Teaching a Verse to Non-Readers

Here are some great ideas for teaching non-readers verses.

Set the verse to a rhythm.

As you say the verse, clap your hands, thighs or tummy. Stomp your feet, use rhythm sticks or egg shakers to make a beat. Examples of verses that can be taught this way: 1 John 4:14 and Revelation 4:11.

Use an object as you practice a verse.

Toss a bean bag back and forth or pass a toy from person to person. When you are holding the item you say the next word in the verse.

Hand Motions

Ask kids to help you come up with hand and body motions that fit the meaning of the words.

Stepping stones

Make “stones” out of felt or rubber. You need one stone for each word in the verse. Place them across the floor, spacing them apart so they can be walked on. Children say one word of the verse as they step on each stone. If they miss a word, they fall in the river and must wait for the next child to rescue them. (Caution: Only use felt on a carpeted floor. You don’t want anyone to slip.)

Freeze dance

Dance to music but when music stops, everyone stops and recites the verse.

Basketball

Play an indoor version of basketball. Whoever makes a basket must stop and recite the verse.

Hot potato

Sit in a circle and pass a bean bag while music plays. When the music stops, whoever is holding the bean bag says the verse. (Or the whole group can recite it together.)

Verse picture hunt

For any verse, use pictures to correspond to words or phrases in the verse. Hide the pictures around the room. Let the child search for all the pictures then put them in the correct order and recite the verse.