Leader Guide

Bible Activity

Bibles or Superbook App
Whiteboard and marker or chalkboard and chalk
Eraser
Pencils—one per pair of children
Ten index cards or small paper squares per pair of children
Timer, such as a stopwatch, clock or watch with a second hand, or timer app

Out With the Old; In With the New! Look up verses about our changed life in Christ.

In this activity, we are going to look up verses about the new life that Jesus gives to us.

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 card or paper. If both players are experienced Bible users, the players can alternate looking up a verse and writing down the answer.

Note that the suggested answers are from the New Living Translation. If children are using different translations, their answers will vary.

I will say a Bible reference and tell you whether it is in the Old or New Testament, then write it on the board. You may start to look it up immediately, and I will then read a fill-in-the-blank question for that verse. One player in each group will write the answer on a card or square of paper and raise their hands. You have thirty seconds to do that. The first team scores ten points for the correct answer; all other teams score five points for the correct answer when you raise your hands within the time limit. Every pair will have a chance to finish, so don’t give up! The team with the most points wins. Are you ready to learn more about our exciting new life in Christ? Let’s get started!

Do as many verses as time allows. Be prepared to help any children with special needs.

1. Romans 6:4—New Testament: We are buried with Christ by baptism. And God raises us up by His glorious power, so we may live _____ lives. (New)

For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

2. Ephesians 2:5—New Testament: We were _____ because of our sins. God gave us a new life through Christ. (Dead)

That even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)

3. Romans 8:2—New Testament: Because we belong to Christ, the life-giving Spirit has _____ us from the power of sin that leads to death. (Freed)

And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.

4. Ephesians 4:24—New Testament: We must put on our new _____ because we are created to be righteous and holy like God. (Nature)

Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

5. Romans 7:6—New Testament: Through Jesus, we can now serve God in the new way of living in the _____. (Spirit)

But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.

6. Ezekiel 11:19—Old Testament: God gives us a new Spirit, and a tender, _____ heart. (Responsive)

“And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart.”

7. Galatians 3:27—New Testament: We have been united with Christ and have put on Christ, like putting on new _____. (Clothes)

And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.

8. Psalm 40:3—Old Testament: God gives us a new _____ to sing. (Song)

He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what He has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD.

9. Colossians 3:10—New Testament: We should put on our new nature and be _____ as we learn to know our _____ and become like Him. (Renewed, Creator)

Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him.

10. 1 Peter 2:24—New Testament: Jesus carried our sins in His body on the _____, so we can be dead to sin and live for what is _____. (Cross, Right)

He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.

Conclusion: Our new life in Christ is only just the beginning; now, we are free from sin to live for Him and experience His joy and power!