The Ten Commandments Academy
Welcome to Bible IQ’s Ten Commandments Academy! The mission of the Ten Commandments Academy is to help you increase your Bible knowledge about the Ten Commandments by further understanding the wonder, purpose, relevance, and importance of the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments Academy contains a mix of creative and innovative learning content including:
Information
Illustrations
Infographics
Videos
Although the Ten Commandments Academy is applicable and beneficial for all ages and spiritual maturity levels, this program is geared towards youth and adults who are in the earlier stages of their personal Bible Learning Journey. Very popular is our animated video that teaches the 10 Commandments within minutes using simple hand motions. So without further ado, let the Ten Commandments teaching begin!
The Ten Commandments are located in Exodus 20, and a listing of the 10 Commandments is shown below:
Introduction to the Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments are sometimes referred to as “God’s Law.” Although God wrote the Ten Commandments thousands of years ago, they are still important and relevant to us today. God wrote these 10 laws in “stone,” which clearly conveys permanency. Furthermore, the Bible states: “I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.” (Matthew 5:18 NIV) This means God's Law will never change!
The Ten Commandments can be found throughout the Bible (both Old and New Testament), which further demonstrates it's prominence and purpose. The Bible conveys repeatedly the importance of knowing and being obedient to God’s Law. In summary, the Ten Commandments are timeless truths and are vitally important to our faith and our relationship with God.
The History of the Ten Commandments
After God rescued the Israelites from Egypt by his mighty acts of the 10 plagues and the parting of the Red Sea, he gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments. Specifically, God wrote the Ten Commandments on two stone tablets and gave them to Moses to share with all the Israelites. The preamble to the Ten Commandments reminds the people of God’s greatness and how He redeemed them from Egyptian slavery. God knows we are forgetful people, and consequently, He reminds us about His power, protection, and provisions in the preamble of the Ten Commandments!
The Preamble to the Ten Commandments: "I am the LORD your God, who brought you our of Egypt, out of the land of slavery." Exodus 20:2 At the foot of Mount Sinai, God gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments to reveal how he wanted them to live. They were to be set apart as God’s holy people and were expected to live accordingly. Additionally, because God loved and protected them, the Israelites were expected to respond to God and His Ten Commandments in thanks, trust, love, and obedience.
The Ten Commandments Today
It’s important to note that the Ten Commandments were not intended just for the Israelites back in ancient biblical times. The Ten Commandments are for all people – past, present, and future! The Ten Commandments have three primary purposes as shown below:
1. To reveal God’s character, his will, and his judgment. 2. To show sinners their sin and point them to Jesus. 3. To show our gratitude and love to God through our obedience to His Law. It’s interesting to note that Jesus "raised-the-bar" by calling people to an even higher standard by not only obeying the commandments in their deeds, but also in their hearts. For example, Jesus stated if you hate your brother then you’ve murdered him in your heart, and if you lustfully look or think about someone then you’ve committed adultery in your heart. It’s also important to note that being obedient to the Ten Commandments can never “save” anyone (i.e., earn you a ticket-to-heaven). The only way to be saved is through a repentant heart and trust in Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, the world tells us as long as we are a good person, or our "good deeds" outweigh our "bad deeds", then we can go to heaven, but that is not what the Bible states! Unfortunately, many people live in denial and believe they are not sinners. However, the Bible explicity states: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Many people do not understand that sin is judged in "thought, word, and deed," and that it only takes breaking one of the 10 commandments "one-time" to be a sinner. But there is good news! The Bible continues by stating: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). In summary, the Ten Commandments help us understand: 1) what sin is, 2) that we are all sinners, and 3) that we need a savior (Jesus). Just like the preamble to the Ten Commandments reminds us how God redeemed his people from “Egyptian slavery,” the Ten Commandments remind us how God redeemed us from the “slavery of sin” through his son Jesus Christ.
The Two "Greatest Commandments"
The Bible states there are two great commandments referred to as the "Two Greatest Commandments." The Bible states they are as follows:
1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 2. Love your neighbor as yourself.Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: "Love your neighbor as yourself." All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments. Matthew 22:34-40
So, in summary the great commandments are to "Love God" and "Love Others." And when you love God with all your heart, you are in effect obeying all 10 commandments, but especially the first 4 commandments (which are God-focused). And when you love your neighbor as yourself, you are in effect obeying the last 6 commandments (which are People-focused).
Ten Commandments "Illustrations"
Ten Commandments - "Boundaries"
All sporting events have boundaries, which ensures the game is played fairly. For example, football, soccer, tennis and baseball all have sidelines, foul lines, and/or goal lines that establish the boundaries of the game. The purpose of these “boundaries” are to regulate the actions of the players in the game. Remove the boundaries and you introduce disorder and chaos into the game. In other words, the boundaries maximize the order, harmony, and satisfaction of the game. While the boundaries create certain limitations, they also optimize the overall play and enjoyment of the game. Likewise, by giving us the Ten Commandments, God established boundaries to not only establish order and limitations, but also to maximize the pleasure and fellowship in the game of life.
Ten Commandments - "10 Linked Chain"
Let’s say, there was a man who was mountain climbing. He was hanging on the edge of a large cliff by holding on to a chain with ten links. Let’s pretend one of the links ends up breaking. At that point, it doesn’t matter that there were nine “unbroken” chains – i.e., the rock climber will still plummet. Likewise, it only takes “breaking” one of the ten commandments to be considered a sinner.
Ten Commandments - "Mirror"
You look in the mirror and notice a part of your hairdo is messed-up. Although the mirror revealed this ‘bad hair day’ problem to you, the mirror cannot solve it. You will need a comb or a brush to fix your hairdo hindrance. Similarly, the Ten Commandments can only “reveal” your sin problem, but they cannot help you nor prevent the impending consequences of your sins (eternal separate from God). Only Jesus can “fix” your sin problem via forgiveness, righteousness, and salvation.
Ten Commandments - "Sunlight"
Suppose you were dusting your kitchen counter after which you believed it was perfectly clean. Shortly thereafter, you then see the sunlight beaming in through the window and you notice “dust” still on the counter as well as in the air. Did the sunlight “cause” your dusty dilemma? Of course not! The sunlight merely “revealed” it. Similarly, the Ten Commandments do not cause your sins, but merely “reveal” your sins.
Ten Commandments - "Nightlight"
A nightlight helps you to see clearly in the dark and serves as a guide so you do not stumble or hurt yourself. Similarly, the Ten Commandments enlighten your vision and help you perceive and detect potential danger that hides under the cloak of sin you may be tempted towards. Along with providing you protection in this dark world, the Ten Commandments also serve as a beacon so you may better understand the plan of salvation God has for you through Jesus Christ.
Ten Commandments - "Cannon"
The Bible speaks about God’s Law being perfect and that it “revives the soul.” Thus, hearing or reading the Ten Commandments is akin to “firing off” 10 cannon balls to a person’s soul. Each “cannon ball” commandment will awaken or startle a person’s soul and help them realize their sin and convince them of judgment. In addition to softening a person’s heart, the Ten Commandments will prompt them to seek the great military leader, Jesus Christ, and achieve victory in their war against sin!
Learn the Ten Commandments with Hand Motions Video
The following is a crib sheet that will further assist you in learning the 10 Commandments using your hands:
Take the Ten Commandments Quiz and "win" the following Bible Brain!
Are you ready to test your knowledge about the Ten Commandments? If so, we encourage you to take our "Ten Commandments" quiz. The quiz consists of 10 questions, is multiple choice, and can be completed within minutes. Once you pass the test you are eligible to earn the below Bible Brain character reward badge. To access the quiz (and our entire library of Bible quizzes), please click the below "Bible Quizzes" button, or simply select the "Bible Quizzes" main menu. "Game on!"
