Hello again, my friends! Another season has been completed, and another one is speeding toward us again. I'm not going to jump right into study ideas, plans, and motivation for the Luke 2016-2017 season (although all of that and more will be coming very soon!); I wanted to take a minute to reflect and visit the base of how I started, and why I'm still quizzing. Now, my intention isn't to write a long-winded, sentimental, boring story; I'm going to tell you the two-point story of how I was introduced to quizzing, go over my two top reasons of why I continue to quiz, and expand a little on how studying the Word has, and continues to effect me. How I began: 1. My family and I visited a local church where they had a quiz team 2. My current crush happened to be on that team And that's pretty much the gist of it. I would really like to be able to say that I jumped at the opportunity to study and compete with God's word, and I'm embarrassed whenever I share the real reason, but even though how it happened isn't something I'm proud of, the simple fact that I did, is something I'll never forget. No matter how you started, you're still going with it, so what's your reasoning now? Well here are my main two reasons why I choose to continue to invest my time, energy, money, and thoughts into Bible quizzing three years later.
Although I know that competition isn't the focus of quizzing, as long as I'm learning it as the word of God and not just quizzing material, I don't see anything wrong with being the best I can be in regard to competition.
Consistent study helps with self-discipline, reading and thinking about God clears the mind and gives peace and joy, and needing to understand the material forces you to study, rather than to just read. Of course reading the Bible is one of the best habits you can have, but like my coach has said, there's a difference between just reading, and actually studying out the Word. When you find yourself studying the Word often, God can show you incredible things. When I don't put in the effort to spend time just fully dwelling in the Word with God, I can see the difference in how I am able to react to things throughout the day. I don't know about you, but some days it feels like the every essence of who and what I am is being tried, and when my responce has nothing to do with God and everything to do with me, I'm easily defeated. But when I can point to Jesus, when a scripture is the first thing that comes to mind in a difficult situation, I know I'll be able to overcome - by opening my clenched fists and letting God handle it. I'm obviously no expert on this; really, I'd only say I've started to try and get to know the Lord for about a year. And a lot of things in the past year haven't been easy - I guess that's just proof that I'm going the the direction the devil doesn't want me heading. But being involved in Bible Quizzing has helped me start to really see the importance of studying scripture, and it's also given me confidence in my ability to understand difficult areas of scripture, if and when I seek hard enough and rely on God for help. As you take a few deep breaths before diving into Luke, don't be afraid to really search yourself and define the reason(s) why you quiz. You might find it motivational, as self-reflection often is. During this next season, I hope and pray that God will reveal Himself to you in ways He never has before, and that we all grow closer to Him through our quizzing journeys. No matter if Luke is your second, or last year, I genuinely wish you the best, and can't wait to get started! Thanks for reading! Keep calm and quiz on (and out)! Your fellow quizzer, Mallory
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Trending Posts:Author:Mallory is a graduated Teen Bible Quizzer originally from the Southern region, moved to the Northwest, coaching quizzing over the book of Matthew. Check out our
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