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
Sticky notes, Whiteboard and marker, or chalkboard and chalk
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.

God first gave to us. The only way we can give is because He first gave to us. Tithing is giving a tenth back to Him. In this activity, you will look up verses about tithing and giving 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, 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 and then say O.T. for Old Testament and N.T. for the New Testament. Then I will write it on the board. At this point, you may begin to find the verse. As you do this, I will read a fill-in-the-blank question which you will find the answer or answers to in that Bible verse.

I will repeat the question one more time, if needed. The player who is not looking up the verse will write the answer or answers 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; all other teams score 5 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 team with the most points wins. Are you ready to learn more about the work of our Creator?

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.

Read the verse reference but do not read the actual verse until after the questions are answered.

If time permits, have a child read the verse. Do as many questions as time allows.

1. Proverbs 3:9—O.T.: We should honor the Lord with our ______ and the ______ part of all we produce. (Wealth, best)

Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce.

2. Matthew 23:23—N.T.: Jesus said it was important for the Pharisees to _____but then not to _____ the more important things like justice, faith and mercy. (Tithe, neglect)

“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.”

3. 1 Chronicles 29:14—O.T.: _____ we have comes from God. We give God only what He _____ gave us. (Everything, first)

But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to You? Everything we have has come from You, and we give You only what You first gave us!

4. 2 Corinthians 8:12—N.T.: God accepts what we give if we give it _____ and according to what we _____, not what we _____ have. (Eagerly, have, don’t)

Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.

5. Malachi 3:10—O.T.: The tithe is to be brought into the _____ and when we do, He will open up the _____ of heaven for us. (Storehouse, windows)

“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in My Temple. If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put Me to the test!”

6. 2 Corinthians 9:7—N.T.: You must decide in your _____ how much to give and not in response to _____. God loves a person who gives _____. (Heart, pressure, cheerfully)

You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

7. Mark 12:43–44—N.T.: Jesus said that the poor _____ gave more than all the others who gave out of their _____. (Widow, surplus)

⁴³Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. ⁴⁴For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”

8. Malachi 3:10—O.T.: God said that when we tithe, He will _____ out a blessing and to put Him to the _____. (Pour, test)

“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in My Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put Me to the test!”

9. Luke 6:38—N.T.: When you give, your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, _____ together, to make room for _____. (Shaken, more)

“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

10. Acts 20:35—N.T.: Jesus said that it is more blessed to _____ than to ____. (Give, receive)

“And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Conclusion: All we have is from our loving Heavenly Father. It’s a blessing and a privilege to give to Him.