Grade 6CRE

Sanctity of Life

Exodus 20:13, Matthew 5:21-24; right to life; observing road safety; thanking God for the gift of life (5.3, 4 lessons).

📖 7 min read · 3 worked examples · 6 practice questions

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The lesson

That means every human life is precious and given by God. Here it says: 'All life is sacred and given by God.' This is the foundation of everything we'll learn today. Whether it's your life, your friend's life, or even a stranger's life — God created each one and calls it precious. We will learn from the Bible about respecting life, about anger and forgiveness, and later we'll even talk about road safety — like how we can stay safe on the roads and thank God for protecting our lives. Get ready, because this lesson will help us see life as a gift from God.

The title says "God's Commandment: Do Not Murder." This is the sixth of the Ten Commandments God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai. God wants us to value life. Exodus 20:13 says, "You shall not murder." This is a clear and direct command from God. It means we are not allowed to take another person's life intentionally. In Kenya, we know that life is precious — whether it's a child in Nairobi or a farmer in Kisumu. What this commandment teaches us. First, we must respect and protect all life. God is the giver of life, and only He can take it away. Think about how we can show respect for life in our daily actions — for example, by not fighting with our classmates or spreading harmful rumours. Remember: God's commandment "Do not murder" reminds us that every life is sacred. Let's make a commitment to treat others with kindness and respect.

Let's start with Matthew chapter 5, verses 21 to 24, where Jesus teaches us in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus says, 'You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, "You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment." But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.' So anger itself is a serious matter, even before we act on it. Jesus teaches that anger itself is wrong, not just murder. When we are angry in our heart, it is like we have already harmed that person. In Kenya, we have a saying: 'Hasira ni hasara' – anger leads to loss. We must learn to control our anger before it causes damage. Jesus also says that if you are bringing your gift to the altar and remember that someone has something against you, you should leave your gift and first go and be reconciled. Imagine you are on your way to church on Sunday with your offering, and you remember that you had a fight with your friend Kamau during the week. According to Jesus, you should first go and make peace with Kamau before giving your offering. That shows how important reconciliation is. Finally, Jesus calls us to forgive and seek peace. God wants us to live in harmony with each other. When we forgive, we reflect God's love. To review: first, anger itself is a sin. Second, we must reconcile before we worship. Third, we are to forgive and actively seek peace with others.

This is a right every single person has, from a tiny baby to a grandparent. The right to life means that we protect all people. Every person — no matter how young, how old, or where they come from — deserves to live safely and be treated with care. How do we show respect for life in our daily actions? One of the most important rules is: do not harm anyone, including yourself. This means we refuse to fight, we never bully a classmate, and we help take care of people who are sick or elderly. For example, if you see Akinyi being teased in the playground, you can stand up and say, 'Stop, that's not right.' That's protecting life. In Kenya, our laws also protect the right to life. Article 26 of the Constitution says that every person has the right to life. This law reminds us that life is sacred and must be respected from the start. Let's remember: our words and actions can either protect or hurt someone's life. Let's choose to protect.

Today we'll learn how to protect the precious gift of life that God has given us. Let's start with a sobering fact: road accidents are the leading cause of death among children in Kenya. That means every time we step onto the road, we need to be extra careful. First, always use a zebra crossing when crossing the road. Left, right, and left again before you cross. Never play games on or near the road. Second, when you're in a matatu, always fasten your seatbelt. Don't distract the driver by shouting or moving around. Your safety is in your hands. Remember, by following these simple rules, you are protecting the gift of life. Let's all commit to being road safety champions!

Class, let's take a moment to recap everything we've learned today about the sanctity of life. This is our final summary and call to action. We've seen that every single person is precious to God. From Exodus 20:13 — 'You shall not murder' — and Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:21-24, we know that even our anger and insults matter. That's why we are called to not harm others, to forgive quickly, to be safe on the roads — like watching out for speeding matatus — and to thank God for the gift of life each day. Here's your challenge for this week: every morning, before you start your day, thank God for your life. For one way to help keep someone safe — maybe hold a younger sibling's hand crossing the road or remind a friend to wear a helmet on their bike. These small actions show that we truly value life. As we finish, remember: the sanctity of life isn't just a lesson we learn — it's a way we live. God made each person special, and when we protect, forgive, and thank, we honor Him. Done, everyone — I'm proud of how well you've grasped this important truth.

Worked examples

Applying Matthew 5 in School

This story is about two students in a Kenyan school — Kamau and Wanjiku. Here are the steps we'll follow. Pay close attention as we see how Jesus' teaching on anger plays out in a real situation. Kamau and Wanjiku are arguing over a pencil. Kamau feels so angry that he wants to push her. Instead of acting on that anger, he remembers what Jesus taught. He takes a deep breath, apologises, and forgives. Then they talk and agree to share the pencil. That's reconciliation — it honours God's gift of life. This comes straight from Matthew chapter 5, verses 21 to 24. Jesus says that anger in our hearts is like murder, and He commands us to go and make peace with our brother or sister before we come to God. Kamau chose to make peace — and that's exactly what Jesus wants us to do. Whenever you feel that flash of anger at school — over a pencil, a seat, or anything else — remember Kamau's example. Take a breath, forgive, and find a way to share. That's how we live out Jesus' teaching every day.

Bullying and Respect for Life

A worked example that shows us how to respond when we see someone being treated unkindly. This is about bullying and respecting every person's life. First, the scenario. A girl named Nyambura is being mocked just because she comes from a poor family. Think about how that must feel — to be laughed at for something you cannot control. This is the situation: Nyambura is mocked for being from a poor family. Have you ever seen something like this happen at school? It's important to notice when someone is being hurt. What can you do? Instead of joining in or staying quiet, you can give a respectful response. You can stand up for Nyambura and say, 'Do not hurt others; everyone is special to God.' This simple statement reminds everyone that every person has dignity and worth. You can also tell a teacher or parent so that Nyambura is protected and treated kindly. This is how we respect life. To sum up: when you see bullying, you have the power to choose respect. Stand up, speak kindly, and get help. That's how we show that every life is valuable.

Safe Crossing in a Busy Town

Another example – a boy named Otieno who needs to cross a busy road near the market in Kisumu. First, Otieno walks to the zebra crossing – that's the safest place. He doesn't just cross anywhere. Then he waits for the cars to stop, looks left and right, and crosses quickly. Notice each step: use the crossing, wait, look, cross. After crossing safely, Otieno thanks God for keeping him safe. This shows that he values his life – he doesn't take safety for granted. Whenever you cross a busy road, remember Otieno's example: be careful, be grateful, and always put your life first.

Practice questions

  • Asked which commandment teaches us not to kill. The answer is 'You shall not murder.
  • Was about road safety — what to do before crossing, especially near a school or busy street with matatus. The safest thing is to look both ways and use a zebra crossing.
  • Both questions point to the same big idea: God calls us to respect and protect life — whether by following His commandments or by following road safety rules.
  • 'According to Jesus, what should you do before offering your gift at the altar if you are angry with someone?
  • 'Why is it important to thank God for life?
  • Great work on those questions. Keep these two lessons in your heart: when you're upset with someone, take the first step to make peace; and always thank God for the life He has given you.

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