I love trying to crack a good mystery. Maybe I should have been a detective. Trying to guess what a clue points to can be a lot of fun. Here is a fun Bible school activity that I think your kids will like that is reminiscent of the old Password TV game where clues are given to reveal the hidden word. Play this along with helping your kids memorize Psalm 119:11 and you have a winning combination.
This is what you do:
At the end of this article, I have provided you with 10 sets of clues that point to different prominent biblical characters. You will need to write each clue on an index card and then put each set of cards in an envelope that designates the person in the Bible that the clues are for. Make sure your children cannot see the person’s name. You’ll also want some way to display each set of cards. I always use pocket cards to show my cards. You can find one at your local teacher supply store. You will also need an interpretation of Psalm 119:11, which says, “I have hidden your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.”
This is how to play:
Divide your class into 2 teams. Choose someone to be the scorer. Then say the following:
Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart so that I will not sin against you.” Do you like to hide things? You know, like in a special place where no one can find your special treasure. The Word of God, the Bible, is the most special treasure you can have and the best place to hide it is in your heart. In other words, you need to memorize it and really get to know it well so that it can change your life from the inside out.
Some of you know some Bible verses and some of the great stories and characters in the Bible. Today, we are going to play a game called “Bible Character Password” to see how much of God’s Word you really have hidden in your heart.
I have a set of clues that I am going to give that describe an important person in the Bible. I’ll give each team one clue at a time. The team I give the clue to will have 10 seconds to try to guess who the clue refers to. If your team is successful, you will earn 100 points. If your team is unsuccessful, the other team will get an extra clue and then have 10 seconds to guess the person from the Bible. Whoever guesses first will get the points. After each successful attempt, I will choose someone from the team who got it right to recite Psalm 119:11. If that person says the verse correctly, he will give his team another 100 points. By the way, if no one guesses the Bible character from the given clues, neither team earns points for that set of clues. OKAY! Let’s play!
Suggestions for success:
1. You may want to recite Psalm 119:11 several times as a group to help them memorize it.
2. This game may end up going slow or fast depending on your children’s knowledge. Either way, it’s a fun way to get them to memorize Psalm 119:11.
3. You can give the clues in any order you want. Some tracks are easy and some are difficult.
key sets
Abraham: Great faith, stars, promise, Sarah, Isaac, Ishmael, Lot, son sacrifice.
Jacob: Deceiver, 12 sounds, wrestled with God, Esau, Isaac, 2 wives.
Joseph: Slave, dreamer, 12 brothers, tunic, Egypt, imprisoned, Potipher, Jacob.
Moses: Special Staff, Desert Wanderer, Prince, Burning Bush, Red Sea, Commandments.
Samuel: Pious mother, dedicated at birth, heard God speak, Judge of Israel, wicked sons, anointed Saul as king.
Saul: First king of Israel, anointed king by Samuel, Jonathan, tried to kill David, asks a witch for wisdom, David sang to him
David: King, Goliath, psalms, Jonathan, Bathsheba, Solomon, slingshot, shepherd
Solomon: builder of temples, David, wisdom, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Queen of Sheba
Elijah: Miracles, Fed by Ravens, Chariot of Fire, Endless Flour and Oil, Child Raised from the Dead, Mount Carmel, Prayer for Rain, Mount of Transfiguration
Paul: Pharisee, shipwrecked, temporarily blind, on his way to Damascus, missionary, wrote letters
