Bible Card Game ~ Minute to Explain It

I’m sure you’ve heard of Minute to Win it games. Well, this Bible card game takes that concept and mixes it with another one for a Minute to Explain it activity.

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Bible Card Game ~ Minute to Explain It

1 Peter 3:15-16 says, “In your hearts, regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. Yet do this with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear conscience, so that when you are accused, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame.” ~ CSB

In light of this verse, Houston Heflin said something at a conference hosted by Verse by Verse Ministries that really stuck with me. And what he said is the inspiration for this “game” or activity.

We spend so much time teaching [kids] that we don’t give them enough time to tell/speak.”

Just like little toddlers understand more language than they can verbalize, so it is with the next generation. If all we ever do is ask our kids and teens listen to us  talk about the Bible/God, we’re off-balance in preparing them for having a defense or giving a reason for the hope in them. It is vital we give them time to express what they know in a safe environment and with gentle guidance before we can expect them to have the ability to give a clear defense for the hope they have to a lost and dying world.

I have taken Houston Heflin’s idea and made it into a game by providing words on cards you can use with your family at the dinner table or with the class you teach at church.

While you may find it works with younger children, I recommend using it with ages 10+, so starting around 5th or 6th grade. You can certainly adapt it for younger children by creating your own words using the blank cards in the pack.

Bible Card Game ~ How to Play

One IMPORTANT aspect of this game is having a safe atmosphere in your home or in your classroom where mistakes aren’t looked at as bad, but as learning opportunities. This allows kids to feel that they can share their thoughts without being made fun of. And when kids are wrong, those errors can be pointed out without attacking the person. Good feedback can help prepare them for the real world when they need to share their faith with those who are skeptical or those questioning the faith.

Before “play,” print off and cut apart cards. Place in a box or fold and place in a bowl. {No peeking!}

• At the dinner table, maybe once a week or so, ask a child to pick a card.
• Once they’ve read the word aloud, give them a few seconds to think about the word, considering what they know of God’s Word and the word’s meaning.
• When the child is ready, set a timer for one minute.
• In that minute, they should explain the word. What does it mean to them? {They can create a definition or give examples of it.}
• Afterwards, be sure to encourage  the person.

Ways to Adapt:

There are many ways to adapt this game. Here are just a few other ideas:

• Start with the youngest child and ask them to share their definition first.  After they are finished, allow the next oldest child a minute to add on to that definition. Do the same with the next oldest child until you get to the oldest. Mom and dad might each take a minute to add on/gently guide as well.
• Use the Bible to find Scripture passages that speak about the word. {This is a GREAT time to use your Bible text features!}
• Use before a lesson as you teach kids or youth at church. Ask kids to partner up and work on the word together. Afterwards, ask for volunteers to share their definitions or examples. You might even choose a word that goes along with your lesson. So, if you’re teaching on joy, use “joy” as the word to find out what your learners know first.
• For older learners: Pick two different words. Ask learners to find a partner. Show the first word. In the first minute, person one explains the first word to the other person. Show the second word. In the next minute, person two explains the second word to person one.

Enjoy!
~Becky

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