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The Bible Challenge

I am the eternal Junior’s Sunday school teacher. Or at least that is the way it seems. After forty years of teaching Juniors you might think that I have it all down pat. I don’t. It is always a challenge. So In my recent quest to help my Juniors realize the importance of God’s Word I proposed that they memorize the names of the sixty-six books. It seems such a daunting task to a Junior. All of those STRANGE names like Deuteronomy, Habakkuk, Zephaniah and Hezekiah!

That last one was a test to see if you were really paying attention. Sixty-six book are definitely a challenge whether or not you are a Junior. However, I have tossed a tad bit of an incentive into the mind busting equasion. “Say the books and get The Book!” If you have never said them from memory, reciting the books will get you a brand spanking new, great smelling, Bible. I love the smell of a new Bible. Even an imitation leather one.

So the interest is picking up. Just two weeks ago Larissa was the first to break the biblical ice. She had been memorizing for about three weeks and making great progress each week. Then Sunday morning she came jumping and squiggling dying to say the books. She was also very interested in having a Bible drill.

Mr. Gordon Ainsworth, one of my college profs, once gave us a great mnemonic for memorizing and categorizing the books. It went like this: 5, 12, 5, 5, 12 and 4, 1, 21, 1. The first series represents the books of the Old Testament. 

  • 5 books of the Law of Moses, 
  • 12 books of History of the Jewish nation, 
  • 5 books of poetry, 
  • 5 major prophets and 
  • 12 minor prophets. 
The second grouping represents, of course, the New Testament. 

  • 4 Gospels, 
  • 1 History of the church, 
  • 21 letters from various authors, and 
  • 1 prophecy.

With this little tool and some dedication three more of my Juniors have already said all of the books! Evelyn, Rafaele and Marina have each earned a new Bible.

You there. Yes You! You, who at your age has never ever learned the names of the sixty-six books of God’s Book. Do you think that you could do what these 11 and 12 year old girls have done? If you do I’ll get you a new Bible! How bout it? Are you up to the Bible challenge? Do you want Portuguese or English?

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