Download God makes rules to help and protect us.

Praise Jesus!
God Gives Moses the Ten Commandments • Lesson 7
Bible Point
God makes rules to
help and protect us.
Bible Verse
“You must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today” (Deuteronomy 6:6).
Growing Closer to Jesus
Children will n discover that God’s rules provide a canopy of safety,
n learn how God’s rules help them make good decisions, and
n create rules to help and protect class members.
Teacher Enrichment
Bible Basis
n God gives Moses the Ten Commandments.
On Mount Sinai, God spoke to Moses and promised him that Israel would be his treasured
possession, his holy people—if they would obey him. The law God gave spelled out how the
Israelites were to honor him through their obedience.
The Ten Commandments contained the essence of the entire law that God would be giving
to Moses. The first four commandments have to do with our relationship with God; the last
six have to do with our relationships with others. These commands were intended to help the
Israelites then—and us today—lead holy lives that honor God and result in appropriate, compassionate relationships
with each other.
The commandments regarding our relationship with God clearly spell out the position of priority and honor that
he is to hold in our lives. God will be honored when we show through the way we live that he is first in our hearts.
The commandments regarding our relationships with others (Exodus 20:12-17) give us lots of guidance on how
to respect others. No matter how much we see our culture denigrate these commandments—the honoring of parents,
the holiness of God’s name, the sanctity of marriage, and the importance of honesty—we must hold true to these
principles if we are to honor God and respect others the way God intends.
Exodus
20:1-17
Prayer
• Read Leviticus 19:2.
• How faithful are you in following God’s holy commandments? Reflect.
• Pray: Dear God, help me and my students understand that your rules are meant to help and protect us by…
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Grades 1 & 2 77
Lesson 7
Before the Lesson
n Collect items for the activities you plan to use, referring to the Classroom Supplies and Learning Lab Supplies listed in
the chart.
n Make photocopies of the “Growing Together” handout (at the end of this lesson) to send home with your children.
n Pray for your students and for God’s direction in teaching the lesson.
This Lesson at a Glance
Welcome
Attention
Grabber
Bible
Exploration &
Application
What Children Will Do
Classroom Supplies
Welcome!—Receive a warm
“Israelites Name Tags” (p. 74),
scissors, markers or crayons, tape
or safety pins
Lions and Gazelles—Play a
game in which the only safe place
is under a canopy, and liken that
to the safety that God’s rules give.
Tape
The Ten Commandments—
Bible
Rules, Rules Everywhere—
Scissors, tape
Heavy Decisions—Name wrong
Bible, bowl of water, quarters
Class Rules—Listen to John
14:15 and John 15:12, make rules
for the classroom, and then hear
Deuteronomy 6:6.
Bible, newsprint, tape, markers
Hallelujah, Praise the Lord—
CD player, scissors
welcome from the teacher, and
make name tags.
Act out the Ten Commandments
that God gave his people, and
learn actions to Matthew 22:37-39
to help them remember to obey
God.
Make up rules for different
situations they might find
themselves in.
decisions, put coins in a flying
disc to make it sink, and then
hear Psalm 119:1-3 to learn that
God’s rules help them make right
decisions.
Closing
78
Receive a reminder to follow
God’s protecting rules, and sing
a song.
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Grades 1 & 2
Learning Lab Supplies
God Gives Moses the Ten Commandments
Welcome
SUPPLIES: “Israelites Name Tags” (p. 74), scissors, markers or crayons, tape or safety
pins
• Greet each child individually with an enthusiastic smile.
• Thank each child for coming to class today.
• As children arrive, ask them about last week’s “Growing Together” discussion. Use
questions such as “How did your treats remind you of the manna God provided for
the Israelites?” and “How did God provide for your family last week?”
• Say: Today we’re going to learn that God makes rules to help and
protect us.
• Hand out the name tags children made during Lesson 6, and help kids 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.
• Tell the children that you’ll raise your hand to get their attention. They should
respond by raising their hands and focusing their attention on you. Rehearse this
signal, and encourage the children to respond quickly so they’ll have time for all the
fun activities in this lesson.
It’s important to say the Bible Point
just as it’s written in each activity.
Repeating the Bible Point over and
over will help children remember it
and apply it to their lives.
Attention Grabber
n Lions and Gazelles
SUPPLIES: tape
Spread the rain poncho over two chairs so it forms a canopy.
Try to keep the newspaper strips from Lesson 5 attached to the
poncho.
Tape the edges of the poncho to the chairs so that it’s
securely fastened. Place the canopy in the middle of the room.
Form two teams. Have the teams line up along opposite walls
of the classroom.
Say: In this game, Team 1 will be the Lions and Team 2 will be the Gazelles.
A gazelle is a special kind of antelope that lions like to chase. When I say
“go,” the Lions will cross the room and try to tag the Gazelles. When a
Gazelle is tagged, he or she will walk to the other side of the room, touch
the lion wall, and become a Lion. Gazelles may skip, but Lions may only
walk. Any Lion that skips or runs will have to sit down by the lion wall. The
Gazelles can skip and hide under the canopy where the Lions can’t touch
them. But when I twirl the twirling groaner, the Lions have to return to the
lion wall and the Gazelles have to leave the canopy. Ready? Go!
Begin the game, and then twirl the twirling groaner every 15 or 20 seconds. After
two minutes, twirl the twirling groaner and call time. Have the Lions and Gazelles
switch roles, line up against their walls, and begin the game again. Play for two more
minutes or until all the Gazelles have been turned into Lions.
If you have more than 20 children,
split one edge of the rain poncho,
and spread it over four chairs to
form a larger canopy.
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Grades 1 & 2 79
Lesson 7
When the game ends, set the canopy and twirling groaner aside. Gather the children
in a circle on the floor, raise your hand to get their attention, and ask:
• Lions, how did you feel when the Gazelles hid under the canopy?
(Frustrated that I couldn’t get them; it was fun trying to catch them.)
• Gazelles, what was it like to try to get to the canopy? (Scary; exciting.)
• What was it like when you were under the canopy? (Safe; I knew no one
could catch me.)
Say: In this game, I gave the canopy to the Gazelles to protect them from
danger. Today we’re going to talk about something God gives us to protect us
from danger—rules. God’s rules. God makes rules to help and protect us.
Bible Exploration & Application
n The Ten Commandments
When it comes to socializing
with others, whether with close
friends at school or guests in the
home, first- and second-graders
usually prefer to stick to samesex friendships. They thrive on
organized games and group
activities. They want to please
teachers but are beginning to
recognize their role in relation to
their peers. They want to win and
always be first, and they have a
strong sense of competition with
others.
Bible Insight
So what happened to the
stone tablets that the Ten
Commandments were
written on? Despite a
number of theories portrayed
in movies and television,
most biblical scholars believe
the Ark of the Covenant
containing the stone tablets
was destroyed in 586 B.C.
when Nebuchadnezzar
burned the Temple in
Jerusalem.
80
SUPPLIES: Bible
Say: Today our Bible story is about the Ten Commandments, or ten rules,
that God gave to his people. The story comes from the book of Exodus. Show
children the story in Exodus 20:1-17. Every time you hear me say the word ten,
count from 1 to 10 as fast as you can. Ready? Let’s try it. Ten. Pause for children
to respond. That was good! OK, let’s begin our story.
As the Israelites were camping at the base of a special mountain called
Mount Sinai, Moses climbed the mountain to talk to God. While they were
talking, God gave Moses Ten (pause) Commandments for the people of God
to follow. These Ten (pause) Commandments were so important that the
people spent three days getting ready to learn what they were. They
washed their clothes and dressed carefully. Moses said to the people,
“God is giving you these Ten (pause) Commandments so you will respect him
and so you will not sin.”
When it came time for Moses to tell the people about the Ten (pause)
Commandments, thunder boomed, lightning flashed, and smoke rose from
the mountain. The people were scared, and they shook with fear.
Here are the Ten (pause) Commandments that God told Moses to give to the
people. Watch me carefully, now, because I want you to follow my actions.
Number One—I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of
Egypt. You must worship only me. Raise your hands palms up, and then look up.
Number Two—Never make an idol to worship. An idol is an object, like a
statue or a picture, that is a pretend god. Put your hands together and bow, and
then shake your head.
Number Three—Respect the name of God. Never use it thoughtlessly. Put
your hand over your mouth.
Number Four—Remember to keep one day special for God. The seventh
day is to be set aside as a day of rest and worship. Put your hands together and
lay your head on them, and then fold your hands in prayer.
Number Five—Respect your mom and dad. Cradle a baby in your arms.
Number Six—Remember that life is special. Don’t ever kill anyone. Cross
your index fingers in an X, and shake your head.
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Grades 1 & 2
God Gives Moses the Ten Commandments
Number Seven—Marriage is a special promise to be kept at all times.
Pretend to put a ring on your finger.
Number Eight—Never take anything that doesn’t belong to you. Sit on your
hands.
Number Nine—Always tell the truth. Touch your index finger to your mouth.
Number Ten—Don’t wish that you had the things that your friends have.
Be content with what God has given you. Cup your hands in front of you, and
then cross them over your heart.
Ask: • Why do you think God gave the Israelites these commandments?
(So they’d know what the rules are; so they wouldn’t hurt each other; so they would
please God.)
• What sounds like the hardest commandment to keep? (Being content with
what I have; telling the truth.)
Say: When Jesus was teaching, he said all the Ten
Commandments could be summed up in just two
commandments. They’re found in Matthew 22:37-39.
Read the passage aloud, and then say: Let’s learn actions to
those two commandments Jesus gave.
Jesus said to love God with all your heart (draw
a heart on your chest), all your soul (hug yourself ), and
all your mind (point to your head). Jesus said this was the first and
greatest commandment. The second commandment is to love your
neighbor (point to each child in class) as you love yourself (hug yourself ).
Do the actions several times. Then ask:
• Why did Jesus say loving God was so important? (Because God is
bigger than anyone or anything else; because God deserves it.)
• Why is it easier to love God when you are friends with Jesus?
(Because Jesus loves God so much; because Jesus reminds us to love God.)
Say: All God’s rules are good. When Jesus lived on earth, he
understood why God makes rules to help and protect us, and he
told lots of people, including children like you, to love and obey God.
One way we show God how much we love him and want to obey his
rules is by listening to our friend Jesus and doing what he says.
When we are friends with Jesus, it’s easier to obey God’s rules. Jesus
helps us love God and follow him. Let’s learn more about following
God and his rules.
HANDS-ON BIBLE
For this activity, you’ll need a narrow cardboard box lid, such as
a shoe box lid, a strip of poster board, tape, petroleum jelly, one cup
of plaster of Paris (or self-hardening clay), 2⁄3 cup water, and a mixing
bowl you can use and then throw away.
Have children turn to the first set of colored pages they come to
in their Hands-On Bible. Have them turn to the page with the heading
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Grades 1 & 2 81
Lesson 7
“The Ten Commandments.”
Say: We are learning today that God created the Ten Commandments
so that he could protect the Israelites from getting themselves into trouble
and hurting themselves. God makes rules to help and protect us. These Ten
Commandments are for us, too. We’re going to make our own tablet like the
ones Moses brought down from Mount Sinai.
Read the activity to the class, and then create the tablet using the supplies you
brought. (The tablet takes about an hour to harden. Depending on time limitations,
you may wish to set it aside until the following week.)
Ask: • Do you remember all 10 of the commandments? Name one. (Don’t kill
anyone; rest one day a week; be content with what you have.)
• What did Jesus say is the greatest commandment? (To love God with all
your heart and your soul and your mind.)
Have children take turns finishing the following sentence: “One of God’s rules
for helping and protecting [child’s name] is…”
n Rules, Rules Everywhere
SUPPLIES: scissors, tape
If you haven’t already created the kids cube found in the Bible
Discovery Pak, you’ll need to do so before starting this activity.
Simply cut along the outside, fold, and tape to create a cube.
Have the class sit in a circle on the floor. Hold up the kids cube,
and say: Here’s a fun new toy for us to play with. This cube
has some funny rules that go with it. The rules change
every time we pass the cube around the circle. The first
rule is that you can pass it only by holding it between
your elbows.
Pass around the kids cube by holding the cube between your elbows and handing it
off to the person next to you in the circle. That person has to grab the cube using only
his or her elbows.
When the cube reaches you again, hold it up and say: Now the rule is different.
This time you can use your hands, but you have to pass it either over your
head or under your legs. Pass the cube around the circle again until the cube returns
to you. Hold it up again and say: Now, when you receive the cube, choose a
picture on the cube and tell a rule that you have to follow at that particular
place. For example, if I look at the school picture, I might say, “At school we
have to raise our hands.” Or if I chose the swimming pool picture, I might say,
“In the swimming pool, we should not splash somebody in the face.”
Some examples of rules the children might share that correspond to the pictures
include
• spending time at school (Listen to the teacher.)
• at home (Make your bed after you get up.)
• swimming in a pool (Don’t kick other people.)
• playing at the park (Stay near an adult you know and trust.)
82
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Grades 1 & 2
God Gives Moses the Ten Commandments
• hanging out with friends (Share my toys.)
• riding a bike (Wear a helmet.)
Allow each child a turn to hold the kids cube and share a rule he or she has made up
about one of the pictures. Then ask:
• Who makes the rules we just talked about? (Teachers, parents, police
officers.)
• Are all of our rules the same everywhere we go? Explain. (No, they are
different depending on where you live; yes, they are mostly the same everywhere.)
Say: We have different rules depending on where we are. For example, if
you are at the library, one rule is to whisper. But if you are playing outside,
you don’t have to whisper. Rules are here to help us and keep us safe. At
school, one of your rules is that you are not supposed to run in the halls.
This rule keeps you from tripping and falling down in the hall.
Ask: • What are some rules that God gives us? (Obey our parents; tell the
truth; don’t steal.)
• Why don’t God’s rules change? (They are always the same because God is
always the same; because once we learn God’s rules, we know them.)
Say: Rules that are made by people will sometimes change, the way my
rules for our game changed. But God gave us a list of special rules that
never change, no matter where we are. Do you remember what those rules
are called? That’s right—the Ten Commandments. We can learn and follow
God’s commandments because God makes rules to help and protect us.
Let’s see now how rules affect the way we make decisions.
n Heavy Decisions
SUPPLIES: Bible, bowl of water, quarters
Say: One way God’s rules protect us is by helping us make
the right decisions. Let’s compare what happens when we
make wrong decisions with what happens when we make
right ones.
Float one of the flying discs cupped-side up in a bowl of water.
Say: I’m going to name some situations and let you take turns telling me a
bad decision you could make in each situation. Each time you tell me a bad
decision, you can put a quarter in the disc.
Read the following list of situations.
• Your dad asks you to help clean up the kitchen while your friends are
playing outside.
• You’re angry because your parents want you to straighten your room.
• You see a $10 bill fall out of someone’s purse.
• Your favorite show is on TV at the same time you’re supposed to be at
children’s choir practice at church.
• You feel jealous because your neighbor just got a new bike that’s
better than yours.
• You were playing with your brother’s model airplane without asking,
and you accidentally broke it.
It takes about 10 quarters to sink
a flying disc. If the weight of the
quarters is distributed unevenly,
the disc will sink more quickly.
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Grades 1 & 2 83
Lesson 7
• You feel bad because a new person in your class is becoming friends
with your best friend, and you feel left out.
• Your little sister won’t stop bugging you, and you’re just about to lose it.
• You feel tired and crabby on a Sunday morning, and you wish you could
just stay in bed.
• Some of your friends are swearing because they think it’s cool. You
don’t want to be left out.
Have kids take turns naming bad decisions and dropping quarters into the flying
disc. When the disc sinks, point to it and ask:
• What happened? (The quarters made the disc sink; we made too many bad
decisions.)
• How is this like what happens to us when we make bad decisions? (We
sink in our problems; we get into lots of trouble.)
Say: God’s rules can help us avoid bad decisions. Let’s hear what Psalm
119:1-3 says about people who follow God’s rules. Read Psalm 119:1-3 aloud.
Integrity is when you obey God’s rules even when no one else but God is
looking. Now let’s see what happens when we obey God’s rules and make
good decisions.
Read the 10 situations again. Have kids take turns naming good decisions and
removing quarters from the sunken flying disc. When all the quarters have been
removed, ask:
• When we’ve done bad things and disobeyed God’s rules, what can we
ask God to do? (Forgive us; help us do better.)
Pour the water out of the flying disc, and say: God doesn’t want problems
and bad decisions to sink us, so God makes rules to help and protect us.
When we do break God’s rules, we can ask God to forgive us and give us a
fresh start.
Return the flying disc to the Learning Lab.
n Class Rules
The Ten Commandments reveal
God’s character, what he expects
of us, and what he values. After
3,500 years, they are still a code
to live a Christian life by, but even
more important, they reflect the
truth that God’s rules are intended
to cause his people to thrive and
prosper.
84
SUPPLIES: Bible, newsprint, tape, markers
Hang sheets of newsprint on the wall. Say: We’ve been talking about good
rules today. Let’s think of some rules that would be good to follow when
we’re here in class. But before we do that, listen to what Jesus said about
following rules.
Read aloud John 14:15 and John 15:12, and then ask:
• What command of Jesus do we need to remember as we make our class
rules? (To love each other; to obey Jesus.)
Brainstorm class rules with the children for about three minutes. Write down
everyone’s ideas. Then ask what would happen if each rule weren’t followed, and
discuss why it’s a good rule. For example, say, “This rule says we shouldn’t talk while
others are talking. What would happen if we did talk while others were talking? Why is
this a good rule?”
Have students vote on their five favorite rules to keep as permanent class rules.
Then say: You had great ideas about what kinds of rules we need in our
classroom. God makes rules to help and protect us. The rules we’ve made
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Grades 1 & 2
God Gives Moses the Ten Commandments
will help and protect us here in our class. But God’s rules apply everywhere
in life. Let’s take a look at our Bible verse for today. It comes from the Old
Testament, in Deuteronomy 6:6. This is what it says: “You must commit
yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.”
Ask: • What does wholeheartedly mean? (With all your heart; completely.)
Say: When we commit wholeheartedly to something, we make a promise
that we plan to keep with all our hearts.
Ask: • What else should we promise with all our hearts? (To love God; to
obey God.)
Say: That’s right. Jesus said we should love God and each other with all
our hearts. The wonderful thing is that when we obey Jesus’ command to
love God and each other, we’ll keep God’s other rules, too.
Display the permanent class rules where everyone can see them.
Closing
n Hallelujah, Praise the Lord
SUPPLIES: CD player, scissors
Cue the CD to track 10, “Be Content”
(Philippians 4:11b). Cut the bubble wrap into
enough pieces for each child to have one. Try to
keep the bubbles intact.
Ask: • What did you learn today? (That
Jesus commanded us to love each other; that God gave the Israelites the Ten
Commandments; that God’s rules protect me.)
Say: Let’s celebrate the way God took care of the Israelites as they
wandered in the wilderness. Let’s begin by reviewing what God did.
Ask: • How did God protect the Israelites? (He led them out of Egypt; he took
them across the Red Sea on dry land; God gave them the Ten Commandments to keep
them safe.)
• How did God provide for the Israelites? (He fed them manna and quail; he
kept them safe and warm.)
Say: God did lots of things to keep the Israelites safe and cared for. God
cared about the Israelites, so he gave them rules. God makes rules to help
and protect us, too. Let’s sing a song to remember that God takes care of us
and wants us to be content about that.
Sing “Be Content” (Philippians 4:11b) with the CD. Lyrics can be found at the
back of your teacher guide in the Song Lyrics section. When the song ends, turn off the
CD player and give each child a piece of bubble wrap.
Say: Bubble wrap works the way rules do. When you put bubble wrap
inside of a package, it shields what’s inside and keeps it from being broken.
Rules can keep us from being broken on the outside, such as when we look
both ways before crossing the street so we don’t get run over by a car.
Rules also help us from being hurt on the inside by disobeying God. Take
your piece of bubble wrap home, and put it where it will remind you that
God makes rules to help and protect us.
track 10
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Grades 1 & 2 85
Lesson 7
Pray: Thank you, God, for loving us so much that you give us rules to help
and protect us. Help us remember your rules and give us the strength to
obey them. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Collect name tags for next week’s use.
Growing closer to Jesus extends
beyond the classroom.
Photocopy the “Growing Together” handout (at the end
of this lesson) for this week, and send it home with your
children. Encourage children and parents to use the
handout to plan meaningful activities on this week’s
topic. Follow up the “Growing Together” activities next
week by asking children what their families did together.
86
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Grades 1 & 2
God’s Pe
the Wild ople in
erness 7
God ma
:
kes rule
s to help
and pro
tect us.
Bible Velvressewholeheartedly
mmit yourse
iving you
“You must co
s that I am g
d
an
m
m
co
e
to thes
ronomy 6:6).
today” (Deute
ry
Bible Sto
es
os the
God gives M
ments
Ten Command
7).
(Exodus 20:1-1
Today your child learned that God makes rules to help and
protect us. The children heard the Ten Commandments
and Jesus’ admonition to love God first. Use these ideas to
encourage your child in a life of loving obedience to God.
Faith Walk
Family Game Night
Obeying rules may not always feel
good, but kids can understand that
rules protect and help them. Celebrate
God’s care by taking a walk under an
umbrella on a rainy or a sunny day.
Talk about how umbrellas shield us
from cold rain or hot sunshine. Then talk about how God’s
rules protect us from harming ourselves and others.
Play your family’s favorite indoor and outdoor games.
During each game, choose one family member to be
the rule breaker. For example, if your family plays
Candy Land, the rule breaker could decide to move his
or her game piece twice as far as the card indicates.
Talk about how breaking rules affects the outcome of
the game. Is it fair for some people to break rules?
What happens when people break house rules such as
not eating sweets before dinner or not staying up past
their bedtime?
Parent Talk
Proverbs 25:12 reminds us that “valid criticism is like
a gold earring or other gold jewelry.” Go over safety
rules with your child. Talk about a family escape
plan if your house catches on fire. Discuss what to
do if strangers offer rides or candy. Also talk about
pedestrian and bicycle safety and which neighbors
your child should go to for help on the way home from
school or if you’re not available. Make sure your child
knows what phone number to dial in an emergency.
Growing Up
Blow up several balloons. Draw faces
on them, and give them names. With
your child, come up with rules that
will protect the balloon family from
being popped or destroyed. Then
talk about how God’s rules and your
family’s rules protect your family from harm. Also talk
about what happens when we break good rules.
Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum® Grades 1 & 2 granted for local church use.
Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com
87