The Ten Commandment: Exodus 20

I realized the other day that I've never sat down with my children and taught them about the Ten Commandments.   We've talked about the Golden Rule – Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  We've made family rules – no hitting, no name calling, etc.  But we've never actually stopped to talk about God's rules.  Having realized this, and seeing some problem behaviors beginning to develop, I came up with this short lesson for teaching kids about the Ten Commandments.

Step 1: Read Exodus 20. (I have to say this because I'm not the best role model for daily scripture reading. I'm working on it, though…)

Step 2: Have your children rephrase each of the commandments in their own words. For example, "Honor thy father and they mother" becomes something like, "Be respectful to your parents and listen to them. Talk about what God tells us to do or not do, discuss the order the commandments are given. What is the significance of that (Commandments about our relationship with God are first…)? Ask for examples of behaviors that might break the commandments (when I say my sister ate the candy that I really ate, I am bearing false witness).  And answer any questions your kids have.

Step 3: Make & play a game (This is the part that most intrigued my kids.). I created a lift-the-flap Ten Commandments activity. For younger children the commandments would already be inserted under the flaps, and they could lift the flaps for you to read the rule. For older children the commandments could be removed and mixed up, so they could then put them in order under the appropriate flap (see the picture below).

Instructions to create your own (the kids can help, too):

1. On poster board (or other heavy paper) draw two large stone tablets.
2. On index cards (or card stock paper) write the numbers 1-10. Make a fold line near the top of each card, and glue them to the poster above the fold line.
3. Print out the attached template of the commandments and cut out each individually (I've made this a Word document so you can change the paraphrases or remove them altogether.). For a sturdier game, put these on index cards or laminate.

Ways to play:

1. Mix up the commandment cards, and time each child to see who can put them in order first.
2. Let each child draw a card and place it in the right spot until all cards are placed. Whoever puts the most in the right spot wins.
3. Insert the cards under the proper numbers. Pick a number, and whoever says the commandment first gets the card. The person with the most cards at the end wins.

A Quick Thought on Mitt Romney's Latest Shocking Remarks

I'm sure you've all heard Republican candidate Mitt Romney's remarks that "There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what.  There are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe that government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you name it."

More shocking than the fact that he apparently doesn't believe that all people are entitled to food and housing, is the fact that he thinks his remarks are offensive simply because he didn't phrase it well.  He actually said, "It's not elegantly stated, let me put it that way. I was speaking off the cuff in response to a question." I pay income taxes, unlike the people Mr. Romney disdains, but I still think everyone is entitled to food and housing.  Our Lord commanded us to care for the poor, the sick, those in prisons.  The Lord cares for all Americans.  Mr. Romney professes to, but he clearly doesn't.  The rich man in the Bible was unwilling to give up his possessions to help those less fortunate and follow the Lord, and it seems Mr. Romney is the same type of rich man.  If those who have more are not going to help those less fortunate as the Lord commanded, then government has to fill that need.  Should 47% of Americans live on the streets? Starve?

I can't even begin to express how disgusted I am with this man, and how scared I am that he just may get elected.