This Bible word search makes a new puzzle every time you tap the button. Choose a theme and a size, find the words on your phone or tablet, or print the puzzle for a class. You can also make a word search from your own list of words.
How to play
- Tap the first letter of a word, then its last letter. If the word is in the list, it turns green and is crossed off.
- Easy puzzles hide the words across and down only. Medium puzzles add diagonals. In hard puzzles the words can also run backwards.
- “New puzzle” mixes the letters again and, in the larger themes, picks a different set of words.
- “Show the answers” marks every word, for checking or for when you are stuck.
Printable Bible word search
Tap “Print this puzzle”. Only the puzzle and its word list are printed, on one sheet, with no menus and no advertisements. In the print window you can also save the sheet as a PDF.
For a class, print one easy and one hard puzzle of the same theme, so that quicker children have something more to do. Every tap on “New puzzle” gives a different sheet, so neighbours cannot copy.
The themes and their words
There are 14 themes. These are all the words each theme draws from:
- Books of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, Peter, Jude, Revelation
- Books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Tobit, Judith, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Wisdom, Sirach, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Jonah, Micah
- The twelve apostles: Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, Thaddeus, Simon, Judas, Matthias
- Christmas: Bethlehem, Manger, Mary, Joseph, Jesus, Angel, Shepherds, Star, Magi, Gold, Frankincense, Myrrh, Stable, Emmanuel, Nazareth, Gabriel
- Advent: Advent, Wreath, Candle, Purple, Rose, Hope, Peace, Joy, Love, Isaiah, Prophet, Wait, Prepare, Gabriel, Nazareth, Emmanuel, Jesse
- Holy Week and Easter: Palms, Hosanna, Supper, Gethsemane, Pilate, Cross, Calvary, Tomb, Stone, Angel, Risen, Alleluia, Magdalene, Emmaus, Thomas, Peace
- Lent: Ashes, Fasting, Prayer, Alms, Desert, Forty, Penance, Confession, Mercy, Cross, Stations, Sacrifice, Purple, Repent, Passion
- Creation: Light, Sky, Land, Sea, Sun, Moon, Stars, Fish, Birds, Animals, Man, Woman, Garden, Eden, Rest, Seventh
- People of the Old Testament: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, Joshua, Gideon, Samson, Samuel, David, Solomon, Elijah, Elisha, Daniel, Jonah
- Women of the Bible: Eve, Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Leah, Miriam, Deborah, Ruth, Naomi, Hannah, Esther, Judith, Mary, Elizabeth, Martha, Anna, Magdalene, Lydia
- Fruits of the Holy Spirit: Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Generosity, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Modesty, Self-control, Chastity
- The Mass: Altar, Chalice, Paten, Host, Gospel, Homily, Creed, Gloria, Sanctus, Amen, Psalm, Priest, Deacon, Candle, Incense, Blessing, Communion, Offertory
- The sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing, Matrimony, Orders, Grace, Water, Oil, Bread, Wine, Chrism, Forgiveness
- Saints: Peter, Paul, Francis, Clare, Benedict, Augustine, Monica, Patrick, Therese, Bernadette, Dominic, Ignatius, Anthony, Joseph, Teresa, Nicholas, Lucy, Cecilia
Make your own word search
Open “Make a puzzle from your own words” under the puzzle and type your words, one on each line: the names of the children in your class, the vocabulary of this week’s lesson, the saints of the month. Spaces and hyphens are left out, so “Holy Spirit” becomes HOLYSPIRIT. Up to eighteen words fit; words that are too long for the chosen size are skipped.
Ideas for class and parish
- Opening activity: hand out the puzzle of the day’s theme while the children arrive.
- After the story: let each child choose one word they found and say what it has to do with the story.
- Seasons: use the Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter themes as the year goes on.
- First Communion and Confirmation classes: the themes “The Mass”, “The sacraments” and “Fruits of the Holy Spirit” go over the words the children need to know.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Bible word search puzzles free?
Yes. You can play and print as many as you like, for home, school or parish, without an account.
Can I use the puzzles in my parish bulletin or class?
Yes. Print or copy them freely; you do not need to ask.
Does it work on a phone?
Yes. The easy and medium sizes fit a phone screen well. The hard size is more comfortable on a tablet or on paper.
Which spelling of the names do the puzzles use?
The usual spelling of modern English Bibles: Isaiah, Elijah, Rebekah. The Old Testament themes include books found in Catholic Bibles, such as Tobit, Judith, Wisdom and Sirach.