BIBLE NEWS: Respect for Bible in Decline

The Barna Group is known for taking surveys on religious issues, and one of their newest studies is on attitudes among Americans towards the Bible.  Most years, this is good new, but not so this year.  Respect for the Bible has been falling, especially among Millennials.

Bible skepticism is on the rise compared to previous years—this year the number of people who claim they don't believe in the Bible equals the number of people who claim to regularly read or study the Scriptures.

This should remind us how important it is to not only study scripture for ourselves, but teach it to those around us, as well.

BIBLE NEWS: A "Famine" of Bible Knowledge?

Bible Quizzers - as a group - really know our Bible.  We not only know general facts about it, but we study the text intensely and talk about it every practice for historical and cultural context.  But what about everyone else?  Is there a crisis of Bible knowledge in America?  A professor from Biola University makes the case.

For well over twenty years now, Christian leaders have been lamenting the loss of general biblical literacy in America. … Some among us may be tempted to seek odd solace in the recognition that our culture is increasingly post-Christian. … Much to our embarrassment, however, it has become increasingly clear that the situation is really no better among confessing Christians, even those who claim to hold the Bible in high regard.

FLASHBACK: Matthew Bible Knowledge Test

If you were at Districts this year, you took the Bible Knowledge Test.  And we acquitted ourselves very well!  But have you been wondering how your friends or family might do with the material?  Well, here's your chance to find out.  You can down load a blank copy of the Test to print out HERE, and the answer key HERE.

HUMOR: Fill it up!

Not mine.  Found online.

One Saturday the Pastor's 5 year old daughter complained of a stomach ache to her mother. Her mother replied, "That's because you have an empty stomach. You need to feed it with something."
The next day her father sat down after a long sermon and complained of a headache. His daughter replied, "That's because you have nothing in your head you need to feed it with something."

What is the Bible Knowledge Test?

Districts has one activity that is different from all other Bible Quizzes - the Bible Knowledge Test.

WHAT IS IT?

The Bible Knowledge Test is a written exam given each year at Districts, covering the same material as we quizzed on.

WHY DO WE DO IT?

The Bible Knowledge Test gives you a chance to demonstrate what you learned during the Bible Quizzing season without worrying about competing with other quizzers or worrying about the speed of jumping.

DO I HAVE TO TAKE IT?

No, the Bible Knowledge Test is 100% voluntary.  All Quizzers (and Coaches) are encouraged to take it, but it's entirely up to you.

HOW WILL IT WORK?

After Quizzing is done, a room (or a few rooms) will be opened up for everyone to work on the Bible Knowledge Test.  As you enter the room, you'll give given the test and a pencil.  Everyone will work on the test, and hand it when we're done.

HOW WILL IT BE SCORED?

The test will be scored by Coach Rose - the District Head - and we'll get our scores (and rankings) in a few weeks.  The coaches will hand out the scores and your marked tests when we get them.

Self Test for 1 Corinthians 11

Wondering if you have prepared enough for tonight's practice? Check yourself with these 6 questions. If you know all of these, then you probably are prepared. If not, you may want to read through the material a few more times.

QUESTIONS:
1. 2 Part : Who have no other practice?
2. FTV: When we...
3. Regular : What is her glory?
4. Regular : Nor is man what?
5. FTV: Now I...
6. Reference: According to 1 Corinthians 11:23-24, I received what?

ANSWERS:
1. We--nor do the churches of God (1 Corinthians 11:16)
2. ...are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. (1 Corinthians 11:32)
3. It (it/if a woman has long hair) (1 Corinthians 11:15)
4. Independent of woman (in the Lord) (1 Corinthians 11:11)
5. ...want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. (1 Corinthians 11:3)
6. I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."

Self Test for 1 Corinthians 9

Wondering if you have prepared enough for tonight's practice? Check yourself with these 6 questions. If you know all of these, then you probably are prepared. If not, you may want to read through the material a few more times.

QUESTIONS:
1. Regular : That I may share in what?
2. Regular : Who serves as WHAT at his own expense?
3. Reference: According to 1 Corinthians 9:4, don't we have the right to WHAT?
4. FTV: In the same way, the…
5. Regular : To win as many as possible I what?
6. Regular : Though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law I became like what?

ANSWERS:
1. Its blessings (its/the gospel) (1 Corinthians 9:23)
2. A soldier (1 Corinthians 9:7 )
3. Don't we have the right to food and drink?
4. …Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. (1 Corinthians 9:14)
5. Make myself a slave to everyone (myself/Paul) (1 Corinthians 9:19)
6. Like one not having the law (1 Corinthians 9:21)

Self Test for 1 Corinthians 8

Wondering if you have prepared enough for tonight's practice? Check yourself with these 6 questions. If you know all of these, then you probably are prepared. If not, you may want to read through the material a few more times.

QUESTIONS:
Regular : The man who loves God is what?
Reference: According to 1 Corinthians 8:1, we know that what?
Regular : So that I will not cause him to fall, I will never what?
Regular : Be careful that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to whom?
Regular : We know that we all possess what?
Regular : Food does not bring us where?

ANSWERS:
Known by God (1 Corinthians 8:3 )
We know that we all possess knowledge.
Never eat meat again (1 Corinthians 8:13)
The weak (1 Corinthians 8:9 )
Possess knowledge (1 Corinthians 8:1 )
Near to God (1 Corinthians 8:8 )

Self Test for 1 Corinthians 7

Wondering if you have prepared enough for tonight's practice? Check yourself with these 6 questions. If you know all of these, then you probably are prepared. If not, you may want to read through the material a few more times.

QUESTIONS:
1. Regular : She is happier if what?
2. Reference: According to 1 Corinthians 7:1, what is good?
3. Regular : Who does even better?
4. FTV: Circumcision...
5. Regular : I think that WHO have the Spirit of God?
6. 2 Part : His interests are divided why?

ANSWERS:
1. If she stays as she is (she/a woman, if her husband dies) (1 Corinthians 7:40)
2. It is good for a man not to marry.
3. He who does not marry her (1 Corinthians 7:38)
4. ...is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what counts. (1 Corinthians 7:19)
5. I too (I/Paul) (1 Corinthians 7:40)
6. (1) A married man is concerned about the affairs of this world-- (2) how he can please his wife (1 Corinthians 7:33)

Self Test for 1 Corinthians 6

Wondering if you have prepared enough for tonight's practice? Check yourself with these 6 questions. If you know all of these, then you probably are prepared. If not, you may want to read through the material a few more times.

QUESTIONS:
1. Reference: According to 1 Corinthians 6:19, who is in you?
2. FTV: Flee...
3. Regular : I will not be mastered by what?
4. Regular : Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with WHAT?
5. Regular : Who will judge the world?
6. Regular : There is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute where?

ANSWERS:
1. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
2. ...from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. (1 Corinthians 6:18)
3. Anything (1 Corinthians 6:12)
4. A prostitute (1 Corinthians 6:15)
5. The saints (1 Corinthians 6:2 )
6. Between believers (1 Corinthians 6:5 )

Self Test for 1 Corinthians 5

Wondering if you have prepared enough for tonight's practice? Check yourself with these 6 questions. If you know all of these, then you probably are prepared. If not, you may want to read through the material a few more times.

QUESTIONS:
1. Regular : Get rid of the old yeast why?
2. 3 Part : Hand this man over to Satan when?
3. Regular : What business is it of mine to judge WHOM?
4. Regular : Who is our Passover lamb?
5. FTV : But now I am writing...
6. Regular : What (may be) saved on the day of the Lord?

ANSWERS:
1. That you may be a new batch without yeast--as you really are (1 Corinthians 5:7)
2. When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of o (1 Corinthians 5:4)
3. Those outside the church (1 Corinthians 5:12)
4. Christ (1 Corinthians 5:7)
5. ...you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or g (1 Corinthians 05:11)
6. His spirit (his/the man who did this-A man has his father's wife) (1 Corinthians 5:5)

Self Test for 1 Corinthians 4

Wondering if you have prepared enough for tonight's practice? Check yourself with these 6 questions. If you know all of these, then you probably are prepared. If not, you may want to read through the material a few more times.

QUESTIONS:
1. FTV: Now it is required...
2. Regular : We endure it when?
3. 2 Part : God has put us apostles on display how?
4. Regular : What do you have that WHAT?
5. Reference: According to 1 Corinthians 4:10, we are what?
6. Regular : That you may learn the meaning of what saying?

ANSWERS:
1. ...that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:2)
2. When we are persecuted (1 Corinthians 4:12)
3. At the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena (1 Corinthians 4:9 )
4. You did not receive (1 Corinthians 4:7 )
5. We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored!
6. "Do not go beyond what is written." (1 Corinthians 4:6 )

Self Test for 1 Corinthians 3

Wondering if you have prepared enough for tonight's practice? Check yourself with these 6 questions. If you know all of these, then you probably are prepared. If not, you may want to read through the material a few more times. (Answers at the bottom.)

1. 3 Part : No more boasting about men why?
a. You are of Christ, Christ is of God, and God is yours
b. All things are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God
c. You are God's workmanship, sons of God, and heirs with him
d. All things are God's, Christ is of God, and you are of Christ

2. I gave you milk, not solid food why?
a. I put aside childish things
b. For you were mere babes in Christ
c. For you were not ready for it
d. You had not yet attained it (maturity)

3. Reference: According to 1 Corinthians 3:9, we are what?
a. We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored!
b. We are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.
c. We are God's workmanship, created to do good works
d. We are apostles for Christ

4. FTV: I…
a. ...gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. (1 Corinthians 3:2)
b. ...laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. (1 Corinthians 3:10)
c. ...came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. (1 Corinthians 2:3)
d. ...planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. (1 Corinthians 3:6-7)

5. Are you not mere men WHEN?
a. When you drink spiritual milke
b. When one says, "I follow Paul" and another, "I follow Apollos"
c. When one says, "I follow Paul" and another, "I follow Cephas"
d. When you refuse to eat solid food

6. 2 Part : If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him why?
a. For you are of Christ and Christ is of God
b. For you are God's temple, created in Christ
c. For God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple
d. For God's temple is holy, and that temple is your body

Answers: 1b, 2c, 3b, 4d, 5b, 6c

Self Test for 1 Corinthians 2

Wondering if you have prepared enough for tonight's practice? Check yourself with these 6 questions. If you know all of these, then you probably are prepared. If not, you may want to read through the material a few more times. (Answers at the bottom.)

1. What are spiritually discerned?
a. They (they/the things that come from the Spirit of God)
b. They (they/the things that come from Christ)
c. The gospel of truth
d. The gospel of life

2. The Spirit of God (knows) what?
a. The desires of God
b. The secrets of God
c. The thoughts of God
d. The mystery of God

3. We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among whom?
a. The lost
b. The mature
c. The elect
d. The Jews

4. Regular : Who are coming to nothing?
a. The kings of this world
b. The people of this city
c. The masters of this time
d. The rulers of this age

5. Reference : According to 1 Corinthians 2:9, what is written?
a. It is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."
b. It is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”
c. It is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."
d. It is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"

6. Who does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God?
a. The man without the Gospel
b. The man who does not believe
c. The man without the Spirit
d. The man who does not pray

Answers: 1a, 2c, 3b, 4d, 5b, 6c

Self Test for 1 Corinthians 1

Wondering if you have prepared enough for tonight's practice? Check yourself with these 6 questions. If you know all of these, then you probably are prepared. If not, you may want to read through the material a few more times. (Answers at the bottom.)

1.Regular : Greeks look for what?
a. Philosophy
b. Wisdom
c. Miracles
d. Signs

2.3 Part : You have been enriched in what?
a. your mind, your heart, and your words.
b. In all ways – in all your actions and all your experience.
c. your innermost being, your thoughts, and your speech.
d. In every way--in all your speaking and in all your knowledge.

3.Reference: According to 1 Corinthians 1:9, who is faithful?
a. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
b. Our Lord Jesus Christ, and his glorious father, is faithful.
c. Our Father, his Son Jesus Christ, and the Spirit is faithful
d. God, who has called you to righteousness and holiness, is faithful

4.Regular : Who chose the lowly things of this world to nullify the things that are?
a. He (Christ)
b. He (The Father)
c. He (God)
d. I (Paul)

5.Regular : What is stronger than man's strength?
a. The weakness of Christ
b. The weakness of God
c. The strength of God
d. The strength of Christ

6.Regular : I will destroy the wisdom of whom?
a. The wise
b. The intelligent
c. Greeks
d. Jews

Answers: 1b, 2d, 3a, 4c, 5b, 6a

Young Especially Ignorant of the Bible?

It is no secret that Bible literacy is not all that common in Western culture anymore, but it seems that surveys show it is especially a problem for the young, who often feel that the Bible has no relevance to modern life.

But the survey, funded by a consortium of national churches, charitable trusts and Bible agencies, also found few among the young troubled by their ignorance...

The National Biblical Literacy Survey 2009 also revealed that 40% did not know that the tradition of giving Christmas gifts came from the story of the Wise Men bringing gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus.

One respondent said David and Goliath was the name of a ship while another thought Daniel - who survived being thrown into the lions' den - was The Lion King.
Despite the success of the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, more than half (57%) of those polled knew nothing about Joseph and his brothers.

General Bible Knowledge Quiz

Some online Bible Quizzes are tough, and some are REALLY easy. This one falls towards the easy side of the spectrum, but has a few tricky questions built into there that might trip up even a dedicated Bible reader. Click on thru and see what your score is. I wound up with a 98%, so I am interested to see how many of you can beat me (without going to Google or your parents to answer any questions).

Oh, and if anyone answers that "Dr. Suess" wrote the book of Acts, we may have to sit down and have a little talk.

Gospel of Luke Knowledge Test

We're in a review week, so why not review how much you have learned of Luke outside of the text. Here are 5 questions whose answers would come out of listening to Coach Jim's teaching or reading things here on the 'Pad.

1. What is the occupation of the writer of Luke?
a. Fisherman
b. Tax Collector
c. Doctor
d. Roman official

2. Whose ministry was Luke's gospel intended to help support?
a. Peter
b. Paul
c. Apollos
d. James

3. What was the turning point where Jesus went from preaching to Jews to preaching to all peoples?
a. When the people tried to stone him
b. When he raised Jairus's daughter from the dead
c. When he multiplied the loaves and fishes
d. When the Jews said his power came from Beelzebub

4. What are the two major things that Luke wants to write about?
a. Jesus's words and works
b. Jesus's birth and death
c. Jesus's confrontation with the hypocrites and unspiritual
d. Jesus's mother and brothers

5. Why is it a big deal that Jesus touches dead bodies, before healing them?
a. Dead bodies are sources of disease
b. Contact with dead bodies makes a Jew ceremonially unclean
c. The appearance of dead bodies is unpleasant
d. Dead bodies should only be touched by one tribe of Israel

-----------------------------

Answers
1c - Paul mentions "Luke the Doctor" in his letters
2b - Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles and more than other writers, Luke emphasizes how Jesus reached out to Gentiles
3d - Saying Jesus's miracles were from the devil (Beelzebub is another name for Satan) was the ultimate rejection of his ministry
4a - Luke's introduction in Chapter 1 lays this out clearly
5b - A ceremonially unclean Jew could not enter the Temple or perform sacrifices and thus could not be cleansed from sin or be part of the community, until he or she was cleansed