(Originally Posted in the Rotation.org JULY 2011 EMAIL NEWSLETTER)

Paul as a Letter Writer

New Testament Epistles Clothespin Game

Summary:

Play a game to learn the names and the sequence of ALL the New Testament Epistles and General Letters, not just Paul's letters.

Materials List:

• Baskets or boxes
• Bibles
• Clip clothespins (22 per game/student)
• Permanent markers (fine tipped work best)
• Poster board or cardboard
• Rulers
• Scissors or mat knife

Advance Preparation:

• Prepare one game board and twenty-two game pieces for the group or cut poster board or cardboard into one twelve-inch square per participant.

  Update: Or print off the attached gameboard onto white 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock.

• Read the scripture ahead of time.
• Gather the materials.

Lesson Plan

Opening:

Greet the children and introduce yourself.

Open with a prayer.

Dig:

Twenty-one letters, called Epistles, form the majority of the New Testament books of the Bible.  Thirteen letters composed by Paul are known to be the earliest writings in the New Testament.  Called the Pauline Epistles, this correspondence is directed to specific churches and individuals.  The last eight Epistles are designated as "General" because they are not addressed to specific places or people.  Seven of the General Epistles are named for their authors -- one each for James and Jude, two for Peter, and three for John.  Most scholars consider the authorship of Hebrews to be unknown.

Although each of the letters has its own specific purpose and theme, all twenty-one Epistles amplify and clarify the content of the Gospels, stress the importance of correct doctrine, and relate doctrine to daily life.

Play a game to learn the names and the sequence of the New Testament Epistles.  Use the game board and playing pieces provided or make a set for each student to keep.

To create a set, cut out or choose a twelve-inch poster board square.  Draw a one-inch border around the four sides of the square.  Divide two sides of the border into six equal sections and the other two sides into five equal sections.  Beginning at one corner of the board, letter the word "Epistles" in the first square, print "Pauline" in the next thirteen spaces, and write "General" in the next eight.

To make the playing pieces, count out twenty-two clip clothespins.  Using permanent marker, print the words "New Testament" on one clothespin, and letter the name of each Epistle on the remaining twenty-one.  If it is not possible to write directly on the plastic or wood, print the words on small pieces of paper and glue or tape them to the clothespins. (Pictured wooden clothespins were written on using a fine-tipped black permanent marker onto wooden clothespins.)

Try the game.  Mix up the clothespins, place them in a basket or box, and set the container in the center of the game board.  Pick one clothespin at a time and read the name of the book that's written on it.  First decide if the book is a Pauline Epistle or a General Epistle.  Then clip the pin to a square on the board, putting the books in their proper New Testament sequence.  The "New Testament" clothespin should be attached to the square labeled "Epistles."

Reflection:

End with a prayer.

A lesson written by Phyllis Wezeman

Update: Graphics and boardgame.pdf created by Luanne Payne.

A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.