New
New
Year 9

Ten Commandments

I can explain the context for the Ten Commandments and their relevance today for people of different worldviews.

New
New
Year 9

Ten Commandments

I can explain the context for the Ten Commandments and their relevance today for people of different worldviews.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The Ten Commandments were revealed to Moses and are contained in the story of the Exodus.
  2. The Israelites had begun to act in a way that displeased God while they wandered in the desert so God sent clear rules.
  3. These became the basis for moral living for Jews and later, Christians.
  4. The influence of the Ten Commandments can be seen in modern times and impact present day British law.
  5. 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.


To help you plan your year 9 religious education lesson on: Ten Commandments, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

To consolidate the learning in this lesson ensure that the students know the story of Moses and the Israelites from the book of Exodus.
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Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Where do many religious people look for guidance on how to live?

local people
Correct answer: their holy texts and teachings
rules made by famous religious leaders

Q2.
What are the 613 mitzvot in Judaism?

chapters in the Qur’an
hestivals celebrated by Jewish people
Correct answer: commandments or rules in Jewish law

Q3.
What two parts make up the Christian Bible?

Correct answer: The Old Testament and the New Testament.
The Torah and the Psalms.
The Qur’an and the Gospels.

Q4.
Which of these is a holy text in Islam?

Correct answer: The Hadith
The Psalms
The Gospel of Luke

Q5.
What is Shariah law?

Laws from the UK government.
Correct answer: Islamic law based on the Qur’an and Hadith.
A list of holidays in the Islamic calendar.

Q6.
Where do Hindus often look for guidance on how to live?

The New Testament.
The Book of Mormon.
Correct answer: Sacred texts like the Vedas and Bhagavad Gita.

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is a Commandment in a religious context?

A suggestion from a prophet.
A story in the Bible.
Correct answer: A divine rule given by God.

Q2.
The Ten Commandments are found in the book of .

Correct Answer: Exodus, exodus

Q3.
Why did God give the Ten Commandments to Moses?

To punish the Israelites.
Correct answer: To guide the Israelites after leaving Egypt.
To create Christian law.

Q4.
Which of these is one of the first four Commandments?

Correct answer: Do not worship idols.
Do not eat forbidden fruit
Be kind to animals.

Q5.
How have the Ten Commandments influenced modern Britain?

They have not influenced any modern laws.
They are only followed by religious courts.
Correct answer: Some laws like not stealing reflect Commandment values.

Q6.
The Ten Commandments were only relevant at the time, or to people who follow an Abrahamic religion.

True - they only apply to religious followers.
False - they are not written anywhere today.
Correct answer: False - they influence many modern laws and values