- Crossword puzzles make perfect material for Bible games.crossword image by cherie from Fotolia.com
Studying the Bible need not be a heavy-handed exercise devoid of fun, or a night of sermonizing that drains the text of life. With a little creativity, standard word games and puzzles can be adapted to teach biblical characters, concepts and places, but without diluting their meaning. For parents struggling to find games for all skills and age levels, numerous online sites can provide alternatives to a commercial media culture that they find incompatible to their beliefs. - Word games are a fun way to teach Bible concepts.The Word image by Luke Haverkamp from Fotolia.com
Substituting Bible characters and place names for their traditional counterparts makes it possible to adapt popular games for Christian purposes--such as word searches, whose players must circle the right word hidden in a block of random letters. Another example is Hangman, the age-old game of guessing a word before the outline of a hanged person is completely drawn. These examples are limited only by the players' imagination and resourcefulness. (See Reference 3) - Reworking popular board games and their TV counterparts ensures a fun opportunity to test knowledge of Bible characters and concepts. Examples include the classic TV game show "Jeopardy"--in which answers are phrased as questions--or "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire," where players must answer a series of increasingly difficult multiple-choice questions. These adaptations provide a fun link to popular culture without watering down Christian messages.
- Faith-based gaming is growing in popularity.blue computer gaming pad image by Warren Millar from Fotolia.com
Taking a leaf from fast-paced action games like "Grand Theft Auto," Christian website developers and media companies are rolling out alternatives. In "Victory At Hebron: A Redemption Adventure," players can help biblical heroes Caleb and Joshua learn what happened to spies sent on a reconnaissance mission of Hebron, the next city they intend to conquer. "Interactive Parables," on the other hand, uses three-dimensional technology to bring Jesus' moral lessons to life. - Using simple games like trivia quizzes--or making lists of key concepts like the 10 Commandments--is another method of engaging the brain, without extra spending on materials and supplies. Questions can be as easy or complex as the writer wants to make them, whether the subject focuses on books of the Bible, or details of Jesus' birth. To avoid wearing down participants, quizzes should be 10 to 20 questions.
