Lesson 7: The ten commandments.
Passage: Exodus 19:1-20:21 - The Israelites came to Mount Sinai, which Moses climbed to meet with God. There, God gave Moses the Law of the Covenant to give to the Israelites, which was a reminder of how God had rescued them from slavery in Egypt and chosen them to be God’s people, as well as a guideline for how they were to live as God’s people in the Promised Land. God gave the Israelites Ten Commandments to follow, which Jesus later summarizes as “loving God and loving others.”
Big Idea: God’s law is love.
For Teachers:
Lesson plan.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
We’re almost at the end of our lessons on the story of Moses and the Israelites.
Can anyone remember some of the things we've learned about the story so far?
Today we'll be learning the 10 most important rules that God gave the people to follow. What do you think some of the rules were?
Let's watch our video to find out more...
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What are some of the rules that you have to follow at home or at school?
Why do you think your parents or teachers give you rules?
Why do you think God gave the people rules?
What did Jesus say God's rules are all about? (Loving God and others)
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story of the ten commandments that you gave to Moses and the Israelites to help them know what is right and wrong, and how to live as your people. Thank you that we know you give us rules because you love us and want the very best for us. Please help us to remember that your rules are all about loving you and loving others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Mountain Collage — Activity Leader
Using the different cut out pieces of paper provided, kids create their our mountain collage, to represent the mountain where God gave Moses the commandments.
If a child is not interested in the activity, allow them to move to free play.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit near the TV. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
We’re almost at the end of our series about the story of Moses and the Israelites.
Can anyone remember some of the things that's happened so far in the story?
Today's story is about how God gave the people 10 commandments or rules to follow. Can you guess what some of the rules were?
Let's watch our video to find out more...
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Why do you think God gives us rules?
What are some of the rules that you have to follow at home or at school?
Do you think that parents and teachers give you rules because they want to make your life harder or because the rules are good and keep us safe? Do you think that God is the same way?
What did Jesus say God's rules were all about?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story of the ten commandments that you gave to Moses and the Israelites to help them know what is right and wrong, and how to live as your people. Thank you that we know you give us rules because you love us and want the very best for us. Please help us to remember that your rules are all about loving you and loving others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Mountain Collage — Activity Leader
Using the different cut out pieces of paper provided, kids create their our mountain collage, to represent the mountain where God gave Moses the commandments.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Welcome the kids to class, ask how their week was.
Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
We’re almost done our series on Moses and the Exodus!
Can anyone remember some of the things that have happened in the story so far?
Today's story is all about the time when Moses climbed up a mountain called Mount Sinai to meet with God, and where God ended up giving him the Ten Commandments for the Israelites to follow as the people of God.
Does anyone know what some of the commandments are?
Let's watch our video to find out more about the ten commandments...
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Why do you think God gave all these rules for the Israelites to follow?
What are some rules that you have to follow at home or at school? Why do you think our parents and teachers give us those rules?
What do you think makes a rule good or bad?
Do you think that God's rules are about proving yourself to God and making God love you more if you follow them? What do you think they're about?
Later, in the New Testament, Jesus summarized all of the Laws of Moses into two greatest commandments? Can anyone remember what they were?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story of the Ten Commandments, and how we learn from it that you are a loving God who gives us certain rules for our own benefit, not to make our lives for difficult, but so that we’ll know how to live as your people. Please help us to remember that the most important thing of all is to love you and love others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Mountain Collage — Activity Leader
Using the different cut out pieces of paper provided, kids create their our mountain collage, to represent the mountain where God gave Moses the commandments.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
For Parents:
Follow-up questions.
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
How many big rules did God give the Israelites to follow? Do you remember what some of them were?
Why do you think God gave them those rules? Do you think God did it to make their lives hard or to make their lives better?
What do you think the rules are really all about? (Loving God and others)
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
How many commandments did God give the Israelites to follow? What were some of them?
Do you think God’s commandments are supposed to be for our good or to make our lives harder? Why?
What do you think the rules are really all about? (Loving God and others)
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What happened in the story you learned about in class today?
What do you think about all the rules that God gave the people to follow? Why do you think God gave them so many rules?
Do you think that we could earn God’s love by following rules? Why or why not? (Note: God already loved the people before giving them the commandments; the law is not about earning God’s love, but learning how to live as God's people)
Do you remember what Jesus said was the greatest commandment of all? (Loving God and others)
