Lesson Presentation Idea

Catechism 1.3

2nd & 3rd Commandment

2nd Commandment Lesson:

The gimmick here is that as the presenter explains about the Commandments, s/he begins to get perturbed at some of the students (for not paying attention?). In scolding them, the presenter uses "curses" that take the names of other students (or adults) present "in vain" (see a-d, below, for examples and order).

After the last such curse, have someone stand up and say: "Hey! Now cut that out!" Of course, you will have to prepare this person beforehand and let him/her know the cue for when to stand and object. Let's say the names to be "wrongfully used) are Roger, Bob, Jean and Ruth. Here's how the bit might go:

a. The presenter explains that The 10 Commandments are a.k.a. The Law (Standards, Rules). The presenter then notices (for instance) that Mary is talking, and says: "Sweet Mother of Roger, Mary, please be quiet!"

b. The presenter then continues, explaining that the Commands are a Gift from God, but now (let's say) Jennifer is the student who needs reprimanding. "BobDangit, Jennifer, please stop talking!"

c. At this point, the students are probably wondering what's going on and so are not as likely to be talking. The presenter goes on, explaining that Commands have a positive and a Negative side. And then, "For Jean's Sake, Mario, please cut that out!"

d. The presenter explains that Commands 2 & 3 help us communicate with God, and then says, "Oh My Ruth! Eddie, what have you done to your hair?"

e. Here, the your "plant" stands and says: "Hey! What is this? We don't like having our names used like this. Please stop it."

g. The presenter then apolgizes. Then explains: (1) we don't like our names being used wrongfully because it shows tremendous disrespect for the person behind the name. And so it is with God's name.

3rd Commandment Lesson:

The Presenter explains that the meaning of the word "Sabbath" is "rest" (in other words to rest, to relax, to take it easy); this is the word God gave the 7th day. And the word "Holy" means something "set apart, worthy of honor, special."

The Presenter then does a roving reporter and walks through the crowd, asking: What's your excuse for skipping church on Sunday? Kids ar asked, but so also are adults. It's good to prepare the adults with some "stock" answers, especially the kinds of answers parents might give: "I've got other things to do: mow lawn, wash car, watch football." "I don't need a church to worship God; I just go outside and worship all by myself." "Church? Church might be something for the wife and kids--but it's not for me."

After enough answers are given, the presenter says something like: "There are about as many reasons to skip church as there are people who skip church. But God asks us to keep the 3rd Commandment not because it's good for God, but because it's good for us. We "Remember the Sabbath and keep it Holy" because it's important to set apart time to come together to listen to and worship God."