The Ten Commandments and Moral Values

Rules for living

Every community has rules to help people live well together. Christians believe God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 20). The KICD Religious Education curriculum teaches Grade 6 learners the commandments and the values behind them.

The commandments

1. Worship only one God.
2. Do not make or worship idols.
3. Respect God's name.
4. Keep the Sabbath day holy.
5. Honour your father and mother.
6. Do not kill.
7. Do not commit adultery.
8. Do not steal.
9. Do not lie about others.
10. Do not covet what belongs to others.

Two groups

• Commandments 1 to 4 are about our duty to God.
• Commandments 5 to 10 are about our duty to other people.

Moral values

• Respect for parents and elders
• Honesty
• Love and respect for life
• Self-control
• Contentment

Other faiths

Islam teaches honesty, kindness and care for parents in the Quran. Many African communities teach respect for elders and fairness through proverbs and stories.

Living the values

• Telling the truth even when it is hard.
• Returning lost items.
• Obeying school and home rules.
• Settling quarrels peacefully.

Try it

• Pick one commandment and say how you can follow it at school.
• Tell a short story that shows honesty.
• Name one proverb from your community about respect.