The Ten Commandments Bible story for kids teaches that God gave his people ten clear rules to show them how to love him and love others. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, including the story, the memory verse, and the activity.
Big Idea
God gave his people rules that show us how to love him and how to treat our family and friends well. Following God’s rules keeps us close to him.
Memory Verse
Exodus 20:3
“You shall have no other gods before me.
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold up one finger as they say the verse. Then have them point up to the sky with that finger, reminding them that God is the only one we worship and love most.
The Story: Exodus 20 for Kids
God’s people, the Israelites, had been slaves in the land of Egypt for a long, long time. But God heard their cries and set them free. He led them out of Egypt through Moses, their leader, and they traveled through the desert toward a mountain called Sinai.
At the mountain, God called Moses up to the top. Then God spoke to all the people, and he gave them ten special rules, called commandments. The first one was that they must have no other gods before him. God wanted their hearts to belong to him alone.
God also told them to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. He gave them a day to rest, just as he rested after making the whole world. He said, “Honor your father and your mother.” Children were to respect their parents and listen to them.
The other commandments taught the people how to treat each other well. God said, “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” and “You shall not give false testimony.” Telling the truth and protecting one another mattered very much to God.
When the people saw the thunder, the lightning, and the smoke on the mountain, they were frightened. They stood far away and said to Moses, “Speak with us yourself, and we will listen.” Moses told them not to be afraid, because God wanted them to learn to respect and obey him.
Read It Together
Exodus 20:8
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
(WEB)
Point out that God asked his people to set aside a special day for rest and worship. Ask the children what they like to do on a day when they get to rest with their family.
Exodus 20:12
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the LORD your God gives you.
(WEB)
Show the children that God gave this rule to help families stay strong. Explain that honoring parents means listening, being kind, and helping at home.
Exodus 20:17
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”
(WEB)
Explain that to covet means to want something that belongs to someone else so much that it makes you unhappy. Talk about how being thankful for what we have helps us stay content.
Talk About It
- Which of the ten commandments do you think is the most important, and why?
- How did the people feel when they saw the thunder and smoke on the mountain?
- What is one way you can show God that he is first in your life this week?
- Why do you think God wanted his people to rest on the Sabbath day?
- What can you do when you are tempted to take something that is not yours?
Activity Ideas
Ten Stone Tablets Craft
You will need ten small paper squares or pieces of cardboard, markers, and glue. Have each child write or draw one commandment on each square in simple words or pictures. Then they can glue the squares onto a larger piece of paper shaped like two tablets.
Commandment Freeze Game
Call out a commandment in simple words, such as “Honor your father and mother,” and have the children act it out with a movement like a hug or a high five. When you call “Freeze,” everyone stops. Play a few rounds, changing the movement each time to keep it fun and lively.
Family Rules Chart
You will need a sheet of paper, crayons, and tape. Ask each child to draw one way their family can show love, like sharing, helping, or saying kind words. Hang the chart on the fridge at home so the whole family can remember to live out God’s rules together.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Exodus 20 shows that God’s law is an act of love. He rescued his people from slavery first, and then gave them rules to live as his covenant family. The commandments show that loving God and loving our neighbor belong together.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the idea that God is angry or looking to punish. Focus on his faithfulness and his desire to be close to his people, so the rules feel like a loving guide rather than a list of threats.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you for loving us and giving us good rules to help us live. Help us put you first, love our families, and be honest and kind to others. We want to follow you every day. Amen.
