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Leader Guide

Bible Activity


  • Bibles—to make the activity fair for all children, do not use electronic devices unless all the children have them
  • Whiteboard and marker or chalkboard and chalk
  • Eraser
  • Index cards—ten per pair of children. Or, cut paper into 3“x5” sheets.
  • Plastic bowl or container
  • Chair or table
  • Pencils—one per pair of children
  • Timer, such as a stopwatch, clock or watch with a second hand, or timer app

At the top of the board, write: Matthew chapters 5–7 and Luke chapter 6.
Underneath the Matthew and Luke chapters, write: Matthew 5:1, Matthew 7:20, Luke 6:18.
Place the container on a chair or table several feet away from the children.
Make sure there is a clear path between the children and the container.
If you don’t want to use cards or sheets of paper, have children raise their hands to answer.

There’s More! Race to find verses about the Sermon on the Mount.

Raise your hand if you were here for a previous lesson when we looked up Bible verses about the Sermon on the Mount. Children respond.

The verses you will look up are in the Bible books of Matthew and Luke. The chapters for these books are written on the board.

Have the children sit in pairs and assign a number to that pair (Pair #1, Pair #2, etc.). Try to pair an experienced Bible user with a child who isn’t as familiar with the Bible.
Give each pair a Bible, index cards, and a pencil.
Have each pair write the number assigned to them on one corner of all their index cards. The experienced Bible user can quickly look up the verse while the other player writes the answer on the index card.
The cards are then placed in the container near you.
If both players are experienced Bible users, the players can alternate looking up a verse and writing down the answer.
The children do not need to close their Bibles in between questions.
All suggested answers are from the New Living Translation. If children are using different translations, their answers will vary.

I will read a fill-in-the-blank question. You may start to look it up from the four chapters listed on the board.

Point to the board. I will then reread it slowly. One player in each group will write the answer and the Bible book, chapter, and verse on an index card.

Point to the board. I have written examples of how to write a Bible book, chapter, and verse correctly. You may abbreviate Matthew to Matt. to save time.

Even if you know the answer, you must locate and write down the proper Bible book, chapter, and verse to score points. The writer will then walk quickly to the container and place the card in it. You have one minute to do that.

The first team scores ten points for the correct answer; all other teams score five points for the right answer placed in the container within the time limit. Every pair will have a chance to finish, so don’t give up!

The team with the most points wins. In some cases, the answer may be found in both Bible books. You can score one additional point if you write down both locations. If no team can answer a question, we will look it up together.

I will read the full verse after we have completed the scoring. Any questions? If not, 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. When saying the fill-in-the-blank question below, DO NOT say the Bible reference.

1. God blesses you when people _____ you and persecute you because you are His _____. (Mock, followers) Matthew 5:11; Luke 6:22

“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are My followers.”

2. Do to _____ what you would like them to do to you. (Others) Luke 6:31; Matthew 7:12

“Do to others as you would like them to do to you.” Two-point bonus question: what is this verse often called? The Golden Rule.

3. The _____ to life is very narrow, and few ever find it. (Gateway) Matthew 7:14

“But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.”

4. Anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called _____ in the kingdom of Heaven. (Great) Matthew 5:19

“If you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.”

5. The crowds tried to touch Jesus because healing _____ went out from Him. (Power) Luke 6:19

“Everyone tried to touch Him, because healing power went out from Him, and He healed everyone.”

6. Jesus teaches us to _____ those who curse us and _____ for those who hurt us. (Bless, pray) Luke 6:28

“Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.”

7. You are to be_____as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Perfect) Matthew 5:48

“But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

8. Jesus asked why people call Him ____ when they don’t do what He says. (Lord) Luke 6:46

 “So why do you keep calling Me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?”

9. Jesus said that our heavenly Father knows what we need _____ we ask Him. (Before) Matthew 6:8

“Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask Him!”

10. When you are mistreated for following Jesus, be happy and _____ for joy because a great _____ awaits you in heaven. (Leap, reward) Luke 6:23

“When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way.”