Christian Religious Education — The Bible

Subtopic: The Ten Commandments 📜

The Ten Commandments are rules God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai to help people live in a good way. You can read them in the Bible: Exodus 20:1–17 and Deuteronomy 5:6–21. They teach how to love God and how to treat other people.

About the Commandments
  • God gave them to help people live well together.
  • They are important in church, at home and in community life.
  • They can be split: the first 4 are about God; the last 6 are about people.
Quick Facts
  • Given to Moses on Mount Sinai.
  • Found in the Old Testament of the Bible.
  • Used in Christian teachings across Kenya and the world.
Tablet 1
  1. No other gods.
  2. No idols.
  3. Do not misuse God's name.
  4. Remember the Sabbath (rest and worship).
Tablet 2
  1. Respect your parents.
  2. Do not kill.
  3. Do not commit adultery.
  4. Do not steal.
  5. Do not lie (do not give false witness).
  6. Do not be jealous of others' things.

Short explanation for each (in simple words)

  • No other gods: Love and trust only the one true God.
  • No idols: Do not worship objects or people instead of God.
  • Do not misuse God’s name: Speak God’s name with respect, not in anger or as a joke.
  • Remember the Sabbath: Set aside time to rest and go to church on Sunday.
  • Respect parents: Honour and obey your mother and father.
  • Do not kill: Value life and do not harm others.
  • Do not commit adultery: Be faithful in marriage; respect relationships.
  • Do not steal: Do not take what belongs to someone else.
  • Do not lie: Tell the truth — do not make false stories about others.
  • Do not be jealous: Be thankful for what you have and do not want what others have unfairly.

Why they matter to you (Kenyan examples)

  • Respecting parents helps your family stay peaceful at home.
  • Not stealing means you will keep good relationships with classmates and neighbours.
  • Keeping the Sabbath can mean going to Sunday school, worshipping, and resting after a busy week.
  • Telling the truth helps you build trust with friends, teachers and church members.

Class activities and memory tips

  • Memory game: Learn the commandments in order with a partner — one says the number, the other says the rule.
  • Draw & label: Make your own tablets and draw a picture for each commandment.
  • Role-play: Act out short skits showing what happens when people follow or break a commandment.
  • Discussion: Talk about how a commandment helps you at school or at home.

Short quiz (true / false)

  1. True or False: The Ten Commandments were given to Moses on Mount Sinai. (True)
  2. True or False: One commandment says we must not steal. (True)
  3. True or False: The commandments tell us only about worship and never about how to treat people. (False)

Bible reference: Exodus 20:1–17 and Deuteronomy 5:6–21. Keep learning and asking questions in class or at church. 🙏


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