Memory Verse Punch Cards Printable! Freebie!

Since the beginning of the year, I have been encouraging the kids in my class to learn Bible verses. We started out learning some "ABC" Bible verses (a different verse for each letter of the alphabet), and now we are currently learning Psalm 100.

I created this printable punch card as a way to motivate the kids to learn verses. Each week they can say a Bible verse they have memorized to me (whether one we have learned in class or one they have learned on their own) and then using a paper hole punch, punch out one of the different colored Bibles on the card.

As it says on the card, when they get 5 punches on their card, they get to choose a prize from the "Treasure Box", a small box filled with little Bible games, New Testaments, whistles, or other small toys (the Dollar Tree is a great place to find prizes, or sometimes I have found deals on Bible related prizes from LifeWay Christian Bookstore's clearance).

If you would like to use these Bible Verse Punch Cards in your class, please click the link below. I hope you find them helpful in motivating your students to hide God's Word in their hearts!

Bible Punch Card Freebie!

Please let me know if this link does not work and I will try to upload it again.

Children's Church Activity: Carving Christian Jack O Lanterns!

Last Wednesday night I had a pumpkin themed lesson for my Children's Church class (I teach kids from 1st grade - 6th grade in this class).

First, we read the book "The Pumpkin Patch Parable" by Liz Curtis Higgs. The book talks about the farmer and how he turns simple pumpkins into a beautiful creation, and how God's love changes us in a similar way.

Next, I brought some small pumpkins and gave one to each child. As we carved the pumpkins we talked about how getting the "yucky stuff" out of the pumpkins is similar to how God takes the sin out of our lives. Then he gives us joy (we cut out happy faces in the pumpkin using the idea from "The Pumpkin Prayer") and then we placed a small LED battery lit candle inside and talked about the verse from Matthew 5:16 which says, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

Here is a picture of the finished pumpkins! I think they turned out really cute and that it was a great way to show the kids how we can be like the carved pumpkins, and once God comes into our hearts and makes us a new creation, we can shine a light for Him in a dark world.