Lesson #22: Old Testament: Ten Commandments

HIGHS AND LOWS:
Write down one high and one low from your week in your prayer journal.  Pastor Breen or a student volunteer will gather them in prayer.

LENTEN WORSHIP CHALLENGE:
For the next five weeks, we will be studying the story of Moses.  As we study, be mindful that these are the same stories that we will be sharing during our midweek Lenten services in February and March.  What are some creative ways that you would tell this story or help someone else to experience it in a new way?  Keep these questions in mind as we study tonight.

GATHERING ACTIVITY:  Connect Bible Activity #1
Turn to page 99 and read and complete the Connect Bible activity for Exodus 20:1-17 there (make a copy for Pastor Breen if you are doing this for homework).

DWELLING IN THE WORD:  Exodus 20:1-17
Read Exodus 20:1-17 from the New Revised Standard version of the Bible.  Underline things you have questions about.  Circle things you like or would like to discuss more.

Comprehension Questions:

1. Who spoke all the words? (verse 1)
2. Who is the Lord? What did the Lord do? (verse 2)
3. What shall you not have in verse 3?
4. What shall you not make in verse 4?
5. What shall you not do to “them” in verse 5?
6. What kind of a God is God? (verse 5)
7. What will God show to those who love God and keep God’s commandments? (verse 6)
8. Of what shall you not make wrongful use? (verse 7)
9. What shall you remember? (verse 8)
10. What shall you do for six days? (verse 9)
11. What is the seventh day? (verse 10)
12. What did the Lord do in six days? On the seventh? (verse 11)
13. Who shall you honor? (verse 12)
14. What shall you not do in verse 13?
15. What shall you not do in verse 14?
16. What shall you not do in verse 15?
17. What shall you not do in verse 16?
18. What shall you not do in verse 17?

Content Questions: Answer the following questions as completely as possible (group activity:  do this with your parents):

What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this text?

What is my favorite part of this text?  Why?

What stories or memories does this text stir up in you?  You might remember a time when you followed the rules, broke the rules, or helped someone else to follow or break them, for example.

What is God doing in this text?  What is God up to?

CONNECT BIBLE ACTIVITY:  Turn in your Connect Bible to page 100 and read that page as a class.  Then, complete the activity described in bold.  Share your work with the class (take a copy to show to Pastor Breen if you do this activity at home)

OUT LOUD PRAYER/LIGHTING THE CANDLE:
Heart Ignite pg. 36:  Paper Chain Prayer
All of the Ten Commandments are connected.  Our prayers out loud connect us to one another.  Take a numbered strip of paper and write a prayer that goes with that commandment.  We will link them together as we pray them.

TALKING TO GOD/TAKING IT HOME

1. During this week, in your prayers, try using “Living God” as your title for God. Make a special effort to emphasize “as we forgive those who trespass against us” when you pray the Lord’s Prayer this week.
2. Write a one sentence summary in your prayer journal. In this sentence, describe your answer to the question “What did you learn about in Confirmation class this week?” in as much detail as possible.
3. Conclude your time together with the Lord’s Prayer.