If you would like ideas for activities and extensions for your Bible Readings, this Bible Reading Challenge is for you! Below you will find a challenge sheet filled with a variety of activities. Some activities may be particularly suited for children and families, while others may be suited for adults and teens – there is something for everyone. Each activity collects a certain number of points with a goal of 1000 points.
One of the best parts of a challenge is doing it together. Share your thoughts, favourite verses, quotes, reviews, photos, artwork, etc. in “Sisters Bible Study” on Facebook or “readthebiblechallenge” on Instagram with the hashtag #genesistojob and #2020readthebiblechallenge!
To see all of the challenges go to: www.magnifyhimtogether.com/bible-reading-challenge.
Badgebook and Badges
Print out the Badgebook (print front and back), Badgebook Cover, and badges (Avery 22866 Badge Stickers 2 Sam to Job Black and White or Avery 22856 Badge Stickers 2 Sam to Job Color). You can also order the Badges as magnets at Christadelphian Book Supply (see: www.magnifyhimtogether.com/2020/07/01/books-of-the-bible-magnets-genesis-through-ezra/).
2 Kings Challenge Sheet
2 Kings Challenge Sheet PDF – see below for details for each of the activities.
Details for the Challenge Sheet Activities
READ
Using the Bible Reading Companion, read every chapter of 2 Kings. You can download the digital photo of the reading list (save it on your phone and use your photo editing to check off the boxes you have read), or print the less colorful version.
 2 Kings Non-Printable |
 2 Kings Printable |
BIBLE JOURNAL
Use a notebook or a Bible Reading Journal to take notes while you read. You can download a page of suggestions (Bible Journal suggestions) to paste in your notebook if you wish. Share your thoughts or favourite verses. This is the link for the 1 Samuel to Job Bible Reading Journal.
BIBLE ART
Choose a verse from the 2 Kings that exhorts or encourages you during your bible readings.
Share it here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1393428964180459
BIBLE MARKING
Underline each time it says “according to the word of the LORD”. This occurs quite often in 1 Kings too. What does this tell you about the word of the LORD?
BOOK (or LITERATURE)
Read one of the following books:
Hezekiah the Great and The Songs of Degrees by Harry Whittaker and George Booker Christadelphian Book Supply
Elijah and Elisha by Edmund Green Christadelphian Book Supply
Share a quotation or a review on social media.
DIG DEEPER
Learn about the discovery of King Hezekiah’s bulla and other archaeological evidence from his reign: King Hezekiah’s Seal Impression Found in the Ophel Excavations, Jerusalem
GEOGRAPHY
Draw a map of the Assyrian empire. The Assyrian Empire – Bible Maps
Note how far away the captives were taken from their home: www.seektheoldpaths.com/Maps/069.jpg.
FOOD
Elisha’s pot of stew: www.haaretz.com/archaeology/
QUIZ
Sometimes a question to find the answer to can be helpful to keep little ones engaged. Aquila N. Priscilla has done an excellent job preparing lots of questions to ask before or after reading – you can find their book for purchase here: Know Questions: Genesis to Job. Alternatively, complete this crossword – the-kings-of-2-kings – all about the Kings of 2 Kings.
MEDIA
Search for either of these series of talks on Christadelphian Bible Talks and Exhortations: Josiah and His Children by Stephen Palmer or Elisha the Man of God by John Martin. Share a thought or review on social media using #genesistojob
TIMELINE
Colour in the kings as you read about them on this chart: Kings of Israel and Judah Chart – Magnify Him Together
MEMORY VERSE 
Learn these three verses by heart: 2 Kings 5:13, 2 Kings 13:23, 2 Kings 20:3. You can print out the bookmark PDF of these three verses to help you memorize them. You can also colour them, use them as bookmarks, or use them as a template to journal into your Bible margin.
LANGUAGE
The stories of the Kings of Israel and Judah spiral towards disaster, until, in the case of the Kings of Israel we are told: “Then the King of Assyria carried Israel away captive…because they did not obey the voice of the LORD their God, but transgressed His covenant…” 2 Kings 18:11-12. Spend some time researching the word “transgressed.” It carries a visual connotation in Hebrew that has practical implications for when we willingly pass by the Word of God. This link explains how to do a word study including a template that may help: How to Do a Bible Word Study – Template Included. Share what you learn!
OUR WORLD
Learn about how sundials work and try your hand at making one work: Create a Sundial – Science Fair Project
HYMN STUDY
Spending time with a hymn related to the Bible passage that you are reading can enrich what you are reading. You can approach a hymn study in many ways. This month’s hymn is 87 Hallelujah, Raise O Raise.
Option 1) If you don’t know the hymn already, you can learn to play and sing it. This website provides piano music for each of the hymns that you can sing along with.
Option 2) Sing it daily for a week.
Option 3) Write out the hymn (you can use this template!), and write Bible passages that relate to the different lines from the hymns along the side (you can also mark this right into your hymnbook to make the hymn more meaningful the next time you sing it).
ART PROJECT
Make some clay hearts to remind you of Josiah, who turned to the LORD with ALL his heart! For ideas: Lace Hearts (Made with Air Dry Clay) Make Beautiful Homemade Heart Ornaments & Magnets or How to Make Clay Coil Hearts (Easy Clay Projects for Kids). Share your creations on Instagram with hashtag #genesistojob.
THE HEART
Be a good example.
In the books of 1 and 2 Kings, we see the effects on the nations of Israel and Judah of leaders who did evil in the sight of the LORD and those who did what was right in the sight of the LORD. Sometimes we don’t think as much as we should about the effect we have on the people around us.
“In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.” (Titus 2:7-8)
Thank you to all the contributors for this Bible Reading Challenge: Julie S, Bailey M, Karen P, Sharon K, Susanna L!!!
For more Bible Reading ideas check out the following links:
www.magnifyhimtogether.com/2019/10/02/dynamic-bible-readings-for-the-whole-family/
www.magnifyhimtogether.com/2019/01/09/bible-reading-templates-for-adults-and-children/
www.magnifyhimtogether.com/2018/07/04/family-bible-reading-book-review/
www.magnifyhimtogether.com/2019/07/03/bible-reading-discussion-cards/