The Walking Bible of West Tennessee

As Bible Quizzers, we work very hard to learn scripture. But for some, memorization is an inborn gift and the wise ones use that gift to commit the Bible to their memory. One such man in Tennessee has memorized so much of the Bible that he can recite almost any portion from memory at any time. And apparently, he is challenged all the time.

For more than 44 years, Matlock has been evangelizing, at the encouragement of his parents, Matlock said.

"I started studying the gospel when I was 12 years old, along with my homework," he said. "I used to sit and learn spelling words. I thought, 'If I can memorize my homework, I can memorize scripture.'"

The first passage Matlock memorized was John 1:1-5. From there, he moved on to other well-known passages to cover the entire Bible. His favorite verse is Romans 8:31.

"I want a relationship with Jesus more than just reading and memorizing verses," he said.

Who knows where your scripture memorization may take you in the years to come?

HUMOR: What Would Jesus Do?

A young boy had just gotten his driving permit. He asked his father, who was a minister, if they could discuss his use of the car.

"I'll make a deal with you," said his father. "You bring your grades up, study your Bible a little, get your hair cut, and then we'll talk."
A month later the boy came back and again asked his father if they could discuss his use of the car.

"Son, I'm real proud of you. You've brought your grades up and you've studied your Bible, but you didn't get hair cut!"

"You know, Dad, I've been thinking about that. Samson had long hair, Moses had long hair, Noah had long hair, and even Jesus had long hair."

"Yes son, and they walked everywhere they went!"

Essex Fells Fall Fair

For the first Quiz Meet of the year, we will NOT be going into NYC. However, it turns out that the Essex Fells Church is sponsoring a "Fall Fair" which Trumbull will attend after the meet. Looks like a fun time of games, treats, and souvenirs. More info to come, but keep this in mind for Saturday, September 19.

Theodicy

And for the truly curious, a definition of that word in the post title.

Reference Questions for 1 Corinthians 1-7

Yesterday was all about Finish-the-the-Verse. Today is all about Reference Questions. The preliminary list of reference questions is up and ready for your review. This list only covers 1 Corinthians chapters 1 thru 7, but the other chapters will be along shortly.

Last year, we had quite a competition amongst the guys to see who could do the best on references. Who will be this year's Reference King... or perhaps there will be a Reference Queen this year? Download it now and print, to give yourself a head start.

REMINDER: Kickoff is one week from TODAY

An important reminder to the team - the Kickoff Meeting is one week from today. Parents, quizzers, and potential quizzers are welcome at 7:00 PM in the Round Room. We'll have a brief presentation on quizzing, have time for questions, and let everyone know more about the ministry. There is no commitment for showing up the first time.

Happy birthday, Coach Michelina!

All of us here at the Quizzer's Pad want to wish Coach Michelina a VERY happy birthday. May this upcoming year be the best one yet! (Quizzers and coaches can leave their birthday wishes in the comments below.)

Finish the Verse Questions for 1 and 2 Corinthians

The Finish-the-Verse list for this upcoming season is now up and ready. Below is the list of verses, but you can also click here to get the full written list of verses with jump-words. Remember, these answers must be provided word-perfect, so they are not for the feint of heart.

1 CORINTHIANS
Chapter 1: 9, 18, 22-24, 25, 27-29, 31
Chapter 2: 4-5, 9-10, 14
Chapter 3: 6-7, 12-13, 16-17, 19-20
Chapter 4: 2, 5
Chapter 5: 11
Chapter 6: 9-10, 12, 14, 18, 19-20
Chapter 7: 19, 39
Chapter 8: 6, 9, 12
Chapter 9: 14, 19, 22-23
Chapter 10: 11-12, 13, 31, 32-33
Chapter 11: 3, 11-12, 23-24, 25, 26, 27, 28-29, 32
Chapter 12: 4-6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 18, 26
Chapter 13: 1, 2, 3, 4-5, 6-7, 8, 9-10, 13
Chapter 14: 12, 40
Chapter 15: 3-5, 13-14, 19, 20, 21-22, 33, 51-52, 55-57, 58
Chapter 16: 2, 13-14

2 CORINTHIANS
Chapter 1: 3-4, 21-22
Chapter 2: 14, 15-16
Chapter 3: 3, 17
Chapter 4: 4, 6, 7, 10, 17-18
Chapter 5: 1, 7, 9-10, 14-15, 17, 20, 21
Chapter 6: 2, 14-15, 17
Chapter 7: 1, 10
Chapter 8: 9
Chapter 9: 6, 7, 8, 10
Chapter 10: 3-4, 5-6, 17-18
Chapter 11: 14-15
Chapter 12: 9, 10, 12
Chapter 13: 5-6

HUMOR: Names are funny things

A burglar enters a home and is greeted by "Jesus is watching!"
He shines his flashlight around and finds no one.
He takes another step to hear "Jesus is watching you."
This time he shines the light to discover a parrot.
He asks, "Was that you talking ?"
The parrot answers "Yes."
The burglar asks, "What is your name?"
The parrot replies, "Clarence."
The burglar asks, "What idiot named you Clarence?"
The parrot replies, "The same idiot that named the Doberman Jesus."

VIDEO SERIES: What is a situation question?

A situation question provides a Biblical quote (i.e. something a person said) and then asked for specific information about that quote. You may be asked to provide information like "Who said it?", "How was it said?", or "To whom was it said?" And in most cases you'll be asked many of those at once - "Who said it, to whom, and how?"

A Wolfish Grin

VIDEO SERIES: What is a Finish-The-Verse question?

A Finish-the-Verse question (sometimes called an "FTV") is a question where an entire verse or set of verses must be recited perfectly, word-for-word, with reference. The list of FTVs is provided at the beginning of the year, so they are known. Precision is key with these questions, as even one wrong word makes you incorrect.

VIDEO SERIES: What is a Reference Question?

A reference question is asked on a passage of scripture which is the same across the multiple books that are being studied. (For example, Jesus answered his critics MANY times across he many gospels.) It includes a reference in the question to differentiate the answers. The quizzer answering the question must provide the full question, as well as the answer. Reference questions are handed out at the beginning of the year, so everyone knows which questions might be references.

VIDEO SERIES: What is a bible quizzing question?

One key barrier to entry for new quizzers is understanding the different kinds of questions that can be asked. This video is of a "regular question" as a bonus question. It gives a good sense of what a "regular question" is like.

Bible Quizzing Promo

If you have a friend thinking about coming to the kickoff, remember the Promo is always up there to give them a taste for what Bible Quizzing is all about!

HUMOR: A day is like a thousand years

A man was walking through a forest pondering life. He walked, pondered, walked, and pondered. He felt very close to nature and even close to God. He felt so close to God that he felt if he spoke God would listen.So he asked, "God, are you listening?"

And God replied, "Yes my son, I am here."

The man stopped and pondered some more.

He looked towards the sky and said, "God, what is a million years to you?"

God replied, "Well my son, a second to me is like a million years to you."

So the man continued to walk and to ponder... walk and ponder...Then he looked to the sky again and said, "God, what is a million dollars to you?"

And God replied, "My son, my son...a penny to me is like a million dollars to you. It means almost nothing to me. It does not even have a value it is so little."

The man looked down, pondered a bit and then looked up to the sky and said, "God, can I have a million dollars?"

And God replied, "In a second."

1 Corinthians Game - Part 2

Have you started to read through 1 Corinthians? If so, consider trying out this flash-based game on 1 Corinthians to test your knowledge. It may give you a few clues as to the kinds of questions you'll be seeing in the first few weeks of September.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Bible Quizzing Kickoff - September 2

Mark your calendars! The annual Bible Quizzing kickoff date has been set. The kickoff meeting, as always, is a chance for quizzers, parents, and interested potential new quizzers to get a taste for what quizzing is about and to ask question of the coaches.

WHO: Parents and their Students in 7th-12th Grade
WHEN: September 2nd 7pm-8:00pm
WHERE: Round Room/Missions Room

Parables in Modern Times

The comic is early this week, because tomorrow an important announcement is coming. Be sure to check back tomorrow!

Why Bible Quizzing?

There are a lot of reasons to do Bible Quizzing - each of us has our own reasons. But what do you say to someone new to who is interested in quiz team? Maybe this article can help you to put it all into words.

I cannot count the times God has brought a verse or passage to mind, and I know it's there because of quizzing! Or, the times I listened to a teaching over a certain passage and it seemed so "comfortable" and "familiar" because I had memorized it years ago. I don't mean to say that quizzing is the only way this can be accomplished, but it sure is a fun way.

What other reasons do you have for quizzing? Feel free to leave your thoughts here in the comments.

Once-Used-Words for 1 and 2 Corinthians Are Online

This upcoming year we'll be studying 1 and 2 Corinthians. One of the key tools for Quizzing new books is the keywords - the words that are used only once across both books. If you hear one of these once-used-words, you can be sure where in the books you are. And the keywords have now been posted and be found at...

http://www.barefootministries.com/nphweb/html/qol/uniqueWords.jsp?nid=lcol

Are you ready for Quiz Team to resume?

A word to the wise - we're only a few weeks away from the Bible Quiz Team Kickoff. We're not quite ready to announce the start date, but that will be coming shortly. In the meantime, it is time to do a check on your readiness for the next year:

- Have you done any reading of 1 and 2 Corinthians?
- Have you spoken to any friends who may want to try out Quizzing this year?
- Is your Quiz Team shirt clean and ready to go?
- Have you cleared your Wednesdays for practice?

If not, now is the time to start your preparation. We're hoping to have everyone back, and are looking forward to a great year of Quizzing.

HUMOR: Grace & Heaven

A man dies and mets St. Peter at the Pearly Gates. Peter says to the man, "Here's how it works. You need to have one hundred points to get into heaven. You tell me about all the good things you've done. They are all worth a certain number of points. If your total is one hundred or more, you can come in."

"Well," says the man. "I was happily married to the same woman for 52 years. I never looked at another woman. I was attentive and loved her dearly."

"That's great," says St. Peter. "That'll be two points."

"Hmmm," says the man. "This is going to be harder than I thought. Well, I attended church regularly, volunteered my time and tithed faithfully."

"Wonderful," says St. Peter, "That's worth another point."

"One point!" says the man. "Okay, okay. I was involved with a prison ministry for twenty-five years. I went into the prison, at least monthly, and shared Jesus with them."

"Wow!" says St. Peter. "That's another two points!"

"Only two points!" says the man. "At this rate, it'll be by the grace of God that'll I'll ever get into this place."

"Bingo!" says St. Peter. "That's one hundred points! Come on in."

Bible Word Search

Here is one more chance to keep your mind sharp over the summer. Check out this Old Testament Word Search online. Can you find all of the Old Testament place names?

Missing the Point

Photo: George Washington's Bible

Honestly not sure where this is from...

...but it made me laugh.

Flashback: Trumpet & Trombone Solo

Another classic video taken by our own Coach Matt at the Arts Festival.

Challenging Bible Verses

There are those who claim the Bible is easy to understand, but as Bible Quizzers we know that God does not "dumb it down" when speaking to his people. Jesus gave us many parables to help us understand, but he also spoke that way to challenge people and force them to ask for help. One newspaper recently contacted local pastors and asked for the verses that challenged them the most. You might be surprised to see how even those in the ministry are continually wrestling with God's word.

THE VERSE: Job 38:1-2, in which God responds to Job's question about why he has been allowed to suffer: "Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: 'Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?'" (English Standard Version)

WHY HE CHOSE IT: "I'm challenged by God's answer to Job. God nowhere gives a reason for Job's loss, a loss which is unimaginable (Job lost the children he obviously loved and on top of that his health, wealth and good name).

"God's answer to this loss is that he is bigger than Job could ever know or understand. God simply says he knows best."

So don't be discouraged if you find yourself working hard to understand some parts of scripture. Even the "pros" have to work at it.

HUMOR: Bible Math is Hard

Some men were discussing the Bible. They were wondering how many apples Adam and Eve ate in the Garden of Eden.
First man: I think there was only one apple in the Garden.
Second man: I think there were ten apples. Adam 8 and Eve ate 2.
Third man: I think there were sixteen apples. Eve 8 and Adam 8 also.
Fourth man: I think all three of you are wrong. If Eve 8 and Adam 82, that would be a total of 90 apples.
Fifth man: You guys don't know how to add at all. According to history, Eve 81 and Adam 82. That would be a total of 163 apples.
Sixth man: Wait a minute! If Eve 81 and Adam 812, that would make a total of 893 apples.
Seventh man: None of you guys understand the problem in the slightest. According to my figuring, if Eve 814 Adam and Adam 8124 Eve, that would be a total of 8,938 apples in the garden.
At that point all of the men gave up.

Noah's Ark Memory Game

Here is one more chance to keep your mind sharp during summer vacation. This time it is not about Bible Knowledge, but about memory and reflexes. Check out Noah's Ark Memory as an online game. How quickly can you find all of the pairs of animals?