuss the importance of patience and that waiting for the things we want in life is not always a bad thing.
Commandment Nine: “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor." A couple of blogs ago, in Trust is a Must, I wrote about the importance of trusting each other within the family. Commandment Nine simply tells us not to lie to each other. Discuss how lying hurts more people than we might realize. Explain that lying can lead to more lying and get us into deeper trouble. Most importantly, share with your kids how lying to each other breaks trust. Explain to them that is the importance of trusting each other and how lying can hurt and even destroy relationships.
Commandment Ten: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” In the extremely consumerist culture that we live in, kids grow up wanting more and more, and wanting it right now. This commandment provides a great opportunity to teach kids about what it means to be content with what we have. When their friends have something that they don't, encourage them to be happy for them. Point out the good things that your family has, and the importance of thanking God for your blessings.
Commandment Ten: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” In the extremely consumerist culture that we live in, kids grow up wanting more and more, and wanting it right now. This commandment provides a great opportunity to teach kids about what it means to be content with what we have. When their friends have something that they don't, encourage them to be happy for them. Point out the good things that your family has, and the importance of thanking God for your blessings.
