YEA Lesson Library
Living the Life
About This Lesson
This lesson teaches that the Third Commandment involves what you say and what you do - bringing glory and honor to God in both your words and deeds.
Scriptures
Exodus 20:7
Leviticus 24:16
2 Samuel 6:15-16
2 Samuel 12:14
Psalm 148:13
Acts 4:12
Philippians 1:27
Colossians 3:17
1 Peter 2:12
Words to Know
RIDICULE - to make fun of, often in a bad way
CHIDE - to say someone has done something wrong
GUILTLESS - without fault, not having done anything wrong
AMBASSADOR - person who represents another person or country
EXPECTATIONS - what someone thinks, or expects, will happen
The Lesson
"Hey! Give that back! Mom, Jonathan's got my book," yelled Jeremy as he chased across the children's room of the library after his younger
brother.
Jonathan scrambled under a table and out the other side, still holding the book. He laughed at Jeremy and called, "You can't catch me."
Mrs. Peterson quietly, but firmly called both boys to her and announced they were going home - immediately. Jeremy and Jonathan knew what that meant. They were in trouble. The ride home was very quiet. Mrs. Peterson told the boys to go wait for her on the couch.
Mrs. Peterson asked the boys to pretend they had been sitting at a table in the library. "Imagine reading quietly. Then, suddenly, two boys start running, yelling, and fighting, disrupting the quiet of the library and interrupting what everyone else is doing. What would you have thought about that?”
Jeremy and Jonathan acknowledged that they would not have liked the noise. Mrs. Peterson told them that she also hadn't liked their behavior - because it makes people think the boys are not well-mannered and that they come from undisciplined homes. It makes people think badly about the entire Peterson family.
Mrs. Peterson asked, "Do you love God? Do you tell people that you are a Christian?"
Both boys nodded yes.
"Then, do you realize that you have broken the third commandment?"
The boys looked amazed. "But we didn't say any bad words, Mom!" Jeremy said.
"The third commandment," their mother told them, "is about more than just saying God's name in a wrong way. It also has to do with how you live your life. As a child of God, your behavior affects how people look at your
Heavenly Father, just as your behavior in the library today affects how they look at your Dad.”
Do you remember the story of King David - when he took another man's wife? David had the man, Uriah the Hittite, killed. David broke the sixth and seventh of God's commandments. He also broke the third commandment. God knew what David had done. So God sent
Nathan, the prophet, to David. Nathan told David that he had sinned. Furthermore, David's behavior had given the enemies of God an excuse to ridicule God and His ways. How had David done that? Well, all the people around David knew that he loved the LORD.
Remember how David was so joyful when the Ark was being brought back to Jerusalem that he leaped and danced before God as the Ark was
carried into the city? (2 Samuel 6:15-16). Remember how David wrote many of the Psalms, praising God? Remember how David chided his brothers for not fighting Goliath? David said, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" (1 Samuel 17:26). David's entire life was a demonstration of his belief in our great and awesome God. But when David sinned, and everyone knew it, not only did David bring shame on himself, he also brought shame on God. God chose David to lead Israel. David's behavior affected the way people looked at God.
The third commandment says: "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name" (Exodus 20:7). Sometimes people think that the third commandment just means you shouldn't say God's name lightly- using it in your conversation when you are not even talking about God. Most people know that saying God's name in a curse is wrong. But the third commandment also involves how you live. When you tell people you believe in God and love God, you become an ambassador, or representative, for Him. Your behavior is a very strong witness because you claim to be in God's family - you're a child of God. Your actions tell everyone what God is like, what His commands and expectations are. There is a great responsibility to live like a child of God, bringing glory and honor to the name of your Heavenly Father.
Once there was a man who said he was a Christian. Everyone thought he was a good guy. But one day, when buying trees to plant in his yard, he was given back $50 too much in change. He knew it, but pocketed the money and said thank you. He never admitted to knowing the nursery owner had made a mistake. He just went home thinking that he'd gotten a pretty good bargain.
One of the man's friends was with him when he bought the trees and knew what happened. The friend asked why he hadn't been honest. The man didn't think he had been dishonest. He figured it wasn't his problem that the nursery owner made a mistake. What do you think? Did he steal the money? Was he dishonest? Did he break the third commandment?
Everyday we have another opportunity to live godly lives, to bring glory and honor to our great God and King, our Heavenly Father. Peter says, "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us" (1 Peter 2: 12). Make it your goal to live a good life, to bring glory and honor to God. Make sure you don't misuse the name of the LORD your God.
Activity
Teaching the Lesson:
Legacy Lesson: Student book/Teacher book - Teaching Time: 25 mins.
Lesson Prep - Teacher book - Time: 30 mins.
Activity: Honoring God - Teacher book - Time: 25 mins.
Song: O Be Careful Little Eyes - Kids Classics Collection - pg. 39.
Life Application - Student book - Time: 15 mins.
Extending the Lesson - REACH Activities:
*Back to the Bible: Conduct Honoring God
*Journal Jot: Oaths
*Word Study: shâv (in vain)
*Just Toolin’ Around: Vain/In Vain
*Did you Know? Vain
*Stretch It Out: Ambassador
*Music Notes: Take the Name of Jesus With You
*Questions? - Writing Prompt - 10 mins.
Student Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Teach me every day how to be a faithful ambassador for You, a true child of God, bringing glory and honor to Your name.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Daily Devotions
Sunday - Exodus 20:7
Monday - 1 Peter 2:12
Tuesday - Acts 4:12
Wednesday - Leviticus 24:16
Thursday - Psalm 148:13
Friday - Colossians 3:17
Saturday - Philippians 1:27
Objectives
By the end of this lesson, the students will be able to :
1. Recite the Third Commandment.
2. Explain what the Third Commandment means.
3. Give a specific example of what it means to break the Third Commandment.
4. Write a resolution of one thing they can do differently to keep from bringing dishonor to God.
Topics & Themes
Ambassador
David
Honor God
Ten Commandments
Taking God’s Name in Vain
Materials Needed
Bible, YEA Students' and Teacher's books, pencils and pens, attendance and memory verse charts, stars, songbook, cassette or CD, music player, blackboard and chalk, situation papers
Preparation
Spend some time thinking up specific, real life and biblical examples of honoring and dishonoring God. Print one situation per page for the students to develop during class. You will want to develop the situations yourself, prior to class, with feasible and realistic actions. (See Activity.)
How to Teach This Lesson
After opening the class with prayer, begin the lesson below.
Christian - Ask: What is a Christian? Can you call yourself a Christian? If they do, then they become ambassadors for God to all of the people around them.
Ambassador - Say: The President of the United States appoints people to be ambassadors of the United States to other countries. They represent the U.S. and help that other country have a good relationship with the U.S. In a similar way, an ambassador for Christ represents Jesus Christ to the people who don't know Him. Whatever impression the ambassador gives of God may be the impression that stays with that person for a long time. It is a very serious undertaking - but one to which we are called (Matthew 28:18-20).
Time and Place - Brainstorm with the students where and when they are ambassadors. Are they ambassadors in their own family? (Yes! - because acting in a godly way shows another family member where they are not acting in a godly manner.) Ask: Are you an ambassador with your friends? Are you ambassadors in the grocery store in front of strangers?
Family Ambassador - Say: It is one thing to be an ambassador for a president. It is another thing to be an ambassador for your family. In the second case, people tie your actions to the family name. When you do something good, it brings honor. When you do something disgraceful, it brings dishonor.
King David - Ask: Was David an ambassador for God? How do you know?
Enemies of God - When Nathan rebuked David, he said David had given the enemies of God great occasion to blaspheme God. Discuss with the students about a family they might know - one whose kids are undisciplined and unruly. The reputation of that family is not easily changed. Their behavior follows them for a long time.
The Other Side of The Coin - The Third Commandment says not to misuse the name of the LORD your God. Peter writes this commandment from the positive side: "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us" (1 Peter 2:12). Discuss with the students the positive and the negative phraseology.
Review Questions
What is the Third Commandment? What does it mean "not to misuse the name of the LORD"? What is a Biblical example of breaking the Third Commandment? What is a real life example of breaking the Third Commandment? Can you think of an example in your own life of something that you plan to do differently - something that will bring glory to God, rather than misusing His name?
Teacher-Directed Activity
Brainstorm with the students different situations in which God can be dishonored through your actions or honored through your actions.
Then, break the class into groups of two or three. Using their situations, or ones you have ready, have the small groups develop the situations and prepare to share them with the whole group. Have several ready for the class to complete. Then share and discuss their ideas with the whole group.
For example:
Situation: You find a wallet on the ground. There's a driver's license and $37 in the wallet. What do you do?
Worldly Action: Throw the wallet in the garbage after putting the $37 in your pocket. Why: I am not my brother's keeper. Finders keepers, losers weepers.
Godly Action: Take the wallet to its owner, anonymously, if possible - including the $37. Why: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, and store up treasure in heaven not on the earth.
Here are some possible situations to develop. What do you do when:
1. Your best friend pockets a pack of gum in Target as you stand in the checkout line.
2. Your best friend wants you to try some drugs during a sleep-over at his/her house.
3. Your little sister breaks your science project the night before it's due.
4. Your mom tells you to clean your room. You were planning to go to the mall with your best friend.
5. You see some students coming out of a class room when you know the teacher was not in the room. Later an announcement is made that someone stole the money for the field trip to the zoo from that classroom.
6. George is a boy in your class who tries to copy of your paper.
7. Sandy is always making up stories about you at recess. Then she laughs and makes fun of you.
REACH Activity
Back to the Bible: Conduct Honoring God
Look up these passages which show someone honoring God. Read the passage, then write a paragraph summarizing what each person did to keep the Third Commandment. Genesis 39:6-10; 1 Samuel 17; Daniel 6
Journal Jot: Oaths
Matthew 5:33-37 talks about not swear by anything, but simply doing what you say you are going to do and conducting yourself honestly always. How do you think this relates to the Third Commandment? Write about this topic in your Bible notebook.
Word Study: shâv
Other Bible versions say, “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.” Look up the phrase “in vain.” It’s the Hebrew word shâv and is used 53 times in the Old Testament. Taking the name of the Lord in vain is a very serious matter . . . “Not only does it mean profanity or swearing falsely, but it also includes using the Lord’s name (reputation) lightly or without thinking.” (Source: Zodhiates’ Hebrew-Greek NAS Key Word Study Bible, 1990)
Just Toolin’ Around: Vain/In Vain
Using a concordance, find other places where this term is found. What is vain? What can be done in vain? Make a list in your Bible notebook, along with the scripture references.
Did you Know? Vain
If you look up “vain” in a dictionary, there are four meanings: 1) having or showing excessive pride in one’s appearance or achievements (being conceited); 2) an adjective meaning unsuccessful or useless; 3) not having any real value (idle, worthless) or 4) foolish or silly. The last meaning is an old meaning which is not used today (archaic). (Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vain#:~:text=1,vain%20efforts%20to%20escape)
Which is the meaning of vain in the Third Commandment? Write this word and its definitions in your Bible notebook.
Stretch It Out: Ambassador
Look up the responsibilities of an ambassador. Then apply these responsibilities to being an ambassador for your family and for God. Then read 2 Corinthians 5:20. Write out a job description for an ambassador of Jesus Christ. File it in your Bible notebook.
Music Notes: Take the Name of Jesus With You
This hymn is on page 39 of the CEM Hymnal.
The words to “Take the Name of Jesus With You” were written by Lydia Baxter four years before her death at age 65. She was a bed-ridden invalid much of her life. But she remained very positive because of her faith in Jesus Christ. She had the reputation of loving to study the Bible and was very interested in the significance of names and their meanings. (Source: Amazing Grace, Kenneth Osbeck, 1990, p. 39.)
Do you make it your goal to bring honor to the name of Jesus Christ in everything you do? Does it make a difference in how you act if you remember that you are acting as an ambassador for Jesus Christ? As you sing this hymn, write a fifth verse - one that talks about honoring the name of Jesus in your conduct wherever you go.
Questions?
Write down any questions you have in your Bible notebook so that you can remember to ask your parents or your pastor.
Song
"O Be Careful Little Eyes" is on page 39 of Kids Classics Collection.
Closing Prayer
Lead the students in prayer asking God to lead them 1) to understand more fully how their behavior attracts people to, or repels people from, God and His ways and 2) to live like His child and Godly ambassador.
Printable Pages
