Continuing our introductions of this year’s team of alumni who invest in participants throughout the National Bible Bee Competition, this is Rachael English! Here are some quick facts to help you get to know Rachael:
Where she’s from: Verona, Wisconsin
Age: 20
NBB Participation: I participated in the Summer Study from 2019-2022 and qualified all four years!
Fun facts:
- I have two younger sisters and one younger brother
- I’ve been to the UK three times!
- My favorite animal is dogs (I’d happily live on a farm with a hundred dogs if I could)
- I’ve memorized thirteen books of the Bible and am hoping to finish my fourteenth, 2 Corinthians, this year
What she’s doing now: I am just finishing up my sophomore year at Liberty University and studying Christian literature, religion, and business (it’s a mouthful :). I’ve dreamed of writing stories for years, and as I started high school, the Lord started leading me in that direction. I hope to become a better writer through my studies, and while in school I have continued to write and explore paths for publication. In my free time I enjoy long walks with my dogs, playing the piano, and reading a good book.
Hi Rachael! Welcome to the National Bible Bee Blog! We would love to hear about your NBB journey. How did you first start participating in the National Bible Bee?
I first heard about the National Bible Bee in 2019 when my mom found a Facebook post about it. I had aged out of our church’s Awana program a few years before and I missed the challenge of memorization. So when my mom signed me and my siblings up for the Summer Study I was excited. I was ready to jump back into memorization and expected it wouldn’t be that difficult. What I didn’t expect was the Discovery Journal, a full eight week study, and fourteen cards full of verses! Looking back I chuckle at how shocked I was, but I am so grateful my mom saw that post and got us involved.
What do you wish you had known as a first-time NBB participant or competitor?
What I most wish I had known is that the competition doesn’t define me and should not be my highest priority. I had the head knowledge that whatever time I spent in God’s Word would be a blessing and that I didn’t need to make it to semifinals to prove how much I had learned. But I still tried to do well in my own strength; nothing is wrong with competition, but my mindset was skewed. I have learned so much more from being disappointed than I did from doing well in the competition. But in the moment I often didn’t recognize that God was at work, and when I did I’m sure I missed many other things He wanted to teach me. It is a blessing to see some of those lessons now and to know even my failures have a purpose. For those who are participating for the first time, remember to keep your focus fixed on the Lord. Competitions come and go, trophies gather dust, and memories fade; the Word of God lasts forever and is the true prize of the National Bible Bee.
What is something from your time in the National Bible Bee that you still apply in your life now?
Before my time in the National Bible Bee I typically memorized one verse at a time, or a very short passage. I don’t think I had memorized anything longer than ten verses in a passage. But once I qualified for Nationals I learned I had to memorize much longer passages that varied in length and difficulty. Needless to say, it stretched my brain. Several years after aging out of the competition I have been able to keep memorizing long passages and several books of Scripture. It has become a habit to hide God’s Word in my heart, and that habit has resulted in many blessings.
From the time you’ve spent in Scripture over the years, do you have a favorite chapter of the Bible?
Probably Romans 8. It explains the radical transformation of a life redeemed by Christ, identifying what should be different about our new lives and who we are as God’s children. It is so convicting and reassuring for me, and I love how the Lord encourages His children.
If you could only have a copy of one book of the Bible for the rest of your life, which book would you choose?
Oh goodness. It’s so hard to choose! But I think I’d probably go with the book of Romans or Psalms. Romans has so much theology in it and probes the depths of the Gospel. But Psalms conveys all the depths of human emotion and what the proper response should be: running to God in sickness and health, good times and bad. So I don’t think I can really choose. 🙂
What’s one of your favorite memories from the National Bible Bee, either from studying, a local meeting, or nationals?
I don’t think I have one specific favorite! Many of my favorite memories are from times at Nationals with friends. There is always a lot of pressure involved in competition, ever more if you are a competitive person. But being surrounded by people who love God’s Word and are committed to making Him known brought peace to my heart every time I competed. It’s very special when you can be in a competition but be pointed to Christ by the people you are competing with.
Who is your favorite character in the Bible (besides Jesus)?
Ooh, that’s hard! But I really love the character of Paul. He was passionate about the truth, but he didn’t even realize he was on the wrong path! He did so many things against Jesus’ followers, but God’s grace was so much greater than his sin. Once the Lord Jesus saved him, Paul went on to proclaim His goodness throughout the world. I love the reminder that if Paul could be used in God’s plan, He must have a purpose for me too.
Who is someone in your life who encourages you to love Scripture more and how do they do that?
My parents have both encouraged me to study the Scriptures, both in my childhood and now as an adult. Some of my earliest memories are of my mom reading the Psalms to me and my siblings, and my dad doing nightly devotions with us. Their dedication to the Word pushes me to keep digging and discover more about the Lord.
Before you go, is there one thing you’ve taken away/learned from competing in the National Bible Bee Competition that you would like to share with everyone?
Focus on Jesus during your time in the study. Looking back at my years in the National Bible Bee I can recognize them as a blip on the radar. It went by so quickly, but I still feel the impact in my life. The ultimate goal in studying God’s Word is not to score perfectly, make it onto the stage, or win a prize. It is to know the Lord more and how we should live as His people. Ask God to change you as you internalize His Word, and He will do so from the inside out. Never give up, and never stop seeking Him as you study!
Interview by NBB Alumna: Julia Cagasan
