Teaching Morality to Kids and Youth A look at the Ten Commandments

Teaching Morality to Teaching Morality to Kids and YouthKids and Youth

A look at the Ten A look at the Ten CommandmentsCommandments

Opening PrayerOpening Prayer

IntroductionIntroduction This presentation will be broken up into This presentation will be broken up into

three sectionsthree sections First, we will explore the development of First, we will explore the development of

Moral Psychology. This will help us to Moral Psychology. This will help us to understand what elements of Morality understand what elements of Morality should be emphasized for the different age should be emphasized for the different age groups.groups.

Second, we will explore Moral Theology and Second, we will explore Moral Theology and “The Good” analyzing the “Ends” and the “The Good” analyzing the “Ends” and the “Means”“Means”

Finally, we will take a journey through the Finally, we will take a journey through the Ten Commandments with more practical Ten Commandments with more practical approaches to teaching each approaches to teaching each Commandment to each age group.Commandment to each age group.

Moral PsychologyMoral Psychology Though there are many modern Moral Though there are many modern Moral

Psychologists there are two men who laid Psychologists there are two men who laid the general framework for the study of the general framework for the study of Moral PsychologyMoral Psychology

The first of these is Jean PiagetThe first of these is Jean Piaget The second is Lawrence KohlbergThe second is Lawrence Kohlberg Piaget based his Moral work on the Piaget based his Moral work on the

observation of kids playing Marbles at observation of kids playing Marbles at different ages.different ages.

Kohlberg based his Moral work on the Kohlberg based his Moral work on the responses of kids answering moral responses of kids answering moral dilemmas at different ages.dilemmas at different ages.

Piaget – The Awareness of Piaget – The Awareness of RulesRules

Children up to 5 years old are in Stage 1Children up to 5 years old are in Stage 1 In this stage kids know that some things are In this stage kids know that some things are

allowed while other things forbidden.allowed while other things forbidden. They are primarily interested in doing whatever They are primarily interested in doing whatever

they want regardless of how that fits with they want regardless of how that fits with playmates.playmates.

Think about playing Candy Land with a child, they Think about playing Candy Land with a child, they keep their character on the path as it is keep their character on the path as it is “forbidden” to take it off the path.“forbidden” to take it off the path.

However, regardless of what color card they flip However, regardless of what color card they flip over, they pretty much dash forward at whatever over, they pretty much dash forward at whatever pace they want without much care.pace they want without much care.

It is usually adults and older children that bind It is usually adults and older children that bind them to any sort of order.them to any sort of order.


Children ages 6-9 tend to fall into stage 2Children ages 6-9 tend to fall into stage 2 Students in this age group have an Students in this age group have an

exaggerated respect for the sanctity of exaggerated respect for the sanctity of rules.rules.

Students recognize that rules come from Students recognize that rules come from authority and only the authority can authority and only the authority can change them.change them.

When you watch students in this age play When you watch students in this age play dodgeball they are keenly interested in dodgeball they are keenly interested in the rules and making sure they are the rules and making sure they are followed.followed.

Rules are not challenged at this age, but Rules are not challenged at this age, but they are supremely interested in clarifying they are supremely interested in clarifying them.them.


Stage 3 falls in age group 10-12Stage 3 falls in age group 10-12 The dictates of adults and older children are left The dictates of adults and older children are left

behind.behind. The rules become the tool of the player.The rules become the tool of the player. Players may suggest rules at any time, and if they Players may suggest rules at any time, and if they

are excepted by the other players, the game is are excepted by the other players, the game is adjusted.adjusted.

6-9 year olds when faced with a situation that 6-9 year olds when faced with a situation that doesn’t have a rule, they will run to a teacher to doesn’t have a rule, they will run to a teacher to get clarification.get clarification.

This age group will sort out suggestions, agree, and This age group will sort out suggestions, agree, and amend the game or situation appropriately.amend the game or situation appropriately.

Adolescents understand that the game and rules Adolescents understand that the game and rules were invented and modified over a long period of were invented and modified over a long period of time and that they can continue to modifytime and that they can continue to modify

Kohlberg – Levels of Moral Kohlberg – Levels of Moral ReasoningReasoning

There are 6 stages in this system and only There are 6 stages in this system and only a small percentage ever reach level 5 or 6a small percentage ever reach level 5 or 6

This view of Moral Psychology is my This view of Moral Psychology is my personal favorite and I think it ties in not personal favorite and I think it ties in not only to the stages of individual moral only to the stages of individual moral development, but the moral development development, but the moral development of all mankind since the beginning of time.of all mankind since the beginning of time.

The connections to the development in The connections to the development in scriptures is amazing to me, someday I’ll scriptures is amazing to me, someday I’ll write a doctoral thesis on it.write a doctoral thesis on it.


Most children and delinquents are at Most children and delinquents are at stages 1 & 2.stages 1 & 2.

Most adults are at stages 3 & 4 Most adults are at stages 3 & 4 20% of American adults are at 20% of American adults are at

stages 5 & 6stages 5 & 6 5-10% percent reach stage 65-10% percent reach stage 6 Since very few adolescents reached Since very few adolescents reached

stage 6 Kohlberg grouped stage 5 & stage 6 Kohlberg grouped stage 5 & 6 together.6 together.


Stage 1: Obedience – Pleasure/Pain orientation.Stage 1: Obedience – Pleasure/Pain orientation. If I am good, I get a treat, if I am bad I get time-If I am good, I get a treat, if I am bad I get time-

out.out. Think Adam and Eve – If you do bad, you will die Think Adam and Eve – If you do bad, you will die

and/or Suffer. If you do good you live in paradise. and/or Suffer. If you do good you live in paradise. Blame serpent to avoid punishment. Blame serpent to avoid punishment.

Stage 2: Instrumental – This involves trade-offs Stage 2: Instrumental – This involves trade-offs and deal making.and deal making.

““It is better that I don’t tell on my brother, I do It is better that I don’t tell on my brother, I do bad things too sometimes and I don’t want him bad things too sometimes and I don’t want him squealing on me.”squealing on me.”

Think Cain and Able – “Am I my brother’s Think Cain and Able – “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Or Abraham “If there is but 10 righteous keeper?” Or Abraham “If there is but 10 righteous people…”people…”


Stage 3: Good boy morality: Child is eager for Stage 3: Good boy morality: Child is eager for approval of others and wants to maintain good approval of others and wants to maintain good relationsrelations

““Its better to tell because otherwise they might Its better to tell because otherwise they might think I was involved.” or “If I am good, God will like think I was involved.” or “If I am good, God will like me.”me.”

At this stage people are fully interested in what the At this stage people are fully interested in what the rules are and upholding and defending them.rules are and upholding and defending them.

Think about Moses, the Ten Commandments and Think about Moses, the Ten Commandments and the entire law code given to him by God.the entire law code given to him by God.

Stage 4: Authority and Social Order: Child now seek Stage 4: Authority and Social Order: Child now seek approval of society in general, but has rigid ideas to approval of society in general, but has rigid ideas to what rules are; Child has a law and order mentality.what rules are; Child has a law and order mentality.

““I have to tell, what they are doing just isn’t right.”I have to tell, what they are doing just isn’t right.” We see this stage in Scriptures with the Prophets We see this stage in Scriptures with the Prophets

who call for conversion and repentance. They call who call for conversion and repentance. They call for uniform following of the Law.for uniform following of the Law.


Stage 5: Social Contract: Person makes Stage 5: Social Contract: Person makes contracts and tries hard to keep them; contracts and tries hard to keep them; attempts to keep from violating the will or attempts to keep from violating the will or rights of others; believes in the common rights of others; believes in the common good.good.

““I’ll try to persuade Jimmy to give back the I’ll try to persuade Jimmy to give back the stolen money but if he won’t I’ll tell.”stolen money but if he won’t I’ll tell.”

This stage may also be reflected in the This stage may also be reflected in the Prophets as they make contracts of Prophets as they make contracts of repentance between God and the faithful.repentance between God and the faithful.


Stage 6: Universal Principles: Person shows Stage 6: Universal Principles: Person shows obedience to social rules, except where they can obedience to social rules, except where they can be shown to contradict universal justice. be shown to contradict universal justice. Objections of Conscience fall under this category.Objections of Conscience fall under this category.

““I know that Jimmy is wrong for stealing, I am I know that Jimmy is wrong for stealing, I am going to help him understand that stealing hurts going to help him understand that stealing hurts others, and that he should make it right.”others, and that he should make it right.”

This stage can easily be seen in all of the This stage can easily be seen in all of the teachings of Jesus Christ, St. Paul’s writing, and in teachings of Jesus Christ, St. Paul’s writing, and in the lives of the Martyrs.the lives of the Martyrs.

Even though the law says to worship Pagan Gods Even though the law says to worship Pagan Gods we will accept the penalty for the highest Good, we will accept the penalty for the highest Good, which is faith in Jesus Christ.which is faith in Jesus Christ.

Summary of Moral Summary of Moral PsychologyPsychology

Be conscious of the age group that you are teaching and Be conscious of the age group that you are teaching and understand what stages they are at.understand what stages they are at.

We should always reinforce the values of the next stage but We should always reinforce the values of the next stage but we shouldn’t expect understanding.we shouldn’t expect understanding.

For example, students who hear the story of Jesus For example, students who hear the story of Jesus overturning the tables in the temple and driving people out overturning the tables in the temple and driving people out with a whip is a tricky situation for many.with a whip is a tricky situation for many.

The youngest kids will say “those people that Jesus drove The youngest kids will say “those people that Jesus drove out must have been really bad because he is punishing out must have been really bad because he is punishing them.”them.”

Upper elementary students will say “Isn’t Jesus committing Upper elementary students will say “Isn’t Jesus committing a sin? It is not right to ruin people’s stuff or to use a whip a sin? It is not right to ruin people’s stuff or to use a whip against them.”against them.”

Adolescents and adults will say, “Jesus is protecting the Adolescents and adults will say, “Jesus is protecting the sanctity of the temple. It is like a soldier who kills the sanctity of the temple. It is like a soldier who kills the enemy, killing is wrong unless there is just cause like war or enemy, killing is wrong unless there is just cause like war or self-defense. To offend Almighty God is the worst possible self-defense. To offend Almighty God is the worst possible offense with eternal ramifications and therefore he is just in offense with eternal ramifications and therefore he is just in cause.cause.

Moral TheologyMoral Theology Now that we have a basic understanding of Moral Now that we have a basic understanding of Moral

Psychology, let’s take a look at Moral Theology.Psychology, let’s take a look at Moral Theology. In this assessment of Moral Theology we will see how it is In this assessment of Moral Theology we will see how it is

coupled with Moral Psychology at its different stages.coupled with Moral Psychology at its different stages. We as humans are tempted to leave moral theology at the We as humans are tempted to leave moral theology at the

stage of a 6-9 year old who would like to simply write down stage of a 6-9 year old who would like to simply write down every scenario as right or wrong.every scenario as right or wrong.

This was pursued to unbelievable sophisticated levels This was pursued to unbelievable sophisticated levels where volume upon volume of discernment was made on where volume upon volume of discernment was made on each moral question. This movement was called the each moral question. This movement was called the casuist movement.casuist movement.

They would attempt to determine the exact amount of They would attempt to determine the exact amount of money that would need to be stolen in order for it to be a money that would need to be stolen in order for it to be a mortal sin vs. a venial sin.mortal sin vs. a venial sin.

Modern Moral Theology focuses on “The Good,” that is, Modern Moral Theology focuses on “The Good,” that is, what is the highest good for God, my neighbor, and myself.what is the highest good for God, my neighbor, and myself.

Moral TheologyMoral Theology If I had to some up moral theology in one phrase, it If I had to some up moral theology in one phrase, it

would be, “Be perfect as your heavenly father is would be, “Be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect.”perfect.”

The fulfillment of this command of Christ is only The fulfillment of this command of Christ is only found in living saints and is promised to us in the found in living saints and is promised to us in the inheritance of heaven.inheritance of heaven.

This perfection is impossible to attain without grace This perfection is impossible to attain without grace and it requires continual conversion throughout and it requires continual conversion throughout one’s life.one’s life.

However, it provides us with the ultimate principle However, it provides us with the ultimate principle by which we should guide all actions.by which we should guide all actions.

It is important to remember that perfection does It is important to remember that perfection does not mean popularity or that people will like you.not mean popularity or that people will like you.

People hated Christ for his perfection and Jesus People hated Christ for his perfection and Jesus instructs us that the world that loves darkness instructs us that the world that loves darkness hates the light and those who walk in it.hates the light and those who walk in it.

Moral TheologyMoral Theology In the writings of St. Paul we see the most In the writings of St. Paul we see the most

pronounced movement from the idea of pronounced movement from the idea of letter of the law to the spirit of the law.letter of the law to the spirit of the law.

In the new covenant the law “Is written on In the new covenant the law “Is written on their hearts.” their hearts.”

St. Paul talks about living in the Spirit and St. Paul talks about living in the Spirit and freedom from the restraints of the law, freedom from the restraints of the law, because when love is the over-riding because when love is the over-riding Universal Principle, then all things we do Universal Principle, then all things we do will be holy.will be holy.

St. Paul also states that it is the law that St. Paul also states that it is the law that helps us to discover what true love is.helps us to discover what true love is.

Moral TheologyMoral Theology In order for us to choose the perfect or most loving option In order for us to choose the perfect or most loving option

when faced with any situation, we must understand that when faced with any situation, we must understand that there is a hierarchy of Goods with God being the ultimate there is a hierarchy of Goods with God being the ultimate Good.Good.

For example, “Billy discovers that mom has left a tray of For example, “Billy discovers that mom has left a tray of hot cookies on the counter unguarded with a little sign that hot cookies on the counter unguarded with a little sign that reads ‘don’t touch.’” reads ‘don’t touch.’”

If Billy sees the note and knows that he loves his mom very If Billy sees the note and knows that he loves his mom very much and doesn’t want to ruin the trust in that relationship, much and doesn’t want to ruin the trust in that relationship, then that is the highest Good.then that is the highest Good.

Billy sees the note and knows that obeying his parents is Billy sees the note and knows that obeying his parents is good and that he will get in trouble if he doesn’t. This also good and that he will get in trouble if he doesn’t. This also is Good.is Good.

Billy sees the note and but remembers how Good fresh hot Billy sees the note and but remembers how Good fresh hot cookies are, and he knows that mom won’t notice if one is cookies are, and he knows that mom won’t notice if one is missing. Eating a warm chewy cookie is Good.missing. Eating a warm chewy cookie is Good.

The child who denies himself the pleasure of the warm The child who denies himself the pleasure of the warm cookie out of desire to remain a good boy and to love his cookie out of desire to remain a good boy and to love his mother has made a perfect moral choice.mother has made a perfect moral choice.

Moral TheologyMoral Theology The example of the cookie points us to a certain The example of the cookie points us to a certain

reality, we always choose things for some reality, we always choose things for some projected good.projected good.

Sin is the gap between the Highest Good and the Sin is the gap between the Highest Good and the Actual Good selected.Actual Good selected.

Sin is the missing love that harms our Sin is the missing love that harms our relationships or the harms our own appreciation relationships or the harms our own appreciation of the Good.of the Good.

If the boy violates the order on the note, he has If the boy violates the order on the note, he has hurt the trust in his relationship with his mom.hurt the trust in his relationship with his mom.

When someone hurts their enemy, they think that When someone hurts their enemy, they think that this is good. However the greatest good is this is good. However the greatest good is reconciliation.reconciliation.

When someone has pre-marital sex they see the When someone has pre-marital sex they see the goodness of the sexual act, but the greatest good goodness of the sexual act, but the greatest good is marital love.is marital love.

The Highest GoodThe Highest GoodTo explain the hierarchy of goods let’s look at human sexuality

*Note that these are not all Good actions, the perceived goodthe person is seeking is what is meant by good.

Conjugal Love in MarriageFree, Total, Fruitful, and Faithful Highest Good

Fornication: Pre-Marital SexMay be Free, Fruitful, and Faithful but not Total

Contraception in Marriage:Not total or fruitful though free and faithful

MasturbationNot fruitful, faithful, or total

Homosexual ActsAgainst natural Law

AdulteryNot Faithful or Total – Violation of the Sacrament

Rape/AbuseNot Free, total, fruitful, or faithful Lowest Good

Gap = Sin

Greater degreeof sin

Greatest Degreeof sin

Practically SpeakingPractically Speaking The reason I used sex as an example is because there are The reason I used sex as an example is because there are

so many “Apparent Goods” sub divided underneath it.so many “Apparent Goods” sub divided underneath it. You may wonder why rape is listed as “lowest Good” when You may wonder why rape is listed as “lowest Good” when

it is clearly evil.it is clearly evil. Even the rapist thinks they are gaining good things, like Even the rapist thinks they are gaining good things, like

power and pleasure. It is only apparent, not actual good.power and pleasure. It is only apparent, not actual good. Most of the issues we will discuss with the youth in the Most of the issues we will discuss with the youth in the

classroom will involve a much smaller hierarchy.classroom will involve a much smaller hierarchy. Notice how kids & parents alike when asked if they attend Notice how kids & parents alike when asked if they attend

Mass (As commanded by the third commandment), they Mass (As commanded by the third commandment), they will give a “good excuse.”will give a “good excuse.”

Sunday is “Family Day,” or “Johnny has soccer,” etc.Sunday is “Family Day,” or “Johnny has soccer,” etc. All of these things are good, in themselves, but the highest All of these things are good, in themselves, but the highest

good is going to Mass.good is going to Mass. Any Any purposefulpurposeful denial of the highest good for a lower good denial of the highest good for a lower good

is sinful.is sinful.

Armed with the KnowledgeArmed with the Knowledge Once we understand the hierarchy of Goods and Moral Once we understand the hierarchy of Goods and Moral

Psychology, we can begin to become better educators of Psychology, we can begin to become better educators of morality.morality.

When teaching K-2 (age 5-7) kids say “don’t steal because you’ll When teaching K-2 (age 5-7) kids say “don’t steal because you’ll get punished.”get punished.”

We should reaffirm that, “Yes, because it makes people sad We should reaffirm that, “Yes, because it makes people sad when we take things that don’t belong to us.”when we take things that don’t belong to us.”

When teaching third and fourth graders about stealing (age 7 or When teaching third and fourth graders about stealing (age 7 or 8) we should reaffirm the rule or law.8) we should reaffirm the rule or law.

““God says, ‘thou shall not steal’ stealing is bad. What should we God says, ‘thou shall not steal’ stealing is bad. What should we do if we want something that doesn’t belong to us?”do if we want something that doesn’t belong to us?”

By doing this we will be training our children to look for ways of By doing this we will be training our children to look for ways of properly attaining good things.properly attaining good things.

We might also ask, “What if there is no way for us to get that We might also ask, “What if there is no way for us to get that without stealing?” This will promote the idea of sacrifice, without stealing?” This will promote the idea of sacrifice, patience, and love for others as the Highest Good. Yet the patience, and love for others as the Highest Good. Yet the highest good when being tempted to steal is Hope in the Lord.highest good when being tempted to steal is Hope in the Lord.

Another follow up, “How would you feel if someone took your Another follow up, “How would you feel if someone took your favorite object?” This would help the young students favorite object?” This would help the young students understand the nature of injury that theft incurs. understand the nature of injury that theft incurs.

Armed with the KnowledgeArmed with the Knowledge With older kids 7-10With older kids 7-10thth Grade, we may see some contractual Grade, we may see some contractual

or conditional proposals.or conditional proposals. What if you had to steal food to feed your child so that they What if you had to steal food to feed your child so that they

don’t die?don’t die? It is important for us to appeal to the law first. “God It is important for us to appeal to the law first. “God

commands us not to steal, he gave us no exceptions to the commands us not to steal, he gave us no exceptions to the rule.”rule.”

Then we should promote the higher goods by asking, Then we should promote the higher goods by asking, “What is a better approach to feeding your family?” “What is a better approach to feeding your family?”

Answers may include: Soup kitchens, begging, friends, Answers may include: Soup kitchens, begging, friends, charity, borrowing, etc.charity, borrowing, etc.

Inevitably the older kids push to the limits, where we can Inevitably the older kids push to the limits, where we can point to the saint. “Saint Dominic Savio and Saint Therese point to the saint. “Saint Dominic Savio and Saint Therese of Lesieux both proclaimed they would rather die then sin.” of Lesieux both proclaimed they would rather die then sin.” We must ultimately rely on God to get us what we need. We must ultimately rely on God to get us what we need. He fed the Israelites in the dessert and saved the poor He fed the Israelites in the dessert and saved the poor widow from the famine. We must trust he will provide for widow from the famine. We must trust he will provide for us even when all hope seems lost.us even when all hope seems lost.

The Highest God is hope in the Lord.The Highest God is hope in the Lord.

Pulling it all TogetherPulling it all Together

At this point we should have a simple At this point we should have a simple understanding of the moral development understanding of the moral development and stages of our children.and stages of our children.

We should also understand the hierarchy We should also understand the hierarchy of goods and to understand that in order of goods and to understand that in order to be “Perfect as your Father in heaven is to be “Perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect” we must always pick the highest perfect” we must always pick the highest good.good.

With these two basic understandings we With these two basic understandings we can approach the proper way to teach the can approach the proper way to teach the Ten Commandments to any age group.Ten Commandments to any age group.

The Ten CommandmentsThe Ten Commandments

1.1. Worship no other GodsWorship no other Gods2.2. Do not use the Lord’s Name in VainDo not use the Lord’s Name in Vain3.3. Keep Holy the SabbathKeep Holy the Sabbath4.4. Honor your mother and fatherHonor your mother and father5.5. Do not murder Do not murder 6.6. Do not commit adulteryDo not commit adultery7.7. Do not stealDo not steal8.8. Do not bear false witnessDo not bear false witness9.9. Do not covet your neighbor’s wifeDo not covet your neighbor’s wife10.10. Do not covet your neighbor’s goodsDo not covet your neighbor’s goods

Commandment #1Commandment #1 Do not worship other GodsDo not worship other Gods Highest Good – Worship of the Holy Trinity Highest Good – Worship of the Holy Trinity

through the teachings and guidance of the Holy through the teachings and guidance of the Holy Catholic ChurchCatholic Church

Implications: We should know, love, and serve Implications: We should know, love, and serve God to be happy with God in this life and the next God to be happy with God in this life and the next life.life.

General Offenses: Practicing other religions, General Offenses: Practicing other religions, sacrilege, disrespecting holy things in word or sacrilege, disrespecting holy things in word or deed, promoting false doctrine.deed, promoting false doctrine.

Offenses for Older Students: Using Ouija Boards, Offenses for Older Students: Using Ouija Boards, Psychics, Fortune Tellers, or relying upon Psychics, Fortune Tellers, or relying upon horoscopes.horoscopes.

Commandment #2Commandment #2

Do not use God’s name in vainDo not use God’s name in vain Highest Good – Honor God in your mind, Highest Good – Honor God in your mind,

on your lips, and in your heart.on your lips, and in your heart. Implications: The profession of our faith is Implications: The profession of our faith is

made without blemish in Baptism & made without blemish in Baptism & ConfirmationConfirmation

General Offenses: Using the Lord’s name General Offenses: Using the Lord’s name irreverently, swearing, deliberately saying irreverently, swearing, deliberately saying bad things about God, Scripture, the bad things about God, Scripture, the Church, Mary, or the saints.Church, Mary, or the saints.

Commandment #3Commandment #3 Keep Holy the SabbathKeep Holy the Sabbath Highest Good – Giving complete worship Highest Good – Giving complete worship

to God by setting aside the Lord’s day for to God by setting aside the Lord’s day for rest and devotion.rest and devotion.

Implications: The Lord has given us all Implications: The Lord has given us all good things, by giving Him the first day of good things, by giving Him the first day of our week, we honor His gifts and give Him our week, we honor His gifts and give Him proper thanks and praiseproper thanks and praise

General Offenses: Missing Mass on General Offenses: Missing Mass on purpose, not paying attention to liturgy, purpose, not paying attention to liturgy, not resting from labornot resting from labor

Commandment #4Commandment #4 Honor your mother and fatherHonor your mother and father Highest Good – Is to worship our Father in Heaven Highest Good – Is to worship our Father in Heaven

and to honor Our Blessed Mother. By obeying and to honor Our Blessed Mother. By obeying proper authorities we perform the will of Godproper authorities we perform the will of God

Implications: The world fell into sin through Implications: The world fell into sin through disobedience, it is through the obedience of disobedience, it is through the obedience of Christ and Mary that salvation came into the Christ and Mary that salvation came into the world.world.

General Offenses: Disobeying parents, General Offenses: Disobeying parents, deliberately harming parents by word or deed, deliberately harming parents by word or deed, not completing responsibilities/duties/chores, not not completing responsibilities/duties/chores, not treating siblings properly, not listening to proper treating siblings properly, not listening to proper authorityauthority

Commandment #5Commandment #5 Do not MurderDo not Murder Highest Good – To respect the dignity of life from Highest Good – To respect the dignity of life from

conception to natural deathconception to natural death Implications: To recognize the gift of life given to Implications: To recognize the gift of life given to

each of us by God. To injure or end this life works each of us by God. To injure or end this life works against God’s desire to see them live.against God’s desire to see them live.

General Offenses: Murder, intentionally harming General Offenses: Murder, intentionally harming others, abusing drugs or alcohol, causing others others, abusing drugs or alcohol, causing others to sin, picking on or teasing others harshly, put to sin, picking on or teasing others harshly, put yourself in danger.yourself in danger.

Offenses for older students: Intentionally harming Offenses for older students: Intentionally harming yourself, contemplation of suicide, spreading yourself, contemplation of suicide, spreading rumors or gossip.rumors or gossip.

Commandment #6Commandment #6 Do not commit adulteryDo not commit adultery Highest Good – When a husband and wife get Highest Good – When a husband and wife get

married and share their lives freely, totally, and married and share their lives freely, totally, and faithfully with each other and desire to have a faithfully with each other and desire to have a family togetherfamily together

Implications: A family is an image of the living Implications: A family is an image of the living God. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are a family God. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are a family like a Mother, Father, and child.like a Mother, Father, and child.

Offenses: When a husband or wife does not Offenses: When a husband or wife does not remain faithful to the other (Keep it simple)remain faithful to the other (Keep it simple)

Offenses for Older Students: Any sexual activity Offenses for Older Students: Any sexual activity with people of either sex, pornography, with people of either sex, pornography, masturbation, fornication, immodest dress, masturbation, fornication, immodest dress, impure conversation, dirty jokes, or looking at impure conversation, dirty jokes, or looking at others in lust.others in lust.

Commandment #7Commandment #7 Do not stealDo not steal Highest Good – The theological virtue of hope Highest Good – The theological virtue of hope

helps us rely on providence and not on our helps us rely on providence and not on our immediate desires. Though we may be lacking a immediate desires. Though we may be lacking a good thing here and now, we will gain everything good thing here and now, we will gain everything in heaven.in heaven.

Implications: By being indifferent to wealth or Implications: By being indifferent to wealth or poverty, it allows us to be fully devoted to God poverty, it allows us to be fully devoted to God without interference of material goods.without interference of material goods.

General Offenses: stealing, accepting stolen General Offenses: stealing, accepting stolen goods, vandalism or destruction, intentionally goods, vandalism or destruction, intentionally hiding the property of others, cheatinghiding the property of others, cheating

Offenses for older students: not repaying debt, Offenses for older students: not repaying debt, gambling.gambling.

Commandment #8Commandment #8 Do not bear false witnessDo not bear false witness Highest Good – Jesus Christ said, “I am the way, Highest Good – Jesus Christ said, “I am the way,

the truth, and the life.” By always speaking the the truth, and the life.” By always speaking the truth we unite ourselves more closely to God.truth we unite ourselves more closely to God.

Implications: We not only speak the truth when Implications: We not only speak the truth when we are tempted to lie, but we are also called to we are tempted to lie, but we are also called to proactively share the truth of the gospel with proactively share the truth of the gospel with those we know and love.those we know and love.

General Offenses: Lying, swearing falsely, General Offenses: Lying, swearing falsely, cheated on tests, copied another’s work, revealed cheated on tests, copied another’s work, revealed secrets without good reason.secrets without good reason.

Offenses for Older Students: Spread false rumors, Offenses for Older Students: Spread false rumors, to hold back the truth about God or faith.to hold back the truth about God or faith.

Commandment #9Commandment #9 Do not covet your neighbor’s wifeDo not covet your neighbor’s wife Highest Good – To pray for and love your future Highest Good – To pray for and love your future

husband or wife if God calls you to marriage.husband or wife if God calls you to marriage. Implications: We should always pray for our Implications: We should always pray for our

vocation, most of all for a holy life, that we will be vocation, most of all for a holy life, that we will be open to God’s call for usopen to God’s call for us

General Offenses: Wanting a friend to break a General Offenses: Wanting a friend to break a promise for youpromise for you

Offenses for Older Students: Purposefully Offenses for Older Students: Purposefully entertaining sexual thoughts, not guarding entertaining sexual thoughts, not guarding senses and imagination from impure thoughts, senses and imagination from impure thoughts, watching shows, plays, pictures, movies, etc. for watching shows, plays, pictures, movies, etc. for the purpose of sexual arousal.the purpose of sexual arousal.

Commandment #10Commandment #10

Do not covet your neighbor’s goodsDo not covet your neighbor’s goods Highest Good – To thank God and be Highest Good – To thank God and be

happy with all the things that God has happy with all the things that God has already given to you.already given to you.

Implications: By being indifferent to Implications: By being indifferent to wealth or poverty, it allows us to be fully wealth or poverty, it allows us to be fully devoted to God without interference of devoted to God without interference of material goods.material goods.

Offenses: Being greedy, being jealous of Offenses: Being greedy, being jealous of others for their possessions or talents, others for their possessions or talents, wishing for people to get hurt or sickwishing for people to get hurt or sick

ReconciliationReconciliation It is irresponsible to teach Catholic It is irresponsible to teach Catholic

Morality without promoting the sacrament Morality without promoting the sacrament of reconciliation.of reconciliation.

We should remind students that all of us, We should remind students that all of us, even the Pope, is a sinner and that we are even the Pope, is a sinner and that we are all in need of God’s forgiveness.all in need of God’s forgiveness.

God’s forgiveness, love, and tender God’s forgiveness, love, and tender compassion is never affected, reduced, or compassion is never affected, reduced, or diminished by any sin we can commitdiminished by any sin we can commit

Encourage them all to work towards Encourage them all to work towards holiness but not to be discouraged when holiness but not to be discouraged when we make mistakes along the way.we make mistakes along the way.

ConclusionConclusion As you work with any age group, it is always right to focus As you work with any age group, it is always right to focus

on the Highest Goodon the Highest Good For very young kids, we can ratify their fear of For very young kids, we can ratify their fear of

consequences with the reason we don’t allow that action.consequences with the reason we don’t allow that action. For elementary level kids, we remind them that the rules For elementary level kids, we remind them that the rules

were given to us by divine authority for the highest love were given to us by divine authority for the highest love and a good and orderly societyand a good and orderly society

For adolescents we should always reinforce the laws but For adolescents we should always reinforce the laws but explore the deeper elements of justiceexplore the deeper elements of justice

For all age groups we should help them understand the For all age groups we should help them understand the offenses and sub-offenses of each commandment so as to offenses and sub-offenses of each commandment so as to help rightfully form their conscience.help rightfully form their conscience.

Finally, we should always remind our students, as regularly Finally, we should always remind our students, as regularly as we teach morality that God’s forgiveness, love, and as we teach morality that God’s forgiveness, love, and tender compassion is never affected, reduced, or tender compassion is never affected, reduced, or diminished by any sin we can commit. We should always diminished by any sin we can commit. We should always enthusiastically promote reconciliation.enthusiastically promote reconciliation.

Documents

Teaching Morality to Kids and Youth A look at the Ten Commandments