The Ten Commandments have been a big topic this year, and not just in churches. Mississippi-based American Family Radio has just completed its annual "Ten Commandments Speech Challenge." This year's challenge coincided with the state of Louisiana passing a law that requires the Ten Commandments be displayed in public school classrooms from kindergarten to state-funded universities.
While that rule won't be implemented until at least November as a lawsuit makes its way through the courts, Joseph Parker, director of outreach for the American Family Association, says it's important for children and adults around the world to learn and live by the Decalogue.
"The Ten Commandments are what one might call a curriculum God gave us in His Word that is foundational to the laws and the needs of human beings all over the world for all time," he tells AFN.
"The Ten Commandments are the moral law of God. They're just as relevant today as they ever were and they're important. So, it's important for us as adults to know them and live by them – and it's important for us to teach and pass them on to our children as well."
Parker – who hosts The Hour of Intercession on the AFR network – calls the Ten Commandments project a distinct discipleship project, one that helps children learn how to honor God and understand the principles on which man's laws are based.
"For example, one of the biggest issues in the news today is the life issue. Standing for life and against abortion," he explains. "Even in the presidential campaign, we see it's a major issue.
"So, the Ten Commandments speak to us [and they] are very clear: you shall not murder, you shall not take innocent life."
The foundational truths put forth in the Commandments, says Parker, are important for children and adults alike. "And we're wise to keep teaching and training our children that these are guidelines that help us to honor God in the way we live our lives from day to day," he concludes.
Editor's Note: The American Family Association is the parent organization of the American Family News Network, which operates AFN.net.
