YEA Lesson Library
Do Not Murder
About This Lesson
This lesson introduces the student to the Sixth Commandment - Thou shalt not murder and gives the examples of David and Saul.
Scriptures
Exodus 20:13
Numbers 35:30
Deuteronomy 5:17
1 Samuel 24:1-12
Matthew 5:21-22
Matthew 5:44
Mark 10:19
John 7:1
Romans 13:10
James 2:10-11
Words to Know
ENEMIES - one who hates and wishes to hurt another
JEALOUS - resentfully envious
The Lesson
David was a young man who loved God. He was a brave soldier in King Saul’s army. But, Saul was jealous of David. He knew one day David would be a great king.
King Saul didn’t like it when the people praised David. It made him mad. One day Saul threw his spear and tried to kill David. But, David got away. Saul sent spies to find David and kill him. But David escaped again. Whenever people said good things about David, Saul tried to kill him.
One day David and his men were hiding in a cave. Saul didn’t know David was in there. He went into that same cave. David’s men said, “This is your chance. You can kill Saul while he isn’t looking!”
But, David didn’t just love God – he loved God’s commandments. The sixth commandment says, “Do not murder.” David knew it would be wrong to kill Saul. Instead, David just cut off a piece of Saul’s robe. Later he showed it to Saul. David said, “See, I had a chance to kill you. But, I didn’t. I knew that was wrong.”
God made men and women to be like Him. He loves us all. Killing someone is taking a life that belongs to God. That is why God says you should, “Love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you.” God wants everyone to have a chance to be with Him in His Kingdom.
Activity
Teaching the Lesson:
Legacy Lesson: Student book/Teacher book - Teaching Time: 20 mins.
Lesson Prep - Teacher book - Time: 45 mins.
Teacher-Directed Activity: Have a Heart - Time: 30 mins.
Song: “This Is My Commandment” - page 4 of Kids Classics Collection - Time: 5 mins.
Activity in Student Text: Identify and Color - Time: 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 - Matthew 5:21-22
Monday - Numbers 35:30
Tuesday - Deuteronomy 5:17
Wednesday - Mark 10:19
Thursday - John 7:1
Friday - James 2:10-11
Saturday - Romans 13:10
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, the children will be able to:
1. Explain that killing is taking a life that belongs to God.
2. Tell that hating people will lead to doing bad things to them.
3. Tell that God wants us to love each other, even those who are mean to us.
4. State that God will help us be nice to people who are mean to us.
Topics & Themes
David
Murder
Saul
Ten Commandments
Murder
Preparation
Television, movies, video games, cartoons – today’s children are being bombarded with violence. The media has desensitized our children to the true consequences of violent behavior. One day care administrator was deeply concerned when a four year old child threatened another because he was angry. The child said, “I’m going to kill you! Then I will kill your mommy and daddy!” Even at the tender age of four, violence was his method of solving difficulties.
If this trend continues, what does the future hold for our children? The Scriptures tell us that dangerous times will come in the last days. We are warned in 2 Timothy 3 that, “People will love themselves. They will love money. They will brag and be proud. The will tear others down. They will not obey their parents. They won’t be thankful or holy. They won’t love others. They won’t forgive others. They will tell lies about people. They will be out of control. They will be wild. They will hate what is good. . . . They will love what pleases them instead of loving God.”
Most children know that murder is wrong. But, how many of them realize that anger, jealousy, and hatred can lead to dangerous behavior? Jesus expanded on the sixth commandment by saying, “Anyone who murders will be judged for it. But here is what I tell you. Do not be angry with your brother. Anyone who is angry with his brother will be judged” (Matthew 5:21-22). The goal is to arrest evil behavior before it has a chance to mature – to “nip it in the bud!”
Before you come to class, enlarge and copy the heart pattern onto construction paper. Cut or tear red and pink tissue paper into 1" squares. Cut yarn into 20" pieces.
Review Questions
1. What is the Sixth Commandment?
2. Was King Saul going to keep or break the Sixth Commandment?
3. Was David going to keep or break the Sixth Commandment?
4. Who do you rely on to help you love people who are mean to you?
Teacher-Directed Activity
Give each child a heart and a piece of yarn. Help the children cut out the heart. Punch a hole in the heart. Have the children thread the yarn through the hole and tie the ends together. Spread a thin layer of glue on the blank side of the heart. Crumple the tissue squares and cover the glue with tissue paper. The children can hang this heart on their door to remind them that God wants us to love those who are mean to us.
REACH Activity
Letter: K
Words: kill, king, kingdom, kind
Sentence: KING SAUL WANTED TO KILL DAVID.
Song
“This Is My Commandment” is on page 4 of Kids Classics Collection.
Closing Prayer
Lead the children in prayer, asking God to help them love their enemies and people who are mean to them.
Printable Pages
