By Rebekah Carson
We all know that the Ten Commandments are important, but sometimes it’s hard to remember all of them – and even harder to recall all of them in the right order. Of course you can always look them up in the Bible. They’re listed in Exodus 20 as well as in Deuter
onomy 5. But there is also a simple way to use your fingers as a built-in memory tool!
It works best to begin with the thumb on your right hand hand and move across to your pinky finger for the first five commandments. For commandments six through ten you should use your left hand and end with your thumb.
1) You shall have no other gods before me. Hand motion: Thumbs-Up! God is #1!
2) You shall not make for yourself an idol.
Hand motion: Make cow horns by placing your thumbs against your temples and sticking your pointer fingers straight up.
3) You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God.
Hand motion: When you hold up your fingers it’s easy to see that your middle finger is the tallest finger on your hand. God’s name is the name that is above all names.
4) Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
Hand motion: If you place your hand against your flat surface, it is very difficult to raise your fourth finger by itself. The fourth finger is the weakest one on our hand. The Lord has given us a day of rest to worship Him so that we will not grow weak.
5) Honor your father and your mother.
Hand motion: Hold up your hand like you are taking an oath to honor your parents.
6) You shall not murder.
Hand motion: Make a karate chop with one hand placed on top of the other.
7) You shall not commit adultery.
Hand motion: Point to your ring finger. This is the finger where married people wear a wedding band to show their commitment to be faithful to one person.
8) You shall not steal.
Hand motion: Stretch your hand out in front of you. The long bone in your middle finger is like a “steel” rod that runs from the top your finger through your hand.
9) You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
Hand motion: Place your pointer finger against your lips. Shhh!! Don’t tell a lie.
10) You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor.
Hand motion: Use your thumb to point over your shoulder at the things around you that belong to others. Keep your eyes straight ahead focused on Christ.
Note: Several people have come up with creative ways to use hand motions to re- member the 10 commandments. Maybe you and your family can also create your own version!?
Rebekah Carson is a World Witness missionary in Berlin, Germany. While missionaries Erik and Laurie Meberg were visiting Rebekah, their daughter Ana demonstrated the hand motions.