Encourage Learning the Bible: Teach by Association

Teaching children is amazing. They learn so much when given the chance.  There are times when they need a little help in learning something. Learning by association is a wonderful way for children or anyone to learn. Today, we're sharing tips on teaching the 10 Commandments by association.

Encourage Learning the Bible: Teach by Association

Does your 9 year old know the Books of the Bible or The 10 Commandments or The 23rd Psalm? Do you think they are too young to know these by heart? If you think so, then I challenge you to try and teach them.

I would have thought that was too much for a 9 year old a couple years ago. But I have put it to the test for three years now. I had never taught 3rd grade girls in Sunday School. I always taught an older class. But when the classes got too big and had to be split, the pastor ask if I would take the class. I was hesitant but after praying about it ~ I took it.

Our first lessons for the year were on Moses and the trip through the wilderness. So I thought this is a good time for them to learn the commandments. A preacher friend was talking about association in teaching children. He gave me a way to teach the 10 commandments.


1. Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.

You hold up a pencil or pen. (# 1.)  The problem I encountered was ~ they want to say: Thou shall not have no other Gods before me. I had to give a little lesson on double negatives.

2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.

I took a wire clothes hanger and made a number 2 (Something I made with my hands) 

3.  Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain.

A picture of a bicycle -a little boy was riding his bicycle and fell off saying "Oh, God."

4.  Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.

 Four wheels -getting in the car going to church.

5. Honor thy father and thy mother.

A five dollar bill with mother's face on one side and father's face on the other side.

6. Thou shalt not kill.

A monkey hanging in a tree with his tail hanging down in a #6. He has sores all over him. Someone wants to shoot him.

7. Thou shalt not commit adultery. 

A golf (seven club) to hit over the head of an unfaithful companion.

8. Thou shalt not steal.

I had 8 candy bars on my desk. I leave the room and when I come back there is only 7.

9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against against thy neighbor.

A periscope  - to look over the fence at the neighbors.

10. Thou shalt not covet. 

You can want what someone has so bad that you do is think about it and talk about it. You might go as far as stealing it.

I can just start to mention the association and they can tell me the commandment. Almost all the girls can stand up and say the 10 commandments.

I also had them to learn to Psalm 23 and the Books of the Bible. All 66. I go by the books of the Law (5), the books of history (12), the books of poetry (5), the major prophets (5), the minor prophets (12) We take them in that order and gradually add more.

The hardest for them is the minor prophets. I told them I am hunting Haggai almost every time. Somehow he wonders around and I have to find the right place for him. So they have helped me to put him in his rightful place.

Then we sing the New Testament to the tune of "Nothing but the Blood of Jesus." They are really beginning to pick it up good by now. I made a mistake in writing on the board some books. Several immediately caught my error and raised their hand. I, yes, their teacher had made a mistake. I felt like jumping up and down saying, Yeah! They got it!

I find in my own life that if I have something to associate something with,the task is much easier. But it is also repetition. We have worked on this about 8 months. 

If your child does not know these three basis things to memorize give them a challenge. My girls are working toward a certificate or a trophy if they do all of them. That will be in September.

Children can learn if you take the time to teach them. My Sunday School girls are all bus children. I don't know where they might wind up in life, but I do know that once you have something in your memory bank it is there. My prayer is that they will not only learn but remember in years to come what they were taught. The big challenge is that most older folk don't know the books of the Bible. So if you don't know them, then get ready for a challenge together with your child. 

Happy learning!

By Aliene @ meditationsandmemories.blogspot.com