The Word Session 1 Lessons for the Leader When was the last time you read a book or poem and understood the author's inspiration? When was the last time you felt God inspiring you to do something? What did you do? What were the results? Read Jeremiah 36:1-4. How would you describe Jeremiah's relationship with God? Place yourself in Jeremiah's shoes. How would you feel knowing the task before you? Would you think I hope the people listen to and respond to these words? Read verses 5-7. Notice Jeremiah's hope as he instructed Baruch (BAY rook) to read the scroll. What hope do you have as you teach? How do the words you say impact the children you teach? Read verses 8-19. Notice the events taking place. In what way do you think the officials felt the king would respond to the scroll? Do you think the officials hoped the words would lead the king to repent? What change do you expect will take place as a result of your teaching? Read verses 20-26. Compare the king's reaction to the people's view of Scripture today. Are there people who refuse to listen to and learn from God's Word? How does it make you feel when people reject God's Word? Read verses 27-32. How do you think Jeremiah felt when God told him to rewrite the scroll? God had a purpose for His Word. He wanted the people to know what would happen to them if they did not repent and turn from their wickedness. How many times do you have to teach the same biblical content until your children are able to understand and apply it to their lives? In what ways are you like Jeremiah? What do these symbols mean? Application Activities Format: 1t Follow the numbers with arrows for a 30-minute, large group plus 20-minute Application Activities format. Large Group Format: 1 Follow all the numbers for a 45- to 60-minute large group only format. God's Inspired Word Focus Passage: Jeremiah 36 Key Bible Verse: 2 Timothy 3:16 Life Application: I can know God's Word is inspired. Session at a Glance Introduction to Worship (6 to 8 minutes) Welcome the Children "Spell It" Worship (30 minutes/45 minutes) Sing "Have Faith in God" Sing "In Your Power" Introduce the Life Application Read the Key Bible Verse Pray Sing "Amazing Grace"/Receive Offering Introduce the Bible Story Tell the Bible Story Make Life Application Show "Jack Spade" Video #1 Sing "God Cares" Application Activities (20 minutes) Wrap-Up (10 minutes) OK to copy. Page 1 of 34
Introduction to Worship 1t Welcome the Children Pull It Together Print and distribute "The Word Parent Connection" (CD) (1 per child) to parents as they arrive. 2t "Spell It" Pull It Together Wide craft sticks (15 per team), marker, paper, pencils Write the letters A, B, C, D, E, H, I, I, L, N, O, P, R, S, T on the craft sticks (1 letter per stick, 1 set for each team). Form teams. Distribute craft sticks, paper, and pencils. Say: "Working as a team, use the craft sticks to spell a word. You will receive one point for each letter in the word." Assist as needed. Verify words and award points. Challenge teams to spell additional words. Say: "Did any of you spell inspire, teach, or last? We will learn about these words during our Bible story." Announce the winning team. Worship 3t Sing "Have Faith in God" (DVD, 3 minutes) 4 Sing "In Your Power" (DVD, 3 minutes) 5t Introduce the Life Application (4 minutes) Pull It Together Worship Guides, pencils Distribute Worship Guides and pencils. Guide the children to complete "Fun Facts." Say: "Let's learn some fun facts about the Bible. Everything in the Bible was inspired by God. What does inspired mean?" Continue: "Inspired means 'to move or guide by divine influence.' We can know God inspired people to write the words of the Bible. These words teach us about God and how He wants us to live." Direct the children to complete "Scroll Scramble." Read aloud and talk about the statements. 6t Read the Key Bible Verse (3 minutes) Guide the children to locate 2 Timothy 3:16 in their Bibles. Select volunteers to read aloud the verse. Direct the children to complete "What's The Purpose?" on their Worship Guides. Discuss the words of 2 Timothy 3:16. Say: "God gave us the Bible to help us. Let's thank God for the Bible." 7t Pray (1 minute) Express appreciation to God for the Bible. 8t Sing "Amazing Grace" (DVD, 3 minutes)/ Receive Offering 9 Introduce the Bible Story (2 minutes) Review the definition of inspire. Say: "The Bible is 66 different books compiled together. In each book of the Bible we can see God working in people's lives." 10t Tell the Bible Story (9 minutes) Pull It Together White freezer paper, permanent marker Write God, Jeremiah, scroll, forgive, sin, Baruch, temple, Micaiah, officials, King Jehoiakim, Jehudi, fire, and warnings on the freezer paper, leaving about 8 inches between words. Roll the paper into a scroll. Print and display "Jeremiah" Teaching Picture (CD). Say: "Open your Bible to Jeremiah 36." Ask: "In what format do we read the Bible today? (electronic, book, audio) What format was used to write the Bible?" (scrolls) Display scroll. Say: "If you were to write a book, which would be easier, typing it on a computer or writing it by hand? How would you feel if you had to copy the whole Bible by hand?" Continue: "God spoke to the people who wrote the books in the Bible. He told the people what to write. The teaching plan for today told me some words to write on this paper. I followed the directions. I'll show you the words as we talk about our story." Call attention to the teaching picture. Open your Bible to Jeremiah 36. Reveal words as stated. God's Inspired Word Page 2 of 34
God's Inspired Word Based on Jeremiah 36 God said to Jeremiah, "Take a scroll and write down the things I have spoken to you about Israel, Judah, and all of the other nations. Maybe when the people of Judah hear what I plan to do to them, they will turn away from their evil ways. If they do, I will forgive their sin." Jeremiah called for Baruch (BAY rook). Baruch wrote down everything God said to Jeremiah. Jeremiah sent Baruch to the temple to read aloud the scroll so all of the people would hear God's words. Jeremiah said, "Perhaps these words will cause the people to turn from their wrongdoings." Baruch did exactly what Jeremiah told him to do. A man named Micaiah (migh KAY yuh) listened to Baruch read the scroll. Micaiah reported to the officials what he heard. The officials sent for Baruch to read aloud the scroll. Baruch opened and read the scroll. The officials said, "We must tell the king about these things." The officials warned Baruch, "You and Jeremiah must hide." Then the officials hid the scroll and went to see King Jehoiakim (jih HOY uh kim). They told the king about the scroll. Jehoiakim sent Jehudi (jih HYOO digh) to get the scroll. As Jehudi read each portion of the scroll, Jehoiakim would cut off it off and throw it into a fire. At last, the entire scroll was burned. Neither Jehoiakim nor any of his servants were concerned about the warnings on the scroll. Jehoiakim ordered Jeremiah and Baruch to be seized and brought to him, but God hid them. Once again God spoke to Jeremiah. God said, "Take another scroll and write on it the words I told you. Add these words of a warning to Jehoiakim, 'Since you burned the scroll, the King of Babylon will destroy this land and your kingdom will come to an end. I warned you and the people, but you did not listen.' " Say: "God gave us the Bible so we can know how to live. God wants us to live in ways that please and honor Him. King Jehoiakim, his servants, and the people of his kingdom did not obey God." Continue: "Jehoiakim may have thought that if he burned the scroll, he would destroy God's words. But the teachings in the Bible will last forever." Say: "I asked if you spelled the words inspire, teach, and last in our introductory game. How do these words relate to our Bible story?" Talk about each word, relating it to the Bible story. 12t Show "Jack Spade" Video #1 (DVD, 7 minutes) Ask: "How would you like to have a robot of yourself? What would you make it do? Would you allow the robot to go to school for you?" Continue: "Let's see what happens when Daniel makes a robot of himself." Show the video. Ask: "What did Daniel think God did to help people know what to write? Was this how God inspired people?" Continue: "What did Jack Spade help Daniel understand about God inspiring people? How did Jack Spade help Daniel know the Bible is true?" Say: "The Bible writers knew what God wanted them to write. God allowed them to use words they knew and to write in styles they were familiar with writing. When we read the Bible, we can learn how God inspired these people." 13 Sing "God Cares" (DVD, 3 minutes) 14t Transition to Application Activities or Wrap-Up Baruch wrote the words God told Jeremiah to say. 11t Make Life Application (6 minutes) Ask: "What can we learn from the story of Jeremiah? What is one reason God gave us the Bible?" The Word Session 1 Page 3 of 34
Wrap-Up (Large Group Only Format) Wrap-Up (Application Activities Format) 15 Play "Toss and Tell" Review (5 minutes) Pull It Together Scroll from step 10, tape, beanbag Tape the scroll to the floor with words showing. Form two teams. Explain: "The first team will toss the beanbag on the scroll. The other team will tell us how the word under the beanbag relates to the Bible story. Then the second team will toss the beanbag. Try to get the beanbag to land on different words." Play as time permits. Select a volunteer to read aloud 2 Timothy 3:16. Say: "Every day this week, spend a few minutes reading the Bible. Ask God to help you learn and apply what you read to your life." 16 Pray (2 minutes) Pray, asking God to help you live out what the Bible teaches. 17 Sing "Have Faith in God" (DVD, 3 minutes) 18 Dismiss Children to Their Parents 15t Review Application Activities (5 minutes) Invite children to share from the activities they completed. ttarts and Crafts Bible Box Facts ttdramatic Play "Test Your Knowledge" Game Show ttgames "Forever" Tossing ttexploration and Discovery Scripture Stamping 16t Sing "Have Faith in God" (DVD, 3 minutes) 17t Pray (2 minutes) Select a volunteer to read aloud 2 Timothy 3:16. Say: "Every day this week, spend a few minutes reading the Bible. Ask God to help you learn and apply what you read to your life." Pray, asking God to help you live out what the Bible teaches. 18t Dismiss Children to their Parents The Word Session 1 Worship KidStyle Children s Edition Leader Guide, Volume 9 2015 LifeWay. Page 4 of 34
Application Activities Select from the following choices. Each choice is designed for 20 minutes of small group time. Pull It Together Small empty boxes (1 per child), various colors of copy paper, tape, children's scissors, utility knife (adult use only), insulated foam balls (1 per child), markers, glue, pom-poms (1 per child), chenille craft stems Print "Bible Box" (CD). Print "Facts" (CD). Copy 1 page for each child. Pull It Together Pencils; paper; stopwatch; scissors; Giant Game Floor Mat*, construction paper, tape, markers, toy microphone, or other items necessary to create a game show Print "Game Show" (CD). Suggest the children use some of the suggested games. Print "Flash Cards" (CD). Cut apart. Worship Through Arts and Crafts Bible Box Facts Ask: "How would you describe Jeremiah's relationship with God? Place yourself in Jeremiah's shoes. How would you feel knowing the task before you? Would you obey God and write what He said?" Review the Bible story. Ask: "How do King Jehoiakim's actions compare to people's attitudes toward Scripture today? Are there people who refuse to listen to and learn from God's Word? How does it make you feel when people do not listen to God's Word?" Distribute craft supplies. Follow directions on "Bible Box." Assist as needed. Distribute "Facts." Guide the children to cut apart the strips and place them in their boxes. Say: "Each day this week, remove a strip from your box. Read the information and think about how God inspired the people who wrote the Bible." Ask: "Why did God give us the Bible?" Guide the children to open their Bibles to 2 Timothy 3:16. Read aloud and apply the verse to the children's lives. Pray, thanking God for the Bible. Worship Through Dramatic Play "Test Your Knowledge" Game Show Ask: "Do you like to watch game shows? What are some of your favorites? What makes game shows fun?" Talk about various game shows children watch. Continue: "Let's create our own game show based on what we learned today. We will design the game format, write questions, and assign roles to each person. We'll lead the other groups to play our game in Wrap-Up." Discuss and decide on a game format. Assign roles. Distribute supplies. Practice the game show. Ask: "How would you describe Jeremiah's relationship with God? Place yourself in Jeremiah's shoes. How would you feel knowing the task before you? Would you obey God and write what He said?" Review the Bible story. Ask: "How do King Jehoiakim's actions compare to people's attitudes toward Scripture today? Are there people who refuse to listen to and learn from God's Word? How does it make you feel when people do not listen to God's Word?" Ask: "Why did God give us the Bible?" Guide the children to open their Bibles to 2 Timothy 3:16. Read aloud and apply the verse to the children's lives. Pray, thanking God for the Bible. The Word Session 1 Page 5 of 34
Pull It Together Soft rubber ball or beanbag Teacher Tips Demonstrate how to gently toss the ball. Assist with knowing who has not received the ball. Guide the children to stand up after each person has caught the ball. Pull It Together Several sets of alphabet stamps, stamp pads, paper Teacher Tips Print "Facts" (CD). Invite the children to read aloud and talk about the facts. Provide quill feathers and paint for the children to write the verse. Worship Through Games "Forever" Tossing Guide the children to form a circle. Explain: "The first person will toss the ball to any player except the people standing beside him. Continue tossing the ball, making sure each person catches it. After you throw the ball, kneel down on one knee. Do not throw the ball to someone on his knee. Throw the ball so it can be caught. The last person will throw the ball back to the first person. Remember who you threw the ball to and each time you get it, throw it to the same person." Distribute ball or beanbag. Practice until the children get the pattern of throwing the ball. Say: "Let's make it more challenging. When I say 'Move,' change places with someone in the circle. Continue tossing the ball to the same person." Play several rounds. State: "Let's make it more challenging. When I say 'Scatter,' move somewhere in the playing area. Keep tossing the ball to the same person." Call out "Scatter" several times. Play as time permits. Gather the children together. Ask: "What did you have to do to play this game?" Talk about the importance of listening and obeying the directions. Ask: "How did Jeremiah listen to and obey God? Place yourself in Jeremiah's shoes. Would you obey God and write what He said?" Review the Bible story. Ask: "Why did God give us the Bible?" Guide the children to open their Bibles to 2 Timothy 3:16. Read aloud and apply the verse to the children's lives. Pray, thanking God for the Bible. Worship Through Exploration and Discovery Scripture Stamping Ask: "How would you describe Jeremiah's relationship with God? Place yourself in Jeremiah's shoes. How would you feel knowing the task before you? Would you obey God and write what He said?" Review the Bible story. Ask: "How would you feel having to copy the Bible by hand? Not until 1455 did Johannes Gutenberg print the Bible for the first time on a printing machine. Let's imagine that we work for Mr. Gutenberg." Place the supplies on the table. Say: "Stamp the words of 2 Timothy 3:16 on a piece of paper." Assist as needed. Ask (while the children stamp): "How do King Jehoiakim's actions compare to people's attitudes toward Scripture today? Are there people who refuse to listen to and learn from God's Word? How does it make you feel when people do not listen to God's Word?" Ask: "Why did God give us the Bible?" Read aloud and apply 2 Timothy 3:16 to the children's lives. Talk about the amount of time it took to stamp the verse. Compare and contrast current-day forms of communication. Pray, thanking God for the Bible. Worship KidStyle Children s Edition Leader Guide, Volume 9 2015 LifeWay. OK to copy. Page 6 of 34
God's Inspired Word Jeremiah 36 Key Bible Verse: 2 Timothy 3:16 Life Application: I can know God's Word is inspired. What do you know about the Bible? Start in the center of each scroll. Write the letters in order on the lines. What did you learn about the Bible? The Bible is.... The Bible is... ' Word. The Bible was.... to instruct in how to live in God's ways to show how to do something Locate 2 Timothy 3:16 in your Bible. What is the purpose of Scripture? Match the words to the definitions. CORRECTING TEACHING TRAINING REBUKING to point out the wrong; blame; find fault to make or set right The Bible helps me know.... Create your own statement. The Bible is... Locate the Scripture passages to find the answers to these facts. The longest chapter in the Bible is. It has verses. The shortest chapter in the Bible is. It has verses. The oldest man in the Bible was. He lived to be years old. (How would you like to be this old?) The longest name in the Bible is. (How would you like to write this name on your homework?) The Word Session 1 Worship KidStyle Children s Edition Worship Guide, Volume 9 2015 LifeWay. Printed in USA. OK to copy. Younger Children Page 7 of 34
God's Inspired Word Jeremiah 36 Key Bible Verse: 2 Timothy 3:16 Life Application: I can know God's Word is inspired. What do you know about the Bible? Start in the center of each scroll. Write the letters in order on the lines. What did you learn about the Bible? The Bible is.... The Bible is... ' Word. The Bible was.... to instruct in how to live in God's ways to show how to do something Locate 2 Timothy 3:16 in your Bible. What is the purpose of Scripture? Match the words to the definitions. CORRECTING TEACHING TRAINING REBUKING to point out the wrong; blame; find fault to make or set right The Bible helps me know.... Create your own statement. The Bible is... Locate the Scripture passages to find the answers to these facts. The longest chapter in the Bible is. It has verses. The shortest chapter in the Bible is. It has verses. The oldest man in the Bible was. He lived to be years old. (How would you like to be this old?) The longest name in the Bible is. (How would you like to write this name on your homework?) The Word Session 1 Worship KidStyle Children s Edition Worship Guide, Volume 9 2015 LifeWay. Printed in USA. OK to copy. Younger Children Page 8 of 34
God's Inspired Word Jeremiah 36 Key Bible Verse: 2 Timothy 3:16 Life Application: I can know God's Word is inspired. Begin at Start. Follow the hexagons on the line. Write the letters on the matching shapes below in order. Repeat for the other shapes. What messages did you discover? According to 2 Timothy 3:16, what does Scripture do? Locate the verse in your Bible. Write the words beside the correct definitions. - to make or set right - to show how to do something - to instruct in how to live in God's ways - to point out the wrong; blame; find fault Fun Facts answers in order: 1,189; 3,300; 365; Answers will vary. ' Match the numbers with the correct statements. Turn your Worship Guide upside down to check your answers. Quiz your family members with the questions. (Note: Answers will vary depending on translation.) There are chapters in the Bible. There are almost questions in the Bible. The phrase "do not fear" is stated in the Bible times. The longest verse is the Bible is Esther 8:9. How many words are in the verse? (Locate Esther 8:9. Count the words.) The Word Session 1 Worship KidStyle Children's Edition Worship Guide, Volume 9 Older Children Page 9 of 34
God's Inspired Word Jeremiah 36 Key Bible Verse: 2 Timothy 3:16 Life Application: I can know God's Word is inspired. Begin at Start. Follow the hexagons on the line. Write the letters on the matching shapes below in order. Repeat for the other shapes. What messages did you discover? According to 2 Timothy 3:16, what does Scripture do? Locate the verse in your Bible. Write the words beside the correct definitions. - to make or set right - to show how to do something - to instruct in how to live in God's ways - to point out the wrong; blame; find fault Fun Facts answers in order: 1,189; 3,300; 365; Answers will vary. ' Match the numbers with the correct statements. Turn your Worship Guide upside down to check your answers. Quiz your family members with the questions. (Note: Answers will vary depending on translation.) There are chapters in the Bible. There are almost questions in the Bible. The phrase "do not fear" is stated in the Bible times. The longest verse is the Bible is Esther 8:9. How many words are in the verse? (Locate Esther 8:9. Count the words.) The Word Session 1 Worship KidStyle Children's Edition Worship Guide, Volume 9 Older Children Page 10 of 34
God's Inspired Word (Jeremiah 36) The Word Session 1 Worship KidStyle Children's Edition, Volume 9 Frank Ordaz 2015 LifeWay. Printed in the USA. OK Page to 11 copy. of 34
Worship KidStyle Children's Edition Parent Connection Parents: Check out what your child is learning in Worship KidStyle! The information on this page will help you carry out your role as your child's primary spiritual developer by continuing the discussion we have in class throughout the week. The Word This unit focuses on the importance in understanding, respecting, and knowing God's Word to be true. Session 1: God's Inspired Word The Big Idea: I can know God's Word is inspired. The Bible Story: God's Inspired Word (Jeremiah 36) Key Bible Verse: 2 Timothy 3:16 Connecting Points: Discuss how difficult relaying information is across a crowded room, a busy store, or simply from room to room in your house. Direct one parent to tell their child a detailed story. Then ask the child to retell the same story to another family member with no alterations. Repeat for all family members. By the time the last family member heard the details, how accurate was the story? Consider how difficult it would be for the people who wrote the Bible to retell these stories with such accuracy. Impossible! God's Holy Spirit gave the writers of the Bible the ability to hear, understand, and write out every word without an ounce of doubt. Realize the Bible is more than words from God; the Bible is the Word of God. Session 2: Respect God's Word The Big Idea: I can respect God's Word. The Bible Story: Respect God's Word (2 Kings 22:1 23:3) Key Bible Verse: Psalm 119:34 Connecting Points: Ask your children to define respect. Did their answers include "don't do this" or "don't do that" kind of answers? Help them understand that respect is more than the "don't dos" but rather the "I shouldn'ts." Respect begins and ends in the heart. Brainstorm multiple-choice situations. Allow your children to select the correct answer. For example, you have to sneeze, so you a) find someone to sneeze on, b) grab a tissue, or c) turn your head, sneezing loudly to attract attention. Ask: "You come home from church and you want to change your clothes so you can play outside. You a) toss your Bible on the bed, b) leave it in the car, or c) put it on your bedside table so nothing happens to it." Realize, the Bible is God's message to us. Pray your children understand what the Bible is and how important it can be in their lives. Session 3: Read God's Word The Big Idea: I can read and learn from God's Word. The Bible Story: Read God's Word (Luke 4:16-22) Key Bible Verse: Luke 11:28 Connecting Points: Ask your children to retell what they learned in Worship KidStyle today. Did they include reading and learning from God's Word? Allow your children to discuss openly what they think about the Bible. Is it hard for them to understand? Is it too big overwhelming? Is it boring? Allow all responses. Recall some stories in the Bible and how interesting they are. How boring is a talking donkey? Realize that in all books there are boring parts (genealogies for example), but that all parts make up the whole Bible. God had and still has a reason for each and every word. Encourage your children to read the Bible in small sections and to come to you or their leaders with any questions. Session 4: Know God's Word The Big Idea: I can know and apply God's Word to situations I face. The Bible Story: Know God's Word (Matthew 6:25-34) Key Bible Verse: Psalm 119:11 Connecting Points: List off some popular songs (Christian and secular alike) and stop to allow your family to complete the lyrics. Do this multiple times with a variety of songs. Then ask them to finish Psalm 119:11. Begin the verse to allow them to respond. Ask: "Why is it so easy to recall things that don't matter, but when asked to recall things that do matter, we can't?" Pray today your children grasp the importance in knowing, understanding, and applying God's Word. Reciting is one thing, "getting it" is another, but using it in our daily lives is key. Session 5: Obey God's Word The Big Idea: I can obey God's Word. The Bible Story: Obey God's Word (Deuteronomy 5:1 6:9) Key Bible Verse: Psalm 119:34 Connecting Points: Choose a leader to call out simple instructions to play the game "Simon Says," using her name. If the leader precedes his instruction with the words " says," the children will need to complete the action immediately. If a child is not listening closely and follows without a " says," she is "out." Play the game. Ask: "How many times do we hear God but we don't truly listen to Him?" Obedience is a form of worship. Obeying God not only keeps us from harm, but it also shows respect and authority to those that deserve it. The Word Parent Connection (The Word Session 1) Worship KidStyle Children's Edition, Volume 9 Page 12 of 34
Bible Box 1. Cover the box with plain colored paper. 2. Cut a mouth opening in the box. 3. Cut red paper to resemble lips. Glue in place. 4. Cut an insulated foam ball in half and glue in place for the eyes. 5. Decorate the eyes. 6. Glue a pom-pom in place for the nose. 7. Punch small holes on both sides for arms. 8. Bend chenille craft stems to resemble arms. Insert in the arm holes. 9. Punch small holes on the box top for hair. 10. Cut and insert chenille craft stems in the holes to resemble hair. 11. Place the "Facts" strips in the mouth. Bible Box (The Word Session 1) Page 13 of 34
Until 1455, all copies of the Bible had to be hand-printed. Johannes Gutenberg changed the way items were printed when he invented the printing press. The first book believed to have been printed on his movable type machine was the Bible. Gutenberg began the work of printing the Bible in 1452. He did not complete the task until 1455. His printing did not include spaces between words, indentations, or breaks between paragraphs. The Old Testament was written mostly in Hebrew, although a few Old Testament books were written in Aramaic. The books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy were most likely written between 1450-1400 B.C. The New Testament was written in Greek between 45-95 A.D. The Bible was first translated into English in 1382 by John Wycliffe. This translation of the Bible was printed in 1611 and is called the King James Bible. Over 40 different authors wrote the books of the Bible. Some of the authors were shepherds, tentmakers, fishermen, priests, and kings. God inspired each author on what to say. Moses wrote 5 books of the Old Testament. Paul wrote 13 books of the New Testament. Many scholars believe the Book of Job, written about 1500 B.C., is the oldest book in the Bible. However, some scholars believe the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy are the oldest. The last book written in the Old Testament was Malachi around 400 B.C. Most likely the oldest book written in the New Testament is James around A.D. 50. The Book of Revelation was the last book of the Bible to be written around A.D. 95. Bible Facts (Note: Answers will vary depending on translation.) The longest book in the Bible Psalms The shortest book in the Bible 2 John The longest chapter in the Bible Psalm 119 The shortest chapter in the Bible Psalm 117 The longest verse in the Bible Esther 8:9 The shortest verse in the Bible John 11:35 Facts (The Word Session 1) Page 14 of 34
Beat the Clock Pull It Together Scissors, stopwatch Print and cut apart "Flash Cards" (CD). Game Show Time the children in putting the flash cards in the correct order. Create teams and encourage the teams to play against each other. Toss the flash cards on the floor in random order. Time the children as they separate the cards into the Old Testament and the New Testament. Record the time. Replay, encouraging the children to beat their time. Bring Me... Pull It Together Scissors, stopwatch Print and cut apart "Flash Cards" (CD). Place cards at the end of the playing area. Instruct the children to form a line. Explain: "Listen carefully to the instructions I give you. The instructions will tell you which book of the Bible flash card to bring me. If you are correct, you'll receive a point. For example, if I say, 'Bring me the first book of the New Testament,' you will run to the cards, locate the Book of Matthew, and bring it to me." Use the following statements or create statements of your own. dbring d me the last book in the New Testament. (Revelation) dbring d me the last book in the division of the Gospels. (John) dbring d me one of the books where the Ten Commandments are located. (Exodus and Deuteronomy) dbring d me the first book of the division of Major Prophets. (Isaiah) dbring d me the first books with the word first or second in the title. (1 Samuel/2 Samuel) dbring d me the second book of the Gospels. (Mark) dbring d me the book with the name of a widow who collected grain. (Ruth) dbring d me the first book of Poetry. (Job) dbring d me the fourth book of Law. (Numbers) dbring d me a Minor Prophet that ends in the letter S. (Amos) dbring d me the last book of the Old Testament. (Malachi) dbring d me the books before and after the Book of Haggai. (Zephaniah/Zechariah) dbring d me the book after Jeremiah. (Lamentations) dbring d me the second books with the word first or second in the title. (1 Kings/2 Kings) dbring d me the book that has the story of a man in a lion's den. (Daniel) dbring d me the second book of Old Testament History. (Judges) dbring d me the third books with the word first and second in the title. (1 Chronicles/2 Chronicles) dbring d me the fourth book of the Minor Prophets. (Obadiah) dbring d me the first book of Old Testament History. (Joshua) dbring d me the book about a Jewish girl who became queen. (Esther) dbring d me the third book of the Gospels. (Luke) dbring d me the last book of Law. (Deuteronomy) dbring d me a book of wise sayings. (Proverbs/Song of Songs) dbring d me the book after Daniel. (Hosea) dbring d me the book from the Minor Prophets that starts with a J and has only four letters. (Joel) dbring d me the fourth book of Major Prophets. (Ezekiel) dbring d me the book after Jonah. (Micah) Game Show (The Word Session 1) Page 15 of 34
dbring d me the book before Habakkuk. (Nahum) dbring d me a book written by Solomon. (Proverbs, Song of Songs, and Ecclesiastes) dbring d me the first book of the Gospels. (Matthew) dbring d me the first book of Law. (Genesis) dbring d me two books of Old Testament History. (Ezra, Nehemiah) dbring d me the tenth Minor Prophet. (Haggai) Find It! Pull It Together Scissors Print and cut apart "Flash Cards" (CD). Ensure each child has a Bible. Place the flash cards on a table. Select a flash card. Direct the children to open their Bibles to the book stated on the flash card. Replay as time permits. This time, before the children locate the book in the Bible, ask them to state if the book is in the Old Testament or the New Testament. First Word/Last Word Pull It Together Scissors, paper, pencils Print and cut apart "Flash Cards" (CD). Ask: "Do you know the first words of the books of the Bible? What about the last words?" Form teams of four to five players. Explain: "Let's discover the first (or last) words of some of the books of the Bible. I will show you a book of the Bible and tell you to find the first or last word of the book. The first team to locate and write the words on your paper will receive a point." Distribute paper and pencil. Announce "First Word" or "Last Word" and display one of the books of the Bible flash cards. Guide the children to locate and write the words on their paper. "In the Beginning" Pull It Together Pencils, paper Explain: "I will read aloud a question. Write down your answer and then we will locate the verses to see if we are correct." dwhat d was the first thing created by God? (the heavens and earth, Genesis 1:1) dwho d was the first gardener? (Adam, Genesis 2:15) dwho d performed the first surgery? (God removed Adam's rib, Genesis 2:21) dwhat d was the first sin? (disobeying God by eating the fruit, Genesis 3:6) dwho d was the first mother? (Eve, Genesis 4:1) dwho d was the first baby? (Cain, Genesis 4:1) dwho d was the first shepherd? (Abel, Genesis 4:2) dwho d was the first murderer? (Cain, Genesis 4:8) dwhat d was the first animal sent out of the ark? (a raven, Genesis 8:7) dwho d was the first child named before his birth? (Ishmael, Genesis 16:11) dwho d was the first mother named in the Bible to have twins? (Rebekah, Genesis 25:21-24) dwhen d was the first rain? (at the flood, Genesis 7:4) Game Show (The Word Session 1) Page 16 of 34
dwhat d was the first temptation of Jesus? (turn stones to bread, Matthew 4:3) dwho d was the first king of Israel? (Saul, 1 Samuel 9:17) daccording d to the Bible, who were the first people to visit Baby Jesus? (shepherds, Luke 2:15-16) dwho d were the first disciples? (Peter and Andrew, Matthew 4:18-20) dwhat d is the first of the Ten Commandments? (have no other gods, Exodus 20:3) dwhat d was the first miracle Jesus performed? (turned water to wine, John 2:1-11) dwhere d were the disciples first called Christians? (Antioch, Acts 11:26) Game Show (The Word Session 1) Page 17 of 34
Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Flash Cards (The Word Session 1) Page 18 of 34
Deuteronomy Joshua Judges Ruth Flash Cards (The Word Session 1) Page 19 of 34
1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings Flash Cards (The Word Session 1) Page 20 of 34
1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Flash Cards (The Word Session 1) Page 21 of 34
Esther Job Psalms Proverbs Flash Cards (The Word Session 1) Page 22 of 34
Ecclesiastes Song of Songs Isaiah Jeremiah Flash Cards (The Word Session 1) Page 23 of 34
Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel Hosea Flash Cards (The Word Session 1) Page 24 of 34
Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Flash Cards (The Word Session 1) Page 25 of 34
Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Flash Cards (The Word Session 1) Page 26 of 34
Haggai Zechariah Malachi Matthew Flash Cards (The Word Session 1) Page 27 of 34
Mark Luke John Acts Flash Cards (The Word Session 1) Page 28 of 34
Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Flash Cards (The Word Session 1) Page 29 of 34
Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians Flash Cards (The Word Session 1) Page 30 of 34
2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Flash Cards (The Word Session 1) Page 31 of 34
Philemon Hebrews James 1 Peter Flash Cards (The Word Session 1) Page 32 of 34
2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Flash Cards (The Word Session 1) Page 33 of 34
Jude Revelation Flash Cards (The Word Session 1) Page 34 of 34