God Gives the Ten Commandments • Lesson 5 Bible Point We can ...

[Pages:14]God Gives the Ten Commandments ? Lesson 5

Bible Point We can trust God's rules.

Bible Verse

"Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord" (Psalm 40:4a).

Growing Closer to Jesus

Children will n learn about God's Ten Commandments, n understand the importance of following rules, n encourage Pockets to follow rules, and n talk about the consequences of disobedience.

Teacher Enrichment

Bible Basis

n God gives the Ten Commandments.

Exodus

The establishment of God's covenant with Israel at Sinai is perhaps the most important event

20:1-17; 32:1-35 in all of the Old Testament. God would take the Israelites as his very own people, blessing, prospering, and protecting them. They, in turn, were to worship him alone and obey the

stipulations set out in the covenant. To mark the significance of this momentous occasion, God

descended on Sinai in a shroud of thunder and lightning.

The Israelites would have understood God's actions at Sinai in the context of ancient Near Eastern treaties. Similar covenant treaties were established between a powerful, wealthy sovereign and a subordinate, who, in return for swearing loyalty and perhaps providing certain services, would receive benefits and protection. While

earthly covenants of this sort were often limited to political or economic matters, the covenant God established with

Israel was all-encompassing--God was the ultimate sovereign, able to bless and protect in all areas of life, and the Israelites were to remain completely loyal to him and him alone.

The Old Testament law, which governed the Lord's covenant with Israel, contained many more commands and

stipulations than just the Ten Commandments. However, the Ten Commandments in many ways summarize the moral and spiritual imperatives of the entire body of Old Testament law. The Ten Commandments painted a picture of what it was like for the ancient Israelites to love God and others.

Prayer

? Read Matthew 22:34-40. ? Now look back at Exodus 20:1-17. Which commandments describe what it means to love God? to love one's

neighbor? ? Pray: Lord, as my students and I apply these commandments to our own lives, help us understand their primary

purpose--helping us love you and our neighbor by...

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Lesson 5

Before the Lesson

n Collect the necessary items for the activities you plan to use. Refer to the Classroom Supplies and Learning Lab Supplies columns to determine what you'll need.

n Make photocopies of the "Today I Learned..." handout (at the end of this lesson) to send home with your children. n Pray for the children in your class and for God's direction in teaching the lesson.

This Lesson at a Glance

What Children Will Do Classroom Supplies Learning Lab Supplies

Welcome Welcome!--Receive name tags, Time and be greeted by the teacher.

"Stone Tablet Name Tags" (p. 27), markers, pins or tape

Let's Get Started

Direct children to one or more of the optional

activities until everyone arrives.

Option 1: Dough Engravings--Write on cream cheese dough "tablets."

Option 2: Rules of the Road--"Drive" around the room while they follow "traffic signals."

Option 3: Melt-Away Sculpture--Build a sculpture from sugar cubes, and learn that God wants us to worship only him.

Powdered sugar, cream cheese, craft sticks, wax paper, spoon, bowl

Sheets of red, yellow, and green construction paper

Pie tin, sugar cubes, frosting

Pick Up Our Toys--Sing a song CD player as they pick up toys, and gather

for Bible Story Time.

Bible Story Time

Setting the Stage--Play a game with changing rules.

Bible Song and Prayer Time--Sing a song, bring out the Bible, and pray together.

Bible, construction paper, scissors, CD player, basket or box

Hear and Tell the Bible Story--Hear about God's rules and how the Israelites broke them from Exodus 20:1-17; 32:1-35, and then melt a "statue" to show that we should worship only God.

Bible, Melt-Away Sculpture from Option 3, teacup or mug, pitcher of warm water, dishpan

Do the Bible Story-- Remember God's rules with a finger play, and listen to a song.

CD player

Closing Rules Are Cool--Teach Pockets why rules are important.

Trust God's Rules--Sing about trusting God, and then enjoy special treats to remember his rules.

Dough Engravings from Option 1, CD player

*See the end of this lesson for extra-time ideas and supplies.

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God Gives the Ten Commandments

Welcome Time

n Welcome!

SUPPLIES: "Stone Tablet Name Tags" handouts (p. 27), markers, pins or tape ? Bend down and make eye contact with children as they arrive. ? Greet each child individually with an enthusiastic smile. ? Thank each child for coming to class today. ? As children arrive, ask them how they put last week's lesson into practice. Ask

questions such as "What needs did God take care of?" and "What did you trust God with this week?" ? Say: Today we're going to learn that we can trust God's rules. ? Hand out the stone tablet name tags children made in the first lesson, and help children attach the name tags to their clothing. If some of the name tags were damaged or if children weren't in class that week, have them make new name tags using the photocopiable handout at the end of Lesson 1. ? Direct children to the Let's Get Started activities you've set up.

Let's Get Started

Set up one or more of the following activities for children to do as they arrive. After you greet each child, invite him or her to choose an activity.

Circulate among the children to offer help as needed, and direct children's conversation toward today's lesson. Ask questions such as "What are some important rules to follow?" or "What happens when people don't follow the rules?"

It's important to say the Bible Point just as it's written in each activity. Repeating the Bible Point over and over throughout the lesson will help kids remember it and apply it to their lives.

n Option 1: Dough Engravings

SUPPLIES: powdered sugar, cream cheese, craft sticks, wax paper, spoon, bowl Before children arrive, mix equal parts of powdered sugar and softened cream cheese

until you have a firm dough. Give each child a handful of dough on a square of wax paper. Have children press their dough into flat "tablets" and then use craft sticks to write on the tablets. Explain that God wrote 10 special rules on stone tablets and then gave the tablets to Moses. Tell children that we can trust God's rules.

n Option 2: Rules of the Road

SUPPLIES: sheets of red, yellow, and green construction paper Have children stand against one wall. Choose a volunteer to be the Traffic Director,

and have him or her stand against the opposite wall. Give the Traffic Director sheets of red, yellow, and green construction paper. Explain that red means "stop," yellow means "slow down," and green means "go." Have the Traffic Director hold up the sheets of paper while children pretend to slowly drive around the room three times. Encourage children to obey the signs the Traffic Director holds up. Allow the first child who completes three laps to become the new Traffic Director. As children play, explain that just as we need traffic rules on the road for driving, we need God's rules for living.

If you don't choose Option 1, you'll need to make the cream cheese dough tablets yourself, and place them on wax paper for each child in the class. You'll use the dough in the Closing activity.

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Lesson 5

n Option 3: Melt-Away Sculpture

SUPPLIES: pie tin, sugar cubes, frosting Set out sugar cubes, a pie tin, and frosting. Help children work together to build a

unique sugar-cube sculpture in a pie tin. As children work, explain that the Israelites disobeyed God's rules and worshipped a statue that looked like a calf. Tell children that God wants us to worship only him. Set the finished sculpture aside until "Hear and Tell the Bible Story."

When everyone has arrived and you're ready to move on to the Bible Story Time, encourage the children to finish what they're doing and get ready to clean up.

If you don't choose Option 3, make a simple sugar-cube sculpture ahead of time to use during "Hear and Tell the Bible Story."

n Pick Up Our Toys

SUPPLIES: CD player

track 2

Lead children in singing "Pick Up Our Toys" (track 2) with the CD

to the tune of "Skip to My Lou." Encourage the children to sing along

as they help clean up the room.

You'll be using this song each week to alert children to start picking

up. At first they may need a little encouragement. But after a few weeks, picking up and

singing along will become a familiar routine.

If you want to include the names of all the children in your class, sing the song without the CD and repeat the naming section. If you choose to use the CD, vary the

names you use each week.

We will pick up our toys. We will pick up our toys. We will pick up our toys And put them all away.

There's [name] picking up toys. There's [name] picking up toys. There's [name] picking up toys, Putting them all away.

(Repeat.)

Bible Story Time

n Setting the Stage

SUPPLIES: none

Tell the children you'll clap your hands to get their attention. Explain that when you clap, the children are to stop what they're doing, raise their hands, and focus on you. Encourage children to respond quickly so you'll have time for all the fun activities you've planned.

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God Gives the Ten Commandments

Form three groups. Say: Members of Group 1, take big, slow steps around the room and try not to get close to anyone in Group 2. Members of Group 2, take heel-to-toe baby steps and try to tag anyone who's not in your group. Members of Group 3, hop around the room and give high fives to everyone.

Shake the groan tube to begin the game. After 10 to 15 seconds, shake the groan tube again to stop the game. Say: Wait a minute. I've changed my mind. I'd like Group 1 to skip back and forth across the room, Group 2 to hop on one foot and give high fives, and members of Group 3 to walk on their knees and try to tag people from the other two groups. Go!

Play for 10 to 15 seconds, and then shake the groan tube to stop the game and say: Hmm, this isn't working! I've changed my mind again. This time, let's have Group 1 join hands and skip in a circle; Group 2, form a snake by holding onto each other's shoulders and twisting around the room; Group 3, cover your eyes and walk around the room without bumping into anyone. After 10 to 15 seconds, shake the groan tube, and have the children form a circle.

Ask: ? What did you think about my rules to this game? (They were silly; they were hard to follow.)

? What was the hardest thing about following my rules? (They kept changing; they didn't make sense.)

Say: My rules were not only silly, but they also kept changing. That made it hard to play the game! But some rules are really important and don't change.

Ask: ? Why are rules important? (So people don't get hurt; so some people don't bully other people.)

? What are some important rules? (Don't hit people; wear your seat belt; look both ways before crossing the street.)

Say: Rules are important because they help keep us safe. God gave us 10 special rules to help us live in a way that pleases him. Today we'll learn what God's rules are and that we can trust God's rules. Let's get ready to hear God's rules!

n Bible Song and Prayer Time

SUPPLIES: Bible, construction paper, scissors, basket or box, CD player

track 3

Before class, make surprise cards for this activity by cutting construction paper into 2x6-inch slips. Prepare a surprise card for each child, plus a few extras for visitors. Fold the cards in half, and then stamp the Moses stamp inside one of the surprise cards. Bookmark Exodus 20:117; 32:1-35 in the Bible you'll be using.

Have children sit in a circle. Say: Now it's time to choose a Bible person to bring me the Bible marked with today's Bible story. As we sing our Bible song, I'll pass out the surprise cards. Don't look inside your surprise card until the song is over.

Lead the children in singing "Read God's Book" (track 3) with the CD to the tune of "The Muffin Man." As you sing, pass out the folded surprise cards.

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Lesson 5

Now it's time to read God's book, Read God's book, read God's book. Now it's time to read God's book. Let's hear a Bible story. (Repeat 3x.)

After the song, say: You may look inside your surprise cards. The person who has Moses stamped inside his or her card will be our Bible person for today.

Identify the Bible person, and then have the rest of the children clap for him or her. Ask the Bible person to bring you the Bible. Help the Bible person open the Bible to the marked place and show children where your story comes from. Then have the Bible person sit down.

Say: [Name] was our special Bible person today. Each week, we'll have only one special Bible person, but each one of you is a special part of our class! Today we're all learning that we can trust God's rules.

Let's say a special prayer now and ask God to help us trust his rules. I'll pass around this basket. When the basket comes to you, put your surprise card in it and say, "God, help me trust your rules."

Pass around the basket or box. When you've collected everyone's surprise card, set the basket aside, and pick up the Bible. Lead children in this prayer: God, thank you for the Bible and all the stories in it. Teach us today that we can trust your rules. In Jesus' name, amen.

n Hear and Tell the Bible Story

SUPPLIES: Bible, Melt-Away Sculpture from Option 3, teacup or mug, pitcher of warm water, dishpan

Before class, set out a pitcher of warm water and a teacup or mug.

Form a circle, and place the Learning Mat: Moses Leads God's People in the middle. Point to the Bible and say: Our story comes from the book of Exodus in the Bible. Our Learning Mat shows us pictures of our Bible story. Before we hear today's story, let's see what you remember about the adventures of the Israelites.

Give the groan tube to the child on your right. Say: Use the groan tube to point to a picture on the Learning Mat. Tell us one thing you remember about that story. Then pass the tube to the person on your right.

When the tube comes back to you, say: God worked great miracles to protect the Israelites from death and disease, to help them escape from Pharaoh's army, and to feed them in the wilderness. The Israelites knew they could trust God. Let's find out what happened next. Find a friend to sit with while you listen to today's story.

Help children form pairs or trios. Then continue: Whenever you hear me say "rules" or "commands," give your partners high 10s by slapping your hands against your partner's hands. That will remind us of the 10 special rules God gave the Israelites. Read the following story, encouraging children to give high 10s.

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God Gives the Ten Commandments

The Israelites traveled for many days and nights on their way to Canaan. One night they camped at the bottom of a big mountain called Mount Sinai. Moses climbed Mount Sinai and talked to God. God said, "If the Israelites obey me, I'll make them a mighty nation." God loved his special people.

Then God gave Moses 10 special rules for the Israelites to follow. God wanted the Israelites only to worship him--not any pretend gods. He told Moses that the people shouldn't build idols or pretend gods, either. An idol was an object, like a statue, that reminded the Israelites of a pretend god. God said to rest on the Sabbath and keep it holy. Then God told Moses how people should act toward each other: "Honor your parents. Don't murder, lie, or steal. Be happy with what you have." God wrote his commands on stone tablets to help the people remember them.

When Moses told the people God's rules, the people promised to obey. They all answered, "We'll do everything God tells us to do." Then Moses went back up the mountain to talk with God again. God had many more rules and instructions to help the Israelites become a mighty nation. This time, Moses was gone for 40 long days! The Israelites began to worry.

"Where's Moses? I thought he'd be back by now." "What happened to our leader?" "Who will help us worship God?" Finally the Israelites decided to make an idol to worship, even though God had commanded them never to make or worship idols! Bring out the Melt-Away Sculpture from Option 3, and place it in front of you. The Israelites melted all their gold jewelry and made a statue that looked like a calf. The priests declared a holiday to worship the idol. They burned offerings, ate, drank, and danced wildly! They were disobeying God's special rules! From the top of Mount Sinai, God saw the Israelites disobeying him. He told Moses, "These people have turned away from the things I commanded them to do. I am so angry with them that I am going to destroy them." But Moses begged God to have mercy on the Israelites. He reminded God of the promise God had made long ago to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Finally, God agreed not to destroy the Israelites, even though they had broken one of the Ten Commandments. When Moses climbed down the mountain and saw the Israelites dancing before the golden calf, he smashed the stone tablets on the ground in anger! Then Moses threw the calf in a fire and melted it. The Israelites learned how important it is to trust and obey God's rules. Let's melt this statue with water. Place the Melt-Away Sculpture in a dishpan, and have the children take turns pouring cups of warm water over the "idol." The sculpture may not totally dissolve, but children will see it start to crumble. Set the Learning Mat, groan tube, and other supplies aside; then gather the children together and ask: ? What were some of God's rules? (Love God; don't worship pretend gods; obey your parents; don't murder; don't lie; don't steal.) ? Which of God's rules did the Israelites break? (The one about building idols; the one that says not to worship pretend gods.)

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Lesson 5

Say: Rather than trusting God, the Israelites decided to worship a statue. They broke one of the Ten Commandments, and their disobedience got them into big trouble. God's rules are important, and God wants us to obey them.

Ask: ? What are some ways you sometimes disobey? (Sometimes Mom asks me to do something but I don't do it right away; sometimes I tease my brother when I shouldn't.)

? How does that make you feel? (Sorry; sad; a little nervous that I'll get in trouble.)

Say: Just as the Israelites sometimes got in trouble because they disobeyed, we sometimes get in trouble, too, for the wrong things we do. That's why God sent his Son, Jesus, to come to earth and die for our sins. If we believe in Jesus and are truly sorry for our sins, God will forgive us, and we will live in heaven one day. God is pleased when we put our faith in Jesus and obey God. We can trust God's rules, and if we follow God's rules, we'll please God.

n Do the Bible Story

SUPPLIES: CD player

track 9

Say: Because God loves us, we can trust God's rules. Find

a new partner, and we'll learn a fun way to remember God's

special commandments. Form pairs or trios, and teach children the

following rhyme. Encourage children to do the motions with you.

The Ten Commandments are 10 rules (hold up 10 fingers) God sent for you and me. (Point to partner and then to self.) They help us live and worship (put palms together as if in prayer) And follow God, you see. (Point to heaven.)

Commandments one, two, three, and four (hold up fingers as you count) Tell us to give God our love. (Cross arms over heart.) Idols of wood and stone are pretend (shake head); Our God lives in heaven above. (Point upward.)

Be careful how you use God's name (touch finger to head as if thinking), For his name is the best. (Give thumbs up sign.) And God's day--that's the Sabbath-- Is for worship and for rest. (Lay head on hands.)

Commandments numbers five through 10 (hold up one hand and then the other) Say to honor Mom and Dad. (Hug self.) Don't kill or steal or lie--no sir (shake head and hold up three fingers)-- For those things make God sad! (Point to frown.)

Be content with what you have. (Hold out hands.) Be true to your husband or wife. (Blow a kiss.) Follow God's special commandments (hold up 10 fingers), And please him with your life. (Point to heaven.)

76 Hands-On Bible Curriculum--Pre-K & K, Ages 5 & 6

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