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Bible Topic of the Month
Jeremiah the Prophet
I have been reading the books of Jeremiah and Lamentations lately and have been touched by the patience and severity of God. God is so patient with the people of Judah, repeatedly
offering them ways to save themselves. Yet he also carries out his promises. I have been touched by the poignancy of the
book of Lamentations as Jeremiah pleads to God on behalf of the people of Judah. Yet in the midst of his pleading Jeremiah
says these words which beautifully sum up the extent of his faith.
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
"The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."
The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.
It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. Lamentations 3:22-27 ESV
Teaching Tips
Let
the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
~ Colossians 3:16
In this column, we plan to share ideas for teaching the Bible, particularly
teaching the Bible to children.
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| Well Worn Bible Jeopardy Game Board |
Bible Jeopardy Game
I always enjoyed TV Jeopardy. The categories, the Daily Double, Final Jeopardy, even the theme music. Wouldn’t this
be a fun way to reinforce your lessons with the kids. There is a computerized classroom version of Jeopardy available but
at around $600, it is rather expensive for a family. So I decided to make my own low tech version of the game that I could
use at home and in Bible classes. The game board can be assembled in one afternoon using commonly available and affordable
supplies. I think I made the one pictured for under $30 dollars but I don’t remember an exact cost.
Supplies Needed
Project Display board ( cardboard, wood, corrugated plastic or foam)
Library pockets (purchase from school supply store or make your own)
Index cards
Magnet strips or dots
Card stock
Glue (use a kind appropriate for Project board)
Dark color permanent marker
Punch out letters (optional)
Clear address labels (optional)
Laminator (optional)
Craft knife (optional)
Assembly Instructions
Paint display board desired color, if necessary. Decide how many rows and columns you would like your game to have. I prefer
to fill the board and then I can adjust the number of column used to the game or the age group. Calculate the spacing of
the pockets for your board based on the number of columns and rows you want. If you have a laminator available, you can
laminate your library pockets for added durability. If you do this, you will need to reopen each pocket by gently cutting
the film at the top of the pocket using a craft knife. Be careful to only cut the film and not the pocket.
Glue library pockets to the display board using sturdy glue appropriate for the type of display board leaving enough space
at the top for categories and a game title if you plan to use those. I prefer to use colored pockets so that each column
has a single color but you can use the manila ones too. Add a title to game board using punch out letters or make you own
(optional). Add a 1 inch strip of magnet tape or a couple of magnet dots to the top of each column of pockets to allow you
to attach a category. Add a point value to each pocket by either attaching printed address labels or writing it on the pocket
with permanent marker. . The first row is worth the least points , the second row is worth the next amount of points and
so on until each row had a point value. I used 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 points but you can use any point value that
you choose. Your game board is now ready to go.
Now you will need to decide on categories and questions. Write or print your questions and answers on index cards or card
stock. Remember to add the category and point value to each of the question cards to make it easier to prepare the game
for use. If you like you can use colored index cards that match the colored library pockets to make it even easier to set
up. Print or write categories using card stock or index cards. Attach a magnet dot or a small piece of magnet strip to the
back of each category card. Slide your question cards into the appropriate pocket and your game is now set up are ready to
use.
There are a number of games that can be played using the same board. You can play as individuals or as teams depending on
the size and age of the class. To play Bible Jeopardy have the child or team choose a question. The child will need to
specify a category and a point value (e.g. Places for 100 points). For younger children, it might be easier for you to allow
them to choose the category and then work from top to bottom within the category. If you have used colored pockets, the child
can choose a color instead of a category. Read the question and allow the child or team a few minutes to answer it. If they
answer correctly, give them the points. For older kids, I hand them the question card but for younger kids, I make a stack
on the table for each child or team. If the child answers incorrectly, you can either allow someone else to answer the
question, replace the question on the board for someone else to choose or read the correct answer and eliminate the question.
When you run out of questions or time, the game is over. You can do a Final Jeopardy question if you desire. For younger
groups, I usually do not make a big deal over who the winner is since everyone is a winner if they are learning the Bible.
Older kids are more competitive and less likely to cry if they loose so they generally want to know who won. I generally
use a standard Question and Answer format for the game rather than having to answer in the form of a question like the real
Jeopardy but that is really up to you.
I have used this at game at home with my kids home schooling. To do this, I have put more than one color coded card into
each pocket. Each card has an age appropriate question for that category. When the child chooses a category and point value,
I choose the card for his age level. That way the 4 year old can play the same game as the 10 year old and the 15 year old
and each will have an equal chance to win.
These are more general guidelines rather than a specific pattern so if you have problems understanding the instructions, feel
free to email me at Tabitha@tabithasheart.com with any questions you may have.
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Teaching the Books of the Bible
One of the first things we should teach our children is the books of the Bible. They can start learning these at a very early
age. My oldest could say all 66 books in order at age 2. It is a simple matter of repetition. Sing them or say them every
week in class and every day at home. You can also use games like to ones on the Just for Fun page to reinforce learning.
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One of my favorite visual aids for teaching the books of the Bible is to Bible Book Worm. To make your Book Worm, you will
need to cut 66 small circles and one slightly larger circle in different colors of craft or construction paper. The size
of the circle will depend on the amount of space you want to use - 1 inch circles make a good size for a take home for a child
while 6 inch makes a good size for a wall decoration. On the large circle draw a happy face - decorate it with wiggly eyes
and pipe cleaner antennae if you like. On each of the other circles, write the name of one of the books of the Bible. Now
glue or tape the edges of the circles together so that you form a long worm with the books of the Bible in order. You don't
have to do this in a straight line since worms are usually wiggly. You can also do this as two worms - one for the New Testament
and one for the Old Testament. This is a fun and colorful visual aid for teaching the books of the Bible.
Another way to reinforce the learning of the books of the Bible is with games. Here is a simple and fun game to try after
the child has a basic knowledge of the order of the books. You will need a soft ball like a beach ball, a bean bag or some
other item to toss. Have the children stand in a circle. Toss the ball to one of the students while saying a book of the
Bible. Start with Genesis or Matthew when you first try this game but later you can start with any book.
The child who catches the ball then throws it to another child while saying the next book of the Bible in sequence. Play
continues until someone misses or you have recited the books of the Bible the desired number of times. If someone misses,
you can either start over at the spot were they missed a book or have that child sit down. If you are continuing the game
without eliminating anyone, end the game when you have gone through the books of the Bible the desired number of times - getting
a little faster with each repetition. With middle school aged kids, you can go through all 66 books several times in five
minutes. With younger ones, it will take a little longer. If you are playing with elimination, the last child standing is
the winner. I usually prefer to play without elimination so I am certain we will get through all 66 books. If you are playing
indoors, you might want to require them to gently toss the ball to the child closest to them to avoid any property damage.
Outdoors you can get a little wilder.
Hope you find these tips useful in your efforts to teach the Bible. I will be posting more ideas periodically so check back.
If you have any great teaching ideas that you would like to share, please email them to us. You may see your idea in a future
column.
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