Maps of Corinth

Are you having a hard time picturing Corinth and the kinds of places the Corinthians live? These two maps may help you to get a better grip on the city we're studying.

Map of the City of Corinth


Map of the Region of Corinth

Scoreboard

Finish the Verse Questions for 2 Corinthians 8

Remember, the full list of FTV's can always be found at this link.

Question: For you...
Answer: ...know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)

Reference Questions for 2 Corinthians 8

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

Question: According to 2 Corinthians 8:3, they gave how?
Answer: I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.

Question: According to 2 Corinthians 8:5, they gave how?
Answer: They did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.

Question: According to 2 Corinthians 8:8, I want to what?
Answer: I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.

Question: According to 2 Corinthians 8:9, you know what?
Answer: You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

Question: According to 2 Corinthians 8:15, what is written?
Answer: It is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little."

Show your enthusiasm!

WEEK 27: Study 2 Corintians 8

This week (March 4 thru March 10), please study 2 Corinthians, Chapter 8.

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

DOWNLOAD: Click here to download the MP3 for 2 Corinthians 8. (Password is "quizpad" without the quotes. Available for only 90 days.)

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

Study Tip: As we move ahead each week, are you finding yourself forgetting what you learned in the past week? While we DO have some review weeks coming up, they will NOT be before the next Quiz Meet. Each week, dedicate some time to reviewing the earlier chapters. Take one day (I recommend Sunday) skimming thru the books of 1 and 2 Corinthians, looking to reacquaint yourself with the major arguments and distinctive phrases. And as you learn the NEW chapters, try to remember how they fit into the overall discussion.

Upcoming Events:
- Saturday, March 27: Monthly Quiz Meet - Trumbull, CT

Music to cram by

If you're still busy learning this week's chapter, here is some music from Darth Nader to brighten up your study time. Thanks to Coach Jim for being the videographer.

Bringing your Bible to School?

When I was in high school, I brought my Bible to school all the time - sometimes as a witness, sometimes just as something to read between classes. No one ever gave me a hard time for it. But some students are finding school administrators less than open to it these days.

Nathan de La Garza tells the Racine Journal Times his pastor had challenged him to carry his Bible with him at all times.
It didn't go over well at Park High School, where an assistant principal told him to keep religion discussions out of school.
De La Garza tells the Journal Times the assistant principal was concerned he might offend somebody and entice a physical fight.

Have you faced any discrimination for bringing your Bible to school?

Scoreboard

Finish the Verse Questions for 2 Corinthians 7

Remember, the full list of FTV's can always be found at this link.

Question: Since...
Answer: ...we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (2 Corinthians 7:1)

Question: Godly...
Answer: ...sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
2 Corinthians 7:10

Reference Questions for 2 Corinthians 7

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

Question: According to 2 Corinthians 7:1, let us what?
Answer: Since we have these promises, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

Question: According to 2 Corinthians 7:12, I wrote why?
Answer: Even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong or of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are.

Quiz Meet Cancelled for Snow

Tomorrow's Quiz Meet has been canceled for the weather. It looks like things will be fine by tomorrow afternoon, but VERY icy and slippery in the morning. Hope everyone enjoys a chance to sleep in. Be sure to be studying 2 Corinthians 7 for Wednesday!

It WON'T last longer

WEEK 26: Study 2 Corintians 7

This week (February 25 thru March 3), please study 2 Corinthians, Chapter 7.

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

DOWNLOAD: Click here to download the MP3 for 2 Corinthians 7. (Password is "quizpad" without the quotes. Available for only 90 days.)

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

Study Tip: Are you making use of all of the tools available to you as a quizzer? We know everyone has a Bible. Are you also downloading the MP3s each week? Are you reading thru the commentary? Are you completing the puzzles? And most of all, are you getting your friends and families involved with your studying regimen? If you're not using everything at your disposal, you're probably not getting the best results.

Upcoming Events:
- Saturday, February 27: Monthly Quiz Meet - Essex Fells, NJ

It's never done

From here.

3000 year old wall from the era of Solomon

Archeology has been a source of constant comfort for the Christian apologist. Every time an archeologist has set out to disprove a record from the Bible, they have failed. Now, a new discovery of a 3000 year old wall from the time of Solomon attests to the strong, rich government of Israel's wisest king.

Speaking to reporters at the site Monday, Mazar, from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, called her find "the most significant construction we have from First Temple days in Israel."

"It means that at that time, the 10th century, in Jerusalem there was a regime capable of carrying out such construction," she said.

It will be interesting to see what else can be found alongside this wall. We may learn many things about the times of David and Solomon.

Scoreboard

Finish the Verse Questions for 2 Corinthians 6

Remember, the full list of FTV's can always be found at this link.

Question: For he...
Answer: ...says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Question: Do not be yoked...
Answer: ...together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? (2 Corinthians 6:14-15)

Question: "Therefore come...
Answer: ...out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you."(2 Corinthians 6:17)

Reference Questions for 2 Corinthians 6

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

Question: According to 2 Corinthians 6:2, I tell you what?
Answer: I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

Question: According to 2 Corinthians 6:14, do not be what?
Answer: Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

Question: According to 2 Corinthians 6:16, we are what?
Answer: We are the temple of the living God.

Can you feel it?

WEEK 25: Study 2 Corintians 6

This week (February 18 thru Febuary 24), please study 2 Corinthians, Chapter 6.

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

DOWNLOAD: Click here to download the MP3 for 2 Corinthians 6. (Password is "quizpad" without the quotes. Available for only 90 days.)

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

Study Tip: Did you know that when you sleep, your mind continues to work on whatever you were thinking about last before you fell asleep? If you are working through an especially difficult passage of scripture, sometimes it can be helpful to study it and work with it right before bed. Then your subconscious can work on it as you sleep (warning, you may dream about quizzing!) and when you wake up, you may find the passage more deeply ingrained into your mind.

Upcoming Events:
- Saturday, February 27: Monthly Quiz Meet - Essex Fells, NJ

TONIGHT: Both 2 Corinthians 4 and 5!

The last time we had a snow-out, a number of quizzers complained that they did not know which chapter(s) we'd be studying the week after. So, here is your fair warning. Tonight we will be practicing on BOTH 2 Corinthians 4 and 2 Corinthians 5. Please prepare accordingly. Plaintive cries of "I didn't know" will receive no sympathy.

Bible Study in a Bar?

In general, bars and Bibles are not something we put together. Many prominent Christian reformers spent most of their time railing against the evils of alcohol, and a number of Protestant denominations teach their parishioners to abstain from alcohol completely. But some evangelists believe there is no better place to reach out to the lost.

Rose admits that a Bible study in a bar may sound odd to some churchgoers, but he contends Jesus was called a drunkard because he went to too many parties.

"If you're going to be accused of being a sinner," Rose said, "you should at least hang around where they are once in a while."

The Axis Church, which started last year, is one of three local churches with ties to a church-planting group called Acts 29 — a name chosen because the biblical book ends with 28 chapters. Founded by Seattle megachurch pastor Mark Driscoll, the group has already launched 200 new churches.

I'm not entirely sure what I think of this, but it is certainly a challenge to go beyond my own comfort zone in bringing Jesus to others.

What happened at YOUR retreat

From here.

Finish the Verse Questions for 2 Corinthians 5

Remember, the full list of FTV's can always be found at this link.

Question: Now we...
Answer: ...know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. (2 Corinthians 5:1)

Question: We live...
Answer: ...by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Question: So we...
Answer: ...make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:9-10)

Question: For Christ's...
Answer: ...love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)

Question: Therefore, if...
Answer: ...anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Question: We are...
Answer: ...therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)

Question: God made...
Answer: ...him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Reference Questions for 2 Corinthians 5

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

Question: According to 2 Corinthians 5:1, we know that what?
Answer: We know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

Question: According to 2 Corinthians 5:2-3, we groan why?
Answer: We groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.

Question: According to 2 Corinthians 5:4, we groan why?
Answer: While we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

Question: According to 2 Corinthians 5:5, guaranteeing what is to come, he what?
Answer: (God) has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Question: According to 2 Corinthians 5:5, it is God who WHAT?
Answer: It is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Question: According to 2 Corinthians 5:7, we live how?
Answer: We live by faith, not by sight.

Question: According to 2 Corinthians 5:11, we know what?
Answer: We know what it is to fear the Lord

Question: According to 2 Corinthians 5:18, through Christ what?
Answer: (God) reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

Question: According to 2 Corinthians 5:19, in Christ WHAT?
Answer: God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them.

Question: According to 2 Corinthians 5:20, we are what?
Answer: We are Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.

Question: According to 2 Corinthians 5:20, be what?
Answer: We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.

God is love

WEEK 24: Study 2 Corintians 5

This week (Febuary 11 thru Febuary 17), please study 2 Corinthians, Chapter 5.

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

DOWNLOAD: Click here to download the MP3 for 2 Corinthians 5. (Password is "quizpad" without the quotes. Available for only 90 days.)

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

Study Tip: Tired of reading about complex tricks to improve your studying? Okay, let's keep it simple. How often are you reading the chapter for each week? If you answered LESS than "twice a day", then YOU ARE NOT doing the minimum. Every quizzer should be reading the week's chapter AT LEAST twice a day EVERY DAY. This simple commitment can change you from a useless quizzer to one who makes the difference between a win and loss for your team.

Upcoming Events:
- Saturday, February 27: Monthly Quiz Meet - Essex Fells, NJ

ALERT: No Practice Tonight

Well, the flakes aren't falling too heavily yet, but the call has been made. There will be no Quiz Team practice tonight. We will resume meeting on our normal schedule next Wednesday.

What about the snow?!

I have gotten a number of inquiries about what we plan to do about the snow storm predicted to begin about 4 AM today and last until this afternoon or evening. Will we have Quiz Team Practice? The answer, so far, is "We do not know." However, this very blog is your best tool to watch for updates. If practice is canceled, we will report it here first. The church website also will announce if the building closes.

Outreach looks to give a Bible CD to all of Texas

A group of Baptist churches has an ambitious plan to evangelize the state of Texas. They want to give a multimedia CD-ROM to every household in Texas which offers passages of the Bible in the myriad of languages spoken in the Lone Star state.

It is part of a three-pronged campaign dubbed Texas Hope 2010 to convey what "we really believe; that there's hope in Christ," said Randel Everett, the Baptist group's executive director.

Pop one in a car CD player or load it onto an MP3 device and hear the third chapter of John explain how "God so loved the world" in English or Spanish.

Slip it into a computer and download the entire New Testament in one of more than 400 languages, complete with dramatic pauses, sound effects and background music. Organizers say they are not snubbing the Old Testament; the audio is not yet available in all those languages.

Say what you will. This is an amazing plan to bring the Bible to as many people as possible. Be praying that God uses this effort to bring more people to Himself.

Scoreboard

Prayer Alert: Middletown Explosion

Please be praying for the victims of a natural gas explosion in Middletown, CT. Reports are still sketchy, but there appear to have been fatalities and injuries.

Finish the Verse Questions for 2 Corinthians 4

Remember, the full list of FTV's can always be found at this link.

Question: The god...
Answer: ...of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Corinthians 4:4)

Question: For God,...
Answer: ...who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6)

Question: But we...
Answer: ...have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. (2 Corinthians 4:7)

Question: We always...
Answer: ...carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. (2 Corinthians 4:10)

Question: For our...
Answer: ...light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

Reference Questions for 2 Corinthians 4

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

Question: According to 2 Corinthians 4:1, we do not lose heart why?
Answer: Since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.

Question: According to 2 Corinthians 4:2, we do not what?
Answer: We have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.

Question: According to 2 Corinthians 4:4, who is the image of God?
Answer: Christ is the image of God.

Question: According to 2 Corinthians 4:5, we preach what?
Answer: We do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.

Question: According to 2 Corinthians 4:7, we have what?
Answer: We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

Question: According to 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, we are what?
Answer: We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

Question: According to 2 Corinthians 4:14, we know that what?
Answer: We know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence.

Question: According to 2 Corinthians 4:16, we are what?
Answer: Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

Look it up, folks

WEEK 23: Study 2 Corintians 4

This week (Febuary 4 thru Febuary 10), please study 2 Corinthians, Chapter 4.

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

DOWNLOAD: Click here to download the MP3 for 2 Corinthians 4. (Password is "quizpad" without the quotes. Available for only 90 days.)

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

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:
- Saturday, February 27: Monthly Quiz Meet - Essex Fells, NJ

Firm puts Bible References on Gun Sights

I love the Bible. I study it, use in everyday discussions, have t-shirts embossed with verses, hang them on my wall, and more. I believe it is God's word, and His primary method of revelation after Jesus and the Holy Spirit themselves. But I don't think it is necessarily appropriate everywhere. For example, I have to wonder about one firm's decision to emboss references on gun sights used by members of the US Military in Afghanistan.

For years, the company acknowledged, it has put small scriptural references near the model numbers on some products, a practice started by its founder, who was a Christian.

The references, like JN8:12 and 2COR4:6, referring to passages in the Gospel of John and in Second Corinthians, had not been widely noticed or debated until an ABC News report this week. Scopes with biblical references were also sold to the Australian, New Zealand and British militaries.

I do not doubt the good intentions of those who originally started this practice. But there are times when we need to think more deeply about what we do - especially when working in a Muslim country whose memories of the Crusades are all too fresh.

Midwinter as a Cartoon

I've been playing around with a new App that turns photos into cartoons. I thought the Team might be interested in seeing a few of them.

Scores from Wednesday

Did you notice something unusual? The ordering is a bit different than you are used to. After Midwinter, we have a chance to change the status quo, and for people to begin really showing off what they can do. Work hard and you can be in the starting 5 for Districts, and make a big difference for the team. Scores reset as of this next Wednesday night, so let's start anew in the sprint toward the finish!