Exodus 20:7

⁷“Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will find guilty anyone who misuses his name.

School cafeteria image:

“Treat” (or dessert) in the lunch box.

Message:

How would you feel if you found out that someone was being nice to you just because they wanted to get something from you? Maybe they are being really nice because they didn’t do their homework and they want to look at your paper to get their answers. Maybe they treat you kindly and say nice things to you because you have a great “treat” in your lunch box that they want for themselves. (Show them the cookie or treat that you have in your lunch box.) Has something like that happened to you? (Allow children to answer.) When it does, the other person is “using” you. We should really name it “misusing” you because that’s really what is happening. They are using the relationship in a bad way.

Today’s scripture passage reminds us that sometimes people misuse God’s name. They might tell another person that God will be angry with them if they don’t do what they want. They might say a swear word that misuses God’s name. They might talk very loudly about how much they love God, just to brag about it in front of others. Do you know what brag means? (Allow children to respond.) Bragging is when we are overly proud of ourselves and want everyone around us to know just how good we think we are.

When people act in these ways, they are showing that they don’t love and respect God. Instead, they are trying to control God by using God’s name to get what they want. God doesn’t want us to have that kind of relationship with God.

In Exodus, the second book of the Old Testament in our Bible, God gives us the Ten Commandments. (If you have time, play a video from YouTube called the “Ten Commandment Boogie” by Go Fish.)

The third commandment God gave to the Israelites was to not misuse God’s name. (Reinforce today’s commandment from the song; Number three- use the name of God only with respect.)

God gives us life and all that we have in this life. God loves us completely. In return, we should honor and love God. That’s what God wants, and that is using God’s name in the right way, which a real “treat”!

This week, as you eat your sweet “treat” from your lunch box, remember to give God honor and respect in how you use God’s name.