Memory Verse Games

Memory verse games are clever tools to drill the Word of God into your kids' heads dozens of times without getting boring. Here are some suggestions:

Bible Verse Burst -- Write your entire memory verse onto balloons (one word per balloon, including reference) and pin or tape them to the board. After teaching the entire verse using the IPEAR method, pop one of the balloons with a push pin and have the kids repeat the verse, including the missing word (you repeat it with them, but shush on the blank). Continue to pop one balloon at a time until they can recite the entire verse.

Echo Mountain -- Divide the entire group into three teams. We use teachers, boys, and girls. Our group starts by saying the first word or phrase of the memory verse, the girls echo, and then the boys. We continue several times, adding variety by whispering, shouting, squeaking, talking in a macho voice, etc.

Guess Who -- We select a volunteer who must go stand by a teacher with his back to the group and the memory verse visual. Whoever is teaching the verse quietly points to a word in the verse and instructs the group to read the verse inserting a *clap* for the appointed word. The volunteer then has to guess what the missing word was.

Quote the verse if you... ate breakfast this morning, took a bath last night, have brown eyes, like broccoli, made your bed today, have a sister, are wearing red, etc.

Memory Verse Thief -- I borrowed this idea from Dan Harris at Fishers of Kids . Have each word of your memory verse written out ahead of time on a piece of wood or cardboard. Set them all up in order and begin teaching the verse as usual, using the IPEAR method. Have another burglar sneak up behind you and "steal" one of the words while you are teaching. Return to the verse to repeat it, and "discover" that a word is missing. Blame the kids, and continue on. Allow your thief to creatively come from different angles and continue to steal your verse, one piece at a time, as you teach. Eventually go after him and let him outmaneuver you out the other side of the stage, etc. This is a great variation of the Bible Verse Burst game.

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