DID YOU KNOW: Abba

In Galatians 4, there is an interesting word in verse 6.

Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."
Galatians 4:6

Abba is a semitic word for "father" used in Hebrew, Arabic, Ethiopian, Aramaic, and other languages of the region around Israel. But it is not just "father", but more like the English word "Dad" or "Daddy". It is a term of affection and closeness. Thus, the fact that Paul tells us that we can now call God "Abba" means that God not only knows who we are but loves us and cares for us like his own.

But there is more. Have you noticed that many characters in the Old Testament have names that start or end with "Ab"? Abraham, Absolom, Ahab, Joab, etc.? The "Ab" in all of these names means "Father." So "Abraham" is "Father of many nations." Abba is an important word for understanding scripture.

The Scores, So Far

Quizzer	Week 1	Week 2	Quiz Meet	Week 3	Totals
Brain	70	40	190	80	310
Noah	100	180	310	110	600
Spud	20	0	90	20	110
Special J	150	270	Out	140	410
Darth Nader	100	150	Out	20	170
Ben C	30	0	Out	80	80
KC	0	40	Out	80	120
Shuffle	10	130	130	60	320
Wes	90	-10	90	-20	60
Danielle	20	40	170	30	240
Lisa	20	100	400	50	550
Nicole	-10	30	10	10	50
Ben H	0	110	210	-20	300
Paul	0	0	Out	0	0
Super K	110	0	320	0	320
Liz	30	120	270	120	510
Sarah	-10	10	30	0	40
Bronx Boy	30	30	110	10	150
Fishy	50	230	420	70	720
Pinky	40	130	Out	70	200
Chit-Chat	130	190	380	120	690
Surely	30	10	60	0	70
Zach		0	0	10	10
Andrew		0	Out	0	0
Frenchie		-10	Out	-10	-20

Happy Autumn!

WEEK 4: Study Galatians Chapter 4

This week (September 27 thru October 3), please study, Galatians 4. (And don't forget to review Galatians 3, which obviously could use some refreshing for most of us.)

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

If you want to listen to the chapter online, click here. (Uses the free RealPlayer.)

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

Study Tip: How many senses are you engaging when you study? For most of us, the more of our senses we use, the deeper what we study is moved into our memory. Try reading the chapter out loud (engaging eyes and ears). Try writing out the chapter by hand (engaging eyes and hands). Try associating parts of the chapter with pictures that you draw (engaging eyes in multiple ways). Experiment with different ways of embedding scripture into your memory.

Coach Matt's Pictures from the Quiz Meet

Coach Jim was not the only one whose digital camera was working hard over the weekend. Coach Matt also took a plethora of pictures for your photographic enjoyment. Click on the image below to see the whole set!

Reference Questions for Galatians 3

Type: Reference
Q: According to Galatians 3:7, understand what?
A: That those who believe are children of Abraham.
R: Galatians 3:7 (C/R Eph 5:17)

Type: Reference
Q: According to Galatians 3:10, what is written?
A: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do
everything written in the Book of the Law."
R: Galatians 3:10 (C/R Gal 3:13, 4:22, 4:27)

Type: Reference
Q: According to Galatians 3:13, what is written?
A: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."
R: Galatians 3:13 (C/R see Gal 3:10)

Type: Reference
Q: According to Galatians 3:26, you are all what?
A: Sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus
R: Galatians 3:26 (C/R Gal 3:28)

Type: Reference
Q: According to Galatians 3:28, you are all what?
A: One in Christ Jesus
R: Galatians 3:28 (C/R Gal 3:26)

Coach Jim's Pictures from this Weekend

I am sorry that I had to miss this weekend, due to illness. But Coach Jim and Matt did a great job of covering the event photographically. Click the image below to see the whole set!

DID YOU KNOW: The Right Hand of Fellowship

In Galatians 2:9, there is an interesting turn of phrase...

James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me.
Galatians 2:9a

The "Right Hand of Fellowship" doesn't just mean that the other apostles shook Paul's hand. In Christian tradition, this indicates a full acceptance and endorsement of Paul's message. Essentially, a public announcement to anyone looking on "this guy is not only our friend, but our brother and fellow worker in Christ".

Even today, many Christian denominations (though not the EFCA) takes part in the "right hand of fellowship" as part of their church services. A new attender or prospective member is examined by the pastor or elders. Then, if they are shown to be upright people and devout followers of Christ, they are "extended the right hand of fellowship" and asked to shake the right hand of everyone in the Congregation. This informs everyone in the Congregation and everyone from the outside that this new person has been accepted as a full brother or sister of the church.

From the Seaport

From the Seaport
Originally uploaded by nomad7674.

Wish you were here

Wish you were here
Originally uploaded by nomad7674.

First Quiz Meet is TODAY!

Today is the FIRST Quiz Meet of the year in Essex Fells, NJ. The planned schedule will be:

• 6:45 AM: Arrive at church to load up vans
• 7:00 AM: Leave church parking lot
• 9:00 AM: Quiz Meet begins with a devotional.
• 9:30 AM: Quizzing begins in Essex Fells, NJ
• 11:30 AM: Quizzing ends. Pizza lunch.
• 1:00 PM: Depart for NYC Trip
• 2:00 PM: Sightseeing in NYC (World Trade Center Site and South Street Seaport)
• 5:00 PM: Dinner in NYC
• 6:00 PM: Return on train, depart for home
• 8:00 PM: Return to church and go home

Again, the coaches will ask the kids to call their parents when we cross over into CT. They should have a good idea at that point what time they will be arriving at the church.

I like Holy Cheddar

WEEK 3: Study Galatians Chapter 3

This week (September 20 thru 26), please study, Galatians 3

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

If you want to listen to the chapter online, click here. (Uses the free RealPlayer.)

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

But do not forget about Galatians 1 and 2! Remember, this Saturday's Quiz Meet is on only those two chapters.

Study Tip: Have you checked out the Keywords List link in the links list to the left? Keywords are words used only once in all of the chapters we are studying. By learning the keywords for a chapter, you can quickly identify where a question comes from if you jump before you are certain of an answer. Studying keywords can make the difference between a good and a great quizzer.

Slight change to expected weekend costs

We have been advised that the train ride has increased in price this year. It will not be $2 as previously expected, but around $6. Apologies for the wrong information in the previous post, but it was the best info we had at the time.

Pictures from Pastor Dave's 30th Celebration

Were you able to attend Pastor Dave's 30th Anniversary at Calvary Celebration? If not, click on the image below to see a set of the whole event. It was a great time to celebrate Pastor Dave from his time as Youth Pastor to Senior Pastor, and to thank he and his family for giving up so much for all of us.

Finish the Verse for Galatians 2

Finish the Verse questions are among the toughest because they must be answered word-perfect. But for that reason, if you learn them, you have a better chance to get them than other questions because fewer quizzers are studying them. This is your last week where you have only 1 FTV for the chapter. I strongly recommend you consider memorizing it.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20

Reference Questions for Galatians 2

There are a number of potential Reference Questions in Galatians Chapter 2, but this is the "official" list. You won't see any others in an official quiz meet. The FULL list for Galations is now linked in on the left or can be viewed here.

Type: Reference
Q: According to Galatians 2:4, we have WHAT in Christ?
A: Freedom
R: Galatians 2:4 (C/R Phlm 6, cp. Col 1:14)

Type: Reference
Q: According to Galatians 2:21, I do not what?
A: I do not set aside the grace of God (for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!)
R: Galatians 2:21 (C/R Phil 3:13)

DID YOU KNOW: Paul as the Author of Galatians

If you have not already, you will eventually come across people who deny the Bible was actually written by the apostles. They will claim the Bible was written hundreds of years after the time of Christ, and that the writers did not actually know Jesus or the men who walked with him.

What about Galatians? Well, Galatians is perhaps the book with the strongest evidence that it came directly from Paul the Apostle. It is generally regarded as the earliest of Paul's epistles and perhaps the earliest book of the New Testament altogether. How do we know Paul wrote Galatians?

• The book has been regarded as coming from Paul as far back as we have records from the Church fathers. We see the oldest records uncertain about some books (Hebrews, for example) but never about Galatians.
• The structure and tone of the letter matches that of the other Pauline books. You may have noticed in your own life that the same people tend to write different essays or letters in the same way, and this was certainly the case for Paul.
• The author shows a considerable concern for the question of whether Christians must be Jews. This is a question unique to the first century church, when Christianity was still emerging from the Jewish religion and was widely regarded as a sect of Judaism. It would not have been a concern of later writers.
• The book talks about the Council of Jerusalem (which quizzers from last year remember from Acts 15:2-29) and gives a different perspective on the proceedings than Acts does. (Though not inconsistent, as seen thru the eyes of a passionate observer.) A later forger would probably have relied closely on the book of Acts and tried to stay as close to the original as possible.

You can be confident that Paul indeed wrote Galatians, and that this first-century author is the same one discussed in Acts. The Bible is reliable.

REMINDER: Our first Quiz Meet is one week from TODAY

Out first quiz meet is one week from today (September 22). For some of you it will be your first time, so here are the details you need to know!

WHERE ARE WE GOING?
We will be going to Calvary Church in Essex Fells, NJ.

WHAT TIME DO WE LEAVE?
We will be leaving at 7 AM sharp. Please plan to get to the church at least 10 minutes before that, so we can load up the vans and arrange who goes where.

WHAT CHAPTERS ARE WE QUIZZING ON?
This first one will be short. We're quizzing on only Galatians 1 and 2.

ARE WE DOING ANYTHING ELSE?
Yes. Afterwards, we are going into New York (probably to South Street Seaport) for a couple of hours of sightseeing. We'll be taking the train into the city.

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
You are also encouraged to bring your scripture portion for studying in the van and/or before quizzes. (Please be aware that Bibles MUST BE CLOSED during a quiz, even if you are not on the pads at the time.)

Also, please bring $5 for gasoline, $4 for pizza for lunch, $2 for the train, and at least $6 for dinner. $20 to $25 should cover the basics. More if you want souvenirs.

WHAT TIME DO WE GET BACK?
We'll be back between 7 PM and 9 PM, depending on traffic. We usually ask anyone with a cell phone to call their parents when we cross from NY into CT on the way home.

DO I NEED A QUIZ TEAM T-SHIRT?
Quizzers who have Quiz Team T-Shirts are encouraged to wear them. Those without are encouraged to wear a grey t-shirt or sweatshirt so that we look like a team.

CAN I BRING ELECTRONICS?
Appropriate portable electronics (iPod, Gameboy, Cell Phone, etc.) are welcome in the vans, but should not be used in the church. The idea is to provide a way to make the ride go quickly, not to distract from quizzing. If you want to have a chance for your music to be played in the van, please make sure it is Christian music. We don't care about the style, but we do care about the lyrics and intent.

It's funny and its makes you think

WEEK 2: Study Galatians Chapter 2

This week (September 13 thru 19), please study, Galatians 2

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

If you want to listen to the chapter online, click here. (Uses the free RealPlayer.)

If you'd like to read a commentary on Galatians 2 click here. (Free website, Biblegateway.Com)

Study Tip: Having problems absorbing the text in such a way that you can get questions at practice? Consider getting your family or friends involved. Have them pick up a Bible and pick a verse from the chapter you are studying. Have them read the first half (or little bit) of the verse, and then you try to complete as much as you can. This gets you used to hearing the text the same way you will in practice.

Happy Birthday, Nicole!

Pictures from the Kickoff

The click-clack of the camera may have been distracting at some moments, but click on the image below to see the set of photos taken at the Quizzing Kickoff last Wednesday.

We hope to see all of the teens again on tonight at 7 PM!

Pray for those who Mourn

Today is the anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon in 2001. Please consider taking at least a moment today and saying a prayer for those left behind. When you lose a child or a parent or a spouse in this way, it hurts forever and the problems the death causes (no father figure, no mother figure, no helpmeet, etc.) will last a lifetime.

Reference Questions for Galatians 1

We are still missing the "official list" of reference questions for all chapters, but we do have the list for Galatians chapter 1. Please keep this list below for your use in studying this week, so that you are ready for the practice on Wednesday.

Type: Reference
Q: According to Galatians 1:1-2, Paul, an apostle, to whom?
A: To the churches in Galatia
R: Galatians 1:1-2 (C/R Eph 1:1, Col 1:1-2)

Type: Reference
Q: According to Galatians 1:1, Paul was what?
A: An apostle--sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead
R: Galatians 1:1 (C/R Eph 1:1, 3:1, Col 1:1, Phlm 1, Phlm 9, cp. Phil 1:1)

Type: Reference
Q: According to Galatians 1:8, let him be eternally condemned if what?
A: If we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you
R: Galatians 1:8 (C/R Gal 1:9)

Type: Reference
Q: According to Galatians 1:9, let him be eternally condemned if what?
A: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted
R: Galatians 1:9 (C/R Gal 1:8)

Type: Reference
Q: According to Galatians 1:11-12, I want you to know what?
A: That the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
R: Galatians 1:11-12 (C/R Phil 1:12, Col 2:1)

Type: Reference
Q: According to Galatians 1:15-16, God was pleased to what?
A: God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles
R: Galatians 1:15-16 (C/R Col 1:19-20)

DID YOU KNOW: Galatians and the Reformation

Galatians is often discussed in Evangelical circles as primarily the book which frees Christians from having to follow Jewish law. However, it is also known as "the Magna Carta of the Reformation", because of Martin Luther's use of one particular verse.

...know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.
Galatians 2:16

This verse was used effectively against those in the Catholic Church who preached that only by doing good deeds could a person get into heaven. So much did Martin Luther love this book that he once said "The Epistle to the Galatians is my epistle. To it I am as it were in wedlock. It is my Katherine." The Katherine he refers to is his wife.

If you are interested in learning more click here to read some of Luther's commentary on Galatians.

IMPORTANT: Official Finish-The-Verse List is Online!

It was a bit later than we'd like, but the official Finish-the-Verse (FTV) list is online!. The link in the list to the left has also been updated (which should relieve those of you who had been seeing only Acts questions when clicking over there). The only FTV for this upcoming Wednesday is...

I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
Galatians 1:11-12

So, everyone has a chance to get "all" the FTVs from this week, if you so choose. We are hoping to have up the official Reference Questions list shortly, as well, though the central office is still working on them.

WHERE AM I? GALATIA

The "WHERE AM I?" Features are designed to give you an idea to whom the letters of Paul were written. Each will be accompanied by a map of the region we are talking about. Click thru for a website which talks about the map in depth.

Think before you leap

(For those new to the Quizzers Pad, most Friday's are a fun day where we post something light and funny to end the week.)

WEEK 1: Study Galatians Chapter 1

This week (September 6 thru 12), please study, Galatians 1

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

If you want to listen to the chapter online, click here. (Uses the free RealPlayer.)

If you'd like to read a commentary on Galatians 1 click here. (Free website, Bible.org)

Remember: The minimum you need to do in order to be an effective quizzer is to read through the chapter twice daily. First thing in the morning, and last thing at night usually works for me. If you absorb information better by hearing than reading, you may want to consider listening through the chapter instead.

Quizzing Kickoff Meeting Is TONIGHT!

WHEN DO I SHOW UP? 7:00 PM

WHERE DO I GO? Calvary Church (click for directions). To get to the Round Room, walk into the Family Life Center main entrance (under the covered area) and take your first right. It is all the way at the end of the hall.

HOW LONG WILL IT LAST? The presentation will last approximately 1 hour, including refreshments. If you have to leave early, that is okay but please advise the coaches ahead of time so you get any appropriate handouts.

HOW MANY BIBLES DO I NEED TO BRING? None, but you are welcome to bring as many as you wish. We'll start quizzing next week.

Frequently Asked Questions for the Kickoff Meeting

QUESTIONL I am a potential quizzer or the parent of one, and want to come to tomorrow's Quizzing Introduction. What do I need to bring?
ANSWER: Nothing! Just bring yourself and any friends who are interested in joining for the 2007-2008 season.

QUESTION: Do my parents need to be members of Calvary Church?
ANSWER: No. Most quizzers either are themselves or have parents who are regular attenders. But it is not a requirement.

QUESTION: Do I need to attend Revolution and other Youth Group acivities to join Quiz Team?
ANSWER: No. But Quiz Team rarely competes with Youth Group for your time. You are welcome to do either or both.

QUESTION: If I or my parents attend tomorrow, am I committed for the year?
ANSWER: No. We hope you'll consider quizzing, but there is no commitment for showing up.

QUESTION: What age do I have to be to attend?
ANSWER: Potential quizzers must be entering the 7th grade in September 2007. Parents or guardians of any age are welcome.

REMINDER: Quizzing Kickoff is This Wednesday

Keep in mind that this coming Wednesday (9/5/07) is the Bible Quizzing kickoff for 2007. Both parents and any teen interested in quizzing may attend. 7th thru 12th grade are welcome to join.

QuizPad Lite is here!

Long-time quizzers are aware that Coach Matt and I love portable gadgets, and cell phones that can surf the Web. Well, now whether you have an internet-capable cell phone or iPhone, or you are still on dial-up and need a quicker way to surf QuizPad, click on over to QuizPad Lite! This version of our site is very lightweight, and should load quickly on cell phones or PCs. Click on thru and see if this is the best view for you.

No, Virginia, there is no Fallout 2007

We have received word that there will be no Fallout 2007 this year due to factors beyond the control of the Allentown Church. We mourn with the rest of you who were hoping to see some more great Christian bands in concert. But keep in mind that Rock the Sound is coming to Bridgeport later this year.