In this simple activity, children unscramble the words to form a verse from the Bible. The idea has been around a long time and is still popular.
Materials:
- Bible
- Paper
- Scissors (if you want to cut the paper into smaller pieces)
- Pen
Preparation:
- Choose a verse from the Bible. Note: The verse used in the example above is Hebrews 13:6, NIV, which is used for the story of Gideon and the Midianites.
- Cut the paper into equal pieces of the size you choose.
- Write one individual word of the verse on each piece of paper. If there are ten words, there should be ten pieces of paper. Make sure the writing is large and clear enough for the children to easily read.
- Lay the papers out on a table, floor or any flat surface.
Instructions:
- Show the children the verse with all of the words put in the correct order first.
- Explain and talk about the verse and any words that are unfamiliar.
- Mix the papers up and let the children put them in order again.
Applications:
- Listen Up: Ask the children to listen carefully. Open your bible and read the verse aloud once, and then distribute the papers so the children can unscramble them. If they get stuck then allow the children to use the Bible to look up the verse. (Keep it fun).
- Self-Discovery: Place the scrambled words and Bible on the table and let the children try to figure out the verse before you tell them what it is. In a wordy verse like the example given, the children will inevitably turn to the Bible for the answer. This is a lesson in itself!
- Hide and Seek: Hide the words around the room and let children find them. As they unscramble the verse then they will know they still need to find missing words.
- Make My Own: Help the children find the verse in the Bible and make their own paper puzzle to unscramble. They can take these home to share with their families.
- For younger children, early readers or mixed language classes:
- Only use part of the verse. In the example shown you might just use “The Lord is my helper” or “I will not be afraid.”
- Combine more than one word on each paper so there are not so many words to unscramble.
- Do part of the puzzle before the children start.
- Cut the pieces of paper so that the words will fit together like a puzzle. This gives clues as to the order of the words.
- Use a combination of pictures and words. For example, use a picture of an eye for “I” or a bee for “be”. Use a picture of a face showing fear for the word “afraid.”
- Use an easy-to-read version of the Bible for the memory verse. Try these:
- For large groups or large spaces:
- Give each child one of the papers. Ask them to hold the papers and “put themselves in order.” The final result would be children standing in a row holding the words of the verse in order.
- Have a relay race with two teams. Each team has a duplicate set of papers and a Bible. The children run and put the words on a table or board. After all the words are up, then the relay continues with children taking turns running up to switch any words around until it is correct.
