The Ten Commandments for Primary 1

Class: Primary One
Term: Third Term
Week: 9
Age: 6 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Christian Religion Studies
Curriculum Theme: Jesus Our Saviour, Brother and Friend
Focal competence: Obeying God and constituted authority
Key competencies/values: Information Literacy; Responsibility

Skills:

• Reciting the Ten Commandments of God

Previous Lesson: Obedience to God and Biblical Examples
Topic: Jesus Wants Us To Obey And Keep God’S Commandments: The Ten Commandments
Subject Matter: The Ten Commandments

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Define what a commandment is.
• State the story of how God gave His commandments to Moses.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of obeying God’s commandments.
• Show willingness to learn and keep God’s laws.

Psychomotor Domain

• Recite at least five of the Ten Commandments.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• Christian Religious Studies for Primary 1, by A. B. Adeyemi et al.
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Holy Bible
• Pictures of Bible examples of obedience
• Chart of the Ten Commandments

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson introduces pupils to the fundamental rules God gave for living a good life. Understanding the Ten Commandments helps pupils learn obedience, respect for authority, and the basic principles of Christian conduct. It lays a foundation for their moral and spiritual development.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils know that there are rules at home and in school, and they have heard simple stories about Jesus and God.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Jesus Wants Us To Obey And Keep God’S Commandments: The Ten Commandments

Meaning of Commandment

A commandment is a rule or an instruction given by God for us to obey. It tells us what God wants us to do or not to do.

How God Gave Us His Commandments

God gave the Ten Commandments to His people through Moses. Moses went up Mount Sinai, and God wrote the commandments on two stone tablets. These commandments were given to guide the people on how to live right and please God.

The Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments are God’s special rules for us to live by:

1. You shall have no other gods before me.
2. You shall not make idols.
3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
4. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
5. Honour your father and your mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour.
10. You shall not covet your neighbour’s house, wife, or anything he has.

Bible Reading

Exodus 20:1-17

Memory Verse

Exodus 20:6 – “But showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.”

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Recitation, Question and Answer, Storytelling

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Activating prior knowledge

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them about rules they have at home and in school. The teacher explains that just like there are rules at home and school, God also has rules for us.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by mentioning some rules they know.

Learning Point: Importance of rules.

Step 2: Meaning of Commandment

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of “commandment” in simple terms, using examples. “A commandment is a rule from God that tells us what to do or not to do.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and repeat the definition.

Learning Point: Definition of commandment.

Step 3: Story of God Giving Commandments

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Storytelling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher tells the story of how God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai, using simple language and pictures if available.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the story.

Learning Point: God’s gift of commandments.

Step 4: Introducing the Ten Commandments

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Presentation/Identification

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents the chart of the Ten Commandments and reads each commandment clearly. The teacher explains each one briefly in a way Primary 1 pupils can understand.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the chart and listen to the teacher read and explain.

Learning Point: Introduction to God’s laws.

Step 5: Reciting the Ten Commandments

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Recitation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides the pupils to recite the Ten Commandments, perhaps in manageable sections or by repeating after the teacher. The teacher uses the chart as a visual aid.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils recite the commandments with the teacher, individually and in groups.

Learning Point: Recitation of commandments.

Step 6: Bible Reading and Memory Verse

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reading/Memorisation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher reads Exodus 20:1-17 from the Holy Bible. The teacher then introduces the memory verse (Exodus 20:6) and helps pupils repeat it several times.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the Bible reading and repeat the memory verse.

Learning Point: Bible reference and memory.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What is a commandment?
2. Who did God give the commandments to?
3. Mention any three of the Ten Commandments.
4. What is our memory verse for today?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding commandments.

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to copy the essential Board Summary notes on the meaning of commandment and some of the Ten Commandments into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson points.

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher reminds pupils that God loves us and wants us to obey His rules to live a happy life. The teacher encourages them to always try to keep the commandments.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and promise to obey God’s rules.

Learning Point: Obedience to God.

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your notebook:

1. Write down any five of the Ten Commandments.
2. Draw a picture showing someone obeying a rule at home or in school.

Lesson Keywords

• Commandment – A rule or instruction from God.
• Obey – To follow rules or instructions.
• God – Our Creator and Father.
• Moses – The person God used to give the Ten Commandments.
• Sinai – The mountain where Moses received the commandments.

Differentiation

For weaker learners, the teacher can focus on helping them recite the first three or four commandments repeatedly. For faster learners, the teacher can ask them to give simple examples of how they can obey each commandment in their daily lives.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, search on YouTube for: Primary 1 Ten Commandments for kids Nigeria

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have your Holy Bible, a clear chart of the Ten Commandments, and pictures illustrating obedience. Start by engaging pupils with familiar rules to connect to God’s commandments. When presenting the Ten Commandments, use simple language and examples relevant to Primary 1 pupils. Encourage active participation in reciting the commandments, breaking them into smaller, manageable parts if needed. Pay close attention to pupils’ understanding during recitation and correct any misconceptions gently. Allow sufficient time for note-taking from the board summary, ensuring clarity and legibility. Emphasise the moral lesson of obedience throughout the lesson and encourage pupils to apply these rules in their lives. Support weaker learners by simplifying explanations and focusing on key commandments, while challenging faster learners with practical applications.