Instructions for Investigators: Welcome to the Master Archive! This is not a test of your memory; it is a test of your observation. The answers to the mysteries below are hiding in plain sight in your Bibles. You will need a sharp mind and a keen eye for detail. Any major translation will work.
Solve each Case File to extract a Key Number. You will use all your Key Numbers at the very end to do some math and unlock the Ultimate Vault!
Location: The Walls of Jericho (Old Testament) The Mystery: We all know the Israelites marched around the city of Jericho and the walls came tumbling down. But the procession was organized very specifically by God. Read Joshua 6:4. You will see that a specific number of priests marched in front of the Ark of the Covenant, carrying a specific number of trumpets.
- Answer: ____________________
- Wit Check: How many priests carrying trumpets were there? This digit is Key Number 1.
- Key Number 1: [ ___ ]
Location: The Days of the Judges (Old Testament) The Mystery: Samson gets all the fame, but there was another Judge of Israel who saved the nation using nothing but a farmer's tool (an oxgoad). Read Judges 3:31. Look at the massive number of Philistine enemies this lone man, Shamgar, defeated.
- Answer: ____________________
- Wit Check: Look at the total number of enemies Shamgar defeated. Take the very first digit of that large number. This is Key Number 2.
- Key Number 2: [ ___ ]
Location: The Valley of Elah (Old Testament) The Mystery: The story of David and Goliath is famous. We all know that David only needed one stone to bring down the giant. But read 1 Samuel 17:40. Before he stepped onto the battlefield, David went to a stream to gather his ammunition. Exactly how many smooth stones did David put into his shepherd's bag?
- Answer: ____________________
- Wit Check: The exact number of stones David picked up is Key Number 3.
- Key Number 3: [ ___ ]
Location: Babylon (Old Testament) The Mystery: King Nebuchadnezzar was furious when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow to his statue. Read Daniel 3:24-25. The King had exactly THREE men tied up and thrown into the blazing furnace. But when he leaped to his feet in amazement, how many men did he say he actually saw walking around loose in the fire?
- Answer: ____________________
- Wit Check: The number of men the King saw in the flames is Key Number 4.
- Key Number 4: [ ___ ]
Location: A Village in Judea (New Testament) The Mystery: Jesus told a parable about a man who has a visitor arrive in the middle of the night. Having no food, the man goes to his neighbor's house at midnight to beg for bread. Read Luke 11:5. He doesn’t just ask for "some bread"—he asks for a very specific amount!
- Answer: ____________________
- Wit Check: Exactly how many loaves of bread does the man ask his neighbor for? This is Key Number 5.
- Key Number 5: [ ___ ]
Location: A Vision in Patmos (New Testament) The Mystery: The Apostle John is given a vision of heaven. Around God’s throne, he sees four incredible "living creatures" covered in eyes. Read Revelation 4:8. Look closely at the description of these creatures.
- Answer: ____________________
- Wit Check: Exactly how many wings does each individual creature have? This is Key Number 6.
- Key Number 6: [ ___ ]
You have gathered all six Key Numbers. It is time to unlock the Ultimate Vault. Use your wits and your math skills to find the exact Book, Chapter, and Verse of the Bible that holds today's treasure!
Your Key Numbers:
[Key 1: ___ ] | [Key 2: ___ ] | [Key 3: ___ ]
[Key 4: ___ ] | [Key 5: ___ ] | [Key 6: ___ ]
Find the Target BOOK: Multiply Key 3 by Key 5. Then add Key 4. ( ___ x ___ ) + ___ = BOOK ______ (Hint: Open your Bible's Table of Contents. Count down the list of books in order. Genesis is 1, Exodus is 2, etc. What is the name of the book at this number?) Book Name: _______________________
Find the Target CHAPTER: Multiply Key 3, by Key 6, by Key 4. Then subtract (Key 1 minus Key 2). ( ___ x ___ x ___ ) - ( ___ - ___ ) = CHAPTER ______
Find the Target VERSE: Multiply Key 1, by Key 3, by Key 5. ( ___ x ___ x ___ ) = VERSE ______
The Final Directive: Look up the Book, Chapter, and Verse you just calculated! Read it aloud with your church group. According to this verse, what two things does God's Word act as in our lives?
- Case 1: 7. Key 1 = 7
- Case 2: 6. Key 2 = 6
- Case 3: 5. Key 3 = 5
- Case 4: 4. Key 4 = 4
- Case 5: 3. Key 5 = 3
- Case 6: 6. Key 6 = 6
The Math:
- Book: (5 x 3) + 4 = 19 (Psalms)
- Chapter: (5 x 6 x 4) - (7 - 6) = 119
- Verse: (7 x 5 x 3) = 105
- Final Answer: Psalm 119:105 ("Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.")