chapter 8: the ten commandments and the beatitudes

Chapter 8: The Ten Commandments and The

BeatitudesOUR MORAL LIFE IN CHRIST

ANTICIPATORY SET Have two students act out the story of Christ’s encounter with the young man who asks about eternal life (cf. Mt 19:16-21).

1. Introduction (pp. 182-183)

BASIC QUESTION How does Christian morality relate to the Ten

Commandments of the Mosaic Law? KEY IDEA Christian morality is founded on the Ten

Commandments, which it exceeds and perfects. The best expression of Christian morality is found in the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount.


GUIDED EXERCISE Think/Pair/Write/Share on the following question: What is the connection between “good” and “God”

when it comes to the moral life?


FOCUS QUESTIONS What does Christ mean by the word “life” in the phrase “enter life”? He means eternal life. According to Christ, how does one enter eternal life? One keeps the Ten Commandments. What is the “nucleus and spirit of Christian morality,” according to Christ’s answer to the young man? Keep the Ten Commandments, practice charity, and imitate Christ.


GUIDED EXERCISE Complete a paragraph shrink on the paragraph beginning “In the New Testament...” (p. 183).


FOCUS QUESTIONS How does one find perfection, according to Christ? Sell what you possess, give it to the poor, and then follow Christ. What does it mean to say that God has “sovereignty over the moral order”? It means that God decides what is good and what is evil, not man. What were and are the Ten Commandments for the Jews? They are basic guidelines governing every aspect of human conduct—how to do good and avoid evil.


HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT Study Questions 1-3 (p. 196) Practical Exercise 2 (p. 197) Workbook Question 1 Read “The Ten Commandments and the Teaching of

Christ” and “The Ten Commandments” (pp. 184-187)


CLOSURE Free write for five minutes explaining the relationship between the Decalogue and Christian morality.


ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT Work with a partner to complete Practical Exercise 2 (p. 197) on honoring parents and the rewards of doing so.


ANTICIPATORY SET Incorporate Deuteronomy 5:6-20 (the giving of the “ten words” on Mt. Sinai) into the Opening Prayer.

2. The Ten Commandments and the Teaching of Christ (pp. 184-187)

BASIC QUESTIONS What are the Ten Commandments? How do Christians live the Ten Commandments? KEY IDEAS God gave the Ten Commandments to his people as a

clear code of conduct, which would bring prosperity if obeyed and suffering if disobeyed.

Christians also obey the Ten Commandments as amplified and perfected by Christ, who came not to abolish the Law but to perfect it.


FOCUS QUESTIONS What are the “ten words”? They are the Decalogue, or the Ten Commandments. What is the purpose of the Ten Commandments for the Jews? They are the clear code of conduct God gave his people. How was Israel’s destiny tied to the fulfillment of the Commandments? When the people of Israel worshiped God with fidelity, they prospered, but, when they were not faithful, God permitted them to suffer.


GUIDED EXERCISE Work with a partner to complete Practical Exercise 1 (p. 197), turning each of the Ten Commandments into an “amplified and developed” positive teaching.


GUIDED EXERCISE Work with a partner to provide two examples of how, for Christians, the words of the Decalogue receive an “amplification and development” in Christ.


FOCUS QUESTIONS Is the principle of prospering when doing good and suffering when doing evil a universal law, or is it particular to the Jews? Prospering for doing good and suffering for doing evil is universal in that moral acts do change us for the better or worse. How do Christians know the natural law? Christians know the ethical content of the natural law through reason and Revelation, as taught by the Magisterium of the Church.


FOCUS QUESTIONS What do we need, besides an understanding of the moral law and our own efforts, in order to live the demands of the moral law? We need God’s grace. Are Christians required to keep the Ten Commandments? Yes.


HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT Study Questions 4-7 (p. 196) Practical Exercises 1, 3 (p. 197) Workbook Questions 2-8 Read “The Precepts of the Church” (pp. 187-188)


CLOSURE Write a paragraph explaining how Christ did not abolish the Law of Moses but perfected it.


ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT Complete the following exercise with a partner. The text reminds us that the people of Israel knew that their destiny, for better or for worse, was tied to the fulfillment of the Ten Commandments. What about us today? Setting aside the spiritual dimension for a moment, how would we benefit in material or economic terms from obeying the Ten Commandments? That is to say, economists, government agencies, and the like, compile data showing that such things as smoking, obesity, and failure to use seat belts cost the economy many billions of dollars per year. Choose one of the Ten Commandments, and show how, if it were obeyed, our economy would save many resources.


ANTICIPATORY SET Discuss the following question: If the statement, “You shall be a good student,” were

one of the Ten Commandments, what particular rules would make sense to guide your behavior to fulfill the command?

3. The Precepts of the Church (pp. 187-188)

BASIC QUESTION What are the Precepts of the Church? KEY IDEA The Precepts of the Church are particular laws for

members of the Church. They are applications of the first three of the Ten Commandments and encourage the frequent reception of the Sacraments, especially the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation.


GRAPHIC ORGANIZERComplete the following table to organize their knowledge of the Precepts of the Church. Write down each precept, identify the positive value behind the rule, and provide either a positive or negative example of living the precept.


FOCUS QUESTIONS What does precept mean? It is a rule or commandment guiding conduct. What are the Precepts of the Church? They are applications of the Ten Commandments, especially of the first three, which encourage the frequent reception of the Sacraments, especially the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation.


FOCUS QUESTIONS What does “rest” mean in the first precept? It means avoiding activities that hinder renewal of soul and body. What are a few examples of servile labor? Needless work, business activities, or unnecessary shopping are examples.


GUIDED EXERCISE Complete a focused reading on the paragraph beginning “In addition to these precepts...” (p. 188) using the following question: What additional precepts apply directly to a young

Catholic?


FOCUS QUESTION Under what condition is the second precept obligatory? A Catholic is required to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least once per year, if he or she is aware of having committed a mortal sin.


HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT Study Questions 8-9 (p. 196) Practical Exercises 4-7 (p. 197) Workbook Questions 9-10 Read “The Beatitudes as the Perfection of the Moral

Law” through “Conclusion,” including “The Beatitudes” (pp. 189-192)


CLOSURE Write a well‑organized paragraph on the Precepts of the Church based on the Graphic Organizer (p. 198b)


ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT Free write for five minutes on the meaning of the following statement: “The origin of the moral life is the grace of God, which is given to us by the Holy Spirit through the Sacraments.”


ANTICIPATORY SET Incorporate Christ’s announcement of the Beatitudes into the Opening Prayer (cf. Mt 5:3-12).

4. The Beatitudes as the Perfection of the Moral Law (pp. 189-192)

BASIC QUESTIONS What is the relationship between the Beatitudes and the

moral law? What portrait of Christ do the Beatitudes reveal? KEY IDEAS Because the Beatitudes perfect the moral law, their

practice brings about a profound union with Christ and the ability to reflect his light and joy.

The Beatitudes are a portrait of Christ and also of the follower who conforms himself or herself to him. It is a picture of detachment, pity for sinners, humility, idealism and magnanimity, mercy, purity of heart, peace, and joy in suffering.


FOCUS QUESTIONS What is the basis of true happiness on earth? Love, service, and self‑giving is the basis of happiness. What is the result of love and self‑giving?

Bliss or beatitude is the result.


FOCUS QUESTIONS How does a self‑centered and carnal life keep one from seeing God? When we are self‑centered and obsessed with sensuality, we cannot pray, bear to give up any pleasure for any reason, or see Christ in others. On the other hand, self‑control in living purity lets one see Christ in prayer, suffering, and the lives of others. What is the relationship between earthly and heavenly beatitude? Earthly happiness is an anticipation of perfect heavenly happiness.


FOCUS QUESTIONS How do the Ten Commandments prepare us for a “higher” law? The effort to obey the Ten Commandments helps free us from sinful dispositions, such as falsehood, dishonesty, anger, deceit, and resentment. What is the relationship between the Beatitudes and being like Christ? If we make a sincere effort to live the Beatitudes, our hearts will become like Christ’s heart.


GUIDED EXERCISE Think/Pair/Share on the following question: What is the relationship between “hungering and

thirsting for righteousness” and “idealism and magnanimity”?


FOCUS QUESTIONS If the Beatitudes paint a portrait of Christ, what are the characteristics of his heart? Some of the characteristics are humility, pity for those who are suffering in any way, gentleness, desire to spread goodness, mercy, purity of intention, peace, and joy in rejection and suffering. What are the two kinds of mourning that our text identifies under the second Beatitude? Our text mentions sorrow for those who do not possess the riches of the Gospel and those who suffer rejection and scorn because of following Christ. Extension: Every other form of legitimate sadness is included, such as the loss of a family member or friend, being in exile, even sorrow for one’s sins.


FOCUS QUESTIONS Why is meekness an important virtue? It is important because a kind heart draws others to Christ. What is the secret power of a Christian evangelizer? Being persecuted for righteousness’ sake will transform the sufferer and help him or her transform the world. The end result will be everlasting life. Extension: The early Christian martyrs transformed the pagan Roman world by the way they endured persecution. What is the double object of the Christian moral life? It is to fulfill the Commandments and live in union with Christ.


FOCUS QUESTIONS Why was it necessary for God to reveal the Ten Commandments to the Jews when the Decalogue is part of the natural law and knowable through reason? Many Jews (like everyone else) were in a state of sin with weakened powers of reason and will, therefore, it was necessary that God explicitly reveal the moral law to them. What is the relationship between being a peacemaker and a son or daughter of God? God promised peace to all his followers. Therefore, a true follower will radiate peace and work to spread that peace to those around him.


HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT Study Questions 10-16 (p. 196) Practical Exercises 8-12 (p. 197) Workbook Questions 11-14


CLOSURE Free write on the relationship between one of the Beatitudes and one of the Commandments of the Decalogue.


ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT Based on the Beatitudes, “draw” a verbal portrait of Christ.


THE END

chapter 8: the ten commandments and the beatitudes

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