Bible Pairs or Lamp and Light: A Super Bible School Activity for Memorizing Psalm 119:105

Isn't it interesting how there are so many great Bible pairs in the Bible?  Alpha and Omega, David and Goliath, Joseph and Mary are just a few of the great examples peppered throughout God's wonderful Word.  Now how about "lamp and light"?  Did you guess Psalm 199:105?  This illuminating verse says the following:  "Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."  How true.  How true.  But do your kids know it's true?  Why not play this fun Bible school activity that uses a game of pairing important Bible people or things together while also promoting the memorization of the verse.

Here's what you do:

Before playing the game, you will need to do a little preparation.  First, take a stack of index cards and write one word each from Psalm 119:105.  Put the reference on a card as well.  Place these cards face out either on a pocket chart (this is my choice) or on a table in mixed up order.  Finally, make sure you have the list of Bible pairs ready, which I have provided for you down below.  You are ready to play the game.

Here's how you play:

Begin by saying the following:  Who can tell me what goes with salt?  (Wait for response of "pepper.")  Who can tell me what goes with spaghetti?  (Wait for response of "meatballs.")  You guys are great!  You know common everyday pairs, but do you know the pairs that come from the Bible?  For example, what goes with Noah?  (Wait for response of "ark" or "flood" or something comparable.)  That's right!  Now how about the word "lamp"?  (Wait for response.)  That one's a little harder.  Maybe our Bible verse that we are going to memorize will give you a little hint.  It's Psalm 119:105 and it says this: "Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."  Now who can tell me the pair that goes with lamp?  (Wait for response of "light".)  Super!

Today we are going to play a game where your team will have to guess some pairs in the Bible in 30-second intervals.  For each pair you get right, your team will get 100 points.  At the end of 2 rounds of guessing (each team gets to have a turn), whoever has the most points will get 30 more seconds to place our Bible verse all scrambled here in perfect order.  If the team is successful, they will earn an extra 100 points.  We will play several rounds.  By the way, if you cannot think of the pair fast enough, you can say, "Pass" and I will go onto the next pair.

Tips for Success with this Bible School Activity:

You will want someone to be the scorekeeper and someone to keep time.  When you say the first part of the pair, add on the word "and" afterwards.  Only accept the pair that is on your list as a correct answer. You can reuse the pairs after going through the list.  Scramble up the words of the verse after each attempt.  Pick one child from each team at a time to play the game and let the rest of the class know they must be quiet and not shout out any answers.  Finally, have fun!

Bible Pairs:

Noah and the ark

Joseph and his coat of many colors

Abraham and Sarah

Adam and Eve

Daniel and the lion's den

Alpha and Omega

Joseph and Mary

The burning bush and Moses

The dove and the Holy Spirit

Jonah and the whale

Quail and manna

30 pieces of silver and Judas

Jonathan and David

Samson and Delilah

Chariot of fire and Elijah

10 Commandments and Moses

40 years in the desert and the Israelites (or Jews)

Pillar of salt and Lot's wife

Sodom and Gomorrah

Ruth and Naomi

Solomon and the temple

Jacob and Rachel

Isaac and Rebekah

Falling walls and Jericho

Cain and Abel