Joseph Parker
AFA director of outreach and intercession
December 2019 – “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.” Psalm 119:9
The Ten Commandment Project is a powerful tool to help believers and the church reach out to today’s children and youth. By the power and promise of God’s Word, it can really make a difference.
This project is used to share the good news of Jesus Christ and to disciple them with one of the most fruitful and effective teaching tools in the Word of God. In our world, which seems to be set afire by the kingdom of darkness, the genuine answer is the Word of God (John 4:14; John 7:37-39; Ephesians 5:26; Isaiah 55:1).
The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5) convey God’s moral law and His great wisdom, and provide insight for living a life that honors God.
My wife Birdie and I have had the privilege of helping lead this project in our community for a few years, and it has been both an exciting and a rewarding journey.
How it works
We take about a six-week period of time to meet once a week with a group of children and/or youth. We have worked with children from elementary grades through high school in various venues such as local churches and Boys and Girls Clubs.
We ask each child or youth to memorize the short form of the Commandments. (See below.) Upon memorizing all of them, each child receives a free T-shirt.
When a youth is ready to recite the Commandments from memory, he does it before his peers. Some may get all ten on the first try, but most require more than one try. When a youth is standing before her peers attempting to recite all ten, participants are actually drilling each other on the Ten Commandments.
During the six weeks, we take time to teach the meaning and importance of each commandment. Movie clips and music videos help us teach the truths behind each one. These tools help draw students into a discussion about each commandment.
We see it as a great way to plant the life-changing Word of God in the hearts of our children. Also, it is clearly a proactive way to carry out the Great Commission among our youth and to fight and protect them against many of the tragic ways and weapons the enemy uses to try to pull them into darkness.
This project helps the church be on the offensive. The Ten Commandments become a weapon to do spiritual battle with the kingdom of Satan, the one behind school shootings, abortion, youth dying from drugs, and our youth being incarcerated for stealing or breaking other commandments. Our children and youth desperately need to hear the gospel and be discipled in the powerful Word of God. 
“Your Word is a Lamp to my feet and a Light to my path.”
— Psalm 119:105
The Ten Commandments
1. You shall have no other gods before me.
2. You shall not make for yourself any graven images.
3. You shall not use God’s Name in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.
5. Honor your father and mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not tell lies.
10. You shall not covet.
An expanded version of this commentary first appeared on afa.net/the-stand. AFA is eager to assist you and/or your church. For questions or more information, e-mail jparker@afa.net or call Joseph Parker at 662-844-5036 X381.
