Fall is a good time to give Bibles to the children in your
program. Many churches make this an annual event and give Bibles to
a certain age group each year during a special worship service. You
can make this tradition even more meaningful by hosting a Bible
retreat for kids.
Stay overnight at a hotel, camp, or retreat facility within two
hours of your church. Bring parents along as chaperones so they can
participate in this memorable experience. Combine the fun and
excitement of games, a bonfire, and Bible experiences. Bible
experiences:
- Design a scavenger hunt based on Bible verses. For example,
have kids find something that's found in Genesis 2:9 (trees);
Joshua 7:26 (rocks); Nehemiah 8:10 (food and drink); Hosea 10:7
(twig); Zechariah 9:3 (dirt); and 2 John 1:12 (paper).
- Present a brief drama of how the Bible came together.
- Pray a portion of Psalm 119 for kids.
- Have kids prepare and present dramatic interpretations of
parables. Discuss how Jesus used parables.
- Use Psalm 98 to launch a worship service out in nature.
- Have an old-fashioned "sword drill." Have children work in
groups and race to look up books, chapters, and verses.
- Bring along a spinning wheel that has various numbers printed
on the wheel. Make a list of Bible questions, especially focusing
on content that you've chosen for the Bible retreat. Ask the
questions, and spin for points.
Elaine Friedrich is a director of elementary ministries in
Texas. Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and
prices are subject to change.
