Bible Point God makes rules to help and protect...

77Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Grades 1 & 2

Praise Jesus!

Bible Point

Bible Verse“You must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today” (Deuteronomy 6:6).

Growing Closer to JesusChildren 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 EnrichmentBible Basisn 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.

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…

God makes rules to help and protect us.

Exodus 20:1-17

God Gives Moses the Ten Commandments • Lesson 7

Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Grades 1 & 2

Lesson 7

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What Children Will Do Classroom Supplies Learning Lab Supplies

Welcome Welcome!—Receive a warm welcome from the teacher, and make name tags.

“Israelites Name Tags” (p. 74), scissors, markers or crayons, tape or safety pins

Attention Grabber

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

Bible Exploration &

Application

The Ten Commandments—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.

Bible

Rules, Rules Everywhere—Make up rules for different situations they might find themselves in.

Scissors, tape

Heavy Decisions—Name wrong 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.

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

Closing Hallelujah, Praise the Lord—Receive a reminder to follow God’s protecting rules, and sing a song.

CD player, scissors

Before the Lessonn 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


God Gives Moses the Ten Commandments

WelcomeSUPPLIES: “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.

Attention Grabbern Lions and GazellesSUPPLIES: 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.

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.

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.


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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 & Applicationn The Ten CommandmentsSUPPLIES: 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.

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 same-sex 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 InsightSo 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.



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 BIBLEFor 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


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“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 EverywhereSUPPLIES: 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.)



• 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 DecisionsSUPPLIES: 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.


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• 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 RulesSUPPLIES: 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

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.



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.

Closingn Hallelujah, Praise the LordSUPPLIES: 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


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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.

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God’s People in the Wilderness 7: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).

Faith WalkObeying 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.

Parent TalkProverbs 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.

Family Game NightPlay 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?

Growing UpBlow 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.

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.

Bible StoryGod gives Moses the

Ten Commandments

(Exodus 20:1-17).

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

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