If you have followed this blog for any time at all, you know that I have come up with a memory verse method for preschoolers using cards with rebuses and smaller cards with only a picture or two from the rebus after the verse has been memorized. Parents are constantly amazed by the amount their children can memorize. (See the gallery for pictures of these and the two posts, The Return of the Stick Man, parts 1 and 2 in the archives on the right sidebar on July 10 and 11, 2017.)
You also know that I use games in my Bible classes, games I make from scratch. (See the David Game in the same archives on July 12, 2017.) In the grade school classes where all the children can now read, I put those two ideas together and make a Memory Verse Relay Race. Tell your students about it during the first class. You cannot start the game if they have not had at least four or five lessons with accompanying memory verses and this gives them motivation for keeping up with their lessons and memorizing those verses.
This is a simple concept and involves no artistic talent at all. Write out the memory verses on two one-inch-wide strips of construction paper with a heavy marker. Cut the verse into four or five phrases. Mix up the strips of paper and paper clip each verse together to keep it separate from others. Use a different color of pastel construction paper for each verse. Make two copies of each verse and keep each pile separate as well.
You must have two adults in the room who also know the verses, and it is easier if the students are sitting at a long table, one team on each side, but I am sure you can come up with other configurations with just a little thought.
To start the race, the student on the near end chooses a clipped together verse from the pile next to him. He puts the verse strips in the correct order, then raises his hand so the adult on his side of the table can check it. When she gives the OK, he must mix it up, clip it back together and pass it on to the next student before grabbing another. Now you have two students putting verses together. When a hand is raised, check the verse. If it is correct, that student will also mix it up, clip it and pass it on. Once you have three or four verses going you have to be on the ball about checking. If a student's verse is not in the correct order, tell him so and let him try again. After three tries, pass it on. (You can come up with a penalty if you want, but actually I never had it come to this point. Sooner or later, the student got it right.)
Meanwhile, the same thing is happening on the other side of the table. It should be obvious why you need two adults for this to work. The team that finishes all the verses first, passing verses instead of batons all the way to the other end of the table, wins. As the quarter continues, you will add more verses until by the end, you have thirteen. All my students loved this game, and I bet a lot of them still remember those verses.
This is exactly how simple making up games can be. As long as they reinforce learning the scripture, there is nothing wrong with a little fun in Bible classes.
“And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the LORD: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children's offspring,” says the LORD, “from this time forth and forevermore.” (Isa 59:21)
Dene Ward
You also know that I use games in my Bible classes, games I make from scratch. (See the David Game in the same archives on July 12, 2017.) In the grade school classes where all the children can now read, I put those two ideas together and make a Memory Verse Relay Race. Tell your students about it during the first class. You cannot start the game if they have not had at least four or five lessons with accompanying memory verses and this gives them motivation for keeping up with their lessons and memorizing those verses.
This is a simple concept and involves no artistic talent at all. Write out the memory verses on two one-inch-wide strips of construction paper with a heavy marker. Cut the verse into four or five phrases. Mix up the strips of paper and paper clip each verse together to keep it separate from others. Use a different color of pastel construction paper for each verse. Make two copies of each verse and keep each pile separate as well.
You must have two adults in the room who also know the verses, and it is easier if the students are sitting at a long table, one team on each side, but I am sure you can come up with other configurations with just a little thought.
To start the race, the student on the near end chooses a clipped together verse from the pile next to him. He puts the verse strips in the correct order, then raises his hand so the adult on his side of the table can check it. When she gives the OK, he must mix it up, clip it back together and pass it on to the next student before grabbing another. Now you have two students putting verses together. When a hand is raised, check the verse. If it is correct, that student will also mix it up, clip it and pass it on. Once you have three or four verses going you have to be on the ball about checking. If a student's verse is not in the correct order, tell him so and let him try again. After three tries, pass it on. (You can come up with a penalty if you want, but actually I never had it come to this point. Sooner or later, the student got it right.)
Meanwhile, the same thing is happening on the other side of the table. It should be obvious why you need two adults for this to work. The team that finishes all the verses first, passing verses instead of batons all the way to the other end of the table, wins. As the quarter continues, you will add more verses until by the end, you have thirteen. All my students loved this game, and I bet a lot of them still remember those verses.
This is exactly how simple making up games can be. As long as they reinforce learning the scripture, there is nothing wrong with a little fun in Bible classes.
“And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the LORD: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children's offspring,” says the LORD, “from this time forth and forevermore.” (Isa 59:21)
Dene Ward
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