God's Rules Are Our Rules

To review the meaning of the Ten Commandments through song

The children will express an understanding of the Ten Commandments as God's instruction for living in right relation to God and to others.

• Copies of the lyrics to "God's Rules Are Our Rules," as found below

• After discussing God's gift of the Ten Commandments to the Hebrew people through Moses, explain that there are many ways to express the Ten Commandments, including through song.
• Invite the children to sing with you "God's Rules Are Our Rules" (sung to the melody of "This Land Is Your Land").

The words to "God's Rules Are Our Rules" follow:

Refrain:

God's rules are our rules
That we must follow
To live in love and to be God's People.
With God to help us with grace to follow them,
We, too, can live as children of God.

1) Number one says I am to love God
With all my being and all my strength.
Number two says to love God's holy name;
Three makes Sunday God's own day.

2) Number four says to honor my parents,
To obey the people God sent to guide me.
Number five says not to kill anyone;
Six says to live in purity.

3) Number seven says we should not steal;
Number eight says to speak the truth.
Number nine says to be pure of heart
In all I think and desire to do each day.

4) Now comes the last of God's Ten Commandments:
Number ten says to be content.
Be satisfied with all that God's given us
And show our love for God in all we do.

Repeat the refrain.

Music Smart

Before doing this activity, hum the tune to "This Land Is Your Land" for the children who may not be familiar with it.

If there are children in your group with special needs (physical, visual, hearing, language, or behavioral disabilities), adapt the activity accordingly.