Ten Commandments
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the context for the Ten Commandments and their relevance today for people of different worldviews.
Key learning points
- The Ten Commandments were revealed to Moses and are contained in the story of the Exodus.
- The Israelites had begun to act in a way that displeased God while they wandered in the desert so God sent clear rules.
- These became the basis for moral living for Jews and later, Christians.
- The influence of the Ten Commandments can be seen in modern times and impact present day British law.
- Some of the Commandments are not illegal in modern society, but believers may find breaking them immoral or sinful.
Keywords
Commandment - a divine rule, given by God
Exodus - a book of the Bible which contains the 10 Commandments
Moses - messenger or prophet of the Abrahamic religions
Common misconception
The Ten Commandments were only relevant at the time, or to people who follow an Abrahamic religion.
The Ten Commandments and other religious rules have influenced many laws still in place, including things such as Sunday trading laws in modern Britain.
Teacher tip
To consolidate the learning in this lesson ensure that the students know the story of Moses and the Israelites from the book of Exodus.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Where do many religious people look for guidance on how to live?
Q2.What are the 613 mitzvot in Judaism?
Q3.What two parts make up the Christian Bible?
Q4.Which of these is a holy text in Islam?
Q5.What is Shariah law?
Q6.Where do Hindus often look for guidance on how to live?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a Commandment in a religious context?
Q2.The Ten Commandments are found in the book of .
Q3.Why did God give the Ten Commandments to Moses?
Q4.Which of these is one of the first four Commandments?
Q5.How have the Ten Commandments influenced modern Britain?
Q6.The Ten Commandments were only relevant at the time, or to people who follow an Abrahamic religion.
To help you plan your 9 religious education lesson on: Ten Commandments, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 religious education lesson on: Ten Commandments, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 religious education lessons from the Religious law: What is the social context and relevance today? unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.