The Ten Commandments may be as old as the hills, but these simple rules still give us everything we need to know about living the life God wants for us.

They’re ancient, but not outdated. Literally written in stone, the Ten Commandments hold our instructions for how to be God’s children, even in these changing times.

Help your CCD students understand how to live according to these 10 simple rules.

I “I am the Lord thy God; thou shalt not have strange gods before me.”

When kids put too much emphasis on winning the game, having the latest CDs and wearing the trendiest clothes, they’re putting material possessions before God. Kids, ask yourselves: Where are my priorities?

II “Thou shalt not take the Lord thy God’s name in vain”

Language counts. When we use the words “Jesus” and “God in anger and hate, we are using sacred words in a throw-away manner.

III “Remember to keep holy the Lord’s day.”

When we go to mass every Sunday and spend time at home with our families, we’re keeping the third commandment. Kids, ask yourselves: Can I stay home from the mall this weekend and spend time with my family?

IV “Honor your father and mother.”

Speak to and about your parents with love and respect. Obeying your parents is always the right choice.

V “Thou shalt not kill.”

Kids think this is an easy one, but the fifth commandment means more than murder. Kids, ask yourselves: Do I watch violent movies, TV shows and video games? Have I become immune to the horror of violence? Do I respect all life on earth?

VI “Thou shalt not commit adultery.”

Do I show respect for the relationships I have? Am I true to my friends? Do I respect my parents’ marriage and their relationship?

VII “Thou shalt not steal.”

For teens and tweens, shoplifting has become a faddish prank. But there’s more to this commandment than outright stealing. Kids, ask yourselves: Do I steal information by cheating? Do I respect other people’s possessions?

VIII “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.”

This rule teaches us to be honest with our friends, not spread gossip and work at having good relationships with others.

IX “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife/husband.

Flirting and dressing promiscuously are not how God wants us to act. Purity of heart and modesty are virtues worth working for.

X “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods.”

Be grateful for what you have. Kids, ask yourselves: Am I always looking to see what others have and wishing I had it too? Or do I thank God for my blessings? Am I jealous of others or am I happy for them?

Classroom activities:

• Make your own 10 commandment tablets. Cut poster board into tablet shapes, with rounded tops. Place them on a pebbly sidewalk or other rough surface and rub with the side of a gray crayon that’s had the paper sleeve removed. Add some cracks and marks. Have the kids write the commandments with black crayon.

• Make them modern. Discuss how we can use the commandments in today’s world. If God were dictating his laws now, how would they be worded? “Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Neighbor’s Goods” might be “Don’t Be Jealous of What Other People Have.”

• Make them positive. The commandments tell us what we shouldn’t do, but what about the positive side? Discuss with your class how each commandment can be turned around into a positive, from “thou shalt not” to “thou shall.” For example – “Thou Shalt Not Kill” is “Thou Shall Always Respect Life.”