Jacob and Eimear are standing together.
NARRATOR: Hey there kids! Who鈥檚 ready to go back in time?
EIMEAR/JACOB: Me, I鈥檓 ready!
*We see a mountainside, and a bearded man with a cloak and walking staff. *
NARRATOR: This is Moses. In the book of Exodus in the Bible, it says that Moses lead the Jewish people out of slavery in Egypt. When they arrived at Mount Sinai, God spoke to Moses and gave him the 鈥楾en Commandments鈥.
The clouds part and two stone slabs descend with the Ten Commandments written on them.
EIMEAR: The Ten what now?
NARRATOR: The Ten Commandments. They are important rules from God that tell Christians how to live. The first four Commandments are instructions for how people should relate to God. The last six Commandments show how humans should treat each other well.
*The background changes to a hillside. Jesus sits surrounded by people who are listening intently. *
NARRATOR: In the Bible it also says that Jesus gave two new Commandments when he was preaching to his followers. He said that the greatest Commandments were to 鈥淟ove the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind鈥, and to 鈥淟ove your neighbour as yourself.鈥
JACOB: So鈥 that would mean you should share your sweets with your best friend?
NARRATOR: Yes that鈥檚 right!
EIMEAR: Oh all right then鈥 Here you go!
*Eimear gives Jacob a sweet from her pocket. Jacob smiles. *
NARRATOR: Christians try to live by these rules so that they can respect God and respect other people - no matter where they come from or what their beliefs are.
The Ten Commandments
Imagine there was a step-by-step guide to life which steered you in the right direction in different situations.
Many Christians view the Bible as an instruction manual on how to live. Its scriptures contain poetry, promises and lessons which help Christians to know God better and understand how He wishes them to behave.
God's instructions are encapsulated in the Ten Commandments.
Help for us all
The Ten Commandments were laws spoken by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. They were then written, according to the Bible, on stone tablets by the 鈥渇inger of God鈥.
The commandments were given to the Israelites to help them create a sense of community and to show them how to obey God.Christians believe that this is still their exact purpose today.
Furthermore, the Ten Commandments are not just intended for one group of people or one age group. They are relevant and helpful to children and adults.
The first four commandments
If asked to summarise the Ten Commandments, many Christians would tell you that they show us how to show love and respect.
Christians believe that God both created and loves humankind, so being familiar with the first four commandments helps them to know how to love Him back:
1. You shall have no other gods before me
2. You shall not make idols
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy
The last six commandments
Many Christians feel that the last six commandments guide them on how to love other people:
5. Honour your father and your mother
6. You shall not murder
7. You shall not commit adultery
8. You shall not steal
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour (you shouldn鈥檛 tell lies)
10. You shall not covet (you shouldn鈥檛 feel jealous towards other people)
These commandments encourage people to get along with others by showing them love and respect. This will contribute to having a positive impact as a son, daughter, husband, wife, friend, neighbour, classmate, colleague and member of the community.
A better world
When Jesus was asked which is the greatest commandment, he said, 鈥淟ove the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself.鈥
Christians should focus on knowing and loving God, and showing respect to other people.
Unfortunately, not everyone manages to live by these ideas, regardless of whether they are a Christian or not.
How much better a place would our world be, if everyone treated others with love, kindness and respect, no matter what their culture, belief or personality?
Now that you know about the Ten Commandments and the importance of respect, read about the Bible and its teachings for Christians.
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