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7 CREATIVE AND FUN WAYS TO MEMORIZE THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE: FREE PRINTABLE INCLUDED!

Remember back in the day when Sunday school and vacation Bible school teachers taught kids songs and rhymes to help them memorize the order of the books of the Bible? Knowing that order came in handy during “sword drills” when we raced to find passages quickly.

Recently, while working with a 6th grader at our church to find a specific verse for a lesson, I began singing the books of the Bible as she flipped through the pages. She giggled and looked at me like I was a little strange.

You might be wondering the same thing she was at that moment: Why memorize the order of the books of the Bible when there’s a list right at the beginning of every Bible?

You might be surprised to learn that memorizing the books of the Bible is about more than just winning a sword drill trophy during VBS.

While it’s true that we can always flip back to the table of contents, nothing helps us understand how the Bible fits together quite like memorizing the books. Knowing their order provides a general understanding of how the Bible connects with history and showcases God’s work throughout time. This foundational knowledge offers your kids a starting point as they grow spiritually.

But can memorizing be fun? Absolutely! Let me show you how! We’ve created a free Books of the Bible printable to help your kids enjoy memorizing the books and make meaningful connections within God’s Word.

Find Your Way: Old Testament Maze

As your kids navigate through the Books of the Bible maze, they’ll visually connect the order of the Old Testament books with symbols and stories from each book! This visual association will help them understand how the many Bible stories they’ve heard fit into the larger narrative of the Bible they hold in their hands.

Put Them in Order: Books of the Bible Stack-Up Game

If you have kids who are motivated by competition, we’ve got just the activity for them! Use the provided list of books to label Styrofoam cups with the names of the books of the Bible for a timed challenge. Then, encourage your kids to race against the clock to stack the books in order. They can compete with siblings, friends, or even try to beat their own time!

If your family enjoys games, take your family game nights to the next level with our Books of the Bible Game! This card game allows kids to play 13 different games, ranging from familiar favorites like “War” to exciting new challenges like “Bible Place Race.”

Use the Clues: Books of the Bible Crossword Puzzle

While I may not always enjoy memorizing, I find that learning new information makes it easier to recall simpler details, like a list of names, especially when I have interesting connections to associate with them. As your kids engage with this crossword puzzle, they’ll not only expand their knowledge but also strengthen their understanding of the books of the Bible by linking new details to what they already know.

Search It Out: New Testament Word Search

Many of the New Testament books are named after their authors or the individuals to whom they were written. However, with so many names, it can be challenging to distinguish between people in the Bible and the actual books themselves. The New Testament word search included in the Books of the Bible printable will help your kids engage with each book as they search for it! Plus, word searches provide a fun way to improve spelling skills.

Which Testament: Books of the Bible Sorting Game

Even if you’re not sure where a specific book is located in the Bible, it’s helpful to at least narrow it down to the Old Testament or the New Testament! Our Books of the Bible coloring page invites your kids to identify where each book fits—whether in the Old Testament or the New Testament. As they color-code each book accordingly, they’ll become more familiar with these various texts, and a hidden image will be revealed!

Organize the Shelf: Books of the Bible Sorting Game

While memorizing the names of all 66 books in order may seem overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be! One effective way to memorize anything is by breaking it down into smaller, manageable chunks. As your kids cut out each book of the Bible and categorize them by genre, they’ll gain insight into how different books fit together. This approach allows them to focus on memorizing smaller groups, making the task feel much more achievable!

Find It First: Books of the Bible Scavenger Hunt

Finally, our Books of the Bible Printable features an exciting scavenger hunt that encourages your kids to put their memorization skills to the test! They’ll have the chance to dig into their Bibles and search for specific items or passages based on the scavenger hunt prompts. Be sure to refresh your Bible trivia knowledge, as your kids might enjoy quizzing you on what they discover! They’ll love sharing their finds with you, adding a fun and interactive element to their learning experience.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, memorizing the books of the Bible can be a fun and enriching experience for kids when approached creatively. With engaging activities like mazes, word searches, coloring pages, and scavenger hunts, children can not only memorize the order of the books but also deepen their understanding of the stories and connections within the Scriptures. These interactive methods encourage teamwork, healthy competition, and a love for learning, making the journey of memorization enjoyable and memorable. By incorporating these techniques, we can help foster a lifelong appreciation for the Bible in our children, equipping them with foundational knowledge that supports their spiritual growth. So gather your materials, dive into these activities, and watch as your kids embark on this exciting adventure through the books of the Bible!

10 TRICKS TO DECORATING YOUR HOME WITHOUT PAYING

Are you looking to refresh your home’s decor without breaking the bank? This guide will show you how to transform your living space with simple, cost-effective tricks. From DIY projects to repurposing old items, these tips will help you create a stylish and inviting home without spending a fortune.

MAKE NEW PILLOW COVERS

New pillow covers are one of the easiest ways to make a big statement with just a small change. However, they can get expensive, often costing $20 or more each. Luckily, making your own pillow covers is simple and can be done with almost any fabric. Materials like fabric scraps, placemats, and even old sheets work great. One time, a dress destined for the Goodwill pile turned into an adorable pillow cover! For those not too confident with sewing, try an easy envelope pillow method—no zipper required. Alternatively, no-sew hem tape offers a quick and simple way to create a great pillow cover without sewing at all.

USE A BLANKET TO COVER AN OLD COUCH OR CHAIR

There’s no denying it—new sofas are expensive. Even budget-friendly options from places like IKEA can still run several hundred dollars. While $500 might be a good deal for a sofa, there are times when spending that much just isn’t feasible to upgrade an old, unattractive couch. A simple and affordable fix is to cover it up instead. You can use a spare blanket, a tablecloth, or even an extra set of curtains to hide an unsightly sofa. Drape the blanket over the back and add some throw pillows to help mask the look.

DECORATE WITH NATURE

There’s often an abundance of beautiful items just outside our doors that can add character and charm to our homes. Simply gather what’s available—flowers, seashells, branches, acorns, pinecones, or river rocks. Arrange them in pretty jars or bowls to display around the house. Just be sure to clean everything thoroughly first!

FRAME SENTIMENTAL ITEMS AS ART

I love filling our home with items that hold personal significance. It’s even better when those special things are on display rather than tucked away in boxes.

If you’re like me, you probably have a collection of picture frames waiting for the perfect piece of art. (And if you don’t, you can find frames for just a few dollars at yard sales or thrift stores—almost free!)

Instead of framing photos or artwork, try framing something more meaningful—love letters, handwritten recipes, old baby clothes, dried bouquets, tickets—anything that you’ve kept because it holds sentimental value.

PRINT FAMILY PHOTOS TO FRAME

One of my favorite tricks is printing family photos at home and putting them in frames. I usually print on cardstock, but regular printer paper works just as well. For frames that need a mat, I cut a piece of poster board to size, place the photo on top, and secure it with clear tape. Once it’s behind the glass, you can’t tell the difference.

If you don’t have white poster board, you can use wrapping paper instead—most have a plain white back and can be easily cut to fit. Alternatively, poster board from the dollar store is an inexpensive option if you’re willing to spend a little.

USE FREE PRINTABLE ART

There are so many beautiful free printables available that can create stunning artwork for your home. Simply print them at home and pop them into a frame.

If you’re looking for a larger art piece and don’t mind spending a few dollars, you can get them printed at Staples or your local copy center as an engineering print. Black and white prints up to 24″ x 36″ cost less than $4.

If you’re unsure where to find great printable art, try searching Pinterest for “watercolor printables,” “vintage printable art,” or whatever style you’re after.

A couple of my favorite sources for free printables are Picture Box Blue for vintage maps and illustrations, and We Lived Happily Ever After for beautiful watercolors and farmhouse-style prints.

GIVE FURNITURE YOU ALREADY OWN A NEW PURPOSE

Sometimes, you may already own something that perfectly suits your needs. An old dresser can be transformed into a beautiful buffet for the dining room or a TV stand for the family room. You could even cut down the legs of an unused dining table to create a charming coffee table.

Or repurpose an old door, tabletop, or even a gate into a rustic headboard. The key is to look at your belongings with fresh eyes—rather than seeing them only for their original purpose, imagine all the other ways they could be used.

SWITCH THINGS UP BETWEEN ROOMS

Get creative and consider bringing in a few items from other areas of your home. We often become so accustomed to seeing things in specific spots that we overlook their potential in different settings. Sometimes, all it takes to refresh a space is swapping a few items between rooms.

If you have a living room and a family room, try switching the sofas or coffee tables between the two. You could also exchange dressers between different bedrooms or move some bookcases from a bedroom to a den. This simple reorganization can give your home a new look and feel!

REARRANGE THE FURNITURE

Once you’ve decluttered, take a moment to assess what you have left to work with. You might find that you don’t need to buy anything new to completely refresh a space.

Sometimes, all it takes is rearranging what you already have. Start with the largest piece of furniture in the room—be it the couch, table, or bed—and experiment with different placements.

You can sketch it out or visualize it in your mind, but I find that physically moving things around often yields the best results. There have been many times I was sure that a piece wouldn’t fit in a certain spot due to its size, only to discover it was the perfect location after all.

Once you’ve positioned your main furniture piece, start rearranging everything else around it. And if you end up with everything back in its original spot, at least you’ll know for certain that it was the best arrangement!

DECLUTTER WHAT YOU ALREADY OWN

Okay, so decluttering may not be the most exciting decorating advice, and it might feel odd to suggest getting rid of items when you can’t afford to replace them right now. However, I genuinely believe that when you’re unhappy with a space, the best first step is to remove everything that isn’t working.

Even if it seems like you have nothing to spare, taking a closer look with fresh eyes often reveals several items you may not actually like or that don’t belong there.

Of course, some pieces—like an old, unattractive sofa—might have to stay for practical reasons if you can’t afford a replacement.

But if you find decorative items that no longer resonate with you, let them go. Additionally, if there are unnecessary furniture pieces, consider moving them out. Sometimes, having a cleaner, more open space is far better than keeping items that weigh the room down.

CONCLUSION

By following these 10 tricks, you can easily decorate your home without spending a dime. Remember, creativity and resourcefulness are key to achieving a stylish and inviting space. So, start exploring your home for hidden potential, get crafty with DIY projects, and embrace the joy of budget-friendly design. With a little imagination and effort, you can transform your home into a beautiful and personalized sanctuary.