WEEK 22: Study Matthew, Chapter 20

This week (January 31 thru February 6), please study Matthew, Chapter 20.

If you want to read the chapter online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

Download the MP3.

If you'd like to read a commentary on the chapter, click here. (Free website, BibleStudyTools.Com)

Study Tip: The Superbowl is this coming Sunday, and it is a reminder of everything that football fans (or fans of big budget commercials) have looked forward to all year. We did well at Midwinter, but remember that Districts is coming up in a few short months! Keep this in mind as you motivate yourself in the weeks to come.

Upcoming Events:
- Saturday, February 23 - Quiz Meet in Cresskill, NJ

STUDY: Our area among least "Bible-Minded" in America

While Bible Quizzers are certainly "Bible-minded", it appears we're not in the majority in the area.  According to a new study, local cities are among the least "Bible-minded" in the country.

The American Bible Society has partnered with The Barna Group to identify America’s most “Bible-minded” cities, based on "highest combined levels of regular Bible reading and belief in the Bible’s accuracy."
[T]he least Bible-minded cities:
#10. Buffalo, N.Y.
#9. Cedar Rapids, Iowa
#8. Phoenix, Ariz.
#7. San Francisco
#6. Boston, Mass.
#5. Hartford/New Haven, Conn.#4. Portland, Maine
#3. Burlington, Vt.
#2. Albany, N.Y.
#1. Providence, R.I./ New Bedford, Mass.

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: The Anthem

SCOREBOARD: January 23 Practice

Great job at Midwinter!  At this point, scores reset and we'll start over in the run towards Districts.  No matter where you wound up in the standings before Midwinter, you now have a chance to be at the top for the end of the year.

REFERENCE QUESTIONS: Matthew 19

Remember, the full list of Reference Questions can always be found in the sidebar or at this link.

QUESTION:  According  to  Matthew  19:4, Haven't  you  read  what?

ANSWER:  That  at  the  beginning  the  Creator  `made  them  male  and  female.' 12:3,5

QUESTION:  According  to  Matthew  19:9, Who  commits  adultery?

ANSWER:  Anyone  who  divorces  his  wife, except  for  marital  unfaithfulness, and  marries  another  woman. 5:32

FINISH THE VERSE: Matthew 19

Remember, the full list of FTV's can always be found at this link. The // in the verse marks the minimum number of words you need from the FTV to uniquely identify it.

QUESTION:  "Haven't // you read,"...

ANSWER:  ...he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator ëmade them male and female,í and said, ëFor this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one fleshí? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."  (Matthew 19:04-06 )

QUESTION:  Jesus looked // at them...
ANSWER:  ...and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."  (Matthew 19:26 )

QUESTION:  Jesus said, // "Let the little...
ANSWER:  ...children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."  (Matthew 19:14 )

WEEKLY COMIC: Snow Angel and...?

WEEK 21: Study Matthew, Chapter 19

This week (January 24 thru January 30), please study Matthew, Chapter 19.

If you want to read the chapter online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

Download the MP3.

If you'd like to read a commentary on the chapter, click here. (Free website, ChristNotes.Com)

Study Tip: We may have missed Midwinter, but don't lose your motivation! Remember that we ARE having Quiz Meets in February, March, and Districts is coming up in April. Scores are being reset as of NOW, so your place on the Upper and Lower Team can change with just a week or two of practice. Study hard, practice hard, and you will find yourself in a good position in the weeks to come!

Upcoming Events:
- Saturday, February 23 - Quiz Meet in Cresskill, NJ

PHOTOS: Pictures from Midwinter

As you probably noticed, the paparazzi were out in force this weekend.  Here are our photos for your enjoyment.  If you want any of the originals, let us know.  Click on the image to view the whole set.

Coach Mark's Photos:


Coach Matt's Photos:

REFERENCE QUESTIONS: Matthew 18

Remember, the full list of Reference Questions can always be found in the sidebar or at this link.

QUESTION:  According  to  Matthew 18:6, What  would  be  better  for  him?

ANSWER:  To  have  a  large  millstone  hung  around  his  neck  and  to  be  drowned  in  the  depths  of  the  sea. 26:24

QUESTION:  According  to  Matthew 18:8, What  is  better  for  you?

ANSWER:  To  enter  life  maimed  or  crippled  than  to  have  two  hands  or  two  feet  and  be  thrown  into  eternal  fire. 5:29, 30; 18:9

QUESTION:  According  to  Matthew 18:9, What  is  better  for  you?

ANSWER:  To  enter  life  with  one  eye  than  to  have  two  eyes  and  be  thrown  into  the  fire  of  hell. 5:29, 30; 18:8

QUESTION:  According  to  Matthew 18:23, The  kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  what?

ANSWER:  A  king  who  wanted  to  settle  accounts  with  his  servants. 13:24, 31, 33, 44, 45, 47; 20:1; 22:2

FINISH THE VERSE: Matthew 18

Remember, the full list of FTV's can always be found at this link. The // in the verse marks the minimum number of words you need from the FTV to uniquely identify it.

QUESTION:  And he said: // "I tell you…

ANSWER:  ...the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."  (Matthew 18:03-04 )

QUESTION:  But if // anyone causes one…

ANSWER:  ...of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.  (Matthew 18:06 )

WEEKLY COMIC: Guardian Angel

Trumbull Upper got 2nd. #midwinter #biblequizzing

Monroe got 3rd place! #midwinter #biblequizzing

Closing ceremonies - game time! #midwinter #biblequizzing

Quizzing is done! Coaches quiz next. #midwinter #biblequizzing

Quizzing resumes! (Monroe vs Dallas) #midwinter #bublequizzing

Competition! #midwinter #biblequizzing

Lunchtime #midwinter #biblequizzing

Dallas vs Cresskill #midwinter #biblequizzing

A mysterious message. #midwinter #biblequizzing

Trumbull Upper vs Monroe #Midwinter #biblequizzing

Birthday girl gets one. #midwinter #biblequizzing

Trumbull Upper vs Dallas #midwinter #biblequizzing

Snack Time #midwinter #biblequizzing

Monroe vs Sparta #midwinter #biblequizzing

Quizzing begins! #midwinter #biblequizzing

Opening ceremonies! #midwinter #biblequizzing

The Schedule #midwinter #biblequizzing

Gathering at the church. #midwinter #biblequizzing

Waking up to deer! #midwinter #biblequizzing

MIDWINTER QUIZ IS TODAY!

Today is the day!  And here is the schedule:

• 9:00 AM - Opening Ceremonies
• 9:30 AM - Quizzing, Rounds 1-2
• 10:30 AM - Snack Break!
• 11:00 AM - Quizzing, Rounds 3-5
• 12:30 PM - Lunch
• 1:30 PM - Quizzing, Rounds 6-7
• 2:30 PM - Closing Ceremonies:  Coaches Quiz, Awarding of Trophies

Stay tuned here all day for photo updates from the road.

At host homes. #midwinter #biblequizzing

Game time! #midwinter #bublequizzing

Game time! #midwinter #biblequizzing

We have arrived!

Gathering to load the cars. #Midwinter ##biblequizzing

REMINDER: Leaving today for Midwinter!

We're leaving for the Midwinter Quiz tonight.  We're leaving the church at 4:00 PM.

Please bring money for two meals (one tonight and one Saturday night, at least $5 for each meal), and your $15 quizzing fee.

WEEK 20: Study Matthew, Chapter 18

This week (January 17 thru January 23), please study Matthew, Chapter 18.

If you want to read the chapter online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

Download the MP3.

If you'd like to read a commentary on the chapter, click here. (Free website, ChristNotes.Com)

Study Tip:  This weekend is Midwinter, but we can't stop pushing forward.  Stay focussed, keep studying, and keep moving ahead.  Otherwise, it will be impossible to cover all of the chapters before Districts.  Prepare for the weekend, but plan for the future.

Upcoming Events:
- Saturday, January 19 - Midwinter Quiz Meet in Sparta, NJ

SCOREBOARD: Midwinter Standings!

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: Born to Love

SCOREBOARD: January 9

REFERENCE QUESTIONS: Matthew 17

Remember, the full list of Reference Questions can always be found in the sidebar or at this link.

QUESTION:  According  to  Matthew  17:12, The  Son  of  Man  is  going  to  what?

ANSWER:  Suffer  at  their  hands. 16:27; 17:22

QUESTION:  According  to  Matthew  17:14, Who  knelt  before  him?

ANSWER:  A  man  (whose  son's  seizures  the  disciples  could  not  heal). 8:2; 9:18; 15:25

QUESTION:  According  to  Matthew  17:18, Who  was  healed  from  that  moment?

ANSWER:  (He) The  boy  (who  had  seizures). 9:22

QUESTION:  According  to  Matthew  17:22, The  Son  of  Man  is  going  to  what?

ANSWER:  Be  betrayed  into  the  hands  of  men. 16:27; 17:12

FINISH THE VERSE: Matthew 17

Remember, the full list of FTV's can always be found at this link. The // in the verse marks the minimum number of words you need from the FTV to uniquely identify it.

QUESTION:  When they // came together...
ANSWER:  ...in Galilee, he said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life." And the disciples were filled with grief.  (Matthew 17:22-23 )

QUESTION:  While he // was still speaking,...
ANSWER:  ...a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"  (Matthew 17:05 )

WEEKLY COMIC: Snowman Apocalypse

WEEK 19: Study Matthew, Chapter 17

This week (January 10 thru January 16), please study Matthew, Chapter 17.

If you want to read the chapter online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

Download the MP3.

If you'd like to read a commentary on the chapter, click here. (Free website, BibleGateway.Com)

Study Tip: Do you learn the chapter well, but have a hard time placing questions in a real quiz where it is across multiple chapters? Creating and studying an outline of a book or chapters can be very helpful in putting it all in order in your mind. If you need an example of a good outline, this link may be helpful.

Upcoming Events:
- Saturday, January 19 - Midwinter Quiz Meet in Sparta, NJ

TOPICS FROM PRACTICE: The Herods

A few questions came up at the Monroe practices that we didn't have time to completely cover.  I thought the Trumbull team might also find this one interesting.

ALL THE HERODS:

A few weeks back, we discussed the difference between Herod the Great in Matthew 2, and Herod the Tetrarch in Matthew 14.  The question then came up about Archeleus in Matthew 2:22, who was said to be "ruling in place of his father Herod."  I promised to do some research into the line of Herod for us all.  Here we go:

1. Herod the Great ruled from about 37 B.C. to about 1 B.C.*  Before he died, he split up his kingdom with his 4 sons (tetrarch means "ruler of one fourth").  When he died, his sons took over the last pieces he had ruled.
2. Archeleus ruled Judea (one fourth of Herod the Great's kingdom) from about 4 B.C. to about 6 A.D.  He's only mentioned once in scripture.
3. Herod the Tetrarch (a.k.a. Herod Antipas) ruled Galilee (including Nazareth) and Perea from about 4 B.C. to about 40 A.D.  He is both the man who killed John the Baptist and the one who Jesus comes before during his trial (Luke 23:6-12).
4. Philip ruled 4 B.C. to about 34 A.D. over Ituraea.  He's only mentioned in scripture as the husband of Herodias (Luke 14:3)
5. Herod Agrippa I took over Herod the Tetrarch's kingdom and ruled from 41 A.D. to 44 A.D.  He is the one who arrested James and Peter in Acts 12:1-3.
6. Herod Agrippa II (known as "King Agrippa") was the son of Herod Agrippa I and ruled from 50 A.D. to 93 A.D.  He was the one that Paul was brought before in Acts 25 & Acts 26.

*This, of course, raises the obvious question:  "How could Herod the Great die in 1 B.C., if B.C. means 'Before Christ'?"  It's because the exact B.C./A.D. split was set down a long time ago, when the exact dating of Christ's birth was uncertain.  We now believe Jesus was born around 5 B.C., although even now it is impossible to be certain, because the gospel writers did not write down an exact date.

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: Open Up Our Eyes

SCOREBOARD: January 2

REFERENCE QUESTIONS: Matthew 16

Remember, the full list of Reference Questions can always be found in the sidebar or at this link.

QUESTION:  According  to  Matthew  16:6, Be  on  your  guard  against  what?

ANSWER:  The  yeast  of  the  Pharisees  and  Sadducees. 10:17; 16:11

QUESTION:  According  to  Matthew  16:11, Be  on  your  guard  against  what?

ANSWER:  The  yeast  of  the  Pharisees  and  Sadducees. 10:17; 16:6

QUESTION:  According  to  Matthew  16:21, From  that  time  on  Jesus  began  to  what?

ANSWER:  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. 4:17

QUESTION:  According  to  Matthew  16:27, The  Son  of  Man  is  going  to  what?

ANSWER:  Come  in  his  Father's  glory, with  his  angels. 17:12, 22

FINISH THE VERSE: Matthew 16

Remember, the full list of FTV's can always be found at this link. The // in the verse marks the minimum number of words you need from the FTV to uniquely identify it.

QUESTION:  "But what // about you?"
ANSWER:  ...he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."  (Matthew 16:15-16 )

QUESTION:  From that // time on...
ANSWER:  ...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.  (Matthew 16:21 )

QUESTION:  Then Jesus said // to his...
ANSWER:  ...disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it."  (Matthew 16:24-25 )

QUESTION:  What // good will it be...
ANSWER:  ...for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?  (Matthew 16:26 )

WEEKLY COMIC: Picky, Picky!

WEEK 18: Study Matthew, Chapter 16

This week (January 3 thru January 9), please study Matthew, Chapter 16.

If you want to read the chapter online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

Listen to the chapter online.

If you'd like to read a commentary on the chapter, click here. (Free website, BibleGateway.Com)

Study Tip: For some people, the best way to make the Bible a priority in your life is to put it at the start of every day. Rather than waiting for after homework, dinner, or whatever else you normally put before studying, consider setting your alarm 15 minutes earlier in the morning and spending that time reading thru that week's chapter. This can set the tone for your day, and give you a chance to apply the lessons of the chapter in your daily life.

Upcoming Events:
- Saturday, January 19 - Midwinter Quiz Meet in Sparta, NJ

REMINDER: Practices resume TONIGHT!

Practices resume tonight with Matthew, chapter 15.
There's still time to cram if you forgot all last week!

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: All Things New

Happy New Year!