the 10 Commandments

Opening question: What do you think should be Rule #1 for all the people of the world?

Let’s read the 10 Commandments (from Exodus 20:3-17), given by God to the nation of Israel about 3500 years ago:

1 Do not put any other gods in place of Me.

2 Do not make statues of gods that look like anything in the sky or on the earth or in the waters. Do not bow down to them or worship them. I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God. I punish the children for the sin of their parents. I punish the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of those who hate Me. But for all time to come I show love to all those who love Me and keep my commandments.

3 Do not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will find guilty anyone who misuses His name.

4 Remember to keep the Sabbath day holy. Do all of your work in six days. But the seventh day is a Sabbath in honor of the LORD your God. Do not do any work on that day. The same command applies to your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and your animals. It also applies to any foreiners who live in your cities. In six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth. He made the oceans and everything in them. But He rested on the seventh day. So He blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

5 Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long time in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

6 Do not commit murder.

7 Do not commit adultery.

8 Do not steal.

9 Do not give false witness against your neighbor.

10 Do not long for anything that belongs to your neighbor. Do not long for your neighbor's house, wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey.

Discussion questions:
a - Circle any difficult words.
b - What is a commandment?
c - Make up a 2011 version of commandment #10?
d - What do you think was the purpose of these commandments?
e - What happens if we obey or disobey God’s commandment(s)?
f - Which commandment do you think is the most important one? Why?
g - Which commandment do you think is the most difficult to obey? Explain.
h - Why should anyone obey the 10 commandments in 2011?