Ten Commandments
Memory Pegs

Memory pegs are unusual pictures or images used to help a person remember things. These memory pegs will help the children to remember the Ten Commandments. (The King James Version is in red and the New International Version is in blue.)

You have permission to print copies of the color posters
or the black and white 10 Commandment posters for your children to color.
We only ask that you not print them to sell for profit.

Thou shalt have no other gods before me

You shall have no other gods before me.

God must have first place in our lives. Some people make money their god, and some put fame or entertainment ahead of the one true God.

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.

You shall not make for yourselves an idol.

The 2 is bowing down as if to an idol. This causes us to remember that commandment two forbids idol worship.

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

You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.

We see an angry 3 saying inappropriate words. A simple "yes" or "no" is sufficient. God's name must be spoken with reverence.

Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy.

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

The temple is shown by the 4. The Jewish people worshiped in the the temple or the synagogue, and they did no work on the sabbath day.

Honour thy father and thy mother.

Honor your father and your mother.

The 5 has a crown on it. Parents are held in high esteem when their children honor them as God directs.

Thou shalt not kill

You shall not murder.

The 6 shows what happens when people resort to violence to settle their conflicts. God wants us to settle our differences in a peaceful manner.

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

You shall not commit adultery.

We see a man and his family. He is not to also have a girlfriend with whom he betrays the love of his wife. An X has been placed on the "other woman" beside the 7.

Thou shalt not steal.

You shall not steal.

God wants us to respect the rights of others. We must not take money or anything else that does not belong to us.

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

The wagging tongue on the 9 is telling lies about his neighbor. God wants us to always speak the truth to one another.

Thou shalt not covet.

You shall not covet.

We must not want what others have. The 10 reminds us that a person must not always be thinking of "ME", but must learn to think of the welfare of others.

I have used these memory pegs for about 15 years to teach children the Ten Commandments. They are not original with me. I would like to hear from the person who created them, so that I can give credit where credit is due. If you are the originator of this set, let me know. If you have a set for sale, I will remove the masters from this site and send people to you to buy a set.