In this lesson, children learn that God asks us to love Him with our whole hearts and to be kind to people who are different from us. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God loves us, so He asks us to love Him back with our whole heart and to care for others, especially those who are new or far from home.
Memory Verse
Deuteronomy 10:12
Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul…
(WEB)
Put both hands over your heart when you say the first part, then open your arms wide when you say “love Him.” Have the children stand and do the motions together three times so the words stick.
The Story: Deuteronomy 10 for Kids
Moses was the leader of God’s people, the Israelites, and they had been walking through the desert for a long time. Earlier, the people had made a golden calf and worshiped it instead of God, and the first stone tablets with God’s commandments had been broken. God was still kind to them and wanted to make things right.
God told Moses, “Cut two new stone tablets, come up to me on the mountain, and make a wooden box to hold them.” Moses did exactly what God asked. He carved the stones, carried them up the mountain, and stayed there with God for forty days and forty nights. God wrote the same ten commandments on the new tablets.
Moses came down the mountain and put the tablets inside the box, called the ark. Then the people kept traveling toward the land God had promised them. Along the way, God chose the tribe of Levi to carry the ark and to serve Him. Moses reminded everyone that the Levites trusted God to take care of them.
Then Moses told the people something very important. God said, “Israel, what do I really want from you? I want you to fear Me, walk in My ways, and love Me with all your heart and soul.” God is the Lord over everything in heaven and on earth, yet He loves His people and cares for the orphans, widows, and strangers. Moses said, “Be kind to the stranger, because you were strangers in Egypt once too.”
Read It Together
Deuteronomy 10:17-19
17 For the LORD your God, he is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty, and the awesome, who doesn’t respect persons, nor takes reward. 18 He does execute justice for the fatherless and widow, and loves the foreigner, in giving him food and clothing. 19 Therefore love the foreigner; for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.
(WEB)
Point out that God is the greatest of all, yet He takes care of people who have no one to help them. Ask the children to name a time they felt new or left out, and remind them that God cares about those feelings.
Deuteronomy 10:20-21
20 You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve him; and you shall cling to him, and you shall swear by his name. 21 He is your praise, and he is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things, which your eyes have seen.
(WEB)
Show the children that God is worthy of praise because of what He has done for His people. Let them share one good thing God has done for their family this week.
Deuteronomy 10:14-15
14 Behold, to the LORD your God belongs heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth, with all that is therein. 15 Only the LORD had a delight in your fathers to love them, and he chose their offspring after them, even you above all peoples, as it is today.
(WEB)
Point out that everything belongs to God, from the sky to the ground, and that He chose His people because He loved them. Explain that God’s love for us does not depend on how good we are.
Talk About It
- What did Moses do when God asked him to make new stone tablets?
- Why do you think God wanted His people to love Him with their whole hearts?
- How can we show kindness to someone who is new at our school or church?
- What is one thing God has given you that makes you thankful?
- Who is someone you can pray for this week?
Activity Ideas
Draw Your Own Heart Tablet
Give each child a sheet of paper cut into the shape of a tablet and some crayons or markers. Ask them to draw one way they can show love to God, such as praying, helping at home, or singing. Let them take turns explaining their picture to the group before they hang it on the wall.
Stones and Steps Game
Gather some small rocks or beanbags and set them in a line on the floor to represent the journey. Have children hop from stone to stone while calling out ways to love and serve God, such as “help a friend” or “say thank you.” Call “stop” now and then so the children have to name one more way.
Welcome Card for a Stranger
Provide paper, glue, stickers, and markers so each child can make a small welcome card for a new neighbor, classmate, or visitor. Encourage them to write one kind sentence inside. Help them deliver the cards at home or during class to remind everyone that God loves the stranger.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s commands are an expression of His love, not a burden. Moses calls the people to fear, love, and serve the Lord with their whole being, and he grounds that call in God’s own care for the vulnerable and for foreigners. The passage also reminds us that God’s grace comes first, since He chose Israel out of love.
Avoid overstating the story to children by making the golden calf or the broken tablets the center of the lesson. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and His invitation to love Him back. Children do not need every detail of the desert journey to grasp that God loves them and wants them to love Him and others.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for loving us even when we make mistakes. Help us love You with our whole hearts and show kindness to everyone we meet, especially those who are new or lonely. Thank You for taking care of us every day. Amen.
