INTRODUCTION

God Gives the Ten Commandments (Part 1)

Bible Point:

Honor God by following God’s commandments.

Key Verse:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts” (Deuteronomy 6:5-6).

Big Picture:

Honor God by following God’s commandments.

God Gives the Ten Commandments (Part 1)

Exodus 19:16–20:21

Rules can sometimes feel annoying or unnecessary, especially if they do not seem to make sense yet. This week, you will explore why rules matter and how they can actually help you. You will also learn that following God is not about losing freedom or fun, but about discovering a better and freer way to live.

PLANTING THE SEED

“We didn’t know not to do THAT!” might’ve been a common thing Moses heard from the Israelites after they had left Egypt. But God taught the Israelites a new way—a pretty spectacular way. God gave Moses two stone tablets with the commandments written on them. Fast forward: Jesus summarized the Ten Commandments by telling us to love God (the first four laws) and love our neighbors (the last six laws). Rewind to Mount Sinai. Here’s a list of the first four: Trust God only, have no idols, respect God’s name, and keep the Sabbath. Do you see the connection between loving God and these four laws? It’s a good thing if you do—and a very good thing if you follow them.

• How does following these rules help you honor God?

• How does knowing about God’s love for you change how you feel about honoring God?

FAMILY FUN

As a family, make a video of things that can honor God. Make the video as silly or serious as you want, but focus on ways each of you can follow and honor God. Think of the first four commandments and ways you see those things in your family.

When your video is done, watch it together as a family. When the video is over, talk together about ways that you each want to honor God more by following God’s commandments and what that might look like for you.

READY, SET, GROW!

• Choose one area where you want to grow in honoring God. Each time you take a small step, whisper a prayer thanking God for love and strength.

• Make the choice to spend 10 minutes a day in a short devotion, giving you more time to focus on God’s love for you and learning how to better follow God’s commandments.

• Practice honoring God’s name this week by avoiding careless God-talk and choosing respectful words when you talk about God.