Confirmation Lesson
Ten Commandments
Opening Prayer
Lord, I will be glad and rejoice in your creation forever.
I will strive to live for you each day of my life.
You are my source of life and joy.
Help me to seek you in all that I say, think and do.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Finding Nemo
Having experienced the terrors of the sea, Marlin is protective of his son, Nemo. On the first day of school, Nemo is eager to set out into unexplored territory.
• What commandments does Marlin establish for Nemo?
• How does Nemo feel about these rules?
• How does God’s law express God’s love for us?
Proverbs 2:1-6
For the writer of Proverbs, true wisdom begins in understanding God’s commandments.

Circle the words "commands" and "wisdom".

Think about this:
  • What is the relationship between true wisdom and God's commandments?
  • Where do we find the commandments of God?

The Ten Commandments of God can be found in Exodus 20. Next to Proverbs 2:1-6, write "10 Comm. = Exodus 20"
This map shows the travels of the Israelites - from slavery in Egypt, through the Red Sea, to Mount Sinai (right)
Exodus 20

Exodus 19:1 "Exactly two months after the Israelites left Egypt, they arrived in the wilderness of Sinai... and set up camp there at the base of Mount Sinai."
(See the maps above)

Moses climbed Mount Sinai and received the 10 Commandments from God.

Read Exodus
20:1-11
See how the Commandments are marked in my Bible (left).
The first three commandments are about our relationship with God.

Read Exodus 20:12-17
The last seven commandments are about our relationship with others.
Did you notice?
The Commandments are not numbered in the book of Exodus.
Where'd they get their numbers? Humans!
Different churches will number them differently.
The numbers aren't the important part.
The important part is the content and how it shapes our lives.
Want a clever way to remember them? 7th and 8th graders, I hope you remember this from last year! Check out the video here...
  • Martin Luther said that the Ten Commandments give us the basics for faithful living in relationship to God and our neighbors.
  • Try taking the word "not" out of the commandments and rephrase them to mean the same thing without the word "not". Does that make them sound any different - even though they're the same command?
  • How do the commandments provide us with a guideline for living a Christian life?
Quiz Time!!!
Are you making up this lesson for attendance credit?
Put your answers to the quiz on your paper!
1. The Ten Commandments can be found in . . .
    a. Exodus 20.
    b. Joshua 24.
    c. Mark 11.
    d. Exodus 10.

2. Moses went up to pray to God on . . .
    a. Mount McKinley.
    b. Mount Sinai.
    c. the Mount of Olives.
    d. Mount Olympus.

3. How many commandments are about our relationship to God?
    a. 2
    b. 3
    c. 4
    d. 10

4. How many commandments are about our relationship to our neighbor?
    a. 5
    b. 6
    c. 7
    d. 10

5. Luther believed that . . .
    a. if we keep the Commandments exactly, we will go to heaven.
    b. the Ten Commandments give us the basics for faithful living in relationship to God
and our neighbors.
    c. the Ten Commandments should be expanded to 100.
    d. both a and b.

6. God gave the Ten Commandments to . . .
    a. Adam.
    b. Aaron.
    c. Moses.
    d. Jesus.

8. The Fourth Commandment is to . . .
    a. honor your brother or sister.
    b. remember the weekend and make it fun.
    c. remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
    d. honor your mother and father.
What do you think?
• What rules are the most difficult for you to deal with?
• How do you prioritize things in your life?
• Why should we look at the Commandments as guidelines rather than
“have-tos” or “to-dos”?
Do you have any questions?
If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts, you can email Leisha at ltays@oursaviourslc.org