Youth Ministry Lesson on Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 and Psalm 19: Navigating God’s Commandments

As teenagers, you are facing various challenges and decisions that will shape your lives. In this Sunday school lesson, we will dive into the importance of God’s commandments and His Word in guiding our lives. Understanding these teachings will help you grow in your faith and make wise choices in a world filled with distractions and temptations.

Bible Reading 1: Exodus 20:1-4

“And God spoke all these words, saying, ‘I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.'”

Explanation:

• These are the first two commandments given by God to the Israelites.
• God demands exclusive worship and warns against idolatry.
• He desires to be the primary focus and priority in our lives.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some things that can become “gods” in our lives today?
2. How can we ensure that we prioritize God above everything else?
3. Why do you think God emphasizes the dangers of creating idols?

Bible Reading 2: Exodus 20:7-9,12-20

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work… Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you… And all the people saw the thunder and the lightning flashes, and the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance. Then they said to Moses, ‘Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we will die.'”

Explanation:

• These commandments focus on the reverence for God’s name, observing the Sabbath, and honoring parents.
• Taking God’s name in vain shows disrespect and dishonors His holiness.
• Observing the Sabbath is a time to rest and worship, recognizing God’s provision.
• Honoring parents leads to long and blessed lives.

Discussion Questions:

1. Why do you think it’s important to show respect for God’s name?
2. How can we honor the Sabbath day in our busy lives today?
3. In what ways can we demonstrate honor towards our parents?

Bible Reading 3: Psalm 19

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.”

Explanation:

• Psalm 19 beautifully describes how creation testifies to God’s existence and glory.
• God’s Word, as described in the later verses, is perfect, trustworthy, and valuable.
• Both nature and Scripture reveal God’s character and teachings.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does nature reveal God’s existence and character?
2. What are some ways we can discover God’s wisdom through His Word?
3. How can the beauty of creation and Scripture impact our faith?

Youth Group Game: “Faith Obstacle Course”

Create an obstacle course representing different challenges teenagers face in living out their faith. Each challenge should reflect a commandment or theme discussed in the lesson. For example:

• “Avoiding False Idols”: Set up stations with various distractions or temptations, and participants must navigate through them while keeping their focus on God.
• “Honoring Parents”: Create a task where participants must work together to complete a task that shows respect and honor towards their parents.

Closing Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the opportunity to explore Your commandments and Your Word. Help us to grow in our faith and understand the importance of following Your teachings. May we prioritize You above everything else and honor You in all that we do. Guide us as we face challenges and decisions, granting us wisdom and discernment. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Remember, you can always reach out to us if you have any questions or need further guidance in your faith journey.

Psalm 19 Sunday School Lesson for Kids