Lesson: Sixth Commandment (No. CB75

Goal: To teach the children what is meant by the sixth commandment.

Objectives:

1. Children will understand what is meant by “thou shall not kill”.

2. Children will understand the spiritual intent of the sixth commandment

3. Children will learn about society’s responsibility under the sixth commandment.

Relevant Scriptures:

Matthew 5:21-24; James 4:7; Ephesians 4:26; Matthew 21:12-13; Proverbs 15:1; Luke 6:27-31

Memory Scriptures:

Exodus 20:13: You shall not kill.

Reference Materials:

The Ten Commandments (No. CB17)

Introduction to the Priesthood of Eloah over time (No. CB115)

Cain and Abel: Sons of Adam (No.CB007)

The Good Samaritan (No. CB39)

Format:

Open with prayer.

Poster Board Activity (Optional). If using the poster board from the previous lesson add the sixth commandment to the poster board.

Lesson on The Sixth Commandment.

Activity associated with the lesson

Close with prayer

Lesson:

1. Read through the paper The Sixth Commandment, No. CB75 unless it is read as a sermonette with the children present.

2. Children’s questions are in bold. This is a general review of the material covered in the lesson.

Q1. How many commandments are there? How are they grouped?

A. There are ten commandments. They are grouped into two categories that teach us how to love God and then how to love our neighbor.

Q2. What is the sixth commandment and where is it in the Bible?

A. You shall not kill. It is found in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5

Q3: Who gave us life? Should we take life from someone else?

A. Life is a precious gift from God, and since only God can create life, only He can decide when a life should end.

Q4. What are the five centralities of God and His Law?

A. God and His law are holy, righteous, goodness, perfect and truth.

Q5. Who is working against us and against the sixth commandment?

A. Satan is working against us as the Father of lies and the Prince of the power of air. He will use any means to try to separate people from obeying God’s laws.

Q6. Can we fight against Satan?

A. Of course! James 4:7 says if we submit ourselves to God and resist Satan, he will flee from us!

Q7. Why are there examples of killing in the Bible if the commandments says “You shall not kill”?

A. We can think of the word “kill” in the commandment as “murder”. Any purposeful, unauthorized taking of life is murder. This is what God forbids in the commandments.

Q8. Are there ever times when killing is ok?

A. The Law does specify ways and circumstances where a person may be lawfully put to death due to their sin and its effect on the safety of society. There are also certain acts for which God allows a government to impose the penalty of capital punishment for the good of the society and we are also given the right to defend ourselves. These do not violate the Sixth Commandment because they are part of the overall Law of God.

Q9. Does taking life mean only in the physical term of killing or hurting someone?

A. No the law does not only apply to the physical meaning of murder. There is also a spiritual intent of the sixth commandment.

Q10. What is meant by the spiritual intent of the Law?

A. Jesus says in Matthew 5 that we are not to even be angry without cause. This is the spiritual part of the Law. The Israelites lived with just the physical intent, or meaning of the Law. Since the Holy Spirit was given on Pentecost in 30 CE we have the power to live out both the physical and spiritual intent of the Law. We need to guard our thoughts against sin in addition to our words and actions. God's way is the way of love and helping, not fighting or hurting or arguing with others.

Q11. Is there ever a time that we can be angry?

A. The Bible does teach that there is a time to be angry, but we need to be sure our anger is directed toward injustice and sinful acts, not people.

Q12. How should we react to anger-provoking situations?

A. Luke 6:31 teaches us to treat others just as we want to be treated. If everybody just treated others the way they wanted to be treated, the world would be a better place. There are many Scriptures that tell us how to respond to anger, like Proverbs 15:1: “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger”. (RSV) The main thing to remember is we need to be in control of our feelings or emotions and not let our emotions control us.

Q13. Is it natural to love our enemies? If not, where does one get such love?

A. No, it is very hard to love our enemies especially when they are being mean to us. The human mind is sinful and does not want to obey God’s Law naturally. That’s why we need God’s Holy Spirit. Without God’s Spirit, the human mind is influenced and controlled by the god of this world, who is Satan. However, when God’s Holy Spirit is working with us, we are able to use the fruits of the Spirit and make better choices. God is love (1Jn. 4:8; Rom. 13:10). God wants all of us to be like Him. When we love our neighbour it shows that the love of God is in us.

Q14. Is it easy to follow the 6th Commandment?

A. Yes, it can be easy if we stay close to God.

Deuteronomy 30:11: "For this commandment which I command you this day is not too hard for you, neither is it far off.” (RSV)

Matthew 11:30 – “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (RSV)

Q15. How might the Sixth Commandment be stated positively?

A. “You shall make alive.” Our responsibility or job is to provide life or take care of each other. Just as God cares for and looks after us, we are to love our brother and take care of our brother.

Q16. What are some examples of instructions for the safety, health and good of society?

1. To keep alive by just and fair laws (leaving the corners of the field for the poor; building walls, fences, railings, etc. for the safety of those around them.)

2. To treat the disabled fairly and kindly. The law provides for the protection of the person who is disabled. We are not to even make fun of disabled people or people with fewer skills than we have.

3. To treat all people in Godly fashion. The law provides for the protection of all people; this includes both physical and emotional attacks.

Activity Options:

Poster Board / Egg Activity:

Supplies:

1 red poster board: labeled on top BREAK and under it, You shall not Murder

1 blue poster board: labeled on top KEEP and under it, You Shall not Murder

2 clear glasses (probably better they are at least 16 ounces).

Blue and red food colouring

2 raw eggs (may want to have extra for back up if one breaks accidentally)

2 plastic teaspoons (or can be tablespoons)

1 cup salt

1 cup sugar

Cut strips of construction paper to double the number of the students there. Have the strips labeled with a positive and negative of keeping the Commandment or breaking the Commandment – e.g. saying mean things / forgiving someone.

Activity -

● Display the red and blue poster boards in front of the room.

● Place a container filled with at least 4 quarts of water and an egg in front of each respective board.

● Add food colouring to water to match the color of the board. Place the cup of salt and a teaspoon by the blue water and place a teaspoon and the cup of sugar by the red water. Don’t tell the children yet that one is salt and one is sugar.

● Have the children pick a strip of paper and guess which board the strip belongs on.

● Allow the child to mount the strip on the correct board then place a spoonful of either sugar or salt in the respective container and stir it in.

● After all the children have had a chance to place two strips on the poster boards, carefully put the egg into the glass with sugar and then put the egg into the glass with salt. (If the egg does not rise from the salt, add more salt).

● Discuss the symbolism of the sugar and salt. Both substances are white and look the same, but they react differently. We are to be the salt of the earth (Matt 5:13). The egg that is preserved by the salt of God’s word rises to the top (you will need to have salt in 4 quarts of water to make the egg rise). An egg that is sugared up drowns in sin.

Have the children proceed to talk about the issues related to the 6^th Commandment. Have discussion on how God’s Law preserves and protects us.

Close with prayer.