But they are problematic because in learning them we can be tempted to dwell on the Law that God gives us. As Lutherans we believe that we have been freed from the law due to the sacrifice of God's son, Jesus Christ. This doesn't mean we can do whatever we want, instead it means that God's grace is sufficient to fill us when we have failed at the Law, and all of us fail at the Law.
It is important to teach both Law and Gospel as we examine our faith. We cannot by our own works earn our own salvation, whether we follow the Commandments and other laws of God exactly or not. Instead we need the Gospel to ensure our salvation. But the joy of receiving this salvation also asks us to live as God would have us live, thus bringing us back to the Commandments.
And so we teach the Commandments so that we may know what God asks of us, but they aren't always easy to understand, even in their simplicity. No where have I found a better explanation of them however, than in Martin Luther's small catechism which I've reproduced below for your own assistance.
Take time this month as your children learn the 10 Commandments in Sunday School to ask "What does this mean?" for you individually and as a family. For it is in the application of faith that we live it even more deeply.
Excerpts from Martin Luther’s Small Catechism:
The Ten Commandments - Exodus 20: 1-17
I am the Lord your God.
THE FIRST COMMANDMENT
You shall have no other gods.
What does this mean for us?
We are to fear, love, and trust God above anything else.
THE SECOND COMMANDMENT
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
What does this mean for us?
We are to fear and love God so that we do not use his name superstitiously, or use it to curse, swear, lie, or deceive, but call on him in prayer, praise and thanksgiving,
THE THIRD COMMANDMENT
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
What does this mean for us?
We are to fear and love God so that we do not neglect his Word and the preaching of it, but regard it as holy and gladly hear and learn it.
THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT
Honor your father and your mother.
What does this mean for us?
We are to fear and love God so that we do not despise or anger our parents and others in authority, but respect, obey, love, and serve them.
THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not kill.
What does this mean for us?
We are to fear and love God so that we do not hurt our neighbor in any way, but help him in all his physical needs.
THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not commit adultery.
What does this mean for us?
We are to fear and love God so that in matters of sex our words and conduct are pure and honorable, and husband and wife love and respect each other.
THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not steal.
What does this mean for us?
We are to fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbor’s money or property, or get them in any dishonest way, but help him to improve and protect his property and means of making a living.
THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
What does this mean for us?
We are to fear and love God so that we do not betray, slander, or lie about our neighbor, but defend him, speak well of him and explain his actions in the kindest way.
THE NINTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.
What does this mean for us?
We are to fear and love God so that we do not desire to get our neighbor’s possessions by scheming or by pretending to have a right to them, but always help him keep what is his.
THE TENTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his cattle, or anything that is your neighbor’s.
What does this mean for us?
We are to fear and love God so that we do not tempt or coax away from our neighbor his wife or his workers, but encourage them to remain loyal.
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