Get Behind the Easel — A Bible Memory Verse Game Featuring Three Verses About Being Thankful to God.
Bible memory verse games are a simple, fun way to help kids hide God’s Word in their hearts. This particular activity — Get Behind the Easel — is an easy-to-run Bible memory verse game you can use with preschool and elementary groups. Below are clear materials’ lists, setup, and step-by-step directions so the whole class can practice a memory verse together.
Materials & setup
- Pocket chart (Amazon Link) or any board to display the verse (a dry-erase board, chalkboard, or large piece of poster paper works if you don’t have a pocket chart). — pocket charts can be purchased from teacher supply stores or ordered online.
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- Index cards or pre-printed verse word cards found below (one word per card; include a card for the book name and reference).
- An easel or stand so a child can stand behind the board (the board should not be permanently attached to a wall).
- Optional: cardstock for printing, laminator, and tape or pushpins for mounting cards.
How to prepare the verse
- Write each word of the chosen verse on its own index card and arrange the cards in order on the pocket chart or board.
- Choose one of the three thankful verses provided on this page (Psalm 118:1; Psalm 100:4; 1 Corinthians 15:57) and display it for the children to read aloud together a few times so they begin memorizing the words and flow.
- Recommended group size and age: best for small to medium groups (5—20 kids), ages about 4—10; older children can play a harder variation (see Variations below).
How to play — Get Behind the Easel (step-by-step)
- Invite the class to say the verse together a few times so everyone hears the verse and starts learning the sequence of words.
- Ask one child to stand behind the easel (this is the “guesser”).
- Ask a second child to quietly remove exactly one word card from the board and hand it to the teacher (or place it out of sight).
- On your signal (“GO”), the rest of the class says the verse out loud together. When they reach the missing word, they clap instead of saying that word, then continue saying the rest of the verse.
- When the verse is complete, the child behind the easel guesses which word was clapped. If correct, offer praise, a sticker, or a small treat — or a loud “Way to go!”
- Replace the missing card and play another round, letting different children stand behind the easel and remove one word at a time.
Teacher tips, accessibility & alternatives
- If you don’t have index cards, write the verse on the board and cover one word with a sticky note or paper square.
- For children who need extra support, allow them to see a small hint (the first letter) or let a peer whisper it quietly after the class completes the verse.
- Use shorter verses for younger kids or split a longer verse into two sessions so children can say the verse together across two classes.
- Keep rounds short (1—2 minutes each) so attention stays high; repeat a favorite verse across several sessions to build memory.
Sample round (teacher script)
Teacher: “Okay, let’s say Psalm 118:1 together once.”
Class: “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever.”
Teacher: “Emma, stand behind the easel. Liam, quietly take one word card and give it to me.”
Teacher: “Ready? GO!”
Class (clapping where the word is missing): “Give thanks to the Lord for He is [clap] His love endures forever.”
Teacher: “Emma, which word was clapped?”
Emma: “Lord!”
Teacher: “Way to go!”
Variations & challenge ideas
- Advanced: Remove two words (or a phrase) and ask older kids to put the entire verse back into order after guessing.
- Team play: Split the class into teams and award points for correct guesses; first team to a set score wins a small prize.
- Write-and-say: After a successful guess, have the class write the verse once on a whiteboard or paper (write verse) to reinforce memory in a different mode.
- Say verse together: Use rhythm (clap or stomp) when saying the verse together to strengthen recall.
Below you’ll find printable Bible verse word cards for the three scriptures used in this game — print them, cut on the lines, and place the pieces on your board or pocket chart. This is a fun way to help kids memorize scripture and is perfect for a Thanksgiving lesson or any week you want to encourage gratitude.
How to Download the Files
RIGHT-click the file name below and choose “Save link as…” (or tap and hold on mobile) to save the PDF to your device, then open and print as desired.
- On a desktop or laptop: RIGHT-click the file name or link you want and choose “Save link as…” (Windows) or “Download Linked File” (Mac). Choose a folder to save to so you can find the file easily.
- On a phone or tablet: tap and hold the link and select “Download link” or “Save to Files” (iOS) / “Download link” (Android). Open your device’s Downloads or Files app to locate the PDF, then open and print if desired.
Best practices & quick prep checklist
- Materials: printer, cardstock (65—110 lb recommended), scissors or paper trimmer, laminator (optional), tape or mounting putty.
- Print settings: set scaling to “Fit to page” or 100% depending on your printer; choose “Portrait” or “Landscape” as the PDF indicates; select high-quality or photo mode if available for clearer words and images.
- Cutting: trim each card on the black lines; for longevity, laminate the cards and then cut them apart. This makes cards durable for repeated games and helps kids handle pieces without tearing.
- Prep time: allow about 15—30 minutes to print, cut, and laminate a full set (varies by number of verses and pages).
Classroom & safety tips
- Plan ahead time: prepare at least one set before class, and keep extras ready so you can rotate verses for review — this helps kids remember verses over several sessions.
- Estimate game time: each round of Get Behind the Easel takes about 1—3 minutes; plan 10—15 minutes total if you want multiple children to play and to say verse together more than once.
How these materials help remember memory verses:
Writing, saying, and seeing each word (write memory verse / write verse) in different formats strengthens recall. After a successful round, have children write the verse quickly on a whiteboard or paper (write print) to reinforce learning through another activity.
Downloadable files for Bible verses about being thankful
The first set below is for Psalm 100:4 (Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.) in the KJV and NIV; links follow after this section.
Psalm 100:4 — Bible Verse Word Cards (printable)
Download printable word cards for Psalm 100:4 — arrange the cards on your board and use them in the Get Behind the Easel memory game. Each link below opens a PDF that is printer-ready; if you want all pages at once, consider using your browser’s “Save as” or creating a single ZIP of the files after downloading.
From the KJV (files & quick details)
- Page 1 — PDF (KJV) — first page of the KJV printable (cards per page: see trim lines).
- Page 2 — PDF (KJV) — continue printing pages in order for the full set.
- Page 3 — PDF (KJV)
- Page 4 — PDF (KJV)
Suggested print settings for KJV files: Use cardstock (65—110 lb) for durability; set scaling to 100% or “Fit to page” depending on your printer; print in portrait mode unless otherwise instructed by the PDF preview. Trim each card on the black lines; laminate for long-term use.
From the NIV (files & quick details)
Suggested print settings for NIV files: Same as above — cardstock and laminating recommended. These PDFs are set up for easy cutting; check your printer preview to confirm orientation and join pages if necessary.
Notes to help you use these files:
- If you plan to use these cards during multiple sessions, print extra copies so kids can handle pieces without worrying about wear.
- Label each page while trimming (e.g., “Ps100_4 — p1”) so you can quickly reassemble the set later.
- Want to say verse together as a group? Keep the cards in order on the pocket chart so the whole class can read the verse out loud and then play the guessing rounds.
- If you prefer a single download, check the site for a “Download All” option or create your own ZIP after saving each file locally.
Psalm 118:1 — Printable Verse Word Cards
Download word cards for Psalm 118:1 (Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever.). These memory verse printed cards are perfect for the Get Behind the Easel game and other bible memory verse activities. This verse works well for preschool and early elementary groups — if your class is younger, consider breaking the verse into two shorter review sessions.
From the KJV (files)
- Page 1 — PDF (KJV) — first page of the printable set.
- Page 2 — PDF (KJV)
- Page 3 — PDF (KJV) — note: filename appears slightly different; if this link does not open, try the site’s downloads page.
From the NIV (files)
1 Corinthians 15:57 — Printable Word Cards & Teaching Ideas
Downloadable Bible verse word cards for 1 Corinthians 15:57 (Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.) are provided below in both KJV and NIV. These bible memory verse cards work well in the Get Behind the Easel game and other bible memory activities. Print on sturdy paper and trim the pieces so kids can handle the cards during play.
From the KJV (files)
From the NIV (files)
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When I was a children’s director at a church, this was my kids’ favorite Bible memory verse game to play! They loved and so did I. 🙂