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Leader Guide

Bible Activity


  • Bibles—to make the activity fair for all children, do not use tabbed Bibles or electronic devices unless all the children have them
  • Sticky note pads—one pad per pair of children
  • Eraser
  • Pencils—one per pair of children
  • Timer, such as a stopwatch, clock or watch with a second hand, or timer app
  • Whiteboard and marker or chalkboard and chalk

If you would prefer not to use sticky notes, have groups raise their hands to answer.

They Did It on Purpose: Look up verses to discover Bible characters’ God-given purpose.

Let’s say the SuperTruth together. “God has a plan and purpose for my life.”

In this activity, we are going to look up verses about different people in the Bible who fulfilled their purpose as part of God’s plan.

Have the children sit in pairs. Try to pair an experienced Bible user with a child who isn’t as familiar with the Bible. Give each pair a Bible. The experienced Bible user can quickly look up the verse while the other player writes the answer on a sticky note. The notes are then stuck to one of the player’s foreheads. If both players are experienced Bible users, the players can alternate looking up a verse and writing down the answer. Have children close their Bibles before you announce the next verse.

I will say a verse reference and write it on the board along with “O.T.” for Old Testament or “N.T.” for New Testament, so you know generally where to look for the verse in your Bibles. You may then start to look it up, and I will then ask you two questions.

First, I’ll ask the name of the person who had a purpose from God. Second, I’ll ask a fill-in-the-blank question that needs one word about what their purpose was. The writers in the groups will write the answers on a sticky note and then stick it to their foreheads. You have forty-five seconds to do that. (Adjust time accordingly for your group of children.)

The first team to answer both questions correctly scores ten points—five points for each correct answer. All other teams score five points for the right answers stuck to their head within the time limit. Every pair will have a chance to finish, so don’t give up! The team with the most points wins.

Let’s get started! Allow spelling errors because of the fast pace of the game. Do as many verses as time allows. Be prepared to help any children with special needs. Note that the suggested answers are from the New Living Translation. If children are using different translations, their answers will vary.

1. Genesis 50:19–20—Old Testament

A. Who knew his purpose from God? Joseph
B. His purpose was to save ______. Lives

19But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? 20You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position, so I could save the lives of many people.”

2. John 3:17—New Testament

A. Who had a purpose from God? Jesus, God’s Son
B. He came to _____ the world. Save

God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him.

3. Matthew 3:1–3—New Testament

A. Who had a purpose from God? John the Baptist
B. He was to _____ the way for the Lord’s coming. Prepare

1In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, 2 “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” 3The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the LORD’s coming! Clear the road for Him!’”

4. Acts 9:15–16—New Testament

A. Who had a purpose from God? Saul/Paul
B. He was to take Jesus’ _____ to the Gentiles, kings, and Israelites. Message

15But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is My chosen instrument to take My message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 16And I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

5. John 21:15—New Testament

A. Who had a purpose from God? Peter/Simon Peter
B. Jesus told him to feed His _____. Lambs

After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “You know I love You.” “Then feed My lambs,” Jesus told him.

6. Exodus 3:10—Old Testament (Note: this verse doesn’t specifically say “Moses,” but the children should know from this lesson and course.)

A. Who had a purpose from God? Moses
B. God told him to lead His people out of _____. Egypt

“Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead My people Israel out of Egypt.”

7. Judges 6:14–15b—Old Testament

A. Who had a purpose from God? Gideon
B. God sent him to rescue Israel from the _____. Midianites

14Then the LORD turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!” 15 “But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel?”

8. Esther 4:13–14—Old Testament

A. Who had a purpose from God? Esther
B. God made her queen to bring _____ and relief to the Jews. Deliverance

13Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. 14If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”

Conclusion: God called each one of these people for a specific purpose as part of His plan. Let’s always be ready to respond when God calls us to do His will in this world.