* Exodus story tells of how the people of Israel become God’s adopted sons and daughters * Their story is our story because we see ourselves in continuity with the Jewish people * God recalls his covenant with Abraham at the burning bush with Moses * God has a special care for his descendants

* Christian “ethics” refers to those moral norms that are seen to be distinctive to Christianity. * “Moral norms” are those guidelines that help the Christian to reflect on his/her moral life and on what actions he/she should take in certain situations. * Christian “ethical teachings” are based on the belief that the human person is an image of God.

* Christian “morality” is based on many sources of revelation, but particularly on key passages from the Scriptures such as: * The Decalogue or Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:1-17 and Deut 5 :6-21) * The ‘Golden Rule’ (Mt 22: ) * The Beatitudes (Mt 5-7) * Actions based on love (1 Cor 13:1) * Nature of the Final Judgement (Mt 25) * Living a life of service (Lk 22: 26-27) * Love one another as I have loved you (Jn 13:34)

* The Ten Commandments is also known as the “Decalogue” (ten words from God) * These ten short commandments or guidelines for living are based on God’s direct revelation to Moses on Mount Sinai in Israel ( Ex 20:2-17 and Deut 5: 6-21) * Unlike other parts of the Jewish Scriptures, the Decalogue Is the only text understood as being spoken directly by God to the people of Israel and then written directly by God’s hand on two stone tablets. * -

* The first three commandments of the Decalogue refer to the worship of God, while the rest refer to obligations to one’s neighbour and society * The Decalogue is introduced by God’s own words of freedom: * “I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me (Ex 20:2) * The Decalogue summed up the type of relationship that Israel should have with God. * For Christians observance of the Decalogue is based on love not fear.

* The commandments should be viewed as life principles to be internalised by the human heart – not avoided because of perceived punishment and damnation by God. * The practice of virtue is understood as more important than the listing of sins. * In the final analysis, the Decalogue is like a set of ten boundary markers beyond which are sin, alienation, unhappiness and death.

* The Decalogue is an important basis for structuring and living the Christian life. * It calls Christians back to loving God alone and loving their neighbours as themselves.

* When the people of Israel strayed from keeping their part of the agreement prophets were sent to call them back… they called Israel’s transgressions sin. (RIGHTEOUSNESS and JUSTICE focus!) * The dictionary defines sin as the breaking of religious or moral law, especially through a willful act. * Sin is a violation of our relationship with God or others. It is turning away from God. * Different kinds of SIN?

SIN – A sin is a break in our love relationship with God SIN OF COMMISION Committing a sin ourselves. Doing something that we know is wrong, but we still continue to do it SIN OF OMISSION Failing to act when we see a sin occur or an injustice taking place PERSONAL SIN OF COMMISSION When you yourself – as an individual – go ahead and commit a sin (lying to your parents about where you were the other night) SOCIAL SIN OF COMMISSION When we act collectively as a group and commit a sin – something we know is wrong, but we still do it (KKK, Nazi Germany) PERSONAL SIN OF OMISSION Where we as an individual allow others to do wrong things (Allow your friend to steal from another friend and do nothing about it.) SOCIAL SIN OF OMISSION As a group we allow others to do things that are wrong and possibly detrimental to society – no anti-pollution laws. This is the worst kind of sin. SIN