Bible Bee
I know you’ve heard about the National Spelling Bee. But have you heard about the National Bible Bee? In terms of memorization and recitation, it makes the National Spelling Bee look like a game of tidily winks.
In an article for the New York Times titled "Memorize Nearly 1,000 Bible Verses? For These Young Christians, It’s Game On.", Ruth Graham, (not to be confused with Billy Graham’s wife) writes…
“Daniel Chew, a 9-year-old from Sugar Land, Texas, memorizes Bible verses. Lots of Bible verses! At the National Bible Bee finals (Nov. 2024) under spotlights on a stage in Orlando, Fla., Daniel smoothly recited 19 verses from the New Testament book of Romans to win the finals for his age group at the 16th annual National Bible Bee.
He was one of about 360 children and teenagers assembled this week for a competition whose slogan is ‘To know God’s Word and make Him known.’
The Bee … demands astonishing feats of memorization that make the televised National Spelling Bee look like a game of tic-tac-toe. Competitors at Daniel’s level memorized more than 570 verses, which they were expected to be able to recite on command.
At the senior level, ages 15 to 18, participants memorize 938 Bible verses, adding up to more than 20,000 words. In some rounds of competition, making even a single error in a long passage — an errant plural or wrong verb tense — leads to elimination.”
It’s really an amazing accomplishment by these young people, and it gives new meaning to the passage that says… “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.” (Psalm 119:11–16)
Memorizing scripture is not just for the young. Each of us benefit when we hide God’s Word in our heart. So let me suggest a few steps to help you either begin that process or renew the process if you have gotten away from it.
1.Purchase a scripture memory card set if you would like an already organized process… the “Bible Verses Card Deck” available on Amazon.
2.Make your own 3x5 cards with verses you love or desire to learn.
3.Set a consistent time to daily review the verse or verses you are memorizing.
4.Put the verse card on the refrigerator, at your desk, on the mirror, etc. Any place that will keep it in front of you.
5.Don’t worry about the pace. It is better to learn a verse well before moving on to another. It may require a few days or even a few weeks. The important thing is, stay at it.
6.File the verses you learn and periodically pull them out for review.
7.And if you’re not afraid to hear your own voice, speak or sing the verse… it is amazing how well we learn songs, so apply the same repetition to memorization.
Well, what are you waiting for? Get started this week. And remember, God is always trying to take you someplace new. I love being your Pastor!
For God’s Glory Alone,
Pastor Ray
Image credit: Unsplash
In an article for the New York Times titled "Memorize Nearly 1,000 Bible Verses? For These Young Christians, It’s Game On.", Ruth Graham, (not to be confused with Billy Graham’s wife) writes…
“Daniel Chew, a 9-year-old from Sugar Land, Texas, memorizes Bible verses. Lots of Bible verses! At the National Bible Bee finals (Nov. 2024) under spotlights on a stage in Orlando, Fla., Daniel smoothly recited 19 verses from the New Testament book of Romans to win the finals for his age group at the 16th annual National Bible Bee.
He was one of about 360 children and teenagers assembled this week for a competition whose slogan is ‘To know God’s Word and make Him known.’
The Bee … demands astonishing feats of memorization that make the televised National Spelling Bee look like a game of tic-tac-toe. Competitors at Daniel’s level memorized more than 570 verses, which they were expected to be able to recite on command.
At the senior level, ages 15 to 18, participants memorize 938 Bible verses, adding up to more than 20,000 words. In some rounds of competition, making even a single error in a long passage — an errant plural or wrong verb tense — leads to elimination.”
It’s really an amazing accomplishment by these young people, and it gives new meaning to the passage that says… “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.” (Psalm 119:11–16)
Memorizing scripture is not just for the young. Each of us benefit when we hide God’s Word in our heart. So let me suggest a few steps to help you either begin that process or renew the process if you have gotten away from it.
1.Purchase a scripture memory card set if you would like an already organized process… the “Bible Verses Card Deck” available on Amazon.
2.Make your own 3x5 cards with verses you love or desire to learn.
3.Set a consistent time to daily review the verse or verses you are memorizing.
4.Put the verse card on the refrigerator, at your desk, on the mirror, etc. Any place that will keep it in front of you.
5.Don’t worry about the pace. It is better to learn a verse well before moving on to another. It may require a few days or even a few weeks. The important thing is, stay at it.
6.File the verses you learn and periodically pull them out for review.
7.And if you’re not afraid to hear your own voice, speak or sing the verse… it is amazing how well we learn songs, so apply the same repetition to memorization.
Well, what are you waiting for? Get started this week. And remember, God is always trying to take you someplace new. I love being your Pastor!
For God’s Glory Alone,
Pastor Ray
Image credit: Unsplash
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