The Commandments in Daily Life
Opening Prayer
Lord God,
You teach us to love one another.
Help us live the Commandments
with kindness and courage.
Form our hearts to reflect Your goodness.
Amen.
Part One
Love Made Practical
After teaching us to love God first,
the Commandments teach us
how to love other people.
Jesus said:
“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
Love is not only a feeling.
It is shown in actions.
The Commandments guide our actions
so that our love is real and faithful.
They teach us to honour our parents,
respect life,
be faithful,
tell the truth,
and avoid jealousy and greed.
They protect what is good
in human relationships.
Scripture
“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
(Matthew 22:39)
Think and Discuss
Why is love more than a feeling?
How do the Commandments protect families?
Why does truth matter in friendships?
How can jealousy harm us?
Allow thoughtful answers.
Part Two
Protecting What Is Precious
The Commandments protect:
Family —
“Honour thy father and thy mother.”
Life —
“Thou shalt not kill.”
Faithfulness —
“Thou shalt not commit adultery.”
Truth —
“Thou shalt not bear false witness.”
Contentment —
“Thou shalt not covet.”
These are not random rules.
They guard relationships.
They teach respect.
They help communities remain strong.
When we honour parents,
we build gratitude.
When we protect life,
we show that every person is made by God.
When we tell the truth,
we build trust.
When we avoid jealousy,
we learn contentment.
Guidance for Adults
Connect each Commandment to concrete daily examples.
Children understand moral truth best through lived situations.
Part Three
Choosing the Good
Loving our neighbour
is not always easy.
Sometimes we feel angry.
Sometimes we feel selfish.
Sometimes we feel jealous.
The Commandments help guide our choices
when emotions are strong.
They form our conscience.
A well-formed conscience
helps us recognise right from wrong.
It warns us
when we are about to harm someone.
It encourages us
when we choose what is good.
We will not always succeed.
But we can always return to God’s mercy.
The Commandments are not meant to crush us.
They are meant to guide us
toward true freedom.
Freedom is not doing whatever we want.
Freedom is choosing what is good
even when it is difficult.
When we live the Commandments,
our homes become more peaceful.
Our friendships become stronger.
Our hearts become steadier.
Loving God first
flows into loving others well.
Quiet Reflection
Sit quietly for a moment.
Think of one person in your life.
Is there a way you can love them better?
Now say quietly:
“Lord, help me love as You love.”
Remain in silence together.
Practise This Week
Choose one:
• Thank your parents for something they do.
• Tell the truth even when it is difficult.
• Refuse to speak unkindly about someone.
• Be grateful for what you have.
Choose one and keep it steady.
Optional Response
Choose one:
Memory
Repeat slowly:
“Love thy neighbour as thyself.”
Say it three times thoughtfully.
Action
Place your hand over your heart and say:
“Help me love faithfully.”
Closing Prayer
Lord,
Teach us to love our neighbour.
Guard our families.
Strengthen our friendships.
Help us choose what is right
each day.
Amen.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 