How the Scout Law Relates to the Ten Commandments

Comparing the Ten Commandments to the Scout Law can be a great activity for Scouts. It helps them understand the connections between their faith and their everyday actions. This kind of exercise is part of the Ad Altare Dei religious emblem program, but it can benefit any Scout group. It brings faith into their Scouting experience in a meaningful way.

In one Scout group, a discussion about this comparison was lively and engaging. Scouts, aged 13 and 14, shared their thoughts on how the Ten Commandments relate to the Scout Law. This made for an interesting and spirited conversation. The Scouts made connections that helped them see the importance of living out their faith in their daily lives.

The Scouts found many links between the Scout Law and the Ten Commandments. For example, they saw how being trustworthy relates to not stealing or lying. They connected being loyal to honoring God and their families. They also saw how being friendly and courteous connects to respecting others.

This exercise showed that young people can find joy in exploring their faith. It made them think deeply about their actions and beliefs. The discussion helped them understand how the principles of Scouting and their faith are connected. This can encourage Scouts to live out their faith more fully.

1. I am the Lord your God. You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
3. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.
4. Honor your father and your 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.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.

Trustworthy: The Scouts thought that being trustworthy related to the 7th and 8th Commandments about stealing and lying. Some also saw a connection with the 9th and 10th Commandments.

Loyal: They linked loyalty mostly to the 1st Commandment, about being loyal to God, and to the 4th Commandment, about being loyal to their families.

Helpful: When discussing being helpful, they connected it to the 4th Commandment and helping out at home.

Friendly: For friendliness, they eventually decided it related to Commandments 5 through 10, saying it’s not friendly to break any of those.

Courteous: Being courteous was tied to the 2nd Commandment because “cursing is rude.” But they also thought it related to several others.

Kind: The discussion about kindness was similar to courteous and friendly. They wondered why the Scout Law needed all three.

Obedient: Obedience was clearly linked to the 4th Commandment about respecting parents. Some also saw it fitting with the 1st and 3rd Commandments.

Cheerful: Cheerfulness was hard at first. They placed it with the 3rd Commandment about keeping the Sabbath and being happy about going to Mass. They also linked it to the 9th and 10th Commandments about being content with what they have.

Thrifty: They agreed that being thrifty fit with the 7th Commandment about not stealing.

Brave: Bravery took some discussion. They mostly linked it to the 8th Commandment about telling the truth. Some also connected it to the 1st Commandment about living their faith.

Clean: They quickly linked being clean with the 2nd Commandment about not taking God’s name in vain and the 9th Commandment about purity.

Reverent: Reverence was connected to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Commandments about honoring God and keeping the Sabbath.

Note that this summary reflects what one group of Scouts said. A different group might come up with completely different results, especially for a couple of the points of the Scout Law where the group had quite a bit of discussion before connecting it with the Ten Commandments.

What is the Scout Law?

The Scout Law is a set of 12 principles that Scouts agree to follow. These principles guide their behavior and help them become good citizens.

Why is it important to compare the Scout Law to the Ten Commandments?

Comparing the Scout Law to the Ten Commandments helps Scouts understand how their faith and Scouting values are connected. It shows how living by these principles can guide their actions and decisions.

Can this comparison activity be done with other groups besides Scouts?

Yes, this activity can be done with any group with any code of conduct. It helps participants see the connections between moral principles and their everyday actions, promoting better understanding and behavior.

What is the benefit of discussing the Scout Law and Ten Commandments with young people?

Discussing the Scout Law and Ten Commandments with young people helps them see the importance of living by strong moral principles. It encourages them to reflect on their actions and make better choices.

What did the Scouts learn from this activity?

The Scouts learned how the principles in the Scout Law align with the Ten Commandments. They saw the importance of being trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent in their daily lives.

The activity of comparing the Scout Law to the Ten Commandments was a valuable experience for the Scouts. It helped them see how the principles they follow in Scouting align with their faith. Each point of the Scout Law was matched with one or more of the Ten Commandments, leading to a lively discussion among the boys.

For example, the Scouts connected being trustworthy with the commandments about not stealing and not lying. They linked loyalty to honoring God and their parents. They saw that being helpful related to the commandment about respecting and helping their family.

The Scouts had varied opinions on friendliness but ultimately agreed it touched many commandments. Courteous behavior was linked to not taking God’s name in vain. Kindness was seen as important in respecting others, similar to friendliness and courteousness.

Obedience was clearly tied to honoring parents and following God. Cheerfulness was linked to keeping the Sabbath and being content. Thriftiness was connected to not stealing. Bravery was associated with telling the truth and living one’s faith. Cleanliness was quickly linked to respecting God and purity. Reverence encompassed honoring God, using His name respectfully, and keeping the Sabbath.

Overall, this activity helped the Scouts understand how the Scout Law and the Ten Commandments guide their actions. It encouraged them to live out their values in both their faith and their Scouting life.

Try comparing the Scout Law to the Ten Commandments with your Scout group. This activity can spark great discussions and insights. Share your own variations and notes in the comments section. Let’s see how different groups make connections between these important principles. This is a fun way to explore values and learn together.