YEA Lesson Library
God is #1
About This Lesson
This lesson introduces the student to the first of the Ten Commandments.
Scriptures
Exodus 20:1-4
Leviticus 22:33
Deuteronomy 6:4
Deuteronomy 6:5
Mark 12:28-30
John 10:30
1 Corinthians 8:6
Ephesians 4:5-6
1 Timothy 2:5
Words to Know
CHAMPION - the first place winner in competition
STATUE - likeness of a person or animal carved from stone, wood, or metal
The Lesson
The football game was over. Everyone was shouting, “We’re #1, we’re #1!” They were happy. Their team had won the game. They were the champions.
When we say something or someone is #1, we mean they are the best! No one can be better than the very best. There is only one very best.
Our God is the one and only God. He is #1! There is no one like Him. No one else can make an ocean out of nothing. No one else can make a person out of dust. There is no one else as strong as God. No one is as smart as God. No one else can do the great things God can do. And, no one else loves you as much as God does.
The very first commandment God gave Moses is the most important commandment. It says we should love God more than anything else. We should love Him with all of our hearts. We shouldn’t pray to anyone except the God in heaven. God doesn’t want us to worship false gods. We shouldn’t make statues to bow down to and worship. God wants us to worship only Him.
God made our world and everything in it. He even made you. He gives you everything you need. God wants you to be happy. And He wants you to love and worship Him. After all, He is #1! You don’t want to worship someone who is not the best!
Activity
Teaching the Lesson:
Legacy Lesson: Student book/Teacher book - Teaching Time: 15 mins.
Lesson Prep - Teacher book - Time: 45 mins.
Teacher-Directed Activity: Glitter Badge - Time: 20 mins.
Song: “Praise Him, Praise Him”- page 76 of the Kids Classics Collection - Time: 5 mins.
Activity in Student Text: Trace and Color - Time: 5-10 mins.
Alternate Ways to Present Lesson (YEAH):
Extending the Lesson - Additional Activities - REACH:
Daily Teaching Suggestions for each lesson - Daily Time: 15-20 mins.
Daily Devotions
Sunday - Deuteronomy 6:4-5
Monday - Mark 12:29-30
Tuesday - Leviticus 22:33
Wednesday - Ephesians 4:5-6
Thursday - 1 Corinthians 8:6
Friday - 1 Timothy 2:5
Saturday - John 10:30
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, the children will be able to:
1. State that there is only one true God.
2. Give examples of why God is #1.
3. Tell why we should worship God alone.
Topics & Themes
Putting God First
Ten Commandments
Putting God First
Worship God
Preparation
“Our God is a person and not an abstraction, so this helps us in teaching young children. A person is concrete. A person lives somewhere, does things, says things, loves, gets angry and so forth” (Teaching Kindergartners by Ruth Beechick).
But the God in heaven is so much more than just a person. He is the Creator-God, the Eternal One, the Alpha and Omega, the Most Holy, the Almighty, Living God. Most of these attributes, however, are abstract, and are beyond the understanding of young children.
Today’s lesson is laying a foundation for the little ones. In simple terms, it presents God as the very best, and therefore worthy of our worship. It pleases God when we worship Him out of a heart of love. And, obedience to God’s commands will ultimately bring us happiness.
Before class, enlarge and copy enough of the badge patterns onto construction paper for each child to have one. (You may want to cut these out beforehand for young children.) Make one badge that says, “You’re #1" to be used in the lesson. Cut yarn into 20" lengths and cover one end with tape to make it easier for the children to thread through the hole.
Use the Dudley-Do-Right puppet to greet the children. Use his name to remind the children that the Ten Commandments teach us how to Do Right! Wear a large foam finger (like those worn at ball games) when cheering.
Review Questions
1. How do we know that God in heaven is the one true God?
2. How can we show God that we love Him with all of our hearts?
3. Should we bow down or pray to statues?
4. Who is #1?
Teacher-Directed Activity
Give each child a badge pattern. Help them apply glue to the rays of the badge. Sprinkle glitter over the glue. (Pour excess glitter into a shallow box lid to be used again.) Punch a hole in the badge. Have the children thread a piece of yarn through the hole and tie the ends together. The badge can be worn home and hung on their door as a reminder that, “God Is #1.”
REACH Activity
Letter: W
Words: we, worship, wonderful, wise, world
Sentence: WE WORSHIP OUR WISE AND WONDERFUL GOD WHO CREATED THE WORLD.
OR
GOD ALWAYS WANTS THE WORLD TO WORSHIP HIM.
Song
(Use the puppet to lead the children in singing.) “Praise Him, Praise Him” is on page 76 of the Kids Classics Collection.
Closing Prayer
Lead the students in prayer, thanking God for being Who He is, praising Him for His love and majesty.
Printable Pages
