Goal: Teach children that the Bible is a library of 66 books.
Step by step
- Arrange 66 index cards, each with the name of one book, in 2 groups: Old Testament (39) and New Testament (27).
- Give each child a card. Call out a category such as 'Gospels' or 'poetry' and have the children with those books hold up their cards.
- As a group, place the cards on the floor in the Bible's order along a taped line. Walk, no running.
- Read 2 Timothy 3:16 and ask: why does God give us his Word?
Key verse: 2 Timothy 3:16 — all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching
Variation: For younger children, use only the 5 Law books or the 4 Gospels.
Goal: Practice finding verses quickly, a long-time tradition in many churches.
Step by step
- Have everyone stand with Bibles closed at their side, in 'attention' position. Call out a reference, such as John 3:16.
- Say 'Charge!' and the children find the verse. The first to find it steps forward and reads it aloud.
- Play 10 rounds, using easy references first and harder ones later. Award a point for each round.
- Read Hebrews 4:12 and explain why God's Word is called a sword.
Key verse: Hebrews 4:12 — the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword
Variation: For beginners, call out a book and a chapter only.
Goal: Learn how we received the Bible in our language.
Step by step
- Make a timeline on a wall with 5 cards: Hebrew and Greek manuscripts, Wycliffe's English Bible (about 1382), Gutenberg's printing press (about 1455), Tyndale's New Testament (1526) and the King James Bible (1611).
- Divide the group into 5 teams, one per card. Each team reads a short paragraph about its stage for 5 minutes.
- Each team presents in 1 minute. The pastor adds a thank-you for those who gave their lives to translate.
- Read Isaiah 40:8 and pray for Bible translators worldwide.
Key verse: Isaiah 40:8 — the grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever
Variation: Invite a guest from a Bible translation ministry.
Goal: Memorize one short verse during the week.
Step by step
- Choose a short verse, such as Psalm 119:11. Write it on a poster, 3 or 4 words per line.
- On day one, read it together 3 times. Each day, erase one word and repeat.
- By the last day, the poster is blank and the children say it from memory.
- Give a sticker to each child who says the verse to a leader, and invite the family to practice at home.
Key verse: Psalm 119:11 — I have stored your word in my heart
Variation: For older kids, add the reference and a second verse.
Goal: Show that God's Word lights our path.
Step by step
- Dim the room (keep a small light on) and mark a safe path on the floor with painter's tape. Remove any chairs or objects.
- Give each child a flashlight to walk the path slowly, one at a time. An adult stands at the end.
- Read Psalm 119:105 aloud. Ask: how did the light help you to see where to step?
- Give each child a card with the verse to take home.
Key verse: Psalm 119:105 — your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path
Variation: For fear of the dark, hold hands in pairs and keep room lights on low.
Goal: Teach the parable of the sower with a living object.
Step by step
- Give each child a clear cup with soil. Read Luke 8:4-15 in simple words.
- Each child plants a bean seed (or a grass seed) and writes their name on the cup. Wash hands afterward, and check beforehand for any nut allergy.
- Place the cups on a window sill and water them each day of the week.
- Ask: what helps God's Word grow in our hearts? Read Luke 8:11.
Key verse: Luke 8:11 — the seed is the word of God
Variation: Take the plants home for a family devotion.
Goal: Read a whole book of the Bible aloud together.
Step by step
- Choose a short book, such as Mark (about 2 hours) or Ruth (20 minutes), and divide it into 5-minute readings.
- Sign up volunteers by age group on a sheet in the lobby. Include readers who are shy by giving them 5 verses.
- Read aloud in the sanctuary, in sequence, with a short pause between each reader.
- Read Nehemiah 8:8 at the start and thank God for his Word.
Key verse: Nehemiah 8:8 — they read from the book of the law of God clearly, and gave the sense
Variation: Run it in shifts from morning to evening, with a livestream.
Goal: Give thanks to someone for how the Bible helped them, in the week of Thanksgiving.
Step by step
- Give each person a card and ask them to think of someone who taught them the Bible, such as a parent, pastor or teacher.
- They write a short thank-you note with a verse that person shared or that they love. Allow 8 minutes.
- Collect the cards and deliver them during the week, or hand-deliver them after worship.
- Read Psalm 100:4 and pray a prayer of thanks.
Key verse: Psalm 100:4 — enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise
Variation: Let kids draw a picture to go with the verse.
Goal: Practice family devotions for Thanksgiving.
Step by step
- Hand each family a one-page devotion: read Deuteronomy 6:4-9, share one thing you are thankful for, and pray.
- In the service, have 3 families try it together for 5 minutes at the front.
- Set a goal for each family: use it at Thanksgiving dinner or on four evenings during the week.
- Ask families to bring a photo of their devotion to share next Sunday.
Key verse: Deuteronomy 6:6-7 — these words shall be on your heart, and you shall teach them diligently to your children
Variation: Provide a short version for single adults or empty-nesters.
Goal: Close the week with a lively contest.
Step by step
- Prepare 30 Bible questions in 3 rounds: kids, easy and medium.
- Form mixed teams of 4 to 6 people, each with at least one child or older person.
- Read each question and give 20 seconds. Teams write answers on index cards.
- Add up the scores and read Colossians 3:16 as you give small prizes.
Key verse: Colossians 3:16 — let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another
Variation: Add a pie or dessert table to make it a Thanksgiving fellowship.
