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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.

Make no mistake, troubles and trials are not fun; however, God will use them to help us grow our faith. In this activity you are going to look up verses about patience and endurance.


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. Colossians 1:11 (N.T.): We will be strengthened by God so we will have _____ and _____. (Endurance, patience)  

We also pray that you will be strengthened with all His glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy.


2. Romans 5:4 (N.T.): Endurance develops strength of _____. Character strengthens our confident _____. (Character, hope)

And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.


3. James 1:12 (N.T.): God blesses those who patiently endure _____ and _____. Afterward they receive the _____ of life. (Testing, temptation, crown) 

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.


4. Galatians 6:9 (N.T.): Don’t get _____ of doing what is good. At the right time we will reap a harvest of _____. (Tired, blessing)

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.


5. Psalm 27:14 (O.T.): _____ patiently for the Lord. Wait _____ for the Lord. (Wait, patiently)   

Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.


6. Psalm 40:1 (O.T.): David waited patiently for the Lord to _____ him. God heard his _____. (Help, cry)

I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and He turned to me and heard my cry.


7. Galatians 5:22–23 (N.T.): The Holy Spirit _____ fruit in our lives including love, _____, peace, _____, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Produces, joy, patience)

22But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!


8. 2 Peter 3:9 (N.T.): God is patient for our sake because He wants everyone to _____ and not be _____. (Repent, destroyed)

The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.


9. Colossians 3:12 (O.T.): God chose us to be _____ people. We must _____ ourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. (Holy, clothe)   

Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.


10. Ephesians 4:2 (N.T.): We are to always be humble, gentle, patient, and make allowance for each other’s _____. (Faults) 

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

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