The lights go down. The bags are repacked. The hugs and good-byes are given. And far too soon, another National Bible Bee Competition is over. The adrenaline rushes, the late night studies, and the hours of reviewing passages have come to an end. Now every family goes their separate ways until next year’s competition and time of fellowship.
Perhaps you are still recovering from the time with friends and little sleep. Or maybe you are still riding the wave of spiritual renewal and joy. After all, you have spent hours listening to and reciting Scripture during this amazing week. But after the glow fades and there are no more passages to recite, you have to return to the normalcy of everyday life. And as you go about your chores, classes, and hobbies, it is sometimes easy to lose the wonder of being in God’s Word every single day.
How does one remain focused on the Lord after the season of studying is over? How do we keep the habit of memorization and review when other responsibilities pile up around us? This post explores a few ways to do just that.
Reset
It may seem counter-affective to begin a post about maintaining study habits with this piece of advice. But you will find that after the competition ends your brain will need a chance for rest and renewal. Some of you have been studying every spare moment for the past six months, filling your mind with passages and facts about your study passages. And in the past few weeks that studying has probably turned into cramming as you prepared for the MCT and oral rounds. So step back from diving into studying. Give yourself a few days, or even a few weeks, to rest from intensive studying. Let yourself remember what everyday is like without the anticipation of the National Bible Bee Competition ahead of you.
You should never abandon being in the Bible during this time, and I am not saying you should leave studying Scripture alone during the reset period. But there is not the pressure of studying in order to be tested, and that should give you time to simply be in God’s Word and internalize it at a slower pace. If you are up to it, you can even choose a few verses to meditate on during this time. But once again, do it at your own pace and let your mind relax after the intense studying you have done.
Reflect
As you readjust to normal life, you can also take these days or weeks to reflect on how this year’s study has impacted your life. Examine how the theme and the passages of Scripture you studied have challenged you in your walk with Christ. Remember how the memory passages have strengthened you as you learned them, and see if you discover any that came to your memory during a harder time during this season. You cannot spend any amount of time in God’s Word and come away the same. This time of rest gives you the opportunity to truly see how the Lord has been working, what He has been convicting you of, and how you have grown during your time of study.
You may consider writing a recap of your time during this year’s study. It may be a private recap or you may choose to share it with friends and family. Either way, writing is a good way to record your thoughts and help you process what has changed and what you need to work on. It is also a fun way to remember good times with friends during the study and the week of the National Bible Bee Competition. Whatever helps you complete the chapter of this year’s competition, make sure you give yourself time to remember what you have learned and plan to apply it.
Restart
After you have rested and reset your mind following the competition; after you have reflected on the lessons you have learned; and after you have spent time remembering the fun times you had during the competition, it’s important to continue studying and internalizing God’s Word.
I have stored up Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You. – Psalm 119:11
Memorizing Scripture is not an activity only done during the National Bible Bee season. It should be a part of each day of your life. While you may not recite publicly or receive recognition for your hard work, committing the Word of God to memory will be rewarding both now and in the future. Commit a part of your day to reading God’s Word, but do not just skim over the words before going about your day. Slow down and take in each sentence. Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate your mind and heart. Even if you are in a difficult passage or one that is seemingly dry, none of the words you read will be unfruitful.
As far as memorization goes, you already have a starting place with the passages you have memorized during the National Bible Bee season. Perhaps several carry a theme that you want to dig deeper into; you can do a study on passages with that theme and memorize them at the same time. Or maybe you want to tackle a short book of Scripture during the National Bible Bee’s off-season. Whatever you choose, make sure you have a plan to consistently internalize what God has told us in His Word. He will bring about life-changing fruit by the work of His Word and Spirit.
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My Word be that goes out from my mouth: it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. – Isaiah 55:10-11
I pray your time at the National Bible Bee Competition has been a blessing, and that you are renewed in your walk with Christ and your commitment to His Word!
Written by NBB Alumna: Rachael English
