Kids Ministry

Dedicated to helping Kids Ministry leaders in their mission of making disciples

Games, Kids Ministry

Bible Skill Game: New Testament Tower

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Gather:

  • From a garage sale or a discount retail store purchase a “Jenga” type wooden tower stacking game
  • Fine tip permanent marker

Prepare

  • On 27 separate blocks print a book of the New Testament. Be sure to include abbreviated book titles on the ends.

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Play:

  • Stack the tower as you would to play a regular game of “Jenga.” Be sure to alternate the direction of each row of blocks.
  • The goal for each player is to remove a book of the Bible block without the tower tumbling over. The longer the game lasts, the harder it will become to not tumble the tower.
  • Player 1 will start by choosing a block to remove from the stack.  Upon removal player 1 should name the book before the one removed and the book after (example: Remove 1 Thessalonians, name the book before, “Colossians,” and the book after, “2 Thessalonians.”)
  • Player 2 will choose a block to remove and follow the same pattern or recalling neighboring books.
  • Continue until the tower tumbles over.

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  • OPTIONAL PLAY: Seek to remove the books of New Testament in order:

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More Bible Skill Games

Since 2003 Bill Emeott has served as a Kids Ministry Specialist for Lifeway. His passions include childhood ministry leadership training and development, leading children’s Bible Study, and being an Uncle! Bill has been teaching children at First Baptist Nashville for ten years.

Fun, Games, Kids Ministry

Game of the Week: Pins and Pans

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emeott-150x150Help kids learn and memorize Scripture with this fun game.

GATHER:

  • Two 9” aluminum pie pans
  • Traditional spring-loaded clothespins
  • Two different colored Fine-Point permanent markers
  • Optional: Bike Horn

game1

PREPARE:

  • Determine a Bible verse that you want your kids to learn and memorize (20 or less words seems to work best).
  • Using the permanent marker, draw a “notch” for each word from the Bible verse (you can include a “notch” for the reference, too)game2

 

  • On separate clothespins print each word of the Bible verse selected.game3

 

  • Create a second set using a different colored permanent marker.

game4

PLAY:

  • Separate and place two sets of the Bible verse on opposite sides of the table.
  • On “go” players will race to see who can clip the Bible verse words in correct order around the prepared pie pan.
  • For added excitement, include an old-fashioned bike horn. The player who completes the verse first will grab and blow the horn.
  • Continue playing allowing the winner of each round to be challenged by a new player.
  • OPTION: Make the game into a relay race by placing the prepared clothespins in a container on one end of the room and the pie pan on the other.
Games, Kids Ministry

Game of the Week: Sticky Note Pursuit

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emeott-150x150Help kids learn the books of the Bible with this fun game. Teaching Bible skills can be fun!

Gather:

  • Two packs of 1×2” sticky notes (two different colors)
  • A numbered cube
  • A listing of the books of the Bible (if you have them written on chips, clothes pins, or craft sticks you can use those previously created resources)

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Create:

  • Use your computer to create a grid of 1×2” squares (you could choose to measure out the grid with a yard stick and a dark, fine tipped marker).
  • Label the two lowest corners “start” and the two upper corners “finish.”  For fun,  Insert “do not land” spots as you create your grid
  • Laminate the grid for multiple uses.

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Play:

  • Create two teams.
  • Determine which team will go first by rolling the numbered cube. The team with the highest roll goes first.
  • Team one will roll the cube.  The leader will randomly pull from the listing of Bible books one of the books.  If the team player can name the book before the one pulled, the actual book pulled, and the book after the one pulled, the team gets to cover the grid with the number of sticky notes that are represented by the roll of the numbered cube.
  • Team two rolls and follows the same rules.
  • Continue playing by alternating turns until one of the teams reaches their “finish” (opposite corner from where they start).
  • OPTION: It will be more difficult to win if you have to roll the exact number in order to arrive on the “finish” mark.

May1-3

Since 2003 Bill Emeott has served as a Kids Ministry Specialist for Lifeway. His passions include childhood ministry leadership training and development, leading children’s Bible Study, and being an Uncle! Bill has been teaching children at First Baptist Nashville for ten years.

Fun, Games, Training

Game of the Week: Book Ball

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Apr3_2Emeott Web2Teaching Bible skills can be fun! Kids will learn ten divisions of the Bible and have a great time, too.

GATHER:

  • 5 large plastic cups

  • 10 File Folder Labels

  • 20+ Ping Pong Balls: 10 white, 10 orange (make as many book balls as you’ll have kids playing the game.)

  • Permanent Thin Line Marker

BlowBall1

CREATE:

  • Cut 5 large plastic cups in half creating 10 half circled “garages”

  • On separate labels print the 10 divisions of the Bible: Law, OT History, Poetry & Wisdom, Major Prophets, Minor Prophets, Gospels, NT History, Paul’s Letters, General Letters, NT Prophecy. Place one label on each of the 10 garages.

  • On separate ping pong balls carefully print a book from every division of the Bible. Make a set in white and another set in orange (additional book balls can be made but make sure you cover all 10 divisions at least once).

  • Using masking tape, secure a starting line across the room from the division garages.

BlowBall2

PLAY:

  • Arrange the division garages against a wall or secure them to the floor in division order.

  • In a container place all the prepared ping pong balls.

  • Divide the group in to two teams (white and orange).

  • On “go” teams will send a player to the container where the book balls have been placed. The player will select a book ball of his team’s color, determine the  division of that book, place the ball on the floor behind the marked starting point, and blow the ball into the correct “division garage.” Once the ball is correctly “parked” the next player selects a book and starts playing. Continue until all team players have had the opportunity to play.

  • The first team to correctly park a book ball by each team member wins.

  • OPTION: Personal, battery operated, hand-held fans can be a fun way to push the book balls, too.

BlowBall3

Let me know how this game works for you.

Find more games on the Kids Ministry 101 blog. 

Since 2003 Bill Emeott has served as a Kids Ministry Specialist for Lifeway. His passions include childhood ministry leadership training and development, leading children’s Bible Study, and being an Uncle! Bill has been teaching children at First Baptist Nashville for ten years.

Crafts, Easter, Fun, Games
Fun, Games

Game of the Week: Bible Skills Twister!

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As a kid, I really loved playing Twister® with my friends. So when it was time to create a new Bible skill game I went straight to my game closet and pulled out this old friend.

Here’s What You Need:

  • A Twister® plastic game mat and game spinner.

  • Bible skill game cards created on Red, Blue, Yellow, and Green heavy weight paper.

Here’s How You Play:

  • 4-6 players can play on one game mat (additional mats can be taped together for larger groups).

  • Player one spins the game spinner and draws a game card matching the color on which the spinner lands. If the player is able to correctly complete the instructions on the game card she can then complete the action on the spinner (ex: left foot green)

  • While player one holds the position determined by her spin, player two spins and draws a card matching the color on which the spinner lands. Again (as with player one), if she is able to answer correctly the Bible skill question she will complete the action on the spinner (ex: right hand red).

  • Continue playing allowing all players an opportunity to spin, answer, and complete the tasks.  Kids who “fall” are out of the game. The winner is the one who is still “twisted”  and remains up-right after all other kids have fallen.

  • Option:  Play in teams to allow more movement during the game. This will also help kids who are at different skill levels to work together to complete the Bible skill tasks.

Possible Bible Skill Card Assignments:

  • Name a book of the Bible that starts with “G”

  • Name an Old Testament Minor Prophet

  • Name the book before and after the book of Acts

  • How many books are in the New Testament?

  • Name the last book of the Bible

  • Name the first book of the Bible

  • Name a book of the Bible names for a woman

  • How many books are in the New Testament Gospels?

  • Who wrote the book of Romans?

  • To whom was the book of Philippians written?

  • Options: Consider creating Bible story review questions.

I played it with my kids at church recently and they enjoyed it as much as I did! This game is a lot of fun, a lot of action, and a lot of energy and makes Bible skill learning fun!

 Since 2003 Bill Emeott has served as a Kids Ministry Specialist for Lifeway. His passions include childhood ministry leadership training and development, leading children’s Bible Study, and being an Uncle! Bill has been teaching children at First Baptist Nashville for ten years.

 

Fun, Games

Christmas-Themed Bible Skill Games

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Dec20

Emeott Web2Teaching Bible skills and verse memory can be a lot of fun. Using everyday items found around the house makes it even more fun for the kids and not so expensive for you! Consider these ideas as you prepare for fun and exciting Bible study during the holidays.

Here are some basic supplies I found at my house:

Supplies

Make a garland clothes line. Use tinsel garland to create a clothes line and use prepared ornaments (print books of the Bible or individual words from Bible verses or Key Passages) to create a relay between two teams.

Ornaments Clothes Line

Use wrapped candy to print words of verses for kids to unscramble. Consider creating two sets and placing the items in Christmas gift bags for teams or to sort. Plan to eat the candy after the game is over!

Candy Kisses Candy Canes

On gift tags print phrases of the Bible Verse or Key Passage for kids to arrange correctly.  Again, make two sets to allow for team competition.

Gift Tags

Kids love to play. We are successful when we figure out what they love to do and then use those activities to learn. Be creative, have fun, play… and learn!

 

Bibles, Crafts, Fun, Games, Leadership

Game of the Week: The New Testament Pyramid

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Emeott Web2

This is a Bible Skills game kids love to play! It’s an excellent way to learn the books of the New Testament. You’ll also want to check out these other fun games: “Don’t Break the New Testament Ice” and “Minor Prophet Mini Muffin Scramble.”

The New Testament Pyramid

Gather and Prepare:

  • 27 plastic disposable drinking cups (two sets in different colors)
  • Permanent Marker
  • Print on separate drinking cups the books of the New Testament (two sets)

Play:

  • Allow individuals or teams to build the New Testament Pyramid by finding Matthew and lining up the cups through 1 Corinthians. Place 2 Corinthians on the second level between Matthew and mark. Continue stacking the New Testament Pyramid topping the pyramid with the “New Testament” cup.
  • Allow two individuals or teams to complete the pyramid first and accurately.
  • Play as many times as time allows.  The kids won’t get tired of playing!

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Since 2003 Bill Emeott has served as a Kids Ministry Specialist for Lifeway. His passions include childhood ministry leadership training and development, leading children’s Bible Study, and being an Uncle! Bill has been teaching children at First Baptist Nashville for ten years.

 

Bibles, Fun, Games, Leadership

Game of the Week: Minor Prophet Mini Muffin Scramble

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Emeott Web2I 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:Complete

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.

Prep22.5

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.

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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?

 

Fun, Games, Leadership, Resources, Sunday School

Game of the Week: Don’t Break the New Testament Ice

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Emeott Web2One of my favorite things to do with kids is to teach Bible Skills.  I’ve taught Children’s Bible Drill for several years and have learned that when teaching the books of the Bible, creating games for them to play really engages and encourages them to learn.

Today I’d like to share with you one that I created and the kids really enjoy playing.  I call it, “Don’t Break the New Testament Ice.”  Here’s what you’ll need:

  • “Don’t Break the Ice” game by Milton Bradley
  • Ultra Fine Point Permanent Marker

ReadyOne OutOpen the bag of “ice” and print on 26 separate cubes the books of the New Testament.  There will be several “blank” cubes when you’re done.  Place the cubes into the game as instructed in the original game instructions.

Here are a couple ways to play:

  1. Take turns tapping out the New Testament books in order and see how far the group can get before the ice “breaks.”  As each cube is tapped out, place them in book order.
  2. Take turns tapping out any New Testament book. When a player successfully taps out a cube he must name the book before the one tapped out, the book tapped out, and the book after the one tapped out.
  3. Start with the last book of the New Testament and work backwards (Revelation, Jude, 3 John, etc…).

Two OutCubesCoverKids enjoy the familiar.  They will love this twist to an “oldie but goodie” kids favorite game.

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