Chapter 8: The Ten
Commandments and The
Beatitudes
OUR MORAL LIFE IN CHRIST
1. Introduction (pp. 182-183)
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.
1. Introduction (pp. 182-183)
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?
1. Introduction (pp. 182-183)
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.
1. Introduction (pp. 182-183)
GUIDED EXERCISE
Complete a paragraph shrink on the paragraph beginning “In the New
Testament...” (p. 183).
1. Introduction (pp. 182-183)
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.
1. Introduction (pp. 182-183)
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
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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)
1. Introduction (pp. 182-183)
CLOSURE
Free write for five minutes explaining the relationship between the
Decalogue and Christian morality.
1. Introduction (pp. 182-183)
ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT
Work with a partner to complete Practical Exercise 2 (p. 197) on
honoring parents and the rewards of doing so.
2. The Ten Commandments and the
Teaching of Christ (pp. 184-187)
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.
2. The Ten Commandments and the
Teaching of Christ (pp. 184-187)
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.
2. The Ten Commandments and the
Teaching of Christ (pp. 184-187)
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.
2. The Ten Commandments and the
Teaching of Christ (pp. 184-187)
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.
2. The Ten Commandments and the
Teaching of Christ (pp. 184-187)
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.
2. The Ten Commandments and the
Teaching of Christ (pp. 184-187)
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.
2. The Ten Commandments and the
Teaching of Christ (pp. 184-187)
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)
2. The Ten Commandments and the
Teaching of Christ (pp. 184-187)
CLOSURE
Write a paragraph explaining how Christ did not abolish the Law of
Moses but perfected it.
2. The Ten Commandments and the
Teaching of Christ (pp. 184-187)
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.
3. The Precepts of the Church (pp. 187-188)
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.
3. The Precepts of the Church (pp. 187-188)
GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
Complete 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.
3. The Precepts of the Church (pp. 187-188)
3. The Precepts of the Church (pp. 187-188)
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.
3. The Precepts of the Church (pp. 187-188)
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.
3. The Precepts of the Church (pp. 187-188)
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?
3. The Precepts of the Church (pp. 187-188)
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.
3. The Precepts of the Church (pp. 187-188)
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
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

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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)
3. The Precepts of the Church (pp. 187-188)
CLOSURE
Write a well-organized paragraph on the Precepts of the Church based on
the Graphic Organizer (p. 198b)
3. The Precepts of the Church (pp. 187-188)
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.”
4. The Beatitudes as the Perfection
of the Moral Law (pp. 189-192)
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.
4. The Beatitudes as the Perfection
of the Moral Law (pp. 189-192)
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.
4. The Beatitudes as the Perfection
of the Moral Law (pp. 189-192)
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.
4. The Beatitudes as the Perfection
of the Moral Law (pp. 189-192)
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.
4. The Beatitudes as the Perfection
of the Moral Law (pp. 189-192)
GUIDED EXERCISE
Think/Pair/Share on the following question:
 What is the relationship between “hungering and thirsting for
righteousness” and “idealism and magnanimity”?
4. The Beatitudes as the Perfection
of the Moral Law (pp. 189-192)
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.
4. The Beatitudes as the Perfection
of the Moral Law (pp. 189-192)
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.
4. The Beatitudes as the Perfection
of the Moral Law (pp. 189-192)
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.
4. The Beatitudes as the Perfection
of the Moral Law (pp. 189-192)
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
 Study Questions 10-16 (p. 196)
 Practical Exercises 8-12 (p. 197)
 Workbook Questions 11-14
4. The Beatitudes as the Perfection
of the Moral Law (pp. 189-192)
CLOSURE
Free write on the relationship between one of the Beatitudes and
one of the Commandments of the Decalogue.
4. The Beatitudes as the Perfection
of the Moral Law (pp. 189-192)
ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT
Based on the Beatitudes, “draw” a verbal portrait of Christ.
THE END