Teaching:
It had been three months since the Israelites left Egypt, and they set up camp at the foot of Mt. Sinai. YHWH called to Moshe from the mountain, and Moses went up to Him. YHWH reminded Moshe of how He freed the Israelites from Pharaoh, and how the devastation in Egypt demonstrated His power and might. Then YHWH told Moses that if the people obey His covenants, their nation would be great and holy in His sight. Then He told Moses to have the people cleanse themselves and be ready, because in three days YHWH will come down on the mountain. The people should not attempt to go up or even touch the mountain.

So on the third day, there was thunder and lightning with a loud trumpet blast. The mountain was covered with a thick cloud of smoke, because YHWH came onto it with fire. The whole mountain trembled and all the people were afraid. No one was allowed to go to the mountain except Moshe. This was the time that YHWH gave Moshe the Torah, including the Ten Words.

Shemot / Exodus 20:1-20 (The Ten Words)

Discussion Questions:

1. Why do you think "You shall have no other gods before me" is the second commandment? (YHWH wants us to put Him above all things. Before our toys, TV, even before our friends)

2. What does "You shall not misuse the name of YHWH" mean? (The name YHWH is holy. Using his name in an unholy manner brings judgment to that person.)

3. What is an idol? (Anything that keeps you from spending time with YHWH)

4. "Honor your father and Mother" must be important because it too is on the list. Why? (Parents want what is best for their children, so they teach and guide them. Children are still learning and really don't know everything yet)

5. What does covet mean? (It is having a strong desire to have what belongs to someone else)

Singing:
Title: "The Commandment Song"
Lead kids in singing this song to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell." Each time you sing about a commandment number, hold up the appropriate number of fingers for that commandment:

Commandment number one, commandment number one:
YAH IS the only one,
Commandment number one.

Commandment number two, commandment number two:
Worship no one else but Yah,
Commandment number two.

Commandment number three, commandment number three:
Do not misuse His name,
Commandment number three.

Commandment number four, commandment number four:
Rest and keep Shabbat,
Commandment number four.

Commandment number five, commandment number five:
Respect your mom and your dad,
Commandment number five.

Commandment number six, commandment number six:
Do not murder anyone,
Commandment number six.

Commandment number seven, commandment number seven:
Keep your marriage vows,
Commandment number seven.

Commandment number eight, commandment number eight:
Never steal anything,
Commandment number eight.

Commandment number nine, commandment number nine:
Don't tell lies at any time,
Commandment number nine.

Commandment number ten, commandment number ten:
Be content with what you have,
Commandment number ten.

Activity:

Start with your hands together in prayer. This reminds us that YHWH heard the prayers of the Hebrew people when they were in slavery in Egypt and freed them (Exodus 3:7, 20:2). The commandments are a way for us to show our gratitude for YHWH’s love in our lives.

1. “I am the YHWH your Elohim; you shall have no other elohim before me.” Hold up one index finger for the number one. We worship one YHWH.

2. “You shall not worship idols.” (Idols, false gods, are not only things like statues, but anything we place our ultimate trust and allegiance in, for example money or possessions.) Hold up two fingers. Should we worship more than one YHWH? No, two is too many! One of them must be an idol, and we should not worship it!

3. “You shall not misuse the name of YHWH.” How many names do you have? Three – a first, a middle and a last name. YHWH has one Name, the blessed name of YHWH.

4. “Remember the Shabbat and keep it set apart.” Hold up four fingers, fold your thumb under to let it rest. The thumb has the right idea. It’s the Shabbat, and the thumb is following the commandment to take a day of rest.

5. “Honor your father and your mother.” Hold up all five fingers on one hand as if you are taking a pledge, to honor your parents. Whose hands do your hands look like? Your mom and dads!

6. “You shall not murder”. Pretend the index finger on your second hand is a gun, shooting at the first five fingers. YHWH’s sixth commandment teaches us not to do what has become too commonplace in our society.

7. “Keep your marriage promises” Hold one hand out flat. The five fingers and hand become a floor. Two fingers on the other hand are the man and woman to be married, standing and making promises to each other. This commandment calls for couples to keep the marriage promises they make.

8. “You shall not steal.” Hold up four fingers on each hand, for the eighth commandment. If you stretch out your fingers slightly, these become the prison bars, which hold someone who was been arrested for stealing.

9. “Do not lie.” Hold up all five fingers on one hand and four on the other. Fold your second thumb under and turn your hand around, so the thumb is hiding. It is secretly going around telling the other four fingers on that hand, lies and rumors about the five fingers on the other hand. It is “bearing false witness,” as it talks behind people’s backs, spreading gossip, criticizing others without talking directly to the people involved.

10. “Do not want other people’s stuff.” Hold out your hands, palms up, and wiggle all ten fingers to show that they’ve got the “gimmies.” Your fingers are saying, “Gimmie what belongs to my neighbor. I want all those things my neighbor has.” This is not the way YHWH wants us to live.