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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.
  • Whiteboard and marker or chalkboard and chalk
  • Eraser
  • Sticky note pads—one pad per pair of children
  • Pencils—one per pair of children
  • Timer, such as a stopwatch, clock or watch with a second hand, or timer app

Make sure there is a clear path between the children and the whiteboard. If you would prefer not to use sticky notes, have children raise their hands to answer.

Take a Right Turn: Race to find verses about coming back to God.

God loves us completely and unconditionally. He calls us by His Word and Spirit to return to Him when we stray from His path. He is faithful and can always be trusted to forgive and cleanse us—no matter what! In this activity, you are going to look up verses about turning back to God.

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 the board. If both players are experienced Bible users, they can alternate looking up a verse and writing down the answer. Have children close their Bibles before you announce the next verse.

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, telling you whether it is in the Old or New Testament, then write it on the board with the initials O.T. or N.T. You may start to look it up while I read a fill-in-the-blank question for that verse. One player in each group will write the answer on a sticky note, then walk quickly to stick it on the board. 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 stuck to the board within the time limit. Every pair will have a chance to finish, so don’t give up! The most important part of the game is to search God’s Word and let it sink into our hearts. After points are awarded, we will take turns reading the entire verse. 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. After points are scored for each question, read the entire verse and briefly discuss it if time permits.

1. Joel 2:13—O.T.: When we return to the Lord, we find that He is _____ and _____. (Merciful, compassionate.)

“Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the LORD your God, for He is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish.

2. Isaiah 55:7—O.T.: When we return to God, He will forgive _____. (Generously.)

Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that He may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for He will forgive generously.

3. Job 22:23—O.T.: When we return to God, we will be _____. (Restored.)

If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored—so clean up your life.

4. Jeremiah 24:7—O.T.: We are God’s people when we return to Him _____. (Wholeheartedly.)

“I will give them hearts that recognize Me as the LORD. They will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me wholeheartedly.”

5. Lamentations 3:40—O.T.: We should _____ and _____ our ways and turn back to God. (Test, examine.) 

Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn back to the LORD.

6. Hosea 14:2a—O.T.: God wants us to bring our _____ and return to Him. (Confessions.)

Bring your confessions, and return to the LORD.

7. Jeremiah 15:19a—O.T.: When we return to God, He will _____ us so we can serve Him. (Restore.)

This is how the LORD responds: “If you return to Me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve Me.”

8. Acts 3:19—N.T.: We should repent and turn to God so our sins can be _________. (Wiped away.)

Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.

9. Proverbs 28:13—O.T.: When we confess and _____ from our sins, we will receive mercy. (Turn.)

People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

10. Joel 2:13—O.T.: When we return to the Lord, we will find that He is filled with _____ love and is eager to relent and not _____. (Unfailing, punish.)

“Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the LORD your God, for He is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish.

Conclusion: God does not want us to return to Him so He can punish us, but to show us His unfailing love. He is always waiting to welcome us home, no matter what we have done or how long we have been away from Him!