VISUAL LEARNING

To assist in learning the 10 Commandments a picture is shown with a number that corresponding with the commandment. Associating a picture with the number will help the children remember the meaning of each commandment.

The first few times you show the children use the slide show that gives the children the words along with the pictures. After they have gone through it a couple of times then substitute the slide show that only shows the pictures. You will be amazed at how quickly the children learn the commandment that corresponds with the picture.

The first time through I give a short description about what each picture means. I have listed those description below but feel free to use your own words.

  • 1. You shall have no other Gods before me. Have you ever gone to a ball game and all the fans were holding up their finger saying,“We're number one!” Well, that's how you need to feel about God. He should always be #1 in your life and the first commandment says it's true.

  • 2. You shall not make for yourself an idol. See how the #2 looks like someone kneeling?

  • 3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. If you turn the #3 on it's side it looks like the top of your lips. That would remind you that it is your mouth that would misuse the Lord's name.

  • 4. Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy. Watch the #4 turn into an H. That will help you remember that “H” stands for Holy.

  • 5. You shall honor your father and mother. Do you see that there are two parts in the #5? The top is where we put the Dad and the bottom is where we put the Mom.

  • 6. You shall not murder. If you turn the #6 on it's side it reminds me of the shape of a gun.

  • 7. You shall not commit adultery. This commandment is just for adults but, we want to learn it so we will know it when we grow up. Do you see how the #7 can become the letter "A"? The letter "A" will remind me of the word Adultery.

  • 8. You shall not steal. This one is easy, if you turn the #8 on it's side it looks just like the mask that the bank robber is wearing. Do you see it?

  • 9. You shall not lie. If you turn the #9 on it's side it looks just like the start of a fish symbol. Fishermen are notorious for having unbelievable tales about “the one that got away.” That's why I used the #9 to remind me about lying.

  • 10. You shall not covet. Covet means to desire something that belongs to another person. See how the #1 is trying to take the package from #0?

GAMES USING THE SMALL CARDS

The small cards can be printed out on card stock and given to the children to take home for practicing their 10 Commandments. You can also use the matching cards to play a game of concentration. Lay all the cards face down and have each child take a turn at turning 2 cards over. If the cards match then they get to keep the cards and go again. If the cards do not match then it is the next child's turn. You might also like using the small cards that have both the numbers and pictures. Have the children match up the numbers with the picture that goes with that number.

Another activity would be to have each child draw a card and recite the verse that goes with the picture or number. If you put both the numbers and pictures in the same pile it might make it more challenging.

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
Used by permission of Zondervan. All Rights Reserved.