Bible drill contestants take Scripture into hearts and minds_51704

Posted: 5/14/04

Bible drill contestants take Scripture into hearts and minds

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

DALLAS–Some contestants practiced before church, some after. Some memorized passages in their bedrooms, others in their basements. All spent many hours with their Bibles.

In the end, a few were victorious in the statewide Baptist General Convention of Texas Bible drill and speaker competitions.

Tanner Shirley of First Baptist Church in Atlanta won the junior high school Bible drill competition. Robert Scott of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Ennis and Elizabeth Rasmussen of First Baptist Church in Belton tied for second.

Lensie Mabry of Selden Baptist Church in Stephenville and Patrick Walker of First Baptist Church in Tenaha won first and second place, respectively, in the senior high school Bible drill competition.

Emily Burkhead of First Baptist Church in Cleveland won the youth speaker competition. Anna Daub of First Baptist Church in Brownwood placed second. The top finishers earned partial scholarships to their choice of Baylor University, East Texas Baptist University, Hardin-Simmons University, Howard Payne University, Wayland Baptist University or the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

Shirley and Burkhead will move on June 1 to the national finals in San Antonio. About 1,600 people from more than 250 churches participated in the regional events for all three competitions.

Cynthia Sargent and Libby Connel of First Baptist Church in Clyde and Cicily Smith of Berea Baptist Church in Fort Worth took the top three spots in the BGCT youth essay contest.

Sargent won $500 for herself and $500 for her church's youth ministry. Connel earned $300 for herself and $300 for her church's youth ministry. Smith won $200 and a matching sum for her church.

Bible drill contestants are quizzed on a series of key Bible verses. They are to locate some passages, memorize others and use still others to answer questions about life issues such as alcohol use.

Speakers were judged on the composition and presentation of a topic that helped them express their faith.

The competition helps young people internalize Scripture, Mabry said. The memorized biblical message continually impacts the actions of the competitors. That is more important than winning, she added.

“There's nothing to lose by it,” she said. “Even if you blow it, you know the verse. It stays with you.”

Mabry and Walker said the fellowship among competitors at their church and at the statewide competition in the Baptist Building made practicing enjoyable. They got to laugh with and get to know others in their church during long practice sessions.

Mabry said she particularly enjoyed creating songs with her fellow church members that helped them remember different passages.

John Stevenson of Westside Baptist Church in Killeen reads a passage before the statewide competition.

Burkhead spoke of trusting God to help her dreams and goals become reality. She talked about God's faithfulness in fulfilling the promises he made throughout the Bible.

She practiced with her mother every night leading up to the competition and received some coaching from her father, Howell Burkhead, pastor of First Baptist Church in Cleveland.

Daub said the hardest part of the speaker competition happens after her effort is finished. Then she has to back up those words with her life.

The speaking contest helps prepare young people to respond to questions about their faith, Burkhead said. Christians should be prepared with thoughtful answers about their faith.

“I think it's very good practice for general life,” she said.

Dickie Dunn, director of discipleship in the BGCT Bible Study/Discipleship Center, said each of the competitors performed excellently and believes the knowledge they gained will make them stronger Christians and church members.

Bible drill “is a good thing because it helps us memorize God's word and apply the meaning and message to everyday life,” he said.