I love the Old Testament Minor Prophets! I like reading them, and I really like teaching kids the order in which they are found at the end of the OT. After introducing this division to kids, they will always ask, why are they \’minor?\’  Truth is… simply because they\’re really small/short books of OT prophecy.

Unfortunately, because of their size they\’re not so easy to locate.  In fact, when I\’m helping kids to find these books I\’ll say, go to Matthew and take a left! Once you get there a couple flips of a page will move you from one book to the other. So, when teaching the minor prophets I enjoy a couple fun, active games that help reinforce the rote memory work.

Mini Muffin Tin Mix Up:

GATHER: 1, 24 count mini muffin tin pan; 12 white ping-pong balls; 12 orange (or any color other than white) ping-pong balls; a permanent fine-tip marker

PREPARE:  Print on 12 separate ping-pong balls one of the 12 minor prophets.  Print on a second set of 12 ping-pong balls (a different color than the first) the 12 minor prophets.  On a 24 count mini muffin tin pan print START on the left side at the third row from the bottom.  Turn the pan around and do the same (left – fourth row down – print START on the side). Place both sets of prepared ping-pong balls randomly in on each side.

PLAY:  Lead two kids to sit across from each other with the prepared game between them on a flat surface (table). Instruct the kids to mix up the minor prophets well with each book remaining on the designated side of the tin.  Turn the tin around so the mixed up prophets are facing the other team member.  On go opponents will work to place the minor prophet ping-pong balls in order. The winner is the first person to get all twelve minor prophets in order.

Enjoy kids challenging the winners until the ultimate winner (the one kid who has beaten all opponents) is crowned.

FUN! FUN! FUN!

What do you do to help kids learn the Old Testament Minor Prophets?