Something about our sin nature does not like rules, does not like being told what to do and not do. However, when we are able to trust the heart of the one making the rule, it makes obedience easier. That is what we want from our children; we want them to trust our love for them and therefore obey our rules. The same is true with our heavenly Father. He gave us the ten commandments because He loves us. Remind your kids (and yourself) of His love behind the rules as you work through this week’s activities.
HIGHLIGHTS from Sunday…
This week your child learned that God gave Moses the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, God’s holy mountain. God told Moses to give the law to the people to follow. The commandments are as follows: (Exodus 20)
1. I am God. Have no other gods.
2. Do not worship idols.
3. The Lord’s name is holy. Use it only the right way.
4. Keep the Lord’s Day holy.
5. Honor your father and mother.
6. Do not kill.
7. Stay with your husband or your wife.
8. Do not steal.
9. Do not lie.
10. Do not want your neighbor’s things.
Teaching Truth:
God shows us the right way to live.
Memory Verse:
"Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3 (NASB)
Here’s a simple song to help your child (and you) memorize this week’s memory verse!
3 Activities that remind us God Shows Us the Right Way to Live:
1. Scroll of Commandments
Type and print out the commandments in two columns, making sure that the commandments will fit on one page. Have your child tear the edges of the paper so that it looks ragged, and then crumple the paper into a ball. Make a cup of coffee or tea, let it cool and pour it into a shallow pan. Let your child submerge the paper in it for several minutes. Then remove the paper from the pan, shaking out the excess liquid, and leave it to dry. When the paper is barely damp, have your child roll the paper and insert it into a paper towel roll so that it curls like a scroll. Lastly, tie the "parchment" with a piece of string.
2. Climbing Mountains
Read the story of Moses and the 10 commandments. Grab a step stool and have your child help you decorate it to look like a mountain by covering the sides and back with brown paper. Let your child pretend the step stool is the mountain that Moses climbed to talk with God about his rules. At the top of the step stool have the commandments that your child previously made and at the bottom sit out several stuffed animals or dolls to be the Israelites. Let your child climb the mountain and get the commandments and bring them back down to the Israelites. Be sure to supervise the step stool at all times, so your child is safe. Once your child has brought down the commandments, talk with your child using these questions.
- What is a commandment?
- How many rules did God give the Israelites? What were the rules written on?
- Are we supposed to follow them today?
- Did God give us the rules to take away our fun? Why did He give us the rules?
3. 10 Little Commandments
Sing this song with your child to the tune of 10 Little Indians.
1 little, 2 little, 3 little commandments
4 little, 5 little, 6 little commandments
7 little, 8 little, 9 little commandments
10 little commandments from God
Pray
Thank you, God for loving us so much that you give us rules to show us what is good for us and what makes You happy. Please help us to listen and obey.
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