Maybe you have just signed up for the National Bible Bee Summer Study. Or maybe you’re a parent thinking about registering your children for the first time. Or maybe you have already been a part of the National Bible Bee for a few years.
And maybe you have no idea what you’re getting into.
We all understand how it feels to start something new. Making the choice to participate in the Summer Study can be a difficult one, especially if you don’t know how much time and energy you will need to set aside each day. Or, if you have already participated for some time, you know how much you need to devote to the study and don’t think you can keep up with it this year.
It is not an easy thing to make time for the Summer Study. If you are a first year participant or are considering joining, it is harder to study while learning how to do so. But one lesson many participants have learned is that no matter how much or little time they spend in the study each day, God’s Word will bring fruit in their lives.
“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
But sometimes it’s better to hear advice from someone who has participated in the National Bible Bee. Joining us today is one of our National Bible Bee alumni, Bella Ruvalcaba, to share what she has learned through her time in the Summer Study. I hope that you are encouraged by the lessons she shares from her time as a Summer Study participant.
Hi, Bella! Welcome to the Bible Bee Blog! Tell us a little bit about your journey through the Summer Study. What about the National Bible Bee Summer Study convinced you to participate?
I’ve always been drawn to memorization; the discipline, the rhythm, the stillness, and the way it helps truth stick with you. So, when I heard about the National Bible Bee Summer Study, it felt like a natural fit.
It wasn’t just about memorizing Scripture, but about dwelling in it, letting it shape me. In a world that constantly pushes us forward, I was drawn to the chance to slow down and truly engage with God’s Word, not for performance, but for formation. That deeper relationship with the Word and with our Savior was a major reason I chose to participate
How have you continued to study and memorize since aging out of Bible Bee?
Since aging out of the National Bible Bee, I’ve continued to cultivate the disciplines I developed during those summers, especially Scripture memory. I’m currently working through the book of Psalms and have memorized other books alongside a group of fellow alumni.
Being part of that community has been a steady anchor. Their faith, encouragement, and accountability have challenged me to grow, not just in what I know, but in how I live out the truths I’ve memorized.
I’ve also stayed consistent in personal Bible study, using what I learned during my years in National Bible Bee to approach Scripture with purpose. Aging out didn’t close the book. It simply turned the page into a season where those same disciplines continue to deepen my walk with God.
How did your time participating in the Summer Study impact your view of Scripture?
I’d been in the habit of studying Scripture before participating, but the Summer Study helped me take it more seriously in a way I hadn’t done before and go deeper. Tools like Greek and Hebrew word studies, cross-references, and seeing how Scripture defends and explains itself opened my eyes to just how connected and alive God’s Word is.
It also reminded me that Scripture isn’t something we’re meant to tackle alone. It’s about being in community, encouraging and building up one another, as 1 Thessalonians 5:11 urges us to do.
What part of the Summer Study had the most impact on your overall study of Scripture?
Cross-references had the most impact on me. At first, I found them a bit challenging and difficult to grasp. But over time, I began to see how the Old Testament literally verifies the New, and how it all points to Christ. I realized how Scripture doesn’t stand alone; it relates, exhorts, and builds up other Scripture. It’s like watching a grand story unfold where each part reinforces the others, showing how everything in the Bible is interwoven and intentionally designed to lead us to a deeper understanding of God’s Word.
How much time did you spend on the Summer Study each day?
I typically would like to spend about an hour each morning for memorization and prayer, then would dedicate a couple of hours throughout the day for study passage and discovery journal content review. Later in the day, I’d spend another hour revisiting the memory passages. Overall, the program was really flexible, allowing me to adjust as needed while staying committed to my study.
Did you have a method for memorizing the memory passages?
I typically used rote memorization, going through it verse by verse. For longer passages, which would span about four cards, I’d break them up and treat each section as a single card, then gradually piece them together once I had each part memorized. Sometimes, I’d also use the narrative method, which consists of reading before and after the passage to understand how it fits into the larger context. To help retain the passage, I’d place memory markers. For example, when memorizing Psalm 32, I remembered verse 7, ‘You are my hiding place,’ and used the book The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom as a mental marker to solidify it.
In your opinion, what is the best part of participating?
The Word. It’s as simple as that. The best part of participating is the opportunity to immerse yourself in Scripture. A second contender would be community. Being surrounded by believers my own age who were also passionate about their faith and openly shared their testimonies was super encouraging.
What would you say to a family considering the National Bible Bee Summer Study?
You won’t regret it. I didn’t. If I had the chance to do it again, I’d make the same choice every time. There’s really no better way to spend the summer than being immersed in God’s Word. Each moment spent in study, in memorization, in prayer… it shapes you in ways you can’t fully grasp at the time, but that will stay with you long after. It’s more than just a program; it’s a chance to truly dive deeper into Scripture and come out with something that lasts.
Thank you so much for sharing what you have learned, Bella!
Interview by NBB Alumna: Rachael English
