WEEKLY COMIC: Judging

DID YOU KNOW: The Feast of Mary Magdalene

"DID YOU KNOW?" will be a summer series where we review issues of the Bible and the Christian faith of special interest. If you have a suggestion/question that you'd like addressed in a "DID YOU KNOW?" segment, please e-mail the coaches.

I heard July 22 is the "Feast of Mary Magdalene".  What is that?

Unlike our tradition, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Lutheran churches celebrate feasts for the great heroes of the Faith (whom they call "Saints").  The Feast on July 22 commemorates Mary Magdalene, the sister of Martha and Lazarus.  She is the most commonly mentioned woman in the New Testament, and was at both Christ's crucifixion and resurrection.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: Trumbull at Challenge 2014

Thanks to quizzer Nibbles for this picture of the folks from Trumbull who went to Challenge 2014.

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: No Man Is An Island

BONUS COMIC: Meet Cute

HUMOR: Not quite the Trinity

Not mine.  From here. 

Several children found a dead robin. Feeling that a proper burial should be performed, they secured a small box and some cotton batting, dug a hole in the back yard, and made ready to dispose of the deceased. The minister's 5-year-old son was chosen to say the prayer. And so with great dignity, he intoned, "Glory be to the Father...and unto the Son...and into the hole he goes."

BIBLE NEWS: Champions of the Baptist Bible Drill

We love our form of Bible Quizzing, but the EFCA doesn't have a monopoly on competitive Bible-knowledge competitions.  The Baptist Bible Drill - a system focussed on quickly locating and reciting verses from scripture - just had their championship and declared their winners.

Many people might say they know the Bible backwards and forwards, but in the case of siblings Michael and Sarah Last, it is the absolute truth.The two Moulton teenagers recently competed in the Southern Baptist national Bible drill in Helen, Ga., after having won their age group in the state competition.The competition was divided into three sections, which differed in the youth and high school age groups.In the youth category's first section, each competitor was given a part of a Bible verse, and then had to look up the verse and recite it.For the second section, competitors were given doctrine and had to look up a verse that aboded by that doctrine.The third section consisted of competitors being asked questions such as "What does the Bible say about a godly woman?" or "What does the Bible say about facing fear?"The competitors would then look up verses that would answer those questions.The high school age group had the same doctrine and questions categories, but also had a section where they were given a verse of the Bible and had to look it up and recite it.

WEEKLY COMIC: Blowing up with grace

CHALLENGE 2014: Are You Watching?

The bi-annual Challenge Conference is a national event for teens gathered from EFCA churches across the country.  (We used to call it "Nationals", if you need to connect it to old stories the coaches tell from time to time.)  It is a wonderful chance to meet brothers and sisters in Christ from all over, hear great speakers, do good works for the community, and explore the country.

Even if you couldn't make it this year, you can still follow along and enjoy the event.  Click on over to their blog, instagram account, twitter handle, or facebook page to keep an eye on the action!

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: EFCA Challenge 2014!

This week, many of you are in Kansas City for the Challenge Conference.  Here's a quick pic from the official Instagram account from the event.

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: Hope in Front of Me

DID YOU KNOW: Where was the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament?

"DID YOU KNOW?" will be a summer series where we review issues of the Bible and the Christian faith of special interest. If you have a suggestion/question that you'd like addressed in a "DID YOU KNOW?" segment, please e-mail the coaches.

Where was the Holy Spirit in the times of the Old Testament?

We previously discussed where Jesus was before the New Testament, but it is even more logical to ask that question about the Holy Spirit.  Jesus and the Apostles are very clear that the Holy Spirit is God and is part of the Trinity (along with the Father and Jesus, the Son).  If that is the case, why did it take until the New Testament to learn about Him?

But it turns out that - like Jesus - the Holy Spirit is all over the Old Testament, once you know what to look for.  The first mention is Genesis 1:2.

The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.  (Genesis 1:2 ESV)

And it pops up again just a few chapters later in Genesis 6:1-3.

When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in[a] man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” (Genesis 6:1-3 ESV)

The "Spirit of God" or "God's Spirit" or "My Spirit" appears all over the Old Testament.  The last reference is in Malachi 2:15.

Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. (Malachi 2:15 ESV)

So, if the Holy Spirit appeared all over the Old Testament, what the special significance of Pentecost?  Before this event, the Holy Spirit would endwell or empower just one person at a time.  For instance, it came upon King Saul when he was anointed king of Israel by Samuel, but then left him and eventually came upon King David when he was anointed king.  After Pentecost, anyone who became a Christian received the Holy Spirit, and could be empowered by Him.

God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Anytime you think the Old Testament and the new Testament might be in conflict, check again!

HUMOR: Always be ready!

Not mine.  From here.

  Going over our church finances I found a receipt from a local paint store signed by someone named Christian. I wasn't aware of anyone buying paint, so I called the store to point out its mistake.      "I'm sorry," I told the manager, "but there are no Christians here at First Baptist Church."

Happy Birthday Coach Mark

WEEKLY COMIC: Potluck Power!

Happy Independence Day!

Today is the day we celebrate the founding of a "nation under God" which was "endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights."  Enjoy the day, and thank God for our nation.

QUIZ CHALLENGE: Who's Who?

This week's Quiz Challenge cover a list of "Who's Who" in scripture.  It's not one of the more challenging quizzes, but it's a different way of looking at the Bible.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: Beautiful Bible

This is an illuminated Bible from Ethiopia.

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: Taste of Eternity

DID YOU KNOW: *More* Biblical Stats

"DID YOU KNOW?" will be a summer series where we review issues of the Bible and the Christian faith of special interest. If you have a suggestion/question that you'd like addressed in a "DID YOU KNOW?" segment, please e-mail the coaches.

What are some MORE interesting statistics about the Bible?

People seemed to enjoy the first list of interesting stats about the Bible, so here's a follow-up with even more statistics for your ledger.

• Number of books in the Bible: 66 
• Chapters: 1,189 
• Verses: 31,101 
• Words: 783,137 
• Letters: 3,566,480 
• Number of promises given in the Bible: 1,260 
• Commands: 6,468 
• Predictions: over 8,000 
• Fulfilled prophecy: 3,268 verses
• Number of times the word "God" appears: 3,358 
• Number of times the word "Lord" appears: 7,736 
• Number of languages the Bible has been translated into: over 1,200

HUMOR: Always be ready!

Not mine.  From here.

It was Palm Sunday but because of a sore throat, 5-year-old Johnny stayed home from church with a sitter. When the family returned home, they were carrying several palm fronds. Johnny asked them what they were for.
      "People held them over Jesus' head as he walked by," his father told him.
      "Wouldn't you know it," Johnny fumed, "the one Sunday I don't go and he shows up."

BIBLE NEWS: Respect for Bible in Decline

The Barna Group is known for taking surveys on religious issues, and one of their newest studies is on attitudes among Americans towards the Bible.  Most years, this is good new, but not so this year.  Respect for the Bible has been falling, especially among Millennials.

Bible skepticism is on the rise compared to previous years—this year the number of people who claim they don't believe in the Bible equals the number of people who claim to regularly read or study the Scriptures.

This should remind us how important it is to not only study scripture for ourselves, but teach it to those around us, as well.

WEEKLY COMIC: On the Inside

QUIZ CHALLENGE: Sermon on the Mount

This week's Quiz Challenge covers the Sermon on the Mount.  It comes from the King James Version, so be ready for a little archaic language here and there.  Also, this one asks for your name.  DO NOT give them your real name - a nickname is sufficient for their purposes.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: Trumbull 2013 Quiz Meet

A collage of memories.

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: I Believe

DID YOU KNOW: Where was Jesus before the New Testament?

"DID YOU KNOW?" will be a summer series where we review issues of the Bible and the Christian faith of special interest. If you have a suggestion/question that you'd like addressed in a "DID YOU KNOW?" segment, please e-mail the coaches.

Where was Jesus before he was born in 1 B.C.?

The Bible is very clear about the identity of Jesus Christ:

1. He is the Son of God
2. He is God (part of the Trinity)
3. He was involved in the creation of the world

So, if Jesus is God and God is eternal (always existing), then where was Jesus before the New Testament begins?  This is a question that has sent Christians from the earliest times searching the Old Testament.

First, nowhere in the Old Testament is there a character known as "Jesus" who is obviously the same person.  ("Jesus" is the same name as Joshua, but the Joshua we know from Moses time is NOT the son of God.)  This is one reason why the Jews of his own time were perplexed when he appeared.  Many had come claiming to be the Messiah, so until there was proof he was just one more potential charlatan.

Second, there is evidence that the Trinity has been there from the beginning.  In Genesis, God refers to Himself as "we" and "us" repeatedly during creation.  (Of course, this is not proof, merely evidence.  The story of Creation is poetry, which allows some linguistic freedom, and there are cases of human kings referring to themselves as "we" and "us", as well.)

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” - Genesis 1:26

Third, there is a character int he Old Testament who shows up again and again, who is always doing God's work, and who appears to have great power.  He is called "the Angel of the Lord" and is always associated with an appearance of God Himself.

• Genesis 16:7–12:  The Angel of the Lord saves Hagar
• Genesis 21:17-18:  The Angel of the Lord saved Hagar and Ishmael
• Genesis 22:11-18:  The Angel of the Lord stays Abraham's hand from sacrificing Isaac
• Exodus 3:2:  The Angel of the Lord speaks to Moses from the burning bush
• Judges 13:3-22:  The Angel of the Lord promises Samson
• Zechariah 3:1:  The Angel of the Lord opposes Satan before God

...and there are many more appearances.  Did you notice a common theme in all of these cases?  The Angel of the Lord is a savior.  He speaks for God and he opposes Satan.  This is almost exactly the way Jesus presented himself in the New Testament.  

It is likely that this Angel of the Lord is in fact Jesus before his birth to Mary.

HUMOR: Brothers & Sisters

Not mine.  From here.

After explaining the commandment to honor your father and mother, a Sunday School teacher asked her class if there was a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters.
      One boy, the oldest in his family, immediately answered, "Thou shalt not kill."

BIBLE NEWS: A "Famine" of Bible Knowledge?

Bible Quizzers - as a group - really know our Bible.  We not only know general facts about it, but we study the text intensely and talk about it every practice for historical and cultural context.  But what about everyone else?  Is there a crisis of Bible knowledge in America?  A professor from Biola University makes the case.

For well over twenty years now, Christian leaders have been lamenting the loss of general biblical literacy in America. … Some among us may be tempted to seek odd solace in the recognition that our culture is increasingly post-Christian. … Much to our embarrassment, however, it has become increasingly clear that the situation is really no better among confessing Christians, even those who claim to hold the Bible in high regard.

WEEKLY COMIC: Which Way Will You Go?

QUIZ CHALLENGE: Pastor's Quiz

This week's Quiz Challenge is a tough one covering both the Old and New Testament, and is intended for pastors (i.e. people who have been thru seminary).  How will do you?  I only got 67% on my first try {Blush}!

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: Bible Quizzers at the Bridgeport Bluefish

This past Saturday, the Bridgeport Bluefish hosted a night for local churches.  We were there, and wanted to share a few photos from the event.  Click on the image below for the whole set.

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: Lay Me Down

DID YOU KNOW: Some Biblical Stats

"DID YOU KNOW?" will be a summer series where we review issues of the Bible and the Christian faith of special interest. If you have a suggestion/question that you'd like addressed in a "DID YOU KNOW?" segment, please e-mail the coaches.

What are some interesting statistics about the Bible?

The Bible is a long book (or rather collection of books) and has been around for a long time, so scholars have had plenty of time to crunch the numbers.

• About 50 Bibles are sold every minute.
• There are 66 books in the Bible, 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament.
• The 66 books of the Bible is divided into 1,189 chapters consisting of 31,173 verses. 
• The Old Testament has 929 chapters, the New Testament 260.
• The longest line in the Bible is Esther 8:9 - 89 words, 425 letters. 
• The longest word in the Bible is Maher-shalal-hash-baz: Isaiah 8:1.
• The shortest verse in the NIV Bible is John 11:35: "Jesus wept."
• The longest book chapter in the Bible is Psalm 119, the shortest is Psalm 117.
• There are 594 chapters before Psalm 118 and 594 chapters after it. 
• Psalm 118 verse 8 is in the center of the Bible: "It is better to trust in the Lord than put confidence in man."
• Obadiah, with 21 verses consisting of 602 words, is the shortest book in the Old Testament, and the third shortest in the Bible.
• II John has the fewest number of verses of any book in the Bible - it is the shortest book in the Bible.
• III John has the fewest number of words of any book in the Bible.
• Job is the oldest book written in the Bible - it was written by an unknown Israelite around 1500 BC.

Happy Father's Day, Quiz Team Dads!

Thanks for all you do for your children and our team, at home and in church.  (Not all Quiz Team Dads pictured.)

HUMOR: Copy and Paste

Not mine.  From here.

A pastor I know has a standard liturgy for funerals. To personalize each service, he uses the Find and Replace command on his computer to replace the name of the deceased from the previous funeral with the new name.
      The next morning, the funeral was going smoothly until the Apostle's Creed. "Jesus Christ," the congregation read from the program, "born of the Virgin Edna..."

WEEKLY COMIC: Too cool for school?

QUIZ CHALLENGE: Women of the Bible

This week's Bible Challenge is all about the women of the Bible.  How well do you know the mothers, daughters, and sisters of the greatest book?

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: Mrs. & Mrs. Bible Quizzer

This past Saturday, two former Bible Quizzers married in Trumbull.  Congratulations to Special J and Pinky on their blessed union!

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: Unstoppable Love