Scripture Bee Victory

"Do what?"

Our translator in Kherson, Ukraine, was trying to communicate the conference leader's wishes to our mission team. The best we could decipher was that she wanted to hold the Scripture equivalent of a spelling bee.

And so we did. Twenty Ukrainian women lined the front of the church and began to quote Scripture verses from memory. When one of the ladies could not recite another verse, or repeated one already spoken, she had to sit down. On and on it went. And on and on and on it went…and went and went. One woman was flagged down by the others when it seemed she was going to recite Psalm 1…. through 150! Finally a tie was declared because the two women still standing apparently had nearly the entire Bible memorized.

When our mission team debriefed that evening we sadly agreed that if we competed in a Scripture Bee, it would be a brief contest. 


One reason our Ukrainian friends consider God’s Word to be precious is because when their country was under communist rule it was not unusual for an entire village to share a single copy of the Bible. So they hid the Word of God in their hearts and now it flows naturally from both their lips and their lives. 

Surely that’s what God has in mind for all of us. Deuteronomy 6:6-8 says, These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. 

How might those verses be "translated" today? Here are a few ideas: 

  • Use Scripture references as computer passwords. Each time you type Romans828, for example, you’ll be reminded that God is working all things together for your good. 
  • Text Scripture verses. 
  • Post a “Word of the Day” from the Bible on your facebook page. 
  • Stuck in traffic? See how many Scriptures you can quote alphabetically: All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ...
  • Personalize Scripture by inserting your name: “For God so loved Sherry that he gave….” 
  • Host a Pizza and Parables Party. Gather in groups and come up with creative ways to express the truths of a parable. Discuss what you learned while munching pizza. 
  • Sing God’s Word. 
  • Learn Scripture by beat. Follow this link to view an example: Proverbs 3:5, 6
  • What are your ideas?
You and I may never win a Scripture Bee, but by consistently hiding God's Word in our hearts we can live victorious lives.


If you'd like to see some of the Scripture Bee described in this post, click here.




11 comments:

  1. Hi Kim, great post. I love that you call it "Brag on God" and I appreciate you linking up on Winsome Wednesday. i look forward to seeing you again next week.
    God bless
    Tracy

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  2. Oh my word Kim. I was thinking this was a great post. And then when you said insert name....where did you come up with Sherry? I have to say WowdeeWow! I love your ideas and the especially spoke to me. I really enjoyed visiting you from the Homemaking linky up. Come by and see my. My post today is about Planning a Date night. It was very nice meeting you and I think I have to hang around and follow. Must be meant.
    Blessings,
    Sherry

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    1. Sherry, that is so SPIRITipitous! (see earlier Wow Dee Wow post for explanation of that term :) LOVE how God shows up and makes us smile :) Yes, please hang around WDW and I am headed over to see you now!
      God bless you BIG Sherry!

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  3. I've done mission work in Kenya. I don't know about their memorization, but all of their conversations are centered around Scripture, something that rarely happens around here, unfortunately. Love the idea for computer passwords - we have so many!

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    1. I agree, Lisa--it seems that conversations center around Scripture in a lot of other countries, but not so much here....but isn't it thrilling when it happens? Very invigorating. Let's pray that God gives us more opportunities to start those types of conversations! And yes, the computer password idea is one I use and reuse--and I love how it does help plant a Scripture thought in my mind!
      Thank you for taking time to comment. God bless you BIG!

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  4. Kim, Even though I've heard you tell this story before, it's always convicting. (I hadn't remembered the part where the lady tried to recite Psalm 1-150!!) I know that Scripture memorization changes our hearts and puts God's Word into us in a way beyond our understanding. I need to be doing it more.

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    1. Gail, I agree--this story is humbling and challenging....These women taught me so much in so many ways. I'm reading "Safely Home" by Randy Alcorn again and am constantly challenged by what I take for granted. Praying that God uses both these scenarios to open my eyes and move me to action!

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  5. Wow, simply amazing to have so much of the Bible memorized. I agree with you that it's what God desires! Now to put it into practice... Accountability is huge for me in this area. I really like the passwords idea, btw! :)

    ahumblebumble.blogspot.com

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  7. Those ladies continue to amaze, humble and challenge me!
    Glad you like the computer password idea. It's one of my favorites, too.
    I am going to hop over to your blog in a minute.
    Thanks for taking time to comment, Becca!

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  8. I lived next door to a couple communist countries while growing up...and I have seen how people don't have a Bible like we do (and so many). I wholeheartedly agree with you that we Americans would have a very short Bible Bee!! Thanks, Kim, for linking this post up over at WholeHearted Home.

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Each week I write a BOG (Brag On God) post. My prayer is that my words will invite you to brag on God, too. And together we'll make God smile.