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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.

The Bible says that nobody is without sin. That is why it was necessary for Jesus to come to Earth. Without him we are helpless. In this activity you will look up verses about sin and our solution–Jesus!


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, the players 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, and 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 and then walk quickly to stick it on the board. You have 30 seconds to do that. The first team scores 10 points for the correct answer or answers; all other teams score 5 points for the correct answer(s) 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. If time permits, after points are scored for each question, read the entire verse and briefly discuss it.

1. Romans 3:23—N.T.: _____ has sinned and fallen _____. (Everyone, short)   

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.


2. Ecclesiastes 7:20—O.T.: Not a _____ person on earth is ______ good and never sins. (Single, always)

Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins.


3. Proverbs 20:9—O.T.: No one can say, “I am _____ and _____ from sin.” (Pure, free)  

Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin”?


4. 1 John 1:8—N.T.: If we claim we have no sin, we are _____ ourselves and not living in the _____. (Fooling, truth)

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.


5. 1 John 3:5—N.T.: ____ came to take away our sins. There is no _____ in Him. (Jesus, sin)  

And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in Him.


6. 1 John 4:10—N.T.: God sent His Son as a _____ to take away our sins. (Sacrifice)

This is real love—not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.  


7. 1 Peter 2:24—N.T.: Jesus carried our sins in His _____ on the cross. (Body)

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. By His wounds you are healed.


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

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


9. Proverbs 28:13—O.T.: If we _____ our sins, we will not prosper. (Conceal)  

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


10. Matthew 9:13b—N.T.: Jesus did not come to call the _____, but those who ______ they are sinners. (Righteous, know) Hint: this is the SuperVerse

“I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

Conclusion: The key to forgiveness is knowing that we have sinned and need Jesus!