This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in Exodus 20:1-17, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
A long time ago, the people of God were slaves in a land called Egypt. But God loved them and wanted to save them. So He sent a man named Moses to rescue them and lead them to a new land.
After they left Egypt, God brought them to a mountain and spoke to them. He gave them rules to follow, which are called the Ten Commandments. These rules were very important and were like a guide for the people to live a good life.
God said, “I am the Lord your God who saved you from Egypt. You must only worship Me and have no other gods.
Don’t make any statues of things in the sky, on the earth, or in the water, and don’t bow down to them.
Don’t say My name in a bad way.
Remember to take a rest day on the Sabbath and make it special.
Honor your parents.
Don’t hurt or kill anyone.
Don’t be unfaithful to your spouse.
Don’t take things that don’t belong to you.
Don’t lie about other people.
Don’t want things that belong to your neighbors.”
The people heard God’s rules and were scared, but they promised to do their best to follow them. And God was pleased that they were trying to be obedient to His commands.
Biblical Lessons
- God loves us and wants us to live a good life.
- The Ten Commandments are important rules to follow.
- We must worship only God and honor Him.
- We must treat others kindly and not harm them or their things.
- We should rest on the Sabbath day and make it special.
- We should listen to and obey God’s commands.
Related Stories
Must-Read Christian Books
The Pilgrim's Progress
A classic allegory of the Christian journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City, saturated with Scripture.
View on Amazon
Systematic Theology
A comprehensive, evangelical overview of Christian doctrine with Scripture at every point.
View on Amazon
Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God
A robust, Scripture-saturated theology of prayer with practical guidance for deepening communion with God.
View on Amazon
Knowing Scripture
Teaches how to interpret the Bible rightly, emphasizing its clarity and our responsibility to study it.
View on Amazon
The Discipline of Grace
Shows how God's grace and our disciplined effort work together in sanctification.
View on Amazon
Respectable Sins
Exposes the "ordinary" sins Christians often tolerate and calls us to gospel-driven holiness.
View on Amazon
Communion with God
Explores how believers enjoy distinct fellowship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
View on Amazon
The Attributes of God
Devotional meditations on God's character that stir reverence and worship.
View on Amazon
A Body of Divinity
A warm, devotional exposition of the Westminster Shorter Catechism's doctrines.
View on Amazon
Christ-Centered Worship
Traces historic worship patterns and shows how to shape Christ-focused services today.
View on Amazon
The Universe Next Door
Surveys competing worldviews and contrasts them with the Christian view of reality.
View on Amazon
Reformed Dogmatics (Single Volume Abridgement)
A rich, Reformed systematic theology that is deeply biblical and Christ-centered.
View on Amazon
God's Glory in Salvation through Judgment
Argues that God's glory in salvation through judgment is the central theme of Scripture.
View on Amazon
Gentle and Lowly
Meditates on Christ's heart for sinners and sufferers from key biblical texts.
View on Amazon
The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness
Shows how the gospel frees us from self-obsession to live in joy and service.
View on Amazon
Operation World
A prayer handbook with up-to-date information on nations and their gospel needs.
View on Amazon
The Hiding Place
The story of Corrie ten Boom's faith and forgiveness in the midst of Nazi persecution.
View on Amazon