The National Bible Bee has impacted and inspired students all across the nation to study the Word of God. This begins with the Summer Study! Students learn how to memorize and study the Bible during this eight week study. The Summer Study has had a lasting effect on so many participants even after the age out of the competition.
I had the opportunity to interview two National Bible Bee alumnus. Whether you are looking to participate for the first time, have participated before, or have a child that you would like to sign up, or whatever your situation is, I pray you will be blessed by reading about their journeys through the National Bible Bee.
First, we have Allison on the blog today! Allison participated in the Summer Study for seven years and started when she was twelve years old. She is now twenty-one and stays involved in the Summer Study by hosting in her local community along with other alumni and parents.
Hello Allison! Welcome to the National Bible Bee blog! How did the Summer Study impact your knowledge of the Bible?
The Summer Study forever changed my knowledge of the Bible. Before the [National] Bible Bee, all I really knew how to do was read the Bible and listen to sermons. It didn’t realize how deep and rich the Bible is. The [National] Bible Bee study taught me how much depth the Bible had and how to find that for myself. It gave me a firm foundation for understanding the historical context, geographical context, themes, Hebrew/greek, and so much more. I also learned just how very connected all the parts of the Bible are to each other in God’s amazing story of love and redemption.
What was your favorite aspect of the Summer Study that you enjoyed learning about?
My favorite aspect of the Summer Study was always the historical/cultural context sections in the Discovery Journal. I loved researching into the backgrounds of all the people and places mentioned in the study passage. Second to that, I loved learning all the cross-references. It was like putting together many puzzle pieces and seeing where each one fit.
Do you have any study tips for new participants?
I definitely recommend Quizlet for learning all the information. Quizlet might be a lot of work initially to enter in all the information, but it pays off. And with new updates, it is so much easier to make sets now than when I was studying in [the National] Bible Bee [Competition].
I also encourage you participants to find some study time to pray and really connect on a heart level with what you are studying. It can be so easy to just cram information without letting it change your life. So take some time to pray and connect on a deep level to the God of the universe you cares for you deeply. Everything in life is absolutely meaningless without him. Don’t turn the study into your whole relationship with God, make time to have a genuine relationship with Him.
How did all the knowledge you have learned impact your relationship with Jesus?
The [National] Bible Bee changed my life because it gave me a reason to spend hours with Jesus. Every time I studied I felt the presence of God around me and deep in my heart. Because Jesus is the Word, every moment spent in God’s Word was time that I spent with Jesus. I loved being surrounded with God’s presence as I studied!! It filled my mind with new truths and sparked a passion in me for God’s Word. This was one of the greatest impacts of my childhood. When I aged out of the competition. I was apprehensive about aging out and even more so when I didn’t meet my competition goals. I had tried for semis-finals and missed it every year by only a few mistakes. I felt no one understood. But being a few years out from the competition, I realized that besides all the precious verses, the time spent with Jesus gave me a relationship with God that will be with me the rest of my life. Relationships with anyone take a while to build, and the time spent with Jesus in His Word is something truly special. So while some of you may be apprehensive about aging out or maybe even doing [the National] Bible Bee in the first place, realize that the relationship you are building with Jesus is worth everything.
Would you recommend the summer study to other young people who want to study and learn more about the Bible?
Yes, I would absolutely recommend it! It gave me many tools to go deeper in my relationship with God!
Thank you for being on the blog today, Allison!
Next, we have Jarrett, who started participating in the Summer Study when he was nine years old, and participated for ten years. He is now twenty-two years old and stays involved by hosting in his local host group with other alumni as well.
Hello Jarrett! Welcome to the National Bible Bee blog!
Glad to be here!
How did the Summer Study impact your knowledge of the Bible?
I gained a well rounded understanding of the entire Bible, and I learned how it all fit together.
What was your favorite aspect to learn about during the summer study?
I really enjoyed studying the Greek and Hebrew words. It was interesting to see how words originated.
Do you have any study tips for new participants?
My study tip is to be persistent and take everything one step at a time. Before you know it, you will have claimed the ladder.
How did all the knowledge you have learned impact your relationship with Jesus?
I learned that all the knowledge of the Bible you gain is like a sword. It can be used to destroy strongholds if used properly, and it can also hurt us if used improperly. I have enjoyed being able to quote Scriptures, stand on them, and trust the Lord, when I encounter hard situations.
Would you recommend the Summer Study to other young people who want to study and learn more about the Bible?
Yes. It is a great tool to learn more about God’s word and grow your relationship with him.
Thank you for being on the blog today, Jarrett!
Interviews by NBB Alumna: Hallie Doonan
