OT-37

"The Ten Commandments”

Exodus 19:1-20:21

Big Idea

God's rules are good.

Schedule

1. Small Groups: Rules activity (5 min)

2. Big Group: Lesson (20 min)

3. Verse Activity: Connect Four™ game (5 min)

3. Small Groups: Fly swatter cards (10-15 min)

Materials Needed

-large piece of paper and pencil

-two fly swatters

-OT 37 Commandment cards, printed and cut out.

-OT 37 Scenario cards, prined and cut out.

-bag of small-sized candy (optional, for extra time only)

Before Big Group

1. Select a child to be the recorder. Ask the group, "Name one rule at your house." Have the recorder write down the children's responses on the paper.

2. Flip the paper over. Ask the group, "If you could make up one rule for your house, what would it be?" Have the recorder write down the children's responses. Bring this paper with you to big group time.

After Big Group

1. Explain the following:

Our big idea for today is "God's rules are good. He didn't give us rules like the ten commandments to keep us from having fun. His rules keep us safe, happy, and help us live good lives with other people."

2. Divide the children into two groups and have them sit on opposite sides of the table. Place the Commandment cards face up on the table between them. Place the deck of Scenario cards to the side. Each round, do the following:

    Have each group select one child to represent them (try to face kids of similar age against each other). Give them each a fly swatter. Have another child grab the top card from the scenario deck and read it out loud. When they are finished reading, the two children are to take their fly swatters and hit the Commandment card that applies to the scenario (Example: if the scenario is about whether or not a child should lie, he/she should hit the Commandment card, "Do not lie."). Continue until all the scenario cards have been used.

3. Hand each child a journal page. Have them fill it out, writing down the big idea “God's rules are good.” and how they can use it in their life (Examples: I will try to tell the truth more). Place the page in their journal binder.

4. If you have extra time, have the children name as many of the 10 commandments as they can remember. For each one mentioned, give each child one piece of candy (this helps us remember that God's rules are good because candy is good!).