SCOREBOARD: Practice 9/25

REFERENCE QUESTIONS: Romans 4

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

QUESTION:  According to Romans 4:8, blessed is whom?

ANSWER:  The man against whom the Lord will not count his sin. (cf Rom 4:8; 14:22; Jam 1:12)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 4:11, he is the father of whom? 

ANSWER:  All who believe without being circumcised (cf Rom4:11, 12, 16)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 4:12, he is the father of whom? 

ANSWER:  The circumcised who are not merely circumcised butwho also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. (cf Rom 4:11, 12, 16)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 4:16, he is the father of whom? 

ANSWER:  Us all. (cf *Rom 4:11, 12, 16)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 4:16, it depends on what? 

ANSWER:  Faith. (cf *Rom 9:16)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 4:17, what is written?

ANSWER:  “I have made you the father of many nations.” (cf Rom 1:17; 2:24; 3:4, 10; 4:17; 8:36; 9:13, 33; 10:15; 11:8, 26; 12:19; 14:11; 15:3, 9, 21)

FINISH THE VERSE: Romans 4

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: Now // to the one who works,... 

ANSWER:  ...his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness. (Romans 4:4-5)

QUESTION: Blessed are // those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,...
ANSWER:  ...and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin. (Romans 4:7-8)


QUESTION: That // is why it depends on faith,... 
ANSWER:  ...in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspringnot only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all. (Romans 4:16)

QUESTION: In // hope he believed against hope,
ANSWER:  ...that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” (Romans 4:18)


QUESTION: No unbelief // made him waver...
ANSWER:  ...concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. (Romans 4:20-21)

WEEKLY COMIC: Wait for it...

THIS WEEK: Study Romans, Chapter 4

This week (September 26 thru October 2), please study Romans, Chapter 4.

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

Click here to download an MP3 of the chapter.

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

If you want to download the puzzle for this week, click here.

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.

Upcoming Events:
- October 26 - Quiz Meet in Trumbull, CT

VOCABULARY: Romans 3

Paul had a large vocabulary, so sometimes he uses words with which you may be unfamiliar.  This weekly series attempts to help by highlighting potentially unfamiliar terminology.  If there are additional words you need help with, please e-mail the coaches.

Romans 3 Vocabulary:

Oracles:  An authoritative or wise expression or answer (Source:  Mirriam-Webster.Com)

Nullify:  To invalidate; To stop enforcement of  (Source:  Dictionary.Reference.Com)

Prevail:  Win; Prove superior (Source:  Vocabulary.Com)

Slanderously:  Lie about with an intent to harm (Source:  Legal-Dictionary.TheFreeDictionary.Com)

Condemnation:  Blame, set aside for punishment (Source:  Mirriam-Webster.Com)

Asps:  Venomous snakes found in the nile region  (Source:  Wikipedia.Com)

Manifested:  Clearly revealed  (Source:  Vocabulary.Com)

Propitiation:  Satisfying or appeasing the wrath of another (especially God) (Source:  GotQuestions.Org)

Forbearance:  Tolerance and restraint in the face of provocation; patience (Source:  TheFreeDictionary.Com)

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: Sing

SCOREBOARD: First Two Practices

REFERENCE QUESTIONS: Romans 3

Please Note:  Some corrections were made to these Reference Questions on Sept 19.  If you have a printed copy from before that date, you'll need to correct it.

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

QUESTION:  According to Romans 3:4, what is written?
ANSWER:  “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.” (cf Rom 1:17; 2:24;3:4, 10; 4:17; 8:36; 9:13, 33; 10:15; 11:8, 26; 12:19;14:11; 15:3, 9, 21)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 3:10, what is written?
ANSWER:  “None is righteous, no, not one.” (cf Rom 1:17; 2:24;3:4, 10; 4:17; 8:36; 9:13, 33; 10:15; 11:8, 26; 12:19;14:11; 15:3, 9, 21)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 3:11, no one what?
ANSWER:  Understands; seeks for God. (cf Rom 3:12)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 3:12, no one what?
ANSWER:  Does good. (cf Rom 3:11)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 3:18, there is no what?
ANSWER:  Fear of God before their eyes. (cf Rom 3:18, 22; 4:15;10:12; 13:1; Jam 1:17)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 3:19, we know that what?
ANSWER:  Whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped,and the whole world may be held accountable to God. (cf Rom 2:2; 3:19; 6:6, 9; 7:14; 8:22, 28)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 3:22, there is no what?
ANSWER:  Distinction. (cf Rom 3:18, 22; 4:15; 10:12; 13:1; Jam1:17

Heading home! (Should be home about 2 pm.) #biblequizzing

Lunchtime! #biblequizzing

Quizzing is done and Scampers is exhausted! #biblequizzing

Trumbull vs Monroe #biblequizzing

We need one of these! #biblequizzing

FINISH THE VERSE: Romans 3

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: As // it is written:...

ANSWER:  ..None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one. (Romans 3:10-12)

QUESTION: For by works // of the law...
ANSWER:  ...no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:20)

QUESTION: For all // have sinned...
ANSWER:  ...and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23

Quiz Meet Details!

Our first Quiz Meet is TOMORROW!  Aren't you excited?  Here are the details.

WHEN DO WE LEAVE?  We'll leave the church at 7:30 AM.  Please do NOT be late.
WHERE ARE WE GOING?  Northern Valley Evangelical Free Church in Cresskill, NJ
WHAT IS THE COST?  $5 (for lunch)
WHAT CHAPTERS ARE WE QUIZZING ON?  Romans 1 & 2
WHAT TIME ARE WE GETTING BACK? Around 3:00 PM.  (You can call your ride from the road.)
WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO BRING?  Yourself, your quiz team shirt (or a blue shirt/sweatshirt/sweater of about the same color), your scripture portion, and maybe some quizzes for the van!

WEEK 3: Study Romans, Chapter 3

This week (September 19 thru September 25), please study Romans, Chapter 3.

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

Click here to download an MP3 of Romans, Chapter 3.

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

If you want to download the puzzle for this week, click here.

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.

Upcoming Events:
- September 21 - Quiz Meet in Cresskill, NJ
- October 26 - Quiz Meet in Trumbull, CT

VOCABULARY: Romans 2

While the NIV tried to stay as close to "plain English" as possible, the ESV tries to stay as close as possible to the original text.  Paul had a large vocabulary, so this means that sometimes he uses words with which you may be unfamiliar.  This new weekly series will attempt to help you thru any difficult words by highlighting potentially unfamiliar terminology.  If there are additional words you need help with, please e-mail the coaches.

Romans 2 Vocabulary:

Repentant:  The act of feeling regret about one's sin; In the original Greek, this word is literally a "turning away" from an old way of life to a new one.  (Reference:  About.Com)

Impenitent:  Not feeling regret about one's sin or sins; unrepentant (Reference:  dictionary.reference.com)

Tribulation:  Distress or suffering resulting from oppression or persecution (Reference:  Merriam-webster.com)

Partiality:  Preference, bias  (Reference:  Wiktionary.org)

Embodiment:  Tangible, bodily, or concrete form of an abstract concept (Reference:  Collinsdictionary.com)

Blasphemed:  To speak with contempt about God (Reference:  GotQuestions.Org)

Precepts:   Commandments, instructions, or orders  (Reference:  Wikipedia.Com)

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: Chasing You

BIBLE NEWS: Online Bible reading at an all-time high

It is no secret that Coach Matt and I are techies.  We've been reading the Bible in electronic forms since the 1990s!  But for many Christians, the idea of reading the Word of God outside of paper is still quite strange.  Still, a new study indicates that more people than ever before are reading the Bible online!

“The data shows a continual shift to digital content. The number of Bible readers who use their smartphone or cell phone to search for Bible content has increased each year, with a 6 percent increase in the use of this format from 2012,” said the Society. “Use of Internet to find Bible content has also increased, up 4 percent from 2011.”
...However, the report also found a decrease in Bible ownership: 92 percent of American households owned a physical copy of the book in 1993, while only 88 percent do today. That's still a tremendous number, of course; the decrease is likely more indicative of the increased access to scripture online than lessened interest.

 The day is fast approaching when anyone in the world can access the Bible anytime they need it.  But the day may also be fast approaching when finding a paper Bible is next to impossible.

REFERENCE QUESTIONS: Romans 2

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

QUESTION:  According to Romans 2:2, we know that what?
ANSWER:  The judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. (cf Rom 2:2; 3:19; 6:6, 9; 7:14;8:22, 28)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 2:3, do you suppose what?
ANSWER:  That you will escape the judgment of God? (cf Jam4:5)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 2:13, who will be justified?
ANSWER:  The doers of the law. (cf Rom 3:20)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 2:24, what is written?
ANSWER:  “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” (cf Rom 1:17; 2:24; 3:4, 10;4:17; 8:36; 9:13, 33; 10:15; 11:8, 26; 12:19; 14:11; 15:3,9, 21)

FINISH THE VERSE: Romans 2

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: Therefore you // have no excuse,...

ANSWER:  ...O man, every one of you who judges.  For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. (Romans 2:1)

QUESTION: For no // one is a Jew...

ANSWER:  ...who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God. (Rom 2:28-29)

WEEKLY COMIC: I'm Checkin' In!

CORRECTION: Romans 1:28 keyword

At our first practice last night, we noticed a small problem with the Reference Question list.  As originally posted, the Reference Question for Romans 1:28 looked like this...

QUESTION:  According to Romans 1:28, God gave them up to what?

ANSWER:  A depraved mind (to do what ought not to be done).(cf Rom 1: 24, 26, 28)

...but if you check the actual ESV Bible, it should look like this...

QUESTION:  According to Romans 1:28, God gave them up to what?

ANSWER:  A debased mind (to do what ought not to be done).(cf Rom 1: 24, 26, 28)

...please note the important difference in wording.  I have updated the reference post from the previous week, and will be getting a revised list from the National Head ASAP.

We apologize for the mistake.

WEEK 2: Study Romans, Chapter 2

This week (September 12 thru September 18), please study Romans, Chapter 2.

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

Click here to download an MP3 of Romans, Chapter 2.

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

If you want to download the puzzle for this week, click here.

Study Tip: All bible quizzing is done in the ESV's 2004 edition. This is different from past years which were always in the NIV 1984 version.  If you got a scripture portion from the coaches, it is in the correct version.  Be careful, as if you give answers from the NIV (or other versions) it may be ruled wrong.

Upcoming Events:
- September 21 - Quiz Meet in Cresskill, NJ

REMINDER: Practices begin TONIGHT!

Be ready to quiz on Romans 1 (ESV version) at 7:00 PM in the Round Room!  We're looking forward to another GREAT year of Bible Quizzing.

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: Ready Set Go

VOCABULARY: Romans 1

While the NIV tried to stay as close to "plain English" as possible, the ESV tries to stay as close as possible to the original text.  Paul had a large vocabulary, so this means that sometimes he uses words with which you may be unfamiliar.  This new weekly series will attempt to help you thru any difficult words by highlighting potentially unfamiliar terminology.  If there are additional words you need help with, please e-mail the coaches.

Romans 1 Vocabulary:

Apostle/Apostleship:  Apostle is from the Greek word apostolos, which means "one who is sent".  It is used in scripture for people who specially set apart to bring the gospel to the world, especially "the Twelve" but also including people like Paul and Barnabas.  "Apostleship"means "having the office of apostle". (Reference:  About.Com)

Barbarians:  In modern times, we think of "barbarian" meaning "savage" (like "Conan the Barbarian").  But in Biblical times, it means "anyone outside of the Roman Empire".  It was making fun of the languages of other peoples - especially Germanic tribes - whose words sounded like baby talk to the Greek and Latin-speaking Romans.  (Reference:  Dictionary.Com)

Futile:  Useless; ineffective; powerless; frivolous.  (Referenece:  Dictionary.Com)

Debased:  Lowered in quality or dignity.  Reduced in power or significance.  (Reference:  Dictionary.Com)

Malice:  Desire to inflict harm or injury on someone else.  (Reference:  Dictionary.Com)

Covetousness:  Greed.  Desiring wealth or possessions above all else.  (Reference: Dictionary.Com)

Strife:  Antagonism or rivalry.  Bitter conflict.  (Reference:  Dictionary.Com)

Slanderers:  People who make malicious and false statements about someone else.  (Reference:  Dictionary.Com)

Insolent:  Boldly rude or disrespectful.  (Reference:  Dictionary.Com)

Haughty:  Proud, snobbish, arrogant.  (Reference:  Dictionary.Com)

Ruthless:  Cruel; Without pity or compassion.  (Reference:  Dictionary.Com)

REFERENCE QUESTIONS: Romans 1

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

QUESTION:  According to Romans 1:17, what is written?

ANSWER:  “The righteous shall live by faith.” (cf Rom 1:17; 2:24;3:4, 10; 4:17; 8:36; 9:13, 33; 10:15; 11:8, 26; 12:19;14:11; 15:3, 9, 21)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 1:23, they exchanged what?

ANSWER:  The glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. (cf Rom 1:23, 25, 26)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 1:24, God gave them up to what?

ANSWER:  Impurity(to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, in the lusts of their hearts). (cf Rom 1:24, 26, 28)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 1:25, they exchanged what?

ANSWER:  The truth about God for a lie. (cf *Rom 1:23, 25, 26)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 1:25, who is blessed forever?

ANSWER:  The Creator. (cf *Rom 9:5)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 1:26, God gave them up to what?

ANSWER:  Dishonorable passions. (cf Rom 1: 24, 26, 28)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 1:28, God gave them up to what?

ANSWER:  A debased mind (to do what ought not to be done).(cf Rom 1: 24, 26, 28)

FINISH THE VERSE: Romans 1

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: For I am not // ashamed...
ANSWER:  ...of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.(Rom 1:16)

QUESTION: For in // it the righteousness...
ANSWER:  ...of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Rom 1:17)

QUESTION: For the wrath // of God...
ANSWER:  ...is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and un-righteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. (Rom 1:18)

QUESTION: For his // invisible attributes...
ANSWER:  ...namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.(Rom 1:20)

WEEKLY COMIC: Unpublishable grief

WEEK 1: Study Romans, Chapter 1

This week (September 5 thru September 11), please study Romans, Chapter 1

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

Click here to download an MP3 of Romans, Chapter 1.

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

If you want to download the puzzle for this week, click here.

Study Tip: For Bible Quizzing, we recommend at a minimum that quizzers read the chapter at least twice each day. This provides a good foundation for studying as the quizzer becomes familiar with the material. It is often good to make this a first-thing-in-the-morning, and a last-thing-at-night event, as that lodges the material in the brain for the subconscious to work on it during your day and overnight.

Upcoming Events:
- September 4 - Practices begin
- September 21 - Quiz Meet in Cresskill, NJ

Practices begin ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!

Practices begin one week from today on Wednesday, September 11 at 7:00 AM in the Round Room.  Time to crack open your scripture portions and start studying.  Remember, we're working in the ESV this year, so be sure to study that and not the NIV!

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: Wake

BONUS COMIC: Tell me all about it

BONUS COMIC: Don't be Shellfish!