Reminder: No Quiz Team Practice Tonight

Remember, there is NO PRACTICE tonight. Please use the time to spend with family and friends and to ring in the New Year.

Coach Matt's Photos from the Party

Click on the image below to see the whole set.

Standings as of the end of December

Below are the standings as of the end of December. If Midwinter were held today, those highlighted in yellow would be the starting teams for Upper and Lower. Please note, the last spot is still VERY close. This means if you are currently showing as "on the bench", a good performance in January could easily shift you into the starting 5.

Upper Division


Lower Division

Coach Mark's Photos from the Party

As usual, the paparazzi were out in force a the Quiz Team party. Click on the image below for all of Coach Mark's photos.

WEEK 17: Review Luke 9-12

This week (December 27 thru December 31), please review Luke 9-12.

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

DOWNLOAD: If you want to download the MP3s...
Luke 9
Luke 10
Luke 11
Luke 12
(Password is "quizpad", without the quotes.)

Study Tip: Did you receive a board game like Trivial Pursuit or Monopoly for Christmas this year? If so, you may wish to combine your love of the new game with your Quiz Team Study schedule. Take the game and simply modify the rules slightly to add quiz questions to the game. Land on someone else's property in Monopoly? You now have two choices - pay the money, or answer 5 quiz questions. Playing Trivial Pursuit? Make each color correspond to one of the chapters we are studying. Playing basketball on your Xbox/Playstation/Wii? Make every foul lead to both 2 free throws and 2 quiz questions. These are easy ways to add a little more studying to your day, without it having to be "quiet time."

Parents: Remember, review time is key. These are the weeks where good quizzers can become great, marginal quizzers can step it up, or where a quizzer who does not study at all can start to forget what s/he has already learned. Help your teen to keep up their knowledge in fun and interesting ways.

Upcoming Events:
Saturday, January 24 - Midwinter Quiz Meet in Montgommery, NJ

Remember, no practice on Wednesday, December 31.

Funny can be PUNishing

Merry Christmas from Luke

1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

REMINDER: No Practice Tonight

There is no Quiz Team practice tonight. Instead, please consider coming out to one of the Christmas Eve services. If you are for a late night, several Quizzers will be playing in the handbell choir and singing in the choir at the candlelight service!

REMINDER: Christmas Party is TONIGHT!

Just a reminder to all those who may have forgotten to update their calendars - the Quiz Team Party is TONIGHT, starting at 6 PM. Remember to bring the dish your family signed up for, and your >$10 gift for the quizzers grab bag.

Scoreboard

Great Art from Christmas

Botticelli's Mystical Nativity. Click on the image for more information.

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

Christmas Party Is Postponed Due to Weather

We will have the party Tuesday evening, December 23. Please update your calendars. This was our last open slot until January.

Watch the Signs

WEEK 16: Review Luke 5-8

This week (December 18 thru December 24), please review Luke 5-8.

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

DOWNLOAD: If you want to download the MP3s...
Luke 5
Luke 6
Luke 7
Luke 8
(Password is "quizpad", without the quotes.)

Study Tip: So how is review studying different from studying for a new chapter? Answer: Not much. Your brain learns and re-learns pretty much the same way. If you are weak on a chapter, use your usual techniques. But if you are STRONG, there are a few ways you can IMPROVE even further: learn keywords, quiz yourself in question form, and try to recite as much of the chapter as you can at a time, until you know the whole thing. These are ways you can get better and better as the year goes along.

Parents: Remember, review time is where you can be especially helpful to your quizzer. Help them stay motivated, and try to engage them on the material with both quiz and content questions!

Upcoming Events:
Friday, December 19: Quiz Team Party in Fellowship Hall
Saturday, January 24 - Midwinter Quiz Meet in Montgommery, NJ

Choir Concert Video

A few videos taken by Coach Matt of the concert.

Choir Concert Photos

This past Saturday and Sunday were the Calvary Christmas Choir Concert, and quite a few quizzers were involved. Click on the image below for the whole set.

Scoreboard

Reference Questions for Luke 13

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

Question: According to Luke 13:11, a woman was there who had been what?
Answer: A woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all.

Question: According to Luke 13:13, immediately what?
Answer: Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God. (she/ a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years)

Question: According to Luke 13:24, I tell you what?
Answer: Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.

Question: According to Luke 13:28, there will be what?
Answer: There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.

Question: According to Luke 13:33, I must what?
Answer: I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day--for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!

Question: According to Luke 13:35, I tell you what?
Answer: I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'

Hints

REMDINER: No Quiz Meet Tomorrow

Originally our schedule had a quiz meet scheduled for tomorrow (December 13). This meet has been canceled. Our next quiz meet will be Midwinter Quiz in Montgommery, NJ on January 24.

WEEK 15: Study Luke 13

This week (December 11 thru December 17), please study Luke 13.

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

DOWNLOAD: If you want to download the MP3, click here (Password is "quizpad", without the quotes.)

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

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 this week and you'll quickly see an expert in the last half of Luke has a lot to offer to the team at Midwinter and beyond!

Upcoming Events:
Friday, December 19 - Quiz Team Christmas Party at Calvary EFC, Trumbull (Families invited. Only quizzers will be in the game.)
PLEASE NOTE: The Saturday Quiz Meet was cancelled!

Gift Ideas for the Christmas Game

Each year at the Quiz Team Christmas Party (December 19 - potluck dinner at the church) we play a game known by some as a "Yankee Swap". Essentially, each quizzer brings a wrapped gift that costs between $5 and $10. All the gifts are put into a pile, and each quizzer is given a number. We then call each number in turn and the quizzer called can either take a present from the pile, or take a gift that has already been opened. Things continue until we're all out of numbers.

Every year some people have NO problem thinking of ideas for presents for the gift game at the Quiz Team Christmas party. ...And every year some people are absolutely stumped. If you need some ideas, here are a few popular ideas from past years.

• Nerf toys (guns, balls, etc.)
• Tool sets
• Bible-themed toys
• Christian CDs
• Candy
• Puzzles (Brain teasers, mind games, etc.)
• Stuffed animals

One thing to be careful of this year is gift cards. They are often popular, but in a down economy you have to be careful to only buy cards for stores you are SURE will be around in January.

Teens of Character

It is a common thing in every generation for teens to get a bad rap. Adults tend to only talk about the bad eggs among teenagers, and teenagers tend to focus on the problems they see around them. But just as in every age group, there are also many, many worthy of honor. Plugged-in Online has up a compilation of some recent stories about teens who showed strong character and upright hearts.

You won't find many teens more selfless than Terry Miller, a 15-year-old boy who came to the rescue when a propane-fueled explosion set a neighbor's mobile home ablaze. A badly burned, panic-stricken woman stumbled into the yard, pleading for someone to help her children. Terry raced inside not once but three times to find and retrieve her 4-year-old daughter and 9-month-old son. Blinded by intense smoke and heat, he succeeded by homing in on the children's cries.

It is worth remembering by both adults and kids that teens can be heroes in big and small ways. This is why we study scripture and store it up in our hearts.

Scoreboard

Reference Questions for Luke 12

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

Question: According to Luke 12:1, be on your guard against what?
Answer: "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy."

Question: According to Luke 12:4, I tell you what?
Answer: I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.

Question: According to Luke 12:5, I will show you what?
Answer: I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

Question: According to Luke 12:7, don't be afraid why?
Answer: Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Question: According to Luke 12:8, I tell you what?
Answer: I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God.

Question: According to Luke 12:12, the Holy Spirit will what?
Answer: The Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.

Question: According to Luke 12:15, be on your guard against what?
Answer: "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

Question: According to Luke 12:22, I tell you what?
Answer: I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.

Question: According to Luke 12:24, consider what?
Answer: Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!

Question: According to Luke 12:27, I tell you what?
Answer: Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

Question: According to Luke 12:27, consider what?
Answer: Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

Question: According to Luke 12:29, do not what?
Answer: Do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.

Question: According to Luke 12:32, do not be afraid why?
Answer: Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

Question: According to Luke 12:33, sell what?
Answer: Sell your possessions and give to the poor.

Question: According to Luke 12:38, it will be good for whom?
Answer: It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night.

Question: According to Luke 12:40, the Son of Man will what?
Answer: You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

Question: According to Luke 12:51, I tell you what?
Answer: Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.

Finish the Verse for Luke 12

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

Question: FTV: I tell you, my friends,...
Answer: ...do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. (Luke 12:04-05)

Question: FTV: Are not five sparrows sold...
Answer: ...for two pennies ? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Luke 12:06-07)

Question: FTV: I tell you, whoever acknowledges...
Answer: ...me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God. (Luke 12:08-09)

Question: FTV: Then he said to them, "Watch...
Answer: ...out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." (Luke 12:15)

Question: FTV: Then Jesus said to his...
Answer: ...disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. (Luke 12:22-23)

Question: FTV: Who of you by worrying...
Answer: ...can add a single hour to his life ? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? (Luke 12:25-26)

Question: FTV: Consider how the lilies grow...
Answer: ...They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! (Luke 12:27-28)

Question: FTV: But seek his kingdom,...
Answer: ...and these things will be given to you as well. (Luke 12:31)

Question: FTV: Sell your possessions and give...
Answer: ...to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Luke 12:33-34)

Question: FTV: You also must be ready,...
Answer: ...because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." (Luke 12:40)

Loopholes in popular idioms

WEEK 14: Study Luke 12

This week (December 4 thru December 10), please study Luke 12.

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

DOWNLOAD: If you want to download the MP3, click here (Password is "quizpad", without the quotes.)

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

Study Tip: Do you spend all of your time studying alone? For some, that is sufficient to absorb the material and prepare for practice. But for others, it is a whole lot more valuable to study with a friend. Find someone that you can spend an hour or two with each week (family member, fellow quizzer, buddy) and spend time with them on the phone or in person, working on the material. Quiz each other. Challenge each other's understanding of the material. Look for holes in each other's knowledge. You will be surprised to see what a little one-on-one can do for your quizzing expertise.


Upcoming Events:
Saturday, December 13 - Quiz Meet in Essex Fells
Friday, December 19 - Quiz Team Christmas Party at Calvary EFC, Trumbull (Families invited. Only quizzers will be in the game.)

Archeologists discover tomb of King Herod

There was a time when skeptics would point to historical facts in the Bible and use it to try and disprove its accuracy. But more and more, scientists are discovering finds that prove details from the historical accounts. For example, archeologists think they have found the tomb of King Herod, the man who was king over Israel when Jesus was born.

The tomb was originally about 25 meters high, a size that excavation director Ehud Netzer said would have been appropriate to a figure of Herod's political stature, the university's Institute of Archeology said in a news release today.

Digging work has continued this year at the structure first uncovered in May 2007 at Herodium, a hilltop fortress built by Herod 15 kilometers south of Jerusalem and east of Bethlehem.

Coach Mark's Photos from the Quiz Meet

Click on the image below to see the whole set.

Standings as of the end of November

If Midwinter were held today, the quizzers highlighted in yellow would be the starting 5 quizzers for the Upper and Lower teams. The teams for Midwinter and Districts will be decided based on total score for all practices and quiz meets. If you are not happy with where you are on this chart, there is still time to step up your efforts at practice to move up the list.

UPPER DIVISION


LOWER DIVISION