Growing up, part of my biggest memories of the Ten Commandments was largely created through the movie images of Charlton Heston’s wild hair and bushy beard. My mind’s eye goes to scenes of terrible plagues, pillars of fire, and a Hollywood booming voice of God pronouncing a series of threatening “Thou shall not’s.” They were very ominous depictions of a dangerous and wrathful God that generated emotions of not only dread and fear but shame. The Commandments always left me with feelings of an unhealthy shame - what a terrible disappointment I must be to God. So frankly, the Ten Commandments and emotional health are not two concepts I would have pinned together. Yet, as I’ve grown in faith and understanding, it’s interesting how God’s truth gets revealed.
The Father saw how literal we all were in comprehending His gift of the Ten Commandments (and more) and used the teachings of His Son to open our eyes. In the Gospels, Jesus shows us how we are to live. Subsequently, Jesus explains how our lives should demonstrate the deeper call of Ten Commandments for us to love both God and one another.
When asked which Commandment in the Law is the greatest, Jesus responded with a clarification of the entire Ten Commandments:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. […] And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:37–40)
This Great Command, as we know it, is not a reduction of the Commandments, but an amplification of what it truly means to follow them with intentionality. This intentionality is where we see Jesus uncovering the full meaning of what God intended for us through the Ten Commandments. We are familiar with the story of the good man who comes to Jesus:
“A man ran up to (Jesus) and fell on his knees before him. ‘Good teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ … Jesus answered. ‘… You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal...’ ‘Teacher,’ he declared, ‘all these I have kept since I was a boy.’” (Mark 10:17-20)
Jesus spots that the man has lived the overt interpretation of the Commandments. Jesus calls him to follow the Commandments through “love.” This love for his neighbors is a deeper and harder way than the literal interpretation. Not killing, stealing from, or lying about one’s neighbor can be less demanding than taking action to love them. Jesus points out how to the man how to better love his neighbor and the man is instantly overtaken with the realization of the deeper meaning:
Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack,’ he said. ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.” (Mark 10:21-22)
An interesting examination of conscience offers a phrasing of the Ten Commandments that aligns beautifully with the Great Commandment. This reframing considers “do’s” instead of ‘do not’s”:
We honor God as Creator. We praise him and would never put anything else in His place in our lives.
We always show reverence and honor to God, so would never use his name in a disrespectful way.
We remember to worship God by participating at Sunday Mass, and through that we give honor to ourselves, as well, by resting, praying, and doing good deeds for others.
We respect our parents and their authority. We also give that same respect to those who are given authority over us as long as they protect and care for our good.
We respect life as being sacred in all its forms which has dignity and beauty.
We respect the family and our part in family life. We respect marriage as being the place for sexual relationship. We respect our own bodies and those of others.
We respect the property of others.
We respect others by being honest and truthful. We do not gossip or try to harm others’ reputations.
We respect our relationships and the relationships of other people.
We are satisfied with and are grateful for the gifts which we have been given.(Origins from Diocese of Galveston-Houston)
Love is not simply an ideal—it’s an action. In Catholic classrooms, the Great Commandment becomes tangible when students are equipped with the tools to live it out in daily relationships. Social-emotional wellness isn’t separate from spiritual formation—it is a vital expression of it.
Modern research supports what Catholic tradition has long understood: students who struggle with emotional regulation are more likely to experience conflict, disconnection, and isolation. Without the tools to understand and manage their emotions, students may act in ways that harm relationships or violate their values and leads us into a life apart from God: sin.
Conversely, students who develop emotional literacy—who know how to name their feelings, pause before reacting, and listen to others—are far more likely to live virtuous lives. They become peacemakers. They speak truth in love. They make choices from a well-formed conscience rather than raw emotion.
Here are practical ways Catholic school educators can help students grow in relationship skills aligned with the Commandments:
Morning Prayer Reflections Start the day by focusing on one Commandment and inviting students to reflect on how it relates to their relationships with God and others.
Classroom Role Plays Use real-life scenarios to help students practice peacemaking, honesty, and empathy—then connect those behaviors to specific Commandments.
Feelings Check-ins Teach students to name their emotions and reflect on how those feelings may influence their actions. This builds empathy and moral awareness.
Restorative Conversations When a student breaks a rule, guide them to reflect not just on what they did wrong, but whom they may have hurt—and how to make it right.
When students learn that love means acting in ways that protect and restore relationships, the Commandments become more than theology—they become tools for holy living.
Explore the Ten Commandments Crosswalk: See how each Commandment aligns with Catholic teaching and supports social emotional and character formation in students. Download the Vol. 2 Unit Overview + Commandments Crosswalk.
Access FREE Classroom Activities: Explore engaging, classroom-ready lessons that help students put the Great Commandment into practice. Browse Lessons that Bring Faith + Action Together.
Bring the Ten Commandments to Life Schoolwide: If this vision resonates, discover how Friendzy’s scripturally based social-emotional character education program can help your entire school form students in faith, character, and relationships. Connect with Julie Emory-Johnson, Friendzy National Catholic Partnership Director, today! Contact her directly at julie-ej@friendzy.co or schedule your demo to fit your schedule.
Jim King, Ph.D.is a Friendzy consultant.jimking@saintsandscholarsconsulting.com
