I have a confession to make. I can no longer tell you the names of all of Jacob’s grandsons from Genesis 46. Yep, you read that right. I learned all of their names during the 2020 Summer Study, but I’ve forgotten them. I also can’t tell you the distance Paul traveled between each of the cities on his missionary journeys like I could in 2021. In fact, in the three years since I aged out of the National Bible Bee, I’ve forgotten more facts about some parts of Scripture than most people learn about those sections in their entire life. Although much of what I learned as a contestant in the National Bible Bee has faded from my memory in the past few years, so much of what I’ve learned continues to be a blessing to me.
So what would I say to myself if I were still competing? What is my advice to those who are still participating in the competition and to those who have just aged out? I remember how it feels to sit in the seats at the perfect orals and semifinalist announcement. I know the disappointment of not being called up and the excitement of hearing your name called. I know how it feels to regret something from the competition. “If only I’d started over on that passage in orals” or “If only I hadn’t buzzed in on that question.” And yet, whether you’re walking away from nationals this year excited by how well you did or disappointed with your performance, how you placed is not the most important thing from nationals. Fame will fade, prize money will be used up, and you’ll forget so much of what you’ve learned. Even your friendships, while remaining important, will likely fade as you make even closer friends.
The reward that will remain is what you’ve learned about studying and memorizing Scripture. You’ll know how to properly interpret Scripture, and you’ll notice when others take it out of context. When you’re confused about the meaning of a passage, you’ll have the tools to look up Greek words and cross-references to find out what it means. If you keep reviewing the verses you’ve learned, they’ll stick with you and come back to encourage you when you need them. You’ll also find that you can memorize new passages faster and more accurately than your peers. You’ve trained your brain to be able to memorize Scripture well, and that will stick with you if you keep using it.
Don’t make the mistake of focusing so much on the head knowledge that will help you place well that you don’t spend enough time focusing on your relationship with God. It’s easy to speed through Bible memorization and the National Bible Bee study with the plan of thinking and meditating on it more once the competition is over. But it’s not only important to know God’s word; our relationship with God is invaluable. One of my favorite quotes is from Andrew Murray and says, “Study much to know the written Word; but study more to know the living Word, in whom you are of God.”
It was the buzzer recitation round of 2021 finals and the scores were tight. “What memory passage mentions Iconium and Lystra?” the moderators asked. I buzzed in first. “2 Timothy 3:10-17.” As I recited that passage, I was so overwhelmed with thankfulness that I got to recite this as my second-to-last passage from the National Bible Bee stage. I choked up on the last few verses. “And that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Right now, it might feel like doing well in the competition is the most important thing, but trust me, in a few years it won’t matter whether you got third or thirtieth. What will matter is that you’ve memorized God’s word as a young person. We’ve been blessed with an amazing foundation for our lives; let’s not waste it.
Written by NBB Alumna: Taylor Carpenter
