Quizupdate September/ October, 2000 Volume XX, Number 2-Part 1 Contents: 1. LUKE: GREAT EXPECTATIONS (By Todd Thomas, Quiz Advisory Council Representative) 2. BIBLE QUIZZING MINISTRY IN PERU (By Zeida Perales, Chiclayo, Peru) 3. QUIZZING MENTORSHIP (By Mariah Secrest, Southwest Indiana district) 4. NINE STEPS FOR BECOMING A BETTER QUIZMASTER 5. THANKS NORTH CENTRAL USA REGION 6. COMMISSION UNTO MEXICO ------------------------------- LUKE: GREAT EXPECTATIONS (by Todd Thomas, Southwest Ohio, Quiz Advisory Council Representative) Here we are at the start of another quiz season! We as Bible quizzers, coaches, directors and parents all begin the year with many different goals and expectations. Some have expectations of sticking with Bible Quizzing Ministry through the whole quiz season. Some quizzers would like to answer at least one question correctly at each event they attend. Others have goals of qualifying for their district team or perhaps even their regional team. Some quizzers and coaches have goals of winning a district, regional or national championship. I would encourage everyone to set goals that push you to do your very best. However, I would also like to challenge everyone involved in Bible Quizzing Ministry to exceed those goals. "Exceed my goal of being the very best quizzer or coach I can be? How can I possibly do better than my best?" What I'm talking about is thinking beyond what we intend to accomplish at competitions. Many times our desire to do well provides us with the motivation to memorize all of those memory verses, spend time studying, or even memorizing the entire book of Luke. However, when we study God's Word in order to succeed at quizzing competitions, our preparation for competitive success will also result in something great: hiding God's word in our heart. But don't stop there! Consider how we might apply what we learn in Luke this year to our daily lives apart from memorization. Ask yourselves, how will God's truths found in Luke affect how you live and interact with others? As James 1:22 says, "Do not merely listen to the word" (or study it), "and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." If we are not careful our goals and expectations of doing our best in competition can cause us to focus on what WE want to accomplish and not on what God wants to accomplish through us. This summer at Q2000 (the General NYI Invitational Bible Quiz event) we were challenged to reach out to others through Bible quizzing ministry and to be a "Joshua generation" of leaders. Last year we learned many important lessons on how to be courageous leaders. Galatians encouraged us to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit. Ephesians and Philippians taught us the importance of having unity in the body of Christ, to live as children of light, and to serve others imitating Christ's humility. Colossians and Philemon encouraged us to set our hearts and minds on things above and to be active in sharing our faith. And this year in Luke we will study the life of Christ and will be challenged to follow His example (Luke 5:31). Let's focus on adding these goals and the application of the truths we will learn in Luke to our "quizzing accomplishments" this year! If you do, you should expect great things to happen as you study Luke! BIBLE QUIZZING MINISTRY IN PERU (By Zeida Perales, Chiclayo, Peru) The Nazarene Church was established over eighty years ago in Peru, and during this time it has been very blessed by God. Thanks to the efforts of missionaries, pastors, laypersons, and other leaders, the Church of the Nazarene has grown rapidly all over the country. Bible Quizzing Ministry has also grown rapidly and produced abundant fruit in Peru. God has used this ministry to raise up new leadership in our church. The Northern district was the first organized district in Peru, but as the church grew new districts were formed. Currently, thirteen out of the sixteen Peruvian districts participate in Bible Quizzing Ministry. In Peru, competitions are held at the local, zone, regional, and national level. At the national level the quizzers are always well prepared and competition is always very tough. In 1999, we studied the book of John. In first place was the Calupe Church, and in second place the Santa Rosa Church. The final competition took place at the closing of the NYI District Convention. The winners won special awards such as an electronic keyboard. We also developed Bible quizzing for children based on the Sermon on the Mount. The children's effort in studying the Bible and memorizing the key verses is always remarkable. In first place last year was the Simon Bolivar Church. This year the children will be studying the entire book of Matthew. I think Bible quizzing is very important because it helps youth to seriously study the Bible. These verses will help us to grow in our Christian life. Let's remember what 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (NIV) I encourage you to never stop supporting Bible Quizzing Ministry. It is through this ministry that we are positively helping in the formation of many children and young people in Peru. QUIZZING MENTORSHIP (By Mariah Secrest, Southwest Indiana district) "So, looks like we'll all be studying Romans and James for this Bible quizzing thing, huh?" I said to a couple of acquaintances from my homeschool choir. As an incoming eighth-grader, I had heard about Bible Quizzing Ministry and had been encouraged to check it out. I had also heard that my choir buddies Erin and Erica Rumbley were some of the brightest quizzers around. I didn't have much of an idea of what I was getting myself into when I began quizzing in the fall of 1997. At first, I didn't get many chances to answer, but I still enjoyed participating. By the end of Romans and James, I had received one or two high placings in the novice division, which encouraged me to stick with it. As it turned out, the things that I had heard about Erin and Erica were correct. They amazed me with their talent and dedication. In the summer of 1998, the Rumbleys and I were practicing for a home-school play. In between acts we would talk about quizzing. "You could make the district team by the end of the year," Erica told me. "No way," I thought! But her confidence in my ability motivated me, so I studied harder for Acts. The Rumbleys offered to let me go with them to the off-district invitational quizzes, and since my local team didn't go to the "big quizzes," I agreed. The girls and I were quickly becoming friends. That year they had me over to practice quicker prejumping, and they gave me hints, tips, and advice. In accordance with Erica's prediction, I did actually make the district team in 1999. I saw a whole new level of quizzing at regionals, however. I made perhaps three jumps the entire weekend. Meanwhile, my local team was dwindling. Interest had died down, and the future of the team looked doubtful. The Rumbleys had welcomed me to join their team throughout the year. Finally, I agreed to quiz with their church the following year over Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. By the beginning of the 1999/2000 quiz season, I decided to take the plunge and memorize all the material. Several of my friends who were really good quizzers had done this previously, and I agreed that it would give me a huge boost. It paid off, and I quizzed fairly well at our first district quiz that year. Erica and I took a walk in between rounds. "Who do you think will be on the regional team this year?" I asked her. "Well, I think you could make it if you keep studying," she said. Just the thought of it made me practically dizzy. Her comment was enough to keep me studying hard this past year. I ended up not making the regional team, but I placed much higher at regionals than I had the previous year. I learned a lot of skills this past year and quizzed better than I ever dreamed I would when I began quizzing. I know that I wouldn't still be involved in quizzing if Erin and Erica had not "taken me in" and encouraged me to reach for the stars. I still have many unmet goals, and I have so much more room for improvement. But now I try to take the time to give encouragement to "up-and-coming" quizzers, knowing just how strongly it can influence others to hear, "I believe in you. You can do it." I encourage you to take the time to compliment someone on your quiz team or district or anyone else you may see quizzing. A little encouragement can really send someone far. Believe me, I know. For all their support, I'd like to thank Erin Rumbley and Erica Rumbley, my "quizzing mentors" and also two of my best friends. And what does Erica tell me now? "Next year you'll make the regional team, Mariah. Next year." NINE STEPS TO BECOMING A BETTER QUIZMASTER Are you a quizmaster in need of help? Follow these nine steps, and you will be well on your way to being every quizzer's favorite quizmaster. BE A MINISTER-The opportunity that you have to be a minister every time you enter a quiz is the most important part of quizmastering. While competition plays an important role in Bible Quizzing Ministry, striving for success must never interfere with our goal to be Christ-like. As a quizmaster, it is vital that you exhibit Christlikeness and encourage quizzers and coaches to do the same. You have an opportunity to touch the lives of quizzers, families, and coaches through prayer and encouragement. As one quizmaster once said, "Every time a quizzer stands up to answer, I pray that they will get it right. I want everyone to succeed." Such an attitude brings a positive tone to each round. DON'T WAFFLE-More than anything else, your consistency throughout a match-whether you tend to be strict or lenient-will determine how smoothly the competition runs in your quiz room. It's not fair to expect a quizzer to "guess" how you're going to operate. As a quizmaster, you have the responsibility to set the tone for the quizzing in your room by committing to consistency in several areas. These include: your tone and cadence, the way you recognize quizzers, how you choose to preannounce question types, how much "dead time" you allow between the introductory information and the rest of the question, and how you rule on questionable answers. BE FAIR-The teams quizzing in your room deserve a fair "playing field." Your relationship with certain coaches and quizzers, the ability of certain teams, personalities of coaches and quizzers, or negative experiences with a team or individual in the past . . . none of these should ever affect your rulings. SPEAK CLEARLY-Make a distinct effort to pronounce every word as clearly and as audibly as possible . . . without lapsing into a monotone, of course! ENCOURAGE, ENCOURAGE, ENCOURAGE-These teams and coaches have spent many hours studying and preparing for this occasion. Make them feel like it's worth it! Try to keep an upbeat and positive atmosphere in your quiz room. If possible, talk with some quizzers and/or coaches following the round and let them know how well they did! BE A TEACHER-Take advantage of the role you play to help quizzers (and coaches!) understand your rulings. Chances are they'll repeat their mistakes if they don't clearly understand what they did wrong. Explain why you had to count an answer wrong; talk through your reasoning for accepting a challenge. Make sure everyone knows why you had to call a foul. You'll find this is most helpful and necessary toward the beginning of the quiz season. This type of assistance will also be helpful to those in the audience who may not be as knowledgeable about quizzing ministry and its rules as those on the platform are. BE RELATIONAL-Take the time to get to know the quizzers. Learn their names, eat lunch with them, pray with them, and most of all be a friend! BE CONFIDENT-Quizzers need to understand that the final authority during a competition round rests on the quizmaster. It is your responsibility to exhibit a level of confidence that allows the coaches and quizzers to trust you. If they're confident that you know what you're doing and that you are going to be straightforward and fair with them, they're more likely to treat you with the respect necessary for a proper quizzing atmosphere. Don't be wishy-washy with your rulings; take the necessary time to review the material and then make your decision . . . with confidence! A perceived lack of confidence on your part will be viewed by the quizzers as a lack of authority and knowledge. (Also, don't be afraid to admit a mistake when appropriate, but do it with love and fairness.) KEEP THE FOCUS ON GOD-Winning a quiz, beating the other team, or taking home the first-place trophy should never be the ultimate focus of teen Bible quizzing. Remember that it is not about us, but all about God. Do everything within your power to keep the focus always on the Lord and on how His Word can be exhibited in the lives of everyone involved. THANKS NORTH CENTRAL USA NYI This year the North Central USA region donated $1,300 to be used in Bible Quizzing Ministry on the Asia-Pacific region through Bible Quizzing Mission Sponsorship. Many quizzers on the Asia-Pacific region have expressed their thanks. The following is from Tundai Goma who is a quizzer in Papua New Guinea and was a regional quizzer at Nazarene Youth Congress '99. "Dear friends, the PNG Bible Quizzers send you love and warm greetings. We love you and would like to thank you for your kindness by making available to us the Bible quizzing materials. We already have started Bible quizzing here in PNG. Please, continue to help us and pray for us so that we can not only study the book and have fun by competing with each other but to know deep what the word of God says. Again, we appreciate your love for us. We will pray for you too that the Lord will bless the work that you are doing for his kingdom there. Love and prayers, Tundai Goma." Thanks for all your hard work and devotion to Bible Quizzing Ministry Worldwide! If you would like to get involved in BQMS contact Nicole Morrow at nmorrow@nazarene.org. COMMISSION UNTO MEXICO We want to remind you about an upcoming opportunity to serve others through Bible Quizzing Ministry. Touch the Nation is an NYI Youthserve project that is a part of Commission Unto Mexico that goes every year to Nazarene churches in Mexico. This year they have added quizzing promotion and training as one of the areas of service. Participants will help introduce quizzing to 10 churches in Juarez, Mexico who are not currently involved in Bible Quizzing Ministry. We would like to invite your team to be a part of this ministry opportunity. Here is the basic information you need to know: Dates: December 26, 2000-January 2, 2001 Cost $439 (includes onsite transportation, lodging, and all meals) Ages: All ages (and families) welcome Deadline to register: November 15 For more information, contact NYI Ministries at 816-333-7000 ext. 2209 or NYIQUIZ@nazarene.org. ------------- Quizupdate Sept./Oct. 2000 Volume XX, Number 2 Quizupdate is a production of Nazarene Youth International Ministries. Send any articles, testimonies, quizzing tips, coaching techniques, quiz calendar information, invitational tournament results, or any other items to the address below. All submissions become the property of Quiz Specialties. NYI Ministries Quizupdate 6401 The Paseo Kansas City, MO 64131 Phone: 816.333.7000 x2209 Fax: 816.333.4315 E-mail: nyiquiz@nazarene.org To subscribe or unsubscribe to the Quizupdate, send an e-mail to: <quizupdate-request@mail.nazarene.org> with the word SUBSCRIBE or UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. If you experience difficulties, send an e-mail to: <nyiquiz@nazarene.org>, and let us know how we can help you subscribe or unsubscribe. Quizupdate articles can also be accessed through the NYI website: <www.nazarene.org/nyi>. Chuck Sailors General Quiz Editor, NYI Ministries Joel Mullen Quiz Editorial Assistant, NYI Ministries Nicole Morrow Quiz Editorial Intern, NYI Ministries Resourcing . . . Supporting . . . Networking Teen Bible Quizzing Ministry Around the World!