Memory Verse Activities

Pick a Card Game: In this simple and fun game instructions for reciting or explaining a Bible verse are written on cards. Instructions might include “Whisper the verse” or “Sing the verse” or “Explain the Verse”. Children take turns drawing the cards and following the instructions. As they play the game they hear and recite the verse a number of times and begin to memorise it. Click here for full instructions.
Erase and Remember: Write the memory verse on the chalk/white board. Read and say the verse together. Erase one word (or phrase) and read and say it together again. Continue erasing words and repeating the verse together. Soon the children will know the verse. Another way to do this is to use “post-its”. Write one word on each post-it and place them on a surface such as a wall. Read and say the verse together as above and then remove words one by one. Click here for full instructions.
Memory Verse Chalkboard Relay: Divide the class into two teams. When you say “go” the first person on each team walks up to the chalkboard (or large paper) and writes the first word of a memory verse. Then they put the chalk down and go back and tag the next person on their team. Then that person walks up to the board and writes the second word of the memory verse before tagging the third person. The first team to write the whole memory verse wins.
Memory Verse Relay Game: Break the verse down into phrases or words and then write them on individual pieces or paper or cards. As in a normal relay race teams race to stick these papers on a board in the correct order. Click here for full instructions and a video.
Walking Down Memory Lane: Children walk along a “path” that the teacher has created. Parts of the memory verse are written on papers placed along the path. As the children arrive at each paper they read the part of the verse that is written on it. The children repeat the journey a number of times (saying the parts of the verse aloud every time they arrive at them in the journey). Soon they have memorised the verse. Click here for full instructions and an example.
Spinner Game: Create your own game by drawing a circle on a paper and drawing lines to divide it into wedges (like a pizza). Write an instruction on each wedge. Hold a paper clip down in the centre of the circle and spin the clip around. Whichever wedge the paper-clip lands in is the question the children answer. Examples of instructions are “Read the verse out of the bible”, “Read the verse with the person on your right”, “Close one eye and say the verse” or “Choose someone else to say the verse.” Children like the “chance” element and will learn the verse quickly. Click here for spinner instruction video.
Memory Puzzle: Before class copy the memory verse and cut it into puzzle pieces. Hide the pieces around the room and let the children find them and put them together.
Unscramble the Verse: Choose a verse from the Bible. Write each word of the verse on an individual piece of paper. Lay the papers out on a table, floor or any flat surface. 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. Click here for full instructions and adaptations.