WEEK 22: Study Philippians 4

This week (January 31 thru February 5), please study Philippians 4.

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, Godrules.net)

Study Tip: Okay, we've reached the halfway point of the quizzing year, and you're realizing that you have not done as much studying as you had thought. Now what? DO NOT GIVE UP! My first year of quizzing, I got to Midwinter with almost no knowledge of the books. I had been having fun, but had not yet really understood that you have the most fun when you can quiz effectively. I started studying INTENSELY at Midwinter and afterward. By Districts, I was a strong quizzer, although not on all chapters. I didn't quiz out perfect, but I was able to get several key questions and help the team. It is never too late to start taking studying seriously!

Midwinter Scoreboard

Coach Matt's Midwinter Photos

Okay, you've seen one set of photos. Now, check out the photos from Coach Matt by clicking on the image below.

Coach Mark's Midwinter Photos

Midwinter pics from Coach Mark are baked up and ready for your consumption. Click on the image below for the full set.


Reminder: We are reviewing Ephesians 4-6 for Wednesday. Please take some time to especially focus on Ephesians 5, as my team saw most of our wrong answers from that chapter!

We're Home!

We're Home!
Originally uploaded by nomad7674.

Lunch at Wendys

Lunch at Wendys
Originally uploaded by nomad7674.

We're on our way!

We're on our way!
Originally uploaded by nomad7674.

At Church Service

At Church Service
Originally uploaded by nomad7674.

Midwinter Ending

We hope to be back at the church between 4 PM and 5 PM today. We will ask the kids to place a cell phone call to parents when we enter CT.

At the Outlets

At the Outlets
Originally uploaded by nomad7674.

Closing worship session

Closing worship session
Originally uploaded by nomad7674.

Coach Matt carried like a game piece

Coach Matt carried like a game piece
Originally uploaded by nomad7674.

Monster Quiz!

Monster Quiz!
Originally uploaded by nomad7674.

Lunchtime!

Lunchtime!
Originally uploaded by nomad7674.

Scoreboard

Obviously, scores for Midwinter are not done yet, so these are scores from Wednesday practice.

Team Building

Team Building
Originally uploaded by nomad7674.

Opening Ceremonies

Opening Ceremonies
Originally uploaded by nomad7674.

Arriving for Saturday

Arriving for Saturday
Originally uploaded by nomad7674.

At Lancaster and Heading Home with Host Families

At Lancaster and Heading Home with Host Families
Originally uploaded by nomad7674.

At Potts Doggie Shop

At Potts Doggie Shop
Originally uploaded by nomad7674.

Leaving 3:15 pm

Leaving 3:15 pm
Originally uploaded by nomad7674.

Midwinter Schedule

FRIDAY – January 25, 2008
3 PM - Leave Calvary Church for Midwinter
6 PM - Lunch at Potts Doggie Shop (Now Vassi's Drive-in)
8 PM - Games and Bonfire
10 PM - Leave Lancaster E-Free Church with the host families


SATURDAY – January 26, 2008
8:25 AM - Arrive at Lancaster E-Free Church
8 AM - Devotions and Team building activities
10 AM - Snack
10:30 AM - 5 rounds of quizzing, 7 pairings each round
12:30 PM - Lunch ($5 box lunch)
1:30 PM - Quizzing Games, Talent, Final Rally
4 PM - Midwinter Ends
4:30 PM - Touring the Pretzel Factory
5 PM - Outlet shopping
7 PM - Dinner at Fuddruckers
10 PM - Leave Lancaster E-Free Church with the host families


SUNDAY – January 27, 2008
9 AM - Sunday Service at Lancaster Evangelical Free Church
12 PM - Lunch at Wendy's
~5 PM - Return to Calvary Church (dependent on traffic)

WEEK 21: Review Ephesians 4-6

This week (January 26 thru February 6), please review, Ephesians 4-6.

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

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

If you would like to review the reference questions from Ephesians, click here. (Thanks to the EFCA.)

If you would like to review the keywords, click here (Uses free barefootministries.com)

Study Tip: Over Midwinter weekend, there is always the temptation to stay up late on Friday and Saturday nights, since you are with your friends in a strange place with new opportunities to play Wii and generally defy the onset of sleep. But be aware that the less sleep you get, the less effective your studying will be. And very often that hardcore studying done during an all-nighter is the stuff first lost when you get distracted. A good night's sleep is the best way to prepare for a serious quiz.

Tips for Reading the Bible in a Year

Bible Quizzers and their families tend to be more interested than most in reading scripture. If you are one of those who wants to try and read thru the Bible in a year, then these tips may be helpful.

I can recommend an alternative that might be helpful. Start with Genesis, then go to Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and James. Read one chapter each day; that will take about six months. Also read one Psalm each day; there are 150.

And, of course, the advantage for quizzers is that you already are reading thru Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Collossians, and Phiemon!

Midwinter reminders

A few reminders about midwinter.

• We will be leaving at 3:00 PM on Friday, January 25
• Bring your Quiz Team shirt for Saturday. If you do not have one, please bring a gray t-shirt or black sweatshirt. No shorts, skirts, etc. are allowed during quizzing. Jeans preferred.
• Bring NICE clothes for Sunday service in Lancaster. No jeans. Sneakers are fine. You will have a chance to change for the vans.
• We will be returning Sunday after church, probably between 4 and 5 PM.
• Bring at least $40 with you ($10 gas, $30 for meals). We are planning to stop at the Pretzel factory and some outlets on Saturday, so bring extra if you want souvenirs.
• Pack only crushable luggage please. We recommend: (1) A sleeping bag, (2) a duffel bag for clothes, and (3) a pillow. It is also okay to bring a carry-on bag for the van, but be aware you'll be "storing" it on your lap.
• We are quizzing on all of Galatians, all of Ephesians, and Philippians 1 thru 3.
• Weather reporting indicate that it may be VERY cold over next weekend. Be sure to dress appropriately, and bring a WARM winter coat. Friday night an outdoor bonfire is planned.

If you have any further questions, please contact the coaches by e-mail or phone.

Scoreboard

Challenge 94 Pics

This is a Nationals year, and we are looking forward to Challenge 2008. If you are not sure about this whole Nationals thing, you may want to check out some of older pics from Challenge 1994. Do you recognize some of the coaches and past quizzers in these photos? Click on the one below for the whole set.

Reference Questions for Philippians 3

Q: According to Philippians 3:1, finally, do what?
A: Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord!
R: Philippians 3:1 (C/R see Gal 6:17)

Q: According to Philippians 3:16, let us what?
A: Live up to what we have already attained.
R: Philippians 3:16 (C/R see Gal 5:25)

Q: According to Philippians 3:20, what is in heaven?
A: Our citizenship
R: Philippians 3:20 (C/R Col 1:5)

Q: According to Philippians 3:20, we eagerly await what?
A: We eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ (there - heaven)
R: Philippians 3:20 (C/R Gal 5:5)

Scheduling Conflicts

WEEK 20: Study Philippians 3

This week (January 17 thru January 23), please study Philippians 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, Godrules.net)

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, check out this link may be helpful.

Gideons Banned from Bible Distribution in Grade School

My father was a Gideon. The Gideons are an organization of Christian businessmen who distribute Bibles to those in need around the world. Here in the USA, they place Bibles in hotels, prisons, and other public places. Here in Connecticut, the Gideons do not distribute in public schools, but in other states the policies vary. Now, the Supreme Court has ruled that the Gideons are not allowed to distribute scripture in schools.

For more than three decades, the South Iron School District in Annapolis, 120 miles southwest of St. Louis in the heart of the Bible Belt, allowed representatives of Gideons International to give away Bibles in fifth-grade classrooms.
The American Civil Liberties Union filed suit two years ago on behalf of four sets of parents. In August, a three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a temporary injunction against the practice.
The district altered its policy, saying the Gideons and others were still welcome to distribute Bibles or other literature before or after school or during lunch break, but not in classrooms.
On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Catherine Perry ruled both practices were illegal and granted a permanent injunction.

Challenge 2008 Blog

You may or may not be aware that 2008 is a Nationals year! What is Nationals? It is a bi-annual gathering of teens attending Evangelical Free Churches in the USA for a week. There are great speakers, lots of fun events, and a National Bible Quizzing tournament. This time around Nationals (also known as "Challenge 2008") will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah. If you are interested in learning more about this event, check out their blog.

Scoreboard

WordLive brings an online Bible experience

Christianty Today has up an interesting article about a new website called WordLive which attempts to bring multimedia Bible studies to the Web.

WordLive, a year in the making, is a response to a 36 per cent growth in internet use in the past five years. Government statistics show that in Britain today 15 million households (61 per cent) are connected to the internet, a rise of four million on 2002. And while three-quarters of users are under 50, almost 20 per cent of over-65s surf the net. Many other people access the internet at school, in their office and in public libraries.

"We believe WordLive will help to bring God’s Word alive across the generations," says Keith. "We’re able to give people access to whole range of multi-media ways into the Bible that we haven’t been able to do before in print.

Reference Questions for Philippians 2

Q: According to Philippians 2:12, continue to what?
A: Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling
R: Philippians 2:12 (C/R Col 2:6-7)

Q: According to Philippians 2:22, you know what?
A: That Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.
R: Philippians 2:22 (C/R see Gal 4:13)

Q: According to Philippians 2:25, who was a fellow soldier?
A: Epaphroditus, my brother
R: Philippians 2:25 (C/R Phlm 2)

Stay on guard!

WEEK 19: Study Philippians 2

This week (January 10 thru January 16), please study Philippians 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 the chapter, click here. (Free website, chrisnotes.org)

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.

Weak Dollar hurts missionaries

If you've been paying attention to the Presidential debates, you may have heard a lot about economics and the falling value of the dollar. Do you find yourself wondering what that has to do with anything? Wonder no more!

"Unlike most U.S. exporters who benefit from a weak dollar that makes their goods cheaper on international markets, our export is our missionaries — who are spending U.S. dollars," Steverson told Baptist Press in November.

The main challenge is the strength of the euro. In 2002, the dollar and the euro were equal. It takes $1.47 to match a euro — a loss of more than 35% in buying power. The cost of everything from saltine crackers to the monthly heating bill has skyrocketed.

In response, missionaries have cut back wherever they can.

Finish The Verses for Philippians 1

Type: FTV
Q: Being confident of this,
A: that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
R: Philippians 1:06

Type: FTV
Q: And this is my prayer:
A: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,
R: Philippians 1:09-10

Scoreboard

Midwinter Details

Midwinter Quiz is almost upon us, so now is the time to get ready!


First, please answer the Evite that Coach Jim sent. If you can't, please call him to let him know if you are coming. We need to work out housing ASAP. Quizzers will be staying with local families (unless your family is coming down and you want to stay with them).

Second, be aware of the schedule. We will be leaving on Friday around 3 PM (exact time to be announced) on January 25. We will arrive at Lancaster EFC around 9 PM (with a stop for dinner) and there may be a brief kickoff event at the church before you go back to your host houses. Saturday will be a day of quizzing, plus probably a stop at some touristy spot. Sunday, we will attend the Lancaster Church (be sure to bring nice clothes, no jeans for Sunday) and then head home.

Third, you'll want to know how much money to bring. There will be four meals for you to pay for. Friday night dinner, Saturday lunch and dinner, and Sunday lunch. (Breakfast will be provided by your host families.) Saturday dinner will be more expensive than the others, but bring at least $5 for each meal. We are also collecting $10 for gas. And you may wish to bring more money for a souvenir. Bring at least $40 total.

Finally, you'll want to be aware that we will be breaking up into Upper and Lower teams for Midwinter. If you want to show what you can do at Midwinter, be sure to especially study the last few chapters of Philippians. Quizzes will be on material through Philippians 3.

Reference Questions for Philippians 1

Q: According to Philippians 1:1, Paul and Timothy, to whom?
A: To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons
R: Philippians 1:1 (C/R Col 1:1-2, Phlm 1-2)

Q: According to Philippians 1:3, I thank my God when?
A: Every time I remember you.
R: Philippians 1:3 (C/R Phlm 4)

Q: According to Philippians 1:4, I always do what?
A: In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy
R: Philippians 1:4 (C/R Phlm 4)

Q: According to Philippians 1:7, what is right?
A: It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart
R: Philippians 1:7 (C/R Eph 6:1)


Q: According to Philippians 1:12, I want you to know what?
A: That what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.
R: Philippians 1:12 (C/R see Gal 1:11-12)

Q: According to Philippians 1:13, I am in chains why?
A: I am in chains for Christ.
R: Philippians 1:13 (C/R Col 4:3, Phlm 13)

Q: According to Philippians 1:18, I rejoice why?
A: Because of this (this -- the important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached)
R: Philippians 1:18 (C/R Phil 4:10, Col 1:24)

Q: According to Philippians 1:19, I know what?
A: I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
R: Philippians 1:19 (C/R Phil 1:25-26, Phil 4:12)

Q: According to Philippians 1:25-26, I know what?
A: I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
R: Philippians 1:25-26 (C/R see Phil 1:19)

Q: According to Philippians 1:27-28, stand firm how?
A: In one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.
R: Philippians 1:27-28 (C/R see Gal 5:1)

Be sure to be on the RIGHT list!

WEEK 18: Study Philippians 1

This week (January 3 thru January 9), please study Philippians 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 the chapter, click here. (Free website, chrisnotes.org)

Study Tip: We are now approaching the halfway point in the Quizzing Year. Are you suddenly realizing how far behind you are in the study process? Fear not! Most quiz meets tend to have more questions from the last few chapters studied, than from anywhere else. If you have not been studying to your best up until now, start fresh with Philippians 1 and you'll quickly see an expert in Philippians has a lot to offer to the team at Midwinter and beyond!

Quiz Team has a long, brave history

REMINDER: There *IS* a Quiz Practice tonight on Ephesians 6

As we start a new year and look ahead to the future, I thought you might enjoy this reminder that Quizzing has a long, distinguished history at Trumbull. Can you identify the current coaches from this photos?

Happy New Year!