Advice from Bible Bee Alumni to Current Bible Bee-ers :)

All Bible Bee participants and others who love to memorize God's Word please look at this post here (www.radiantsunshine4him.blogspot.com/2012/07/all-bible-bee-participants-and-others.html). It is a short letter I wrote about Scripture memory, and especially about the Bible Bee for all who are currently participating in it.
Below is a copy of this letter.

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Greetings and Advice from a Bible Bee Almuni :)

As I look on this year of BB I am excited yet somewhat sad. This is my first year of not officially participating the Bible Bee. :( But… I know that all the verses I learned over the past three years and all the books we studied (Genesis, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, Matthew, Acts, Romans, Colossians, 1 Peter, 2 Peter) will remain forever. And all the study habits we all learned and shared with each other will last a lifetime. As each of you are endeavoring to continue to study God's Word through another year of Bible Bee I would like to share with all of you some things I have learned along the way.

First, always remember the purpose of why you are memorizing and studying the Word. That is to develop a closer relationship with your Savior. Never forget that or get caught up is all the practicing, reciting and memorizing that you for get the purpose, "…to know Christ, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings…" (see if you can find where this verse is from) :)

Second, meditate on God's Word. Don't let your knowledge become just head knowledge about the Scriptures, really "know" God's Word and make it a part of your life, make it heart knowledge.

Third, memorize 2 Timothy in its entirety so that you can recite it to others. (this is something I wish I had done with the study books in the past). Even if the locals are as far as you get you will be able to share that book of the Bible with those you know.

Fourth, remember that if you diligently study and seek the Lord through this summer, no matter where you place in the scoring, you have won in the sight of God. There are no losers in the Scripture memory except those who do not start. Even if you only memorize 1 passage that is still 1 more passage you did not have before you started!

Fifth, include your family in the studying process and share what you have learned with your family and friends. Include your siblings as much as possible (even if they are not actually participating in the Bible Bee)

Sixth, use what you have learned as a conversation starter to share the Gospel with unbelievers. (the Bible Bee T-shirts are a great starter) :) Also, ask friends to help listen to your verses and share with them what God has taught you through His Word.

Seventh, always keep a humble attitude. This may be one of the hardest things in the entire Bible Bee. It is God who has given us His Word, He is the one who gave us the ability to memorize it, He is the one who gives us life. He is the one who is to receive the glory! Remember "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Eighth, remember that the most important thing is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Back in 2009 at the Nationals, the Harris brothers gave a sobering warning, "You can participate in the Bible Bee, memorize all the verses and the entire study book, you can even win first place at nationals but it would all be in vain if in the end you did not have personal relationship with the Lord"
This is my prayer of each of you, that you may know Christ, that you may walk in obedience to His commands, that you delight in His Word and in His Law, that the words of your mouth and the meditation of your heart may be pleasing in His sight, that others may see the light of Christ in your life, and that you delight with your whole heart in obeying the Savior and following His commands!

Your sister in Christ,
Marie

Thanks for the great advice! I'll keep it in mind as I study throughout this year. And maybe, maybe I'll memorize 2 Timothy… :)

Wonderful advice, Marie! Thanks for all the much appreciated help you've given us in person as well.
And may the Lord bless you and your family at the Scriptorium, too!!
To God be the glory :).

Marie, I REALLY appreciate your words and your heart. Thank you for sharing those encouraging thoughts.

BTW, I notice that we are "near neighbors" in the memVerse leaderboard. How cool is that?

Keep up the good work.

EdB

Thank you so much Marie! That verse you quoted about the proud and humble is one of my Nationals memory verses! That's cool!

Do any other BB Alumni have advice to us BB-ers?

My advice to all the current and former Bible Bee contestants is to focus on Christ. Let's face it, the contest lasts for a few days and eternity lasts forever, so keep your focus on Christ, throughout the contest, and you will not be disappointed no matter what happens. And don't forget to enjoy the moment, and make lots of new friends… I'll be there volunteering (like I have for the past two years I've been too old to participate,) and I would love to meet you and your family and hear your story of how God has used the Bible Be to change your life.

Dear Bible Bee friends,

I want to encourage you to seek Christ first. I know it is hard, but try not to compare yourself to others (either better or worse score) :).
Work your hardest, do your best, but in the end leave the results up to the Lord.
Looking back I am so GLAD that I did NOT go to semifinals any of my 3 years. Because looking back, I would have allowed that to make me prideful (which is not good at all). God will give you the placement that is just perfect for you.

Remember to pray. Pray with your family, with your friends. (my favorite memory from 2011 nationals is when the group of girls near the "m" section prayed for each other during our oral rounds. It was so encouraging. Also, during locals the senior and older junior girls prayed for each other and we knew while we completed orals that some of our friends were praying for us. That was such an encouraging experience.

Also, do not judge others who may have memorized less than you. Do not assume they haven't studied as hard. Everyone learns at a different rate. Don't compare yourself to the "super memorizers" :). God's Word is sufficient.

When you are a BB alumni which will matter more? that you can quote thousands of verses or that you can apply the verses you know? During that last month of each BB year I crammed. :) I am sure you all know what I mean. I could remember the verses for a short time but they did not go to long term memory and thus were forgotten after nationals. If you can hear a reference and quote the verse that is great. But what is better is for when in your life you are going through a struggle or you want to encourage a friend, to be able to think of an applicable Scripture passage for the occasion. Often I would find I could quote you a long list of verses but might have trouble in the midst of a trial thinking of a verse I could use in Eph 6 battle or as an encouragement. We need to know not only the words and reference but the meaning of each passage and its application for our life. Do not make this only head knowledge, but make it heart knowledge.

Your sister in Christ,
Marie

Thanks for these helpful words!! :)

Very sadly, I have now earned the right to post on this thread. Unfortunately I can't think of any helpful advice at the moment, but when I do, I will be sure to post it!

:(
I still have 8 years to go!