Sword Search Challenges in Children’s Church
Training Children to Know and Use the Word of God
At KidzConnectSA, we believe the Bible is not just a book—it’s a powerful weapon in the hands of a child who believes! That’s why every one of our lessons includes three Sword Search Challenge Verses - to help children actively engage with Scripture, not just hear it passively.
Sword Search Challenges are quick-paced, Bible-focused activities where children compete (in a friendly way) to find and read verses aloud. They’re fun, exciting, and deeply spiritual—because when kids start searching Scripture for themselves, they begin to own the Word.
What Are Sword Search Challenges?
The term comes from Ephesians 6:17, which calls the Bible “the sword of the Spirit.” In a Sword Search Challenge, children take their “sword,” hold it up, and wait for a Bible verse to be called. When the leader says “Go!”, they race to find the verse, stand, and read it aloud.
But it’s not just about speed. Sword Search Challenges build biblical fluency, confidence, and a respect for the Word of God—all while keeping kids fully engaged.
Leading Sword Search Challenges in Your Sunday Program
This activity is designed for group settings like Kids Church and even at home It’s loud, interactive, and encourages participation across different reading levels and personalities.
Here’s how it works:
1. Bibles up!
Ask everyone to hold their Bible closed in the air (no fingers in pages).
Say together: “This is my Bible—my sword of the Spirit!”
2. Call out the verse
Say the reference clearly, for example: “John 3:16!”
Repeat it once more.
3. Say ‘Go!’
Kids start searching. The first to find it stands up and reads it loudly.
4. Celebrate and repeat
Celebrate the reader! Let everyone read along. Then repeat with the next verse. You can space your three Sword Search Challenges across the lesson or do them all at once for a Bible warm-up.
Four Types of Sword Search Challenges to Keep It Fresh
To help your team or class stay excited about the Bible, try rotating through different types of challenges when time allows:
1. Scripture Challenge (The Classic)
Give a verse reference. Kids race to find it. First to find it reads it aloud. Encourage them to read with boldness and clarity—not just speed.
2. Word Challenge
Say a word like “light,” “bread,” or “lion.” Children look for any verse containing that word. When they find one, they stand up and read it, then share the reference.
3. Character Challenge
Call out a Bible person—Esther, David, Zacchaeus, etc. Kids find any verse that mentions that character and read it aloud.
4. Book Challenge
Say the name of a Bible book. Children must say (or write down) the book that comes before or after it. You can make it a relay race, quiz, or team challenge.
These variations not only keep things interesting, but they also help children grow in their overall Bible literacy—not just verse recall.
Tips for Leading Sword Search Challenges
• Encourage participation, not pressure. Celebrate effort, not just speed.
• Pair older and younger children. This promotes teamwork and support.
• Make it joyful. Use fun voice tones, applause, or stickers—whatever suits your group culture.
• Use it to reinforce the lesson. Always choose verses that match the day’s theme or focus.
Why This Matters
Sword Search Challenges aren’t just a memory game. They are a discipleship tool. You’re not just teaching kids to find verses—you’re training them to love the Bible, to trust it, and to know where to go when life gets tough.
The more time they spend flipping through their Bible, the more they’ll learn how to use it in their everyday lives. Let’s help them make the Bible feel like home.
At KidzConnectSA, we believe the Bible is not just a book—it’s a powerful weapon in the hands of a child who believes! That’s why every one of our lessons includes three Sword Search Challenge Verses - to help children actively engage with Scripture, not just hear it passively.
Sword Search Challenges are quick-paced, Bible-focused activities where children compete (in a friendly way) to find and read verses aloud. They’re fun, exciting, and deeply spiritual—because when kids start searching Scripture for themselves, they begin to own the Word.
What Are Sword Search Challenges?
The term comes from Ephesians 6:17, which calls the Bible “the sword of the Spirit.” In a Sword Search Challenge, children take their “sword,” hold it up, and wait for a Bible verse to be called. When the leader says “Go!”, they race to find the verse, stand, and read it aloud.
But it’s not just about speed. Sword Search Challenges build biblical fluency, confidence, and a respect for the Word of God—all while keeping kids fully engaged.
Leading Sword Search Challenges in Your Sunday Program
This activity is designed for group settings like Kids Church and even at home It’s loud, interactive, and encourages participation across different reading levels and personalities.
Here’s how it works:
1. Bibles up!
Ask everyone to hold their Bible closed in the air (no fingers in pages).
Say together: “This is my Bible—my sword of the Spirit!”
2. Call out the verse
Say the reference clearly, for example: “John 3:16!”
Repeat it once more.
3. Say ‘Go!’
Kids start searching. The first to find it stands up and reads it loudly.
4. Celebrate and repeat
Celebrate the reader! Let everyone read along. Then repeat with the next verse. You can space your three Sword Search Challenges across the lesson or do them all at once for a Bible warm-up.
Four Types of Sword Search Challenges to Keep It Fresh
To help your team or class stay excited about the Bible, try rotating through different types of challenges when time allows:
1. Scripture Challenge (The Classic)
Give a verse reference. Kids race to find it. First to find it reads it aloud. Encourage them to read with boldness and clarity—not just speed.
2. Word Challenge
Say a word like “light,” “bread,” or “lion.” Children look for any verse containing that word. When they find one, they stand up and read it, then share the reference.
3. Character Challenge
Call out a Bible person—Esther, David, Zacchaeus, etc. Kids find any verse that mentions that character and read it aloud.
4. Book Challenge
Say the name of a Bible book. Children must say (or write down) the book that comes before or after it. You can make it a relay race, quiz, or team challenge.
These variations not only keep things interesting, but they also help children grow in their overall Bible literacy—not just verse recall.
Tips for Leading Sword Search Challenges
• Encourage participation, not pressure. Celebrate effort, not just speed.
• Pair older and younger children. This promotes teamwork and support.
• Make it joyful. Use fun voice tones, applause, or stickers—whatever suits your group culture.
• Use it to reinforce the lesson. Always choose verses that match the day’s theme or focus.
Why This Matters
Sword Search Challenges aren’t just a memory game. They are a discipleship tool. You’re not just teaching kids to find verses—you’re training them to love the Bible, to trust it, and to know where to go when life gets tough.
The more time they spend flipping through their Bible, the more they’ll learn how to use it in their everyday lives. Let’s help them make the Bible feel like home.