Study Tip

There are so many ways to study, but here's one little method that I use that might help you:

Take a sheet of notebook paper and write out your assigned verses from one chapter on it. Writing the verses is a good study technique in itself, but if you want to create a special study aid for yourself, you can do it this way:

• Underline or highlight the key words
• Write each new verse on a new line with its reference
• Draw a box next to each verse reference so that you or whoever quizzes you can check it off when you quote it

Here's a picture of the chapter 1 verses that I wrote out in this format:

Once you write out the verses you were assigned for each chapter, you can make copies of the sheets. Hand the copies to a friend or family member who can quiz you. Have them say the references in scrambled order, and try to quote the verses word-perfect. Once you get it right they can check it off. Also, you can have them say a key word and have you quote the verse that has it.

This should help you both with your knowledge of the verses and also with your knowledge of the references. It also makes it easier on the person quizzing you- they don't have to try to look up a bunch of different verses in your quiz book. It's nice to have all your assigned verses written out in one place. Give it a try! =)

Peter

     Getting ready for next practice, I came across the verses in Matthew 16 where Jesus tells Peter how blessed he is for realizing who Jesus is.  He tells Peter that He will build His church on him.  That would be pretty cool.  Then, just a few verses later, this happens:

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.  Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”  Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matthew 16:21-23 NIV 1984)

     This verse reminds me of two things.  One, I'm not the only one who has a great moment, followed by a really bad one.  Also, the enemy tries to distract us from the things of God by getting us to focus on the world around us.  While it is important to be aware of our surroundings, Jesus and His kingdom should be our focus.

True Worship

“‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
9 They worship me in vain;
their teachings are but rules taught by men.’”
-Matthew 15:8-9

As I memorized those verses, they made me think of a song called "Heart of Worship"...

I'll bring you more than a song
for a song in itself is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart...

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
where it's all about You, all about You Jesus
I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it
when it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus

Another song that came to my mind is "Clear the Stage" by Jimmy Needham. Part of it goes like this:

"Take a break from all the plans that you have made, and
sit home alone and wait for God to whisper
Beg him please to open his mouth and speak and pray for
real upon your knees until they blister...
Shine the light on every corner of your life until the
pride, and lust, and lies are in the open
Then read the word and put to test the things you’ve
heard until your heart and soul are stirred and rocked
and broken
Cause you can sing all you want to
Oh you can sing all you want to
You can sing all you want to, and still get it wrong
Oh worship is more than a song"

It's true. Worship is so much more than a song. God isn't after a talented voice or a perfect song. He wants our hearts to be in it. And we can worship Him in so many ways that go beyond singing. We can worship God by giving Him our best effort and praising Him at all times in Bible quizzing. Even obedience in little things can be an act of worship. In Romans it says that surrendering our lives as living sacrifices to God is our act of worship.

Mainly what I got out of these two verses is that God cares more about the heart than the song- He said, "their hearts are far from Me... they worship Me in vain."

God knows our hearts. Let's worship Him with everything we do, because He is worthy!

Post-Meet Musings.

Hey Lighthouse!

     So Fox Island is over, and it was a really interesting meet.  I know Lighthouse 1 nearly made it to finals in spite of a rough first night, Lighthouse 2 was in Consolation A, and Lighthouse 3 made it all the way to Consolation B finals.  Congratulations to all the teams on their excellent statistics.  They're pretty impressive.  But while I was in the middle of this meet (night one, more specifically) I was reminded by Matthew 6:33-34 that our success is not measured by numbers, but by how we glorify God and seek to serve Him with our quizzing.  It's His sport, after all, being based on His word.  So while the numbers say one thing, we must of course fix our eyes on Jesus and remember that His love stands through everything and is what enables us to do this.  With Meet number 3 on the way, let's keep that in mind.  Well done everyone.  Have a good week unwinding (or studying, preferably).  See you later,

-J

Matthew 6:33-34
    "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (NIV1984)

Top Ten Things Not to Do at a Bible Quiz Meet

10. Use Crisco or any other kind of cooking oil in your answer.

9. Challenge a Rookie (for any reason).

8. Quote 1 Corinthians, Phillipians, or Genesis.

7. Stand there and not say anything after you've won the jump.

6. Trip and pull all the quizzing equipment to the floor...in the middle of a quiz.

5. Jump before a bonus question has been completely read by the quizmaster (your coach will throw something at you).

4. Go to the youth room...when you have back to back quizzes.

3. Jump on "blessed are..."

2. Growl at the quizmaster.

1. Forget Who you're here for.

Word of God Speak

Hi Quizzers!

So, as you probably already know, the main point of Bible quizzing isn't just to have fun competing with a bunch of friends. The purpose of Bible quizzing is to motivate us to soak up God's Word. And I've found that the more verses I memorize, and the more I quote and review; the more I find those verses flowing through my brain naturally, helping me in times of need, and encouraging me, or enabling me to encourage others. Memorizing Scripture brings so many wonderful blessings!

These are the lyrics to a song by MercyMe called "Word of God Speak". This can be our prayer as we sit down to study Matthew!

"I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say

Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak

I'm finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice

I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay"

I encourage you to press on and keep studying, and let God's Word speak to you. Have a great week!

Hello Bible Quizzers!

So, here's the first post on this new blog.  As time goes on, it will expand and grow to include any number of things.  With the help of multiple authors, I hope this blog brings God glory and helps encourage and inform those quizzers (myself included) who will read it.  With that in mind, I offer you the first tip on this blog.

The phrase "stands firm" is not boldfaced in the quizzing book, but both words are still key because the only other times they appear in Matthew are outside of the material we are studying this year.  They show up in

Matthew 10:22

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984) 
"All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved."

In other words, any question like "stands how?", or that includes either word will be from this verse and this verse only.

Ciao,
-J