The Ten Commandments
Scripture: Exodus 19:1-20:21
Theme: God’s law shows us His character and our need for a Savior
Age Group: Nursery (Ages 0-2)
Overview
Lesson Overview: God’s Love for Us! “God loves you so much!” (Repeat softly.) God can talk to us through anyone, even a donkey! (Show a toy donkey or hold up your hand.) God always listens and helps in the way He wants. “You’re loved, just like a donkey!” (Gentle smile.) Praise God for His big love!
Bible Story
God’s Kind Donkey
Once, a man named Balaam had a donkey. God wanted to talk to Balaam, but Balaam couldn’t hear Him. So, the donkey started walking backward. “Why are you doing that?” Balaam asked. The donkey stopped and looked at Balaam, but Balaam still couldn’t see God.
God was trying to tell Balaam through the donkey. The donkey kept walking backward again! Balaam got angry and hit the donkey, but it just kept walking the same way. “I love you,” God whispered. The donkey finally stopped when Balaam heard the voice!
The donkey was wise. It knew God was speaking. Balaam was happy and followed God’s directions.
Why this matters: God always speaks to us. Sometimes, it’s through friends, books, or even animals like the donkey. God loves us and wants to help us, just like He helped Balaam! God’s voice is always kind and good.
Activities
- Show the donkey. Say, “Balaam’s donkey was very wise! She heard God’s voice too!” Hold the donkey up.
- Act it out: Pretend to talk to the donkey (“Donkey, go fast!”). Wait, she won’t move! Say, “She doesn’t understand yet. But God spoke to her!”
- Draw God’s love: Give each child paper/crayons. Draw a donkey and write “God talks to animals!” or “He loves us too!”
- Share: Let kids share what they drew. Say, “Just like the donkey, God listens to you!”
- 2. “Love in a Little Box” (Donkey & God’s Whisper)
- Talk first: Read the Bible passage in kid-friendly words: “God told Balaam’s donkey to stop! She was the first animal to hear God!”
- Make a donkey: Fold paper plates into a circle. Glue a paper ear on one side. Draw a tail on the other.
- Make a love box: Fold a small paper bag or box. Write “God’s whisper” inside. Glue it to the donkey’s back.
- Play & share: Let kids put their donkey on their arm. Say, “God’s love is in this box! Just like He spoke to the donkey!”
Discussion Questions
- Here are four simple, open-ended questions about God’s love, based on Balaam’s Donkey:
- “When the donkey talked, she said, ‘I am the donkey!’ Why do you think God used a donkey instead of Balaam to help him?”
- (Encourage them to share what they notice about how God speaks differently.)*
- “God always listens to us. What is one way you think God might speak to you, even if you don’t hear it right away?”
- (Let them imagine how God might share love with them.)*
- “The donkey was scared, but she trusted God. How can we trust God, even when we feel scared or confused?”
- (Focus on trust as a small child might understand, like asking God for help.)*
- “In the Bible story, God helped the donkey. How can God help you when you feel small or stuck?”
- (Open-ended for them to share what they imagine God’s love might do.)*
Prayer Focus
“Dear God, You love me and always hear me, even when I’m little and need help. Just like Balaam’s donkey listened, I trust You in every way. You speak to me in ways I don’t expect, so I know You’re always there to guide and love me! Amen.”
Missions Spotlight
The Fulani people of West Africa are known as the world’s largest nomadic group. Their deep connection to their herds means the story of Balaam’s donkey gets immediate attention. Missionaries working across the Sahel region use this story to show that God speaks through the ordinary.
To the Cross
God opened the donkey’s mouth to speak truth. Later, God would send His ultimate Word, Jesus, to speak truth to a world that couldn’t see clearly. God always finds a way to get His message through.
Family Take-Home
Balaam’s donkey spoke before he could, showing God often speaks through unusual ways, like animals or unexpected moments. In the Bible story, Balaam’s donkey warned him of danger, guiding him to turn back, just as God wanted, teaching us to trust Him even when answers come in surprising ways!