MEMORY VERSE IDEAS
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Write each word on a separate piece of paper and hide around the room. (You could prepare two sets on different coloured paper and split the children into two groups for a race). The children find the pieces of paper and put them in the right order.
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Print out the verse on a piece of A4 paper for each child/small group of children and cut it into jigsaw pieces for the children to piece it together. This can be differentiated for different ages by the number of pieces and difficulty.
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Print/write each word on a separate piece of paper and peg them on a washing line the children then put them in the right order. Say the verse together then get three children up to take a word each down. Repeat the verse, then take another three down etc.
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Chinese whispers – whisper the verse to the next person around the circle and see how far it can go around.
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In small groups have two sets of cards each with one word of the memory verse on. Turn them all over and play pairs to match the words together, then put them in the right order.
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Bouncing Ball - bounce a ball saying each word on a bounce and see if the children can keep bouncing the ball to finish the verse.
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Simple Actions - use sign language or make up simple actions to help the children remember the memory verse.
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Throw a ball around the circle and each say a word of the memory verse, if someone forgets or gets the word wrong, they go down on one knee and start from the beginning (variation of one knee, two knee game!)
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Code - use wingdings to create a code of the memory verse and see who can crack the code to find the memory verse!
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Gap fill/hangman - draw a small line for each letter and get the children to take turns in guessing letters until the memory verse is displayed.
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Write the verse on a bookmark shaped card and get the children to colour it in and keep it in their Bible to help them remember it.
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Music - sing the memory verse to a familiar tune.
Personally, I really love teaching bible verses to children. Whilst memory verses are not used so much in modern teaching material, I really think it is essential to teach children key verses of scripture. In my own life, verses I've learnt as a child have been so helpful to me as I've grown up and can really bless both me in personal situations and through sharing with others in times of prayer. However, I think the best way of learning scripture is through fun, memorable activities, here are a few suggestions of different activities which I use regularly.
