Activities
If you email me a Bible lesson topic, I can post a related activity in this section for you. Just send a description of the topic of intrest to adairroberts@yahoo.com.
Thank you.
What is an inner secret to your victory over temptation? "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalm 119: 11
Activities For Memory Verses
Write the memory verse on the board. Erase the last word. Have the students read the memory verse supplying the last word. Erase the last word again. Then they say the memory verse supplying the last two words. Keep on having them say the verse as you erase the last words. After all the words are erased, they should be able to say the verse from memory.
Faith Walk
All ages
Pair off students. One person keeps his eyes closed while the other leads him around the room.
Reverse roles and go for another trust walk.
The Plane
For all ages--young children, older children, teens and adults (that's right, adults!)--like to make paper air-planes.
Need: Paper and Pens
Give everyone a piece of paper. In five minutes, everyone must make an airplane that will fly, and the memory verse must be inscribed on the fuselage. Then line up the students at one end of the room. The owner of the plane that travels farthest calls on another student to recite the verse. The one who is second, calls on another student. It keeps going until all have said the verse. If they still don't know the verse, give them thirty seconds to modify their planes and try again, going through the same process of saying the verse. Perhaps this time, in order to win, the owner of the farthest plane must quote the verse to get credit; if he doesn't number two wins. Idea by Elizabeth Crisci
Ball Throw
For Children
Write the verse on a Ball.
Have the children read it together twice. Throw a soft rubber or sponge ball to a child and say the first word of the verse. The student must say the first and second words of the verse as he returns the ball to the teacher. The teacher says the first three words of the verse as he throws the ball to a different student. The student says the first four words as he returns the ball to the teacher, etc. The students must always return the ball to the teacher; otherwise, the game gets too rough. This keeps the teacher in control. After several times of saying the verse, erase the verse and have the students then say the words from memory. With preschool children, you may want to sit on the floor, roll the ball and have each child say the Bible words as he returns the Ball. For preschool children narrow the verse to three words such as: Jesus saves, Jesus loves me, Love one another, Give to others, Honor thy mother and father etc. Idea by Elizabeth Whitney
Reflection
Need: Mirror sheets that you can get at the craft store. These reflecting sheets are flexible and do not break. Get carbon paper; when printed on the words come out backwards. Have memory verse printed backwards.
Hand out the memory verses that are printed backwards out to the students. They try to figure the verse out. Then give them the mirrors. I have done this activity before. The Youth loved it.
Hop-scotch
Children
In the squares have the memory verse. A jumping event. While the student is on one foot he has to say the memory verse.
Egg Hunt
Students like looking for things that are hidden.
Need: Plastic Egg
A student is selected to go out of the room. Hide the plastic egg with the memory verse in it. When the student comes in the rest of the students say hot or cold. If the student is close to the memory verse they say hot, If the student is far from the verse the students say cold. If it is O.K. for a lot of noise to be made the students can say the memory verse softly if the one looking for the verse is far away: say the verse loudly if the student is close to the verse.
Magnet-board
You will need a metal try, a stove protector, or any sheet of metal. Cover it with thin paper and print "YOUR VERSE' at the top if desired. For small children, have pictures to illustrate the verse. For readers, write the words on cards.
Magnets and rubber magnetic strips are available in bookstores and craft departments. They are inexpensive and reusable.
Attach magnets to the back of each card, and place the cards on the board in any fashion: mixed up, in order, a phrase at a time, etc. A good way for review is to type a complete verse on a small card and glue a magnet on the back. Students may take the cards home and place them on their refrigerators for the entire family to see and learn. Idea by Elisabeth Crisci
Bingo
Need: plastic small pieces to use as chips. Cardboards with the squares. In the squares have the words. Example: I Corinthians 13. The Love chapter. Write the words that show love. Love Bingo! When the student gets the words in order on the bingo sheet he wins. Have the students make the cards.
Tape-recorder Learning Spree
Children love to hear themselves on a tape recorder. Take advantage of the desire, and help them learn a verse in the process.
Have the students read the verse from the Bible. Turn on the tape recorder. Have the Class read the verse in unison. Rewind and play back the tape. Ask for volunteers to say the verse from memory onto the tape. Talk about the meaning of the verse for their lives. Idea by Elizabeth Crisci
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Some of the ideas given here were from the book 99 Fun ideas for teaching Bible Verses by Elizabeth Whitney Crisci, Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, Ohio 1978
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Lights Off
Have students try to write the memory verse with the lights off. Use verses that have the word light in it such as "Thy word is a light unto my feet". Without the light your path will be crooked. "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." John 3: 19. If there is too much light in the room with the lights off blind fold them.
Have you tried activities out that have been proven fun for the students? I have made up many from my experiences working with different age groups. If you want some ideas for a particular memory verse or lesson E-Mail me. If you have a good idea that you are willing to share to be put on my web site E-Mail me at adairroberts @ yahoo.com.
