Turning through the pages of my Bible, I was trying to decide on a passage of Scripture to work on since returning from the National Bible Bee Competition. With the Summer Study and the competition over, I found myself at a loss of which book to study. At some point in my search, I stumbled upon 2 Timothy 4:2, “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.”
While Paul certainly wasn’t talking about NBB competition seasons, the verse made me think about the difference in my diligence between the seasons of summer, fall, winter, and spring. The competition, the structure, and the community made it much easier to intentionally study and memorize God’s Word from June to November. Somewhere in the busy holiday season and spring semester, my recitations would often become few and far between. So how do we stay consistent in our commitment to Scripture? How can we be ready during not only the Summer Study and competition season but also during the months in between? Here are a few ways that apply to the off-season as well as to alumni!
1. Find an accountability partner.
Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 NASB 1995
Whether it’s a local friend from your Summer Study host group or a new friend from Nationals, there is great wisdom in finding an accountability partner. One of the greatest spiritual blessings in my life to this day is the girl that God placed right behind me in my 2018 oral recitation room. When we discovered we both used the New American Standard Bible, we began to recite to each other and encourage one another despite the nerves and stress of the moment. Over the next year, Thursday afternoons became our time to recite to each other and, as Paul wrote in 2 Timothy, exhort one another over the phone. Even in college, Josie and I sought accountability to review previously memorized passages when we didn’t have the capacity to work on new things. Waking up to voice memo texts of different Psalms throughout the week not only kept her memory passages fresh but also encouraged and challenged me in ways only the Word of God can.
One of the most beautiful parts of NBBC is the community, and that doesn’t have to be seasonal! Technology, or even writing letters like the apostles did, can keep us in fellowship with other believers regardless of distance. Finding someone who will read the Bible alongside you, discuss lessons learned, and listen to you recite memory passages will make a difference in your commitment to studying during the off season. Your accountability partner doesn’t have to use the same version or live in the same state; they don’t even have to be a participant or competitor in the National Bible Bee Competition!
2. Put passages in visible places.
These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up… You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:6-9 NASB 1995
From the days of Moses, the practice of putting Scripture in visible places has proven valuable. Incorporating Scripture into daily rhythms of life can be aided by physical reminders. Many of us have stacks, binders, or rings full of verse cards that might end up in a box or bin with those from the previous year. Finding places around your home or vehicles to place verse cards will make true the opposite of the old adage, “Out of sight, out of mind.” With a Ziploc plastic bag and some packing tape on unpainted surfaces, you can create a waterproof pocket to place rotating passages in kitchens or bathrooms. I’ve also found washi tape helpful in placing verse cards around my room and in my car.
Sometimes the visibility proves counterproductive and you get used to seeing passages everywhere. Regardless of how tangible and physical the reminders are, reviewing takes intentionality. Choosing a passage related to your routine may help aid your review as well. For example, you could review the passage of Jesus cleansing the temple while cleaning the kitchen or Psalm 51 while getting ready for the day.
3. Listen to Scripture throughout your day.
… Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word… But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:39-42 NASB 1995
With the different devices and options available, we have no excuse not to take advantage of audio Bibles in whichever translation we prefer. Each day, we have at our fingertips the opportunity to choose the good part like Mary did when she chose to listen to the Lord’s word. While visibility of shorter passages can help with reviewing throughout a daily routine, the longer chapters committed to memory can get overlooked because of the convenience of smaller portions. Finding people available to listen to chapters or books of the Bible can also be a large request of their time.
Throughout college, I was regularly on solo drives ranging from three to seventeen hours at a time. While I enjoyed calling friends on the phone and listening to music, one of the most valuable ways to spend my road trips was in recitation. Of course, many of my passages were rusty and it wasn’t the best idea to look up the next verse on my phone or in my Bible. But at odd hours of the morning and night when most people were asleep, I could play a chapter of Scripture on 1.25x speed (closer to average speaking pace) and recite with the audio Bible. If I got stuck or distracted, I could easily get back on track.
It doesn’t have to be a cross-country drive for you, it could be a stroll around your neighborhood or the drive to church. Many chapters only take a few minutes through different Bible apps, take advantage of chore time or walking your dog!
4. Incorporate study techniques into personal Bible time and go deeper!
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:1 NASB 1995
Throughout NBB season, you’ve been equipped with tools and techniques to study the Bible: key themes and words with their Greek or Hebrew equivalent, cross-references, attributes of God, questions to ask along the way, and so much more. These don’t just apply to whichever passage is studied by participants and competitors!
Looking for key words and themes in your daily Bible reading can be taken a step further when you investigate the Greek or Hebrew counterparts. If a memory passage comes to mind when you’re reading another chapter, dig into the corresponding themes and see if any other cross-references apply.
Have you been wondering about slightly off-topic questions throughout your NBB studying? Off-season is a great time to address those, I have a whole sticky note in the back of my Bible of ‘Things to Study When I Have More Time to Go Down Rabbit Trails’. Take the passages you’re already well-acquainted with and dive into the areas that you didn’t focus on for competition purposes, or look more deeply into the life of a character who wasn’t emphasized during the Summer Study.
Whatever it takes during off-season, I pray that you find a way to continue to study and search the Scriptures and review and recite the passages you’ve memorized. Regardless of what month of the year it is, may we seek to know God’s Word and make Him known!
Written by NBB Alumna: Julia Cagasan
