For the Love of God

Joe Paprocki Junior High, Ten Commandments, Sin, & Morality

I’m preparing for my next week’s class when we will be exploring the first 3 Commandments which focus on love of God.

kids working in a groupI’ve put together a worksheet that I’ll invite them to work on in small groups. The worksheet includes numerous examples of actions that “violate” these 3 Commandments as well as virtuous actions that are done in the spirit of these 3 Commandments. In their small groups, the young people will work together to identify which Commandment the example pertains to as well as whether it is a sinful or virtuous action. I’m happy to provide the student worksheet along with a catechist copy with answer key.

I will tell them that this is not a test but an exercise that will lead us to discuss these Commandments in greater detail. After they have finished in their small groups, I’ll lead them in discussion using the worksheet as a guide.

I invite your feedback and suggestions. I intend to follow up with a worksheet on Commandments 4-10 which focus on love of neighbor. Stay tuned.

p.s. I also intend to explain to them how the seriousness of an action is determined by 1) the object chosen; 2) the intention; and 3) the circumstances of the action. I want to emphasize that, in morality, it’s not all just black and white. Life involves gray area which is what makes morality so complex.

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About Joe Paprocki 2742 Articles
Joe Paprocki, DMin, is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press, where, in addition to his traveling/speaking responsibilities, he works on the development team for faith formation curriculum resources including Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts and God’s Gift: Reconciliation and Eucharist. Joe has more than 35 years of experience in ministry and has presented keynotes, presentations, and workshops in more than 100 dioceses in North America. Joe is a frequent presenter at national conferences including the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the Mid-Atlantic Congress, and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. He is the author of numerous books, including the best seller The Catechist’s Toolbox, A Church on the Move, Under the Influence of Jesus, and Called to Be Catholic—a bilingual, foundational supplemental program that helps young people know their faith and grow in their relationship with God. Joe is also the series editor for the Effective Catechetical Leader and blogs about his experiences in faith formation at www.catechistsjourney.com.

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2 Comments

  1. I absolutely love your student worksheets. I am looking for worksheets on the 7th through 10th Commandments. Would you happen to have them in an article? I found one for 1-3 and 4-6. Thank you much and God bless!

    Reply

    • Hi Eddielyn and thanks for your kind words about the student handouts. Apparently, that particular year, I did not have an opportunity to create and work with a student worksheet for Commandments 7-10! Now that you have a couple of examples at your fingertips, I encourage you to create a similar handout for those commandments! I bet it’ll be great!

      Reply

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