Jesus promises to be our friend while we live on earth, but He also promises to gather us to Him forever. Therefore, death is no longer scary when we have scripture verses to remind us of all his promises. Sometimes heaven can feel far off and Jesus’ message can seem confusing and, well, scrambled. Sometimes a Chinese Fire Drill can undo all of that! Let’s try this fun Bible game twist on an old favorite!
Bible Game: “Chinese Fire Drill“
MATERIALS NEEDED:
Index cards, sharpie pen, scripture answer key, small box or hat (optional)
LEARNING STYLE:
Hands-On
BIBLE GAME PREPARATION:
Using the Answer Key, put a few words of the scripture you are using from the Answer Key onto index cards (keep words in the right order!). As short words like “and” and “of” are often repeated, put that word plus whichever follows onto the card. Children will form a straight line across the room, shoulder to shoulder and pull one word or index card from a hat. If you have more children than there are cards containing the scripture, you must start again from the beginning of the line and give out a second card.
Go straight down the line without skipping anyone, though the ones at the beginning may end up with more cards.
Note: It may help to number the cards in light pencil, though don’t give this detail away unless they can’t get themselves in line without knowing.
BIBLE GAME OBJECT:
To have everyone in order so that the scripture verse reads properly after the Chinese Fire Drill.
BIBLE GAME INSTRUCTIONS:
Have children form their line across the room, shoulder to shoulder. Say your scripture verse four or five times with students and have them repeat it back. Make sure to include the verse. Shuffle the index cards containing the scripture words and let students pick from the pile (or put them in a box or hat), going straight down the line. They may only pick one card at a time, and if you have extras, you must start at the beginning of the line again. When all cards are given out, say, “Chinese Fire Drill!”
Students may change places and/or cards. Those with two cards may have to give their second card to the person in line who would be in order to say it. After a minute or so, when they feel they are in the right order, have them read the scripture, starting with the first person/first word. See if they can go all
the way down the line, reading what words they are holding.
Answer Key:
Six “rounds” of answers are supplied so the game can be used more than once. You can do two on a Sunday or use it several times during the season. The words underlined are the ones you should list on the wall. While reciting for students, STOP at one of the underlined words. Allow students to go grab it from the wall. As each scripture contains either three or four underlined words, you can use the scripture three or four times, eliminating a different word each time.
Have students recite the entire verse again after the correct word has been taken by a team.
Round 1: 20 words: But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, Philippians 3:20
Round 2: 23 words: Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, Revelation 21:1
Round 3: 31 words: He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:4
Round 4: 28 words: And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens. Mark 13:27
Round 5: 35 words Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven. Acts 1:10-11
Round 6: 33 words Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. John 14:1-2
What do you think of this Bible game idea? Will you be trying it with your students? Share your thoughts or comments below! And don’t forget to Follow me on Twitter, where I will share more fun Bible game ideas!
Great ideas
This is such a good game and really helps the children to learn the verses. Thank you for the idea.