10 Commandments July 2010 Central theme: God's instructions are best for me, because God knows me best. Bible passages: Exodus 20:1-17 Memory Verse: “If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you.” John 14:15 (The Message) Lesson Goals: • • • • • • • •

God wants to be in a special relationship with us. God is active and present in all parts of our lives. People are precious to God so we should love and care for other people. God gives us rules to show us how to live with God and with others. To live with faith that God gave us these commandments to show that we love God. To believe that these commandments are called commandments, but God wants us to put them into our hearts. That we should love others and these are ways that God wants us to show that love. That the Ten Commandments are more than a set of rules; that it’s God showing himself to us.

Learning Centers: • • • •

Bible Center – 10 Commandments Memory Game Craft Center – Make a 10 Commandments Book Movie Center – “What’s in the Bible?” Activity Center - Commandment Collection Game

Schedule: Week 1: All grades Bible Center Week 2: 1st/2nd Craft Center; 3rd /4th /5th Movie Center Week 3: 1st/2nd Movie Center; 3rd /4th /5th Craft Center Week 4: Group Games Center NOTE: Many parts of this curriculum were taken from a family fun pack called K10C. Below is a link and many of the parts (particularly the video and activity pages) are located in the materials. As of the writing of this curriculum, the pack was available for around $20. Follow this link to find it. http://www.k10c.com/other/default.asp

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Bible Center – 10 Commandments Memory Game * Things to do BEFORE the lesson: • Read the scripture for this lesson: Exodus 20:1-17 • Review lesson goals. • Review lesson memory verse: • Post the memory verse. • Supplies needed: Children’s Bible, Memory Game Card Sets Telling the Story/Review of the Bible passage: Discuss the background to today’s story. Have the children use their Bibles to locate the verses in Exodus 20:1-17. This passage relates the laws that God gave Moses to direct people how to worship God and act toward other people. The laws explain to the people how they should live now that they are in a special covenant with God. These laws were first written on stone tablets and afterwards the laws were copied onto parchment and rolled as scrolls. 1. The first four commandments teach us how to show our love for God as follows: 1 Exodus 20:1-4 Do not worship any other gods but me - God reminded the Hebrews that he had saved them from slavery (remember the flight from Egypt). Other people might worship other gods, but we have the one true God to take care of us. 2 Exodus 20:4-6 Do not make idols of any kind- worship only God, not things. 3 Exodus 20:7 Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God. 4 Exodus 20:8-11 Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 2. The last six commandments teach us how to relate with our family, neighbors and communities as follows: 5 Exodus 20:12 Honor your father and mother - show care for them 6 Exodus 20:13 Do not murder 7 Exodus 20:14 Be faithful in marriage 8 Exodus 20:15 Do not steal - and do not purposely damage or destroy what doesn’t belong to you 9 Exodus 20:16 Do not lie - or repeat untruths 10 Exodus 20:17 Do not want anything that belongs to someone else- explain the Bible also uses the word “covet”

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3. God gave the Ten Commandments to his people so they can live lives full of joy and the fullness of life in safety and peace. God promises to protect our families when we obey Him and show thanks. Later God sent Jesus to help us when we have trouble following these commandments (John 15:9-11). 10 Commandments Memory Game/Directions: 1. Use a set of the memory cards to go thru each of the commandments, showing the picture that goes with each commandment. 2. Divide the students into groups of 2 or 3. Give each group a set of memory cards. 3. The students should turn over the cards and shuffle them. They should then lay them all out face down. 4. The game begins by one of the student picking up 2 cards and showing them to the group. If they match, the student gets another turn. If they do not match, the cards are returned to their original positions, and the next student takes a turn. 5. The student with the most cards when all the matches are complete is the winner. 6. To extend the activity, the students may play again with their partner, or the teacher may mix up the groups to re-play as well. * Prayer: Be sure to ask the kids to share any prayer or praises they have and ask if anyone wants to lead the group in prayer. Close with prayer, including a prayer that thanks God for loving us and giving us his commandments to help us make good decisions!

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Craft Center – Make a 10 Commandments Book * Things to do BEFORE the lesson: • Read the scripture for this lesson: Exodus 20:1-17 • Review lesson goals. • Review lesson memory verse: • Post the memory verse. • Materials needed: · 10-12 index cards for each student · 2-3 small snag free rubber bands for each student · 2 wooden sticks · Markers/Crayons/ Colored pencils to decorate the book · Have a sample of the craft for the kids to see * Retelling the Story: This month, we are learning about God giving Moses 10 commandments to help us know how to live with Him and with each other. Review the 10 commandments with the students. Ask them if they remember how the commandments are broken into two groups. [How to live with God and how to live with others] You can also post a copy of them in a central place so the students can see them while they are working on their project. * Directions: 1. Give each child 10-12 index cards. They can decide if they want to make their book using pictures, words, or both. They will put a commandment on each card. 2. They can then stack the cards together, and put one card on top to use as a book cover. 3. Have the student put one stick on top of the cards and one under the cards. Then, wrap a rubber band around each end of the sticks to hold them together. 4. They can then decorate the front of their books or the sticks. * Discussion/Closing: Have the kids help clean up and while they're doing this, ask them if there are any questions that they have. Talk to them about why God gave us the commandments and how we should follow them in our daily lives. * Prayer: Be sure to ask the kids to share any prayer or praises they have and ask if anyone wants to lead the group in prayer. Close with prayer, including a prayer that thanks God for loving us and giving us his commandments to help us make good decisions!

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Movie Center – What’s in the Bible? * Things to do BEFORE the lesson: • Read the scripture for this lesson: Exodus 20:1-17 • Review lesson goals. • Review lesson memory verse: • Post the memory verse. • Supplies: Movie “What’s in the Bible?-2”, DVD player/TV • Optional supplies: Snacks, cups for water, napkins *Retelling the Story: God gave the 10 Commandments to Moses. Moses had a very important part in the Bible. In this video we will learn more about how Moses grew up and when led to him leading the Jewish people out of Israel and to receive the 10 Commandments. *Directions: The students will watch episode 2 “What is Salvation?” on the video “What’s in the Bible?2” If you have remaining time, you can let the kids watch the first episode called “Let My People Go!” They can watch this after you have finished the lesson above.

*Discussion/Closing: 1) Can anyone remember what was happening in Egypt around the time that Moses was born? 2) Why did the Israelites want to leave Egypt? 3) What promises did God give the Israelites? 4) Why did God give Moses the 10 Commandments? * Prayer: Be sure to ask the kids to share any prayer or praises they have and ask if anyone wants to lead the group in prayer. Close with prayer, including a prayer that thanks God for loving us and giving us his commandments to help us make good decisions!

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Activity Center – Commandment Collection Center * Things to do BEFORE the lesson: • Read the scripture for this lesson: Exodus 20:1-17 • Review lesson goals. • Review lesson memory verse: • Post the memory verse. • Needed supplies: Note each station’ specific supplies below. In addition you will need: Ten Commandments book marks, 9x12 envelopes to put instructions and supplies in for each station, small gift boxes, 10 toy coins for each child, enough pencils for the size of the groups at each station. Also to be sure to make enough copies of each paper “activity” as needed. For the 7th station, you might want to find a nice “marriage” photo and copy it onto cardstock paper. Then you’ll need to cut it into puzzle type shapes. *Retelling the Story: This month, we are learning about God giving Moses 10 commandments to help us know who to live with Him and with each other. In preparation for the game today, review the 10 commandments with the students. *Activity Stations/Directions: There are 10 activity stations included in this lesson. Where the activity comes from the K10C program, its page is indicated. Make a copy of each page as needed and attach to the envelope for each station, then label the envelope with the Station #. Before beginning at each station, the students will each receive a small box. At each station, the students have a task to complete. If they complete their task at that station, they may collect a coin for their box. Once they have all 10 coins, they have completed the activity. 1) Each activity is related to a specific commandment, but it is not required that the students complete each station in a specific order. 2) It may be easier to manage the students if you divide them into small groups of 2 or 3 students. Since some stations may require reading for directions, encourage the older students to help out the younger ones. 3) At activity stations where a written worksheet is available, place the puzzle or task inside the envelope for the children. An answer key to the puzzle or task should be included/attached in the envelope. Station 1: Add a picture to the God First poster (p.47) A picture with the cross with the phrase “God First” should be hung on the wall (or attached to the envelope and the supplies. Next to it should be colored pencils or crayons. At this station, students

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need to add a picture of 4 things that people sometimes “put before God.” Station 2: Make a play dough statue At this station, set out the small buckets of play dough. The students will build a statue and then smash it/ knock it down. Station 3: Untangle the Names (p. 64) This station will need the worksheets and some crayons or pencils. The students can use a crayon to trace the lines to see what name goes with each scripture passage. Station 4: Every 7th day puzzle (p. 77) Students will need the worksheets and some pencils. On this worksheet, they will mark every 7th letter to find the answer to the puzzle. Station 5: Add something to the “Honor Wall” Make a long piece of paper that is about the size of three 8 ½” x 11” paper taped together lengthwise. The paper marked “Honor Wall” should be hung on the wall or laid down on the floor or on a table. The kids should use a pencil to add a word or phrase that shows something they can do to “honor” their parents. Station 6: “Say Sorry” center The Bible teaches that we shouldn’t hurt each other. At this center, provide a small pad of paper or some small pieces of paper. The student’s will write on a piece of paper a note or picture to tell someone they are sorry for a time they have hurt them. They are to be told that no one else will see it, and they can tear it up after they write it or fold it up and put it inside their boxes. Station 7: Marriage puzzle You will need to find a nice “marriage” photo/graphic and copy it onto cardstock paper. Then you’ll need to cut it into puzzle type shapes. At this station, the students will put together the pieces of a puzzle that represents the 7th Commandment. They can do this on the

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floor or a table. Before leaving the station, they should put the pieces back in the envelope for the next group/person. Station 8: Crack the Code (p141) The students will need a pencil and the worksheet. At this station, student will need to use pictures to solve the puzzle.

Station 9: Truthful Words (p154) At this station, kids will need a pencil and the worksheet “Truthful Words”. They will need to complete the puzzle by filling in the missing letters. Station 10: Thankful box At this station, you’ll need a pencil/pen and a small slip of paper. They will also need a bag with the word “Thankful” on it. Instead of wanting what other people have, we should be thankful for the many things God has given us. At this station, the student should write down something they are thankful for and then put the slip of paper in the “Thankful” bag.

* Discussion/Closing: 1) Open the “Thankful” bag and review what students are thankful for. 2) They can use markers to decorate their coin boxes. 3) Pass out the 10 Commandments bookmarks. If there are enough, you can give them an extra to share with a friend or family member.

* Prayer: Be sure to ask the kids to share any prayer or praises they have and ask if anyone wants to lead the group in prayer. Close with prayer, including a prayer that thanks God for loving us and giving us his commandments to help us make good decisions!

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“If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you.” John 14:15

Hello Parents! Hope your summer has been special! This month we are tackling a subject that often becomes one all about the rules of our faith. But we want to have our children understand and believe that God has given us the Ten Commandments for our hearts. We want them to see how God wanted to communicate His love to us by showing us the best way to live and then to show this most excellent way of living to other people. Our goal is not to have the kids memorize the commandments, but more to understand the heart of God as He shares these life lessons with us. We hope you take the time to sit with your kid(s) and read the passages together. Let them tell you about what they learned about the commandments and how they think they can impact others around them if they follow God’ word. Read it aloud together too. You will enjoy the time as you build a spiritual legacy with your family. Central theme: God's instructions are best for me, because God knows me best. Bible passages: Exodus 20:1-17 Memory Verse: “If you love me, show it by doing what I”ve told you.” John 14:15 (The Message) Lesson Goals: (we want kids to) • believe that God wants to be in a special relationship with them. • live their lives seeing that God is active and present in all parts of their lives. • see that people are precious to God so they should love and care for other people. • understand that God gives all of us rules to show how to live with God and with others. • understand why it is that when they obey God's laws they show their love to God. Please notice the “Talk About It” section on the fridge. One of our goals is to help you and your kids connect on a spiritual level with one another. This section is a simple way you can start having conversations with your kids about things they’re learning. Our goal is not to replace you as the primary spiritual shaper of your child, but to support and encourage you as you walk them in a relationship with Christ and a life of grace. Be ready to talk practically with your kids about ways they can serve God no matter their age. We consider it an honor to be a part of your family’s spiritual journey. If you have any feedback, please email Lynn Kellner. (lynn@cafecrossroads. com).