Memory Verse Games
First Letter
Have a child pick the first letter of any word in the verse. The children then say the verse, standing when they say a word beginning with that letter and sitting down for the other words. Continue repeating the verse, using different beginning letters and actions. As a special challenge the children could do several actions for first letters at the same time.
Topsy-Turvy
Have the children read the verse together. Then turn the verse visual sideways and let them say it. Repeat, turning it to the other side, upside down and finally behind your back, having the children repeat the verse each time
Verse Pass
Haver the children sit or stand in a circle and pass around a Wordless Book or Gospel Flipper-Flapper as they repeat the verse. The child holding the object when the verse is completed says the verse with the teacher. Repeat several times.
Guess Who?
Read the verse with the children, beginning and ending with the reference. Then choose a child to come to the front, close his eyes and turn his back to the class. Say the verse with the class, beginning with the reference, then point to another child, who says the reference at the end in a disguised voice. The child at the front tries to guess who said the last reference. Repeat several times.
Take Away
Write two or three words of the memory verse on different slips of paper. Quote the verse a few times with the children. Then have a child remove a visual piece and have the children say the verse, including the words that are not showing. Continue removing pieces and repeating the verse until all pieces have been removed. Have individual children try to say the verse on their own. To include more involvement, have the children stand when they say the words that are not showing and sit for the rest.
Find it
While a child is out of the room, hide a small object so the rest of the group knows where it is. The child then comes back into the room and tries to find it. The other children repeat the verse over and over, saying it softly when the child moves farther away from the object and more loudly as he gets closer until at last he finds it. Choose other volunteers and repeat as time allows.
Add a Word
Starting with the reference everyone together says just one word, then two, then three, and so on. For example, "Hebrews 13:5..." Hebrews 13:5, he"... "Hebrews 13:5, he hath"... "Hebrews 13:5, he hath said..." Play until the verse is said all the way through.
Ping Pong
Divide the class into two groups. The verse are the "ball" and your hand controls the ball. Each group says the next word of the verse, starting with the reference, when your hand points to that group. Alternate the groups, pointing more than once to a group or going a little faster after playing a couple of times. Each group tries not to "drop" the ball by missing the words they are to say.
Clap a Word
Repeat the verse twice, then have a child stand behind the visualized verse with his back to the class. Choose another child to point to a word on the visual. Lead the children in reciting the verse, but when you get to the chosen word, clap instead of saying it. The child behind the visual then tries to guess the word. Choose two different children and repeat as time allows.
Change the Volume
Repeat the verse several times, motioning with your hand to indicate how loudly or softly the children should say the verse. Hold your hand low for quiet, in the middle for medium and high for loud. Change the volume either at the end of the verse or several times during the verse. You may want to allow a few well-behaved children to control the volume as the game progresses.
Frozen Fun
Have a child lead the group in doing an exercise such as running in place. When the child calls out "Freeze," the group "freezes" in position and quotes the verse without moving. Repeat the verse eight to ten times, using different exercises and choosing different children to lead, always quoting the reference at the beginning and end of the verse.
Have a child pick the first letter of any word in the verse. The children then say the verse, standing when they say a word beginning with that letter and sitting down for the other words. Continue repeating the verse, using different beginning letters and actions. As a special challenge the children could do several actions for first letters at the same time.
Topsy-Turvy
Have the children read the verse together. Then turn the verse visual sideways and let them say it. Repeat, turning it to the other side, upside down and finally behind your back, having the children repeat the verse each time
Verse Pass
Haver the children sit or stand in a circle and pass around a Wordless Book or Gospel Flipper-Flapper as they repeat the verse. The child holding the object when the verse is completed says the verse with the teacher. Repeat several times.
Guess Who?
Read the verse with the children, beginning and ending with the reference. Then choose a child to come to the front, close his eyes and turn his back to the class. Say the verse with the class, beginning with the reference, then point to another child, who says the reference at the end in a disguised voice. The child at the front tries to guess who said the last reference. Repeat several times.
Take Away
Write two or three words of the memory verse on different slips of paper. Quote the verse a few times with the children. Then have a child remove a visual piece and have the children say the verse, including the words that are not showing. Continue removing pieces and repeating the verse until all pieces have been removed. Have individual children try to say the verse on their own. To include more involvement, have the children stand when they say the words that are not showing and sit for the rest.
Find it
While a child is out of the room, hide a small object so the rest of the group knows where it is. The child then comes back into the room and tries to find it. The other children repeat the verse over and over, saying it softly when the child moves farther away from the object and more loudly as he gets closer until at last he finds it. Choose other volunteers and repeat as time allows.
Add a Word
Starting with the reference everyone together says just one word, then two, then three, and so on. For example, "Hebrews 13:5..." Hebrews 13:5, he"... "Hebrews 13:5, he hath"... "Hebrews 13:5, he hath said..." Play until the verse is said all the way through.
Ping Pong
Divide the class into two groups. The verse are the "ball" and your hand controls the ball. Each group says the next word of the verse, starting with the reference, when your hand points to that group. Alternate the groups, pointing more than once to a group or going a little faster after playing a couple of times. Each group tries not to "drop" the ball by missing the words they are to say.
Clap a Word
Repeat the verse twice, then have a child stand behind the visualized verse with his back to the class. Choose another child to point to a word on the visual. Lead the children in reciting the verse, but when you get to the chosen word, clap instead of saying it. The child behind the visual then tries to guess the word. Choose two different children and repeat as time allows.
Change the Volume
Repeat the verse several times, motioning with your hand to indicate how loudly or softly the children should say the verse. Hold your hand low for quiet, in the middle for medium and high for loud. Change the volume either at the end of the verse or several times during the verse. You may want to allow a few well-behaved children to control the volume as the game progresses.
Frozen Fun
Have a child lead the group in doing an exercise such as running in place. When the child calls out "Freeze," the group "freezes" in position and quotes the verse without moving. Repeat the verse eight to ten times, using different exercises and choosing different children to lead, always quoting the reference at the beginning and end of the verse.
