Exploring Catholic Social Teaching

Lesson Plan
Materials
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Handout A: The Great
Commandments
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Handout E: How Can I
Love My Neighbor?
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Handout B: Loving God and
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Handout F: We Are Called
Loving Our Neighbor
to Love Assessment
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Handout C: The Good Samaritan
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Teacher Resource: Ten
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Handout D: Readers
Commandments Cards
Theater: The Parable of
the Good Samaritan
DAY ONE
Note: In advance, print enough copies of Teacher Resource: Ten Commandments Cards (page 33 in
this guide) and cut out enough cards for every student to receive one card.
Warm-Up
A. Begin by leading your students in the following prayer:
Dear God, You call us to be part of the Christian family and members of your Catholic
Church. Help us to be one people who live for you. Give us the opportunities to love you and
to love our neighbor. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
B. Begin by explaining to your students that in the Old Testament God gave Moses Ten
Commandments to give to His people. A commandment is a rule or law that God gave to
His people to learn to love Him and to love each other. Then ask if your students can name
any of the Ten Commandments. Write correct answers on the board until you list all ten. If
your students have trouble naming commandments, ask them questions such as “Is there a
commandment about lying?” or “Is there a commandment about listening to our parents?” The
Ten Commandments are:
1. I am the LORD your God: you shall not have strange gods before me.
2. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
3. Remember to keep holy the LORD’s day.
4. Honor your father and mother.
5. You shall not kill.
6. You shall not commit adultery.
7. You shall not steal.
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
9. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.
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