With the National Bible Bee Competition (NBBC) drawing near, there can be a lot of thoughts and emotions going through a contestant’s mind. Studying and memorizing God’s Word for the NBBC is a challenging thing, yet it is such a rewarding and enriching experience for not only participants, but also their families, hosts, and community.
No matter what occurs at the competition, or what your goals were, nothing is in vain–the studying, memorization, and growing a closeness and understanding with the Lord are most important, and knowing the Lord more and sharing the Word of God with others is the true mission and heart behind the National Bible Bee.
Of course, there is the monetary prize that may be on everyone’s minds as well, and perhaps, you have a goal to make it to a point in the competition where you are a contender for those prizes. However, there is so much more to look forward to besides the competition aspect.
Fellowship – There is such a large community at the National Bible Bee Competition, and so many people in the faith to connect with. Upon arriving at the venue, hundreds of people can be seen getting to know each other or reuniting with friends they met in a previous year or through the social community! There are always many activities set up by either the National Bible Bee, or independently by contestants and their families. You’ll likely make new life-long friends, as occurs with many families at NBBC.
Renewed and Refreshed in God’s Word – At the National Bible Competition, you will hear so many amazing recitations and sharing of scriptures. There will be prayer, hymn-singing, encouragement, and much more to grow together in the strength of the Lord. You may even walk away knowing and understanding things you did not before, or gain new insights, as the Scriptures are opened and spoken, and commentary, study notes, and thoughts are shared.
Encouragement in Your Christian Walk – Being around like-minded individuals and coming together to praise the Lord through His Word is one of the things that are most encouraging and necessary for believers. God wants us to have fellowship with one another and gather together, and the National Bible Bee Competition is a great way to do so!
Familiarizing Yourself with the Competition – If you are competing at the National Bible Bee Competition, or hoping to qualify in the future, one of the best ways to prepare yourself for the next year is to experience the competition for yourself. You’ll be able to witness the competition first hand, take note of the types of things a participant may need to learn in order to advance into the next round, and also figure out what works well for you and/or what needs to be changed to better fit your goals in the future.
These are just a few of many amazing things that are gained by going to the National Bible Bee Competition. While it is a competition, it is a one-of-a-kind competition, as participants, families, and others cheer each other on, no matter where they are in their studies and level of knowledge. You will find that while you have competitors, they are also your brothers and sisters in the faith, growing together in their relationships with God and the Lord Jesus Christ, in order “To Know God’s Word and Make Him Known.” Remember that the competition prize of the NBBC may be monetary, but the fellowship, encouragement, Christian growth, life-long friendships, studying God’s Word in unity, and more, are the true prizes and the aim of the National Bible Bee Competition, and these are the prizes to strive towards! No matter what ranking you may receive, or how well you do in your testing and recitations, the heart of the National Bible Bee is what is truly pleasing to the Lord, and not any earthly or personal gain.
Written by NBB Alumna: Emma Fernandez
