FINISH THE VERSE: Acts 23

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 the // Sadducees say...
ANSWER:  ...that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. (Acts 23:8)

WEEKLY COMIC: Hang On, Shoulder Angel!

THIS WEEK: Study Acts, Chapter 23

This week (February 17 thru February 23, please study Acts, Chapter 23.

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

Download an MP3 of the chapter.

If you'd like to read a commentary on the chapter, click here.

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

Study Tip: How are you doing with the whole book of Acts?  In the week-to-week grind, it can be easy to lose track of the chapters on which you may be weak.  Take a moment in the next 7 days to think about your progress and consider where you may need to do a little review.  We're going full-speed-ahead until Districts, so if you want to do any review, you need to set aside the time yourself!

Upcoming Events:

- April 17-18 - Districts Quiz Meet in Dallas, PA

Bible Verses on Snow

We've had so many days filled with snow this year, it seemed appropriate to do a little mini-study on how the Bible views snow.

Job 37:6 - "For to the snow He says, 'Fall on the earth,' And to the downpour and the rain, 'Be strong.' 

Proverbs 26:1 - Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool. 

Proverbs 31:21- She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet. 

Job 24:19 - "Drought and heat consume the snow waters, So does Sheol those who have sinned. 

Psalms 148:8 - Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;] 

Job 38:22 - "Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, Or have you seen the storehouses of the hail, 

Psalms 147:16 - He gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes 

Isaiah 55:10-11 - "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. 

Lamentations 4:7 - Her consecrated ones were purer than snow, They were whiter than milk; They were more ruddy in body than corals, Their polishing was like lapis lazuli.

Psalms 51:7 - Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 

Isaiah 1:18 - "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.  

Proverbs 25:13 - Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters.

SCOREBOARD: Practice - February 18

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: Hallelujah for the Cross

REFERENCE QUESTIONS: Acts 22

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

QUESTION:  According to Acts 22:14, the God of our fathers what?
ANSWER:   Appointed you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth.(cf 3:13; 5:30; 22:14)

QUESTION:  According to Acts 22:17, who fell into a trance?
ANSWER:   (I) Paul.  (cf 10:10; 22:17)

QUESTION:  According to Acts 22:21, I will send you where?
ANSWER:   Far away to the Gentiles.  (cf 7:34, 43; 22:21)

QUESTION:  According to Acts 22:24, the tribune ordered what?
ANSWER:   Him (Paul) to be brought into the barracks (saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this).  (cf21:33; 22:24)

FINISH THE VERSE: Acts 22

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:  And he said, "The // God of our fathers...
ANSWER:  ...appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. (Acts 22:14-15)

WEEKLY COMIC: It Is Better to Give...

THIS WEEK: Study Acts, Chapter 22

This week (February 19 thru February 25, please study Acts, Chapter 22.

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

Download an MP3 of the chapter.

If you'd like to read a commentary on the chapter, click here.

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

Study Tip: It's been three full weeks since our last practice, so it may be tough to stay motivated.  But we will catch up as soon as the winter blues stop targeting Mondays!  Stay on task and be ready to do a little extra practice the next few weeks.

Upcoming Events:

- April 17-18 - Districts Quiz Meet in Dallas, PA

DID YOU KNOW: What are "Ash Wednesday" and Lent?

Some of my friends are getting crosses put on their foreheads and talking about "Lent".  What is this all about?

Today marks "Ash Wednesday", which is traditionally the first day of "Lent".  Those are two terms that you don't often hear about in EFCA churches, but which are generally celebrated by Christian churches around the world.  Neither is mentioned in the Bible, so there is no requirement to observe either.  But it can be useful to understand the traditions, at the very least.

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent on the church calendar - exactly 40 days (excluding Sundays) before Easter.  It is celebrated by the placing of ashes on the forehead of faithful Christians, to represent repentance as one looks forward to Good Friday (Jesus's death for our sins) and Easter (Jesus's resurrection from the dead).  More on the holiday can be found here:  http://www.gotquestions.org/Ash-Wednesday.html.

Lent marks a 46 day season (40 days not including Sunday) before Easter, during which many Christians choose to renew their commitment to Jesus and symbolize it with acts of self-denial.  It is traditional among many Christian denominations to give up some beloved thing during this time period to remind themselves that Jesus must come first in their lives.  Often the beloved thing is a favorite food (chocolate, red meat, etc.) or a favorite activity (television, golf, etc.).  More can be found on the observance here:  http://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-Lent.html

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: Thank God for Something!

SCOREBOARD: Practice - February 11

REFERENCE QUESTIONS: Acts 21

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

QUESTION:  According to Acts 21:27, they laid hands whom?
ANSWER:    (Him) Paul.  (cf 6:6; 8:17; 12:1; 13:3; 19:6; 21:27)

QUESTION:  According to Acts 21:30, they seized whom?
ANSWER:    Paul.  (cf 6:12; 16:19; 18:17; 21:30)

QUESTION:  According to Acts 21:33, the tribune ordered what?
ANSWER:    Him (Paul) to be bound with two chains.  (cf 21:33;22:24

FINISH THE VERSE: Acts 21

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:  And coming // to us,...
ANSWER:  ...he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” (Acts 21:11)

QUESTION:  Then Paul // answered,... 
ANSWER:  “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 21:13)

WEEKLY COMIC: Timely Prayer

THIS WEEK: Study Acts, Chapter 21

This week (February 12 thru February 18), please study Acts, Chapter 21.

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

Download an MP3 of the chapter.

If you'd like to read a commentary on the chapter, click here.

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

Study Tip: Do read through the text of scripture and find at the end that you know barely more than you did at the beginning? Do you envy those who can read it once, and be able to quiz effectively? Different people learn in different ways. Some people can do it by simply reading, others by listening. But you may be a learner who needs to really engage the text. Consider taking notes as you read - note down really interesting sections, questions that the text raises, notable phrases, etc. At the end, you will have applied not only your eyes but all the parts of your brain, and the learning may very well be far more effective. Oh, and don't forget to call, e-mail, or speak to the coaches, your parents, or the pastors to get the answers to those questions you had.

Upcoming Events:

- April 17-18 - Districts Quiz Meet in Dallas, PA

BONUS COMIC: Biblical Math

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: We Are the Dreamers

SCOREBOARD: Practice - February 2

REFERENCE QUESTIONS: Acts 20

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

QUESTION:  According to Acts 20:9, who fell down?

ANSWER:  A young man named Eutychus.  (cf 5:5, 10; 10:25;16:29; 20:9)

QUESTION:  According to Acts 20:18, you yourselves know what?

ANSWER:  How I lived among you the whole time, from the first day that I set foot in Asia. (cf 1:24; 2:22; 10:36, 37;15:7; 19:25; 20:18, 20, 34)

QUESTION:  According to Acts 20:20, I did not shrink from what?

ANSWER:  Declaring to whom anything that was profitable.  (cf20:20; 20:27)

QUESTION:  According to Acts 20:25, I know what?

ANSWER:  That none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will ever see me again.  (cf3:17; 20:25, 29; 26:27)

QUESTION:  According to Acts 20:27, I did not shrink from what?

ANSWER:  Declaring to you the whole will of God.  (cf 20:20;20:27)

QUESTION:  According to Acts 20:29, I know what?

ANSWER:  That after my departure, fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.  (cf 3:17; 20:25, 29;26:27

QUESTION:  According to Acts 20:34, you yourselves know what?

ANSWER:  That these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me.  (cf 1:24; 2:22; 10:36, 37;15:7; 19:25; 20:18, 20, 34)

FINISH THE VERSE: Acts 20

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:  And now, behold // I am…

ANSWER:  …going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.  (Acts 20:22-23)

QUESTION:  But I // do not account…

ANSWER:  …my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24)

QUESTION:  And now I // commend you…

ANSWER:  …to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.  (Acts 20:32)

QUESTION:  In all  // things I have shown…

ANSWER:  …you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35)

WEEKLY COMIC: Standing Guard

THIS WEEK: Study Acts, Chapter 20

This week (February 5 thru February 11), please study Acts, Chapter 20.

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

Download the MP3.

If you'd like to read a commentary on the chapter, click here.

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

Study Tip: It's cold out there and there is a lot of snow falling.  There are two ways to handle days like this:  (1)  get distracted and watch the snow fall or (2) use the extra indoor time to study up!  Districts is only about 10 weeks away, and this is your prime time to prepare.

Upcoming Events:

- April 17-18 - Districts Quiz Meet in Dallas, PA

BIBLE NEWS: The Words of Women

While the Bible itself has always spoken to the lives of women, Biblical scholarship hasn't always followed suit.  But a Minnesota woman is working to catalogue every word spoken by every woman in the Bible to highlight their stories and how they reflect on our world today.

Three years ago, the group started their work building on several known Bible facts: 93 women speak in the Bible. 49 have names. About 1.1 million words are quoted throughout the book.
They later discovered that about 14,000 of those words were spoken by women in the Bible — at least in the English translation of the New Revised Standard Version.

SCOREBOARD: Practice - January 28

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: From the Day

REFERENCE QUESTIONS: Acts 19

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

QUESTION:  According to Acts 19:4, John baptized with what?
ANSWER:  The baptism of repentance.  (cf 1:5; 11:16; 19:4)

QUESTION:  According to Acts 19:5, who were baptized?
ANSWER:  (They) Some disciples (at Ephesus).  (cf 2:41; 8:12, 16:15, 16:33, 18:8, 19:5)

QUESTION:  According to Acts 19:25, you know what?
ANSWER:  That from this business we have our wealth.  (cf 1:24; 2:22; 10:36, 37; 15:7; 19:25; 20:18, 20, 34)

QUESTION:  According to Acts 19:32, the assembly was what?
ANSWER:  In confusion.  (cf 19:32; 23:7)