Leader Guide
Matching Game
- Whiteboard or chalkboard
- Marker or chalk
- Promise Pair Pattern (print double-sided)
- Optional: cardstock
- Scissors
- Optional: tape
- Pen
Make a copy of each Promise Pair Pattern, double-sided on cardstock if possible, with preprinted numbers on the back of each card.
Cut the cards apart.
If using single-sided copies: write a different number from 1–32 on the back of each card in random order. The numbers should be upside-down to the words on reverse so that when you flip the card up along its top edge to reveal it to the children, the words will be right-side-up.
Tape the top edge of each card on a board or wall—or place them on the floor—with their numbered sides showing, in 4 rows of 8 cards. You will flip the numbered card up to reveal the word or phrase underneath to the class.
If you have limited time or a small class, you may play with 24 cards instead of 32. Simply use 6 pattern sheets instead of 8 to make single-sided copies, then write a different number from 1–24 on the back of each card.
God has made promises to His people from the beginning of His creation—and His promises are still here for us today, if we believe them by faith. Behind the cards are 16 of God’s promises. Let’s play our matching game to discover them!
Divide the children into two teams; they do not need to be even. Have teams sit together so everyone can see the cards on display. A different player gets two guesses on each team’s turn. The player will choose a card number, and the leader will flip that card up along its taped edge to reveal the promise underneath for all to see. The player will then say, “God gives us …” and read the promise on the card.
The same player will then select a second card number to try to match the promise on the first card. When the card is revealed, the player then will again say, “God gives us …” and read the promise on that card. If the two cards match, the leader carefully peels the cards from the board and gives them to the team. If the cards don’t match, they are flipped back down again. Whether the cards match or not, play continues with the other team taking a turn.
As time allows, you may use the scriptures below to briefly discuss each promise as you remove a matched pair so children have a simple understanding of it. Play until all pairs are removed from the board. The team with the most pairs wins.
Promise scriptures:
- The Holy Spirit—Ephesians 1:13
- Protection—Isaiah 41:10
- Power—2 Timothy 1:7
- Peace—John 14:27
- Joy—John 15:11
- Forgiveness—Matthew 6:14
- Wisdom—James 1:5
- Eternal Life—1 John 2:25
- Answers to prayer—John 14:13–14
- Provision—Philippians 4:19
- Guidance—Proverbs 16:9
- Victory—1 John 5:4
- Good plans—Jeremiah 29:11
- Love—Romans 8:38–39
- An Inheritance—1 Peter 1:4
- Salvation—John 3:16
Conclusion: God has given us lots promises—and there are many others in the Bible! Just like His promise to Noah, there is no “expiration date” on God’s promises. His promises last forever! So let’s shout the SuperTruth again: “God always keeps His promises!”