Elementary Margin
FIND IT!

FIND THE PEOPLE

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Who's in this story—and what is each person doing here?

Bible stories can become confusing when several people are talking or moving at once. This method teaches children to identify characters before trying to understand the entire story.

For the Child

Find everyone named in the passage. Then choose one person at a time and ask:

What did they say? What did they do?

For the Grown-Up

Names may be difficult for beginning readers. Read names aloud and let the child visually hunt for the same word. For a non-reader, assign each character a small object or figure and move it when that person appears.

Workpage: Who's Here? Character Hunt (optional)

  • Scripture: Mark 4:35–41
    Time: 10–15 minutes

    Prompt: Find Jesus and His disciples. Watch what each does during the storm.

    Directions: Make two sections: Jesus / Disciples. Add their words and actions.

    Take It to the Margin: Who do the disciples start asking questions about after the storm stops?

    For the Grown-Up: Read aloud and let your child call out Jesus or disciples after each action. If writing is difficult, you can record their answers.

  • Scripture: Luke 2:1–20
    Time: 15–20 minutes

    Prompt: There are more people in Luke's story than Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.

    Directions: Find Mary, Joseph, Jesus, shepherds, angels, and Caesar Augustus. Notice which people actually appear near Jesus.

    Take It to the Margin: Who visits Jesus in Luke's account?

    For the Grown-Up: Read the names before starting so your child knows what they're hunting. A non-reader can use simple character pictures or figures.

  • Scripture: Exodus 17:8–13
    Time: 15–20 minutes

    Prompt: Moses isn't the only person doing something in this battle.

    Directions: Find Moses, Joshua, Aaron, Hur, and Amalek. Determine what each person or group does.

    Take It to the Margin: Who helps Moses when his hands become tired?

    For the Grown-Up: Act this one out. Let the child hold their arms up while you read. Physical reenactment can make each person's role much easier to process.

  • Scripture: John 20:1–18
    Time: 20–25 minutes

    Prompt: People keep arriving and leaving. Keep track of who's where.

    Directions: Find Mary Magdalene, Peter, the other disciple, the angels, and Jesus. Track when each appears.

    Take It to the Margin: Who recognizes Jesus after He calls her name?

    For the Grown-Up: This passage has movement. Use character tokens if needed. Move each token toward or away from a drawn “tomb” as you read.

  • Scripture: John 19:25–27
    Time: 10–15 minutes

    Prompt: Look carefully at who John says is standing nearby.

    Directions: Find the people named and notice what Jesus says from the cross.

    Take It to the Margin: Who does Jesus speak to, and what does He tell them?

    For the Grown-Up: Multiple women share the name Mary. Explain that different people can have the same name, then help the child distinguish them using the descriptions John gives.