Aging out from the National Bible Bee Competition (NBBC) to become an alumni has been known by many to be a “bittersweet moment.” Thankfully, the NBB has lots of opportunities for aged out competitors to stay involved, serve the ministry, and encourage other young competitors. Your journey doesn’t have to end here! Below are four ways you can stay involved in the NBBC this year:
- Serving on the Alumni Service Team
The Alumni Service Team (AST) is a great opportunity for participants who competed in the NBB for a minimum of two years and would like to commit to serving for a full year. Alumni in this role (nine selected each year) get to come alongside National Bible Bee Headquarters to assist in various team projects, monitor the NBB Participant Community, offer advice and encouragement to participants, and even serve as Division Guides at that year’s NBBC.
- Hosting a Local Group During the Summer Study
Hosting is a wonderful way to invest deeply into the lives of participants in your local group. Whether by leading discussions about what participants are learning, organizing games and activities to review the information they’re studying, encouraging and praying for the young people in your group, or providing advice and answering questions, you’ll have many opportunities to come alongside participants as they study God’s Word. From online to in-person meetings, ranging from weekly to just a few times over the course of the Summer Study (from June-August), the way you set up your host group depends on what best accommodates you and your group.
- Judging at the NBBC
Judging at the NBBC is a great opportunity for alumni to serve in-person at the National Competition. Whether it is judging the oral rounds or semi-finals/finals part of the National competition, the role of listening to Scripture in this capacity won’t only be a great help to others, but is guaranteed to encourage you in the process as well.
- Encouraging Participants on a Personal Level
Finally, as an alumni you have a unique role to play in the lives and study season of the competitors. By coming alongside them at either a local or national level can really provide that extra boost of encouragement that they needed. Jump on the NBB Online Community to provide study tips, keep in touch with younger participants via email or become penpals, and pray consistently for them as they dive deep into God’s Word. It may mean more to them than you know!
Prayerfully consider one of the above opportunities! The National Bible Bee community is greatly encouraged by the presence and involvement of aged out competitors, and it is a great way to “set an example for the believers” (1 Tim. 4:12). Above all else, “…whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31b).
Written by NBB Alumna: Hannah Kohner
