{Easter Resource & Giveaway}: Resurrection Clue Hunt

I love to research ideas to make familiar Bible stories come to life in new, fresh ways, especially around holidays.  Today I’ll share a resource that might be a great activity to have children in your elementary ministry do this Easter.

Overview

Kidology’s Resurrection Clue Hunt is an adaptation of the classic deduction game, Clue. Designed for children ages 7-13, it is a lesson-based game that helps to uncover the many aspects of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.

During the game, players (in groups of 4-6) must discover which PEOPLE clue is missing, what LOCATION clue is unknown, and which OBJECT clue is needed to complete the set.  As the children hunt for clues, biblical investigation and devotionals illustrate how the clues fit together to shape the resurrection story.

My Thoughts 

Initially I thought the game was more like an actual scavenger hunt than a game played in a small group or family setting.  (Now ideas are running through my head as to how we might adapt it that way!)  I love that the game is interactive while also helping children understand the crucifixion and resurrection in a new way.  I also love how the game is not only designed for fun but also incorporates learning through scripture and discussion.  The game is also a great family night activity!

I think that children, teachers and families would enjoy playing Resurrection Clue Hunt this Easter. The PDF game download includes:

  • Detailed Instruction Guide
  • Original, eye-catching artwork
  • Printable set of 20 cards (color and b/w versions)
  • Printable “Explorer Notebooks”
  • 20 “Fact Sheet” devotionals
  • Additional access to fact sheets via QR code

Kidology has graciously offered a complimentary game download (regularly priced at $18.99, Kidology Premium Members $13.99) to one of our readers.  You can enter to win by leaving a comment below, telling me how you’d use this resource in your home or ministry. The deadline to enter is 11:59pm on Sunday, March 30th.  I will randomly select and announce one winner and on Monday, March 31st.

So…how would you use this resource in your home or ministry?  Leave me a comment below and you’ll be entered to win!

Kidology provided me a free download in exchange for an honest review.

{Book Review} “The One Year Book of Bible Trivia for Kids”

I love reviewing devotionals for kids!  But a devotional that is combined with Bible trivia?  I couldn’t resist.

Today, I’ll share my thoughts regarding The One Year Book of Bible Trivia for Kids by Katrina Cassel.  The book was released in September 2013 by Tyndale House Publishers.

About the Book

“Have you ever wondered…How many days did God take to create the world and everything in it?  Where did Moses get water for the Israelites to drink?  Why did Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem?  The answers are inside this devotional!  Learning about the Bible can be fun – especially with The One Year Book of Bible Trivia for Kids.  Each devotion is based on a trivia question from the Bible.  The devotion explains the story around the question, gives the answer, and then shares what it means for you.  One question a day will open your eyes to biblical truths.  Learning about the Bible has never been so much fun!  Bonus: You can find out how much your family knows about the Bible!  Ask them the question of the day.”

What I Liked

The book contains 365 devotions, one for each day of the year.  Each devotional contains a creative title, trivia question, 3 possible answers, a brief devotional (which includes some modern-day examples), personal application points, the trivia question answer and the corresponding Bible passage.  The scripture passages were taken from the New Living Translation, which I think makes God’s Word easily understood by older elementary children and preteens.

Since the devotions weren’t topical, they were mostly chronologically from Genesis – Revelation.  Since the devotions were mostly chronological, I loved that the book highlights how the Bible is divided (Books of the Law, Books of History, etc.).  I also loved how a scripture index was included, making it easy to locate a particular scripture verse/passage.

What I Think Was Missing

I am a visual person, so having more color throughout the book, especially when trying to appeal to kids, would have been a plus.

My Recommendation

Overall, I think the book is a great option for older elementary children & preteens.  The content was solid and written in a relevant way.  I think adding trivia into a Bible reading and devotional will be well-received by kids, who might be able to teach their parents a thing or two!

Have you read The One Year Book of Bible Trivia for Kids?  What were your thoughts?

Tyndale House Publishers provided me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What’s in The Bible? Has Reached Revelation

My friends at What’s in The Bible? have made it to Revelation!

The final volume in the What’s in the Bible? series covers Hebrews to Revelation and is available on March 4.  The deal ends on March 9.

To celebrate this release, you can receive 20% off any order over $75.  This deal is a great opportunity for you to catch up on the series and complete your collection.  Click the image above or the in the right sidebar to start shopping!

While you’re there, you can also download brand new Revelation coloring pages (and others as well).

Happy Shopping – and downloading!

{Book Review} “10 Great Dates: Connecting Faith, Love & Marriage”

Well, today is Valentine’s Day, a day when love is shared, boxed chocolates are enjoyed and roses are ridiculously over-priced.  Don’t get me wrong – when my husband & I were dating, I wanted all of the ‘outward’ expressions of love.  Now that we’ve been married for 18 years, I appreciate love more throughout the year than just focused on the day you’re supposed to show it.

One way I appreciate the love my husband and I share is through our date nights.  Over the years, our date nights have evolved.  As newlyweds, Friday nights and all-day Saturday were our date days.  When children came along, our date days became “meet you on the couch after we put the children to bed”.  As the children got older and our calendars became more jam-packed, carving out time together would include breakfasts, lunches, dinners, coffee or weekends away.  We just wanted to be together, to talk, to look into each other’s eyes as well as each other’s hearts and listen to each other.  In my book, date nights (or days) are non-negotiable.

Last fall, I received a copy of 10 Great Dates: Connecting Faith, Love & Marriage by Peter & Heather Larson and David & Claudia Arp.  I thought I’d wait until Valentine’s Day to share my thoughts about it.  The book was released in September 2013 by Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

About the Book

The book’s purpose is to “help you connect faith, love and marriage in ways that result in a deeper spiritual connection.”  The book offers 10 great date night options, each with its own chapter within the book, outlining pre-date preparation, date night tips, and post-date spiritual application.

The date night options are:

  1. Connecting Faith and Love – You’ll talk about how connecting faith in your marriage can help you build a more loving, growing relationship.
  2. Appreciating Your Differences – You’ll talk about two key core values: acceptance & forgiveness.
  3. Experiencing God Together – You’ll talk about factors that bring you together spiritually as you worship God together.
  4. Getting Into the Word – You’ll be given simple tools to help you grow spiritually through studying the Bible together.
  5. Loving Your Closest Neighbor – You’ll talk about how to love and encourage your spouse.
  6. Talking Together With God – You’ll talk about how to overcome some of the obstacles to praying as a couple and practical ways to develop a meaningful prayer life together.
  7. Building Your Marriage on a Strong Foundation – You’ll talk about the importance of what the Bible calls leaving, cleaving and becoming one.
  8. Facing the Storms of Life Together – This date will help you talk about how to stay close and face the storms of life together.
  9. Guarding Your Heart Under God’s Canopy – You’ll look at what it means to have God’s sacred canopy over your marriage and how to guard your heart.
  10. Making Your Marriage a Lighthouse – You’ll be encouraged to talk about how you can continue to draw close spiritually and how your marriage can be a lighthouse to those around you.

What I Liked

If you notice what each date encourages, you’ll discover what I love about this book. It gets spouses talking to one another.  These dates make talking to each other a priority, and I love that.  And not just talking to fill time – but meaningful discussions. That’s a winner to me!

I also love that the book takes the guesswork out of what to talk about.  It’s so easy to talk about work, children, family and friends but being intentional and having guided spiritual conversations that will benefit your marriage is another winner for me.

What I Think Was Missing

I’m a pretty practical person, so I was expecting more practical ideas.  Maybe something like, “Over coffee, talk about…”  I wasn’t expecting that there would be ‘homework’ before and after the date.  This aspect might be a turn-off to some readers and might result in one of the spouses doing more prep-work than the other.

Also, my husband isn’t a big reader, so I’m not sure how practical that would be.  I would see myself as the primary date conversation facilitator, which would be extra work on my part.

My Recommendation

Overall, I think the book is a great read for marriage rookies and veterans alike.  If you’re looking to make your date night conversation more meaningful, then grab a copy of this book today!  Visit their website for more information.

Have you read 10 Great Dates: Connecting Faith, Love & Marriage?  What were your thoughts?

Bethany House provided me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  No compensation was received.