The Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai Preschool Lesson
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “God’s words are good words.”
It was the third month since God’s people had left Egypt. Now they came to a big mountain in the wilderness. It was called Mount Sinai. They set up their tents in front of it. God wanted to give them his words.
Moses went up the mountain to God. The LORD said, “You have seen how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to myself.” Bore means carried. God had carried his people, like a big eagle! Can you spread your arms like eagle wings?
God said, “If you will obey my voice, you shall be my own possession. For all the earth is mine.” To obey means to listen and do what God says. Then they would be his very own people.
Moses told the people what God had said. All the people answered together, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do.” God’s words are good words.
God told the people to get ready. They washed their clothes. Moses set a border all around the mountain. A border is a line you must not cross. No one was allowed to go up or touch it. On the third day, God would come down on the mountain.
On the third day, in the morning, there was thunder and lightning. Boom! A thick cloud covered the mountain. A trumpet blew, louder and louder. Toot-toot! Can you be a loud trumpet?
Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God. They stood at the bottom of the mountain. The LORD came down on it in fire. The whole mountain smoked and shook. The people trembled. Trembled means they shook, because they were afraid.
Then God spoke all these words. “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.” God’s words are good words.
God gave his people ten commandments. Commandments are rules from God. Let’s count to ten on our fingers! One, two, three, four, five. Six, seven, eight, nine, ten!
Here are some of them. “You shall have no other gods before me.” That means: love only the one true God. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Work for six days, and rest on the seventh day, God’s special day.
“Honor your father and your mother.” Honor means to love them and listen to them. “You shall not steal.” “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.” That means: don’t tell lies about other people. God’s words are good words.
The people heard the thunder and the trumpet. They saw the mountain smoking. They were afraid, and they stayed far away. “Speak with us yourself, and we will listen,” they said to Moses.
Moses said, “Don’t be afraid.” Then Moses went near the thick, dark cloud where God was.
Moses stayed there with the LORD for forty days and forty nights. Then God gave Moses two flat stones, called tablets. The words were written on them with God’s finger! God’s words are good words.
God gave his good words to the people he loved and had set free. God’s words are good words.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- What do you think the people thought when they heard the thunder and the trumpet?
- Why do you think God gave his people good rules?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Color the 2 stone tablets and the 10 fingers for God’s 10 commandments.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“Honor your father and your mother” — Exodus 20:12 (Honor → bow your head; your father → reach one hand up high; your mother → put your hand on your heart)
Dear God, thank you for your good words. Thank you that you brought your people out and carried them. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: God's rules are a gift of love
Memory verse: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” — Exodus 20:2 · WEB
The Bible story
High on a smoky mountain, God speaks to His people with a voice like thunder and gives them ten loving rules to help them live as His special family.
Talk about it
- Where did God's people travel to meet with Him? — Mount Sinai
- Where had God rescued His people from before this journey? — Egypt
- How many days did the people get ready to meet God? — Three days
- What covered the top of the mountain when God came? — Smoke and cloud
- What sounds came from the mountain? — Thunder and a trumpet
- What did Moses tell the people when they trembled? — "Do not be afraid"
Where is Jesus in this story?
The Ten Commandments show us God's beautiful way to live, but sometimes we still slip and make mistakes. That is why God sent Jesus. Jesus loved God perfectly and loved everyone He met, and He kept every rule for us. He even taught that all of God's commandments can be gathered into one big idea: love God with all your heart, and love others as yourself. Through Jesus, God helps us love the way He always dreamed we could.
What God wants to tell us
God did not give the Ten Commandments to spoil our fun. He gave them because He loves us, like a good parent who teaches us how to stay safe and be kind. When we love God first and love the people around us, our hearts feel happy and our world becomes more peaceful. God's rules are like a warm light, gently showing us the very best way to live.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for loving me so much that You show me the best way to live. Help me to love You first, and to be kind and truthful to everyone around me. When I make mistakes, thank You for forgiving me and helping me try again. I love You. Amen.
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