The National Bible Bee Competition (NBBC) is the biggest highlight for many people. It’s an encouraging week with time to connect with families from all around the country who are passionate about studying God’s word. But this year has been different in many ways for everybody, and the NBBC will be different as well.
The top 120 in each division will still qualify for the NBBC, but there is a little twist for 2020. Each qualifier will take the NBBC Preliminary test at home in October. Then the top thirty three percent in each division will participate in the NBBC Preliminary Oral Rounds on a virtual venue. After that is complete, the top fifteen in each division will be invited to San Antonio, Texas for the Semi Finals and Final rounds. It will only be for a few days, and each contestant will be able to have a limited number of people with them to help limit the size of the event.
Some people may hear these changes and become so disappointed that they give up trying to study as much as they have been, thinking there is no point to study since the competition isn’t the same. But what they forget is that this is not just a competition, it is about investing your time and energy studying God’s word and learning more about who He is. Isaiah 55:11 says that God’s word will not return void.
It doesn’t matter if there will be a huge competition or not, God’s word is still powerful! Hebrews 4:12 says “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” We should still study just the same or more!
Let us also remember that our theme this year is TRUST, and we are studying the life of Joseph. There are many things that happened in Joseph’s life that were disappointing or difficult, but he never stopped trusting God. He didn’t know what was ahead, but he knew he could trust God. Romans 8:28 says “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” This virus doesn’t surprise God, and He knows what is going to happen. And maybe there is something He wants us to learn through all of this.
Let us continue to study for the NBBC as unto the Lord and always remember that we can trust God in every situation!
Written by NBB Alumna: Abigail Charleston
