Catechisma
Luther's Small (Kids)
15 / 72
OriginalModernizedFor Kids
Quiz Mode

The Ten Commandments

Q15. What is the Eighth Commandment?

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

Scripture Proofs — King James Version

1

Exodus 20:16

“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.”

Deuteronomy 5:20

“Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour.”

Parent Guide

Discuss this question together

Discussion Questions

  1. 1

    What does the Eighth Commandment forbid?

  2. 2

    What does "false testimony" mean in everyday life, not just in a courtroom?

  3. 3

    When was the last time you said something about someone that was not true or not kind?

Illustration

Words are like nails hammered into a wooden fence. You can pull the nails out later, but the holes remain. Once you spread a lie or a rumor about someone, you cannot take it back. The damage stays even after you say sorry. That is why God takes your words about other people so seriously.

Application

This week, before you say something about another person, ask yourself: is this true, is this kind, and does this person need to hear it? Ask God to help you guard your tongue, especially when you are tempted to gossip.

Read Luther’s expanded teaching

From the Large Catechism (1529)