Bible Bee

Our box has arrived!

We have 3 kids signed up to participate in the 4th annual Bible Bee!

All 3 are in the Primary age division.  Siblings will be competing against each other.

That isn't really much of an issue, because competition is not the reason we participate in the Bible Bee.  It is a great way for me to teach my children about daily Bible study, and delving deeper into God's Word.  

The Bible Bee organizes a 10-week Bible study for families to go through together.  In addition to the study, there are Bible verses to memorize.  When the local bee takes place in August, the children take a written test about the Bible study, in addition to oral rounds of reciting the Bible verses.  

This is our family's 3rd year of participating in the Bible Bee.  Jersey #1 participated in the 1st Bible Bee. She was only 7 years old, the youngest age allowed to participate.  The whole thing was very overwhelming for her.  We had no clue how to prepare, or what to expect.  We did not spend much time studying, and she hardly knew any answers.  

We skipped the 2nd Bible Bee, because Jersey #2 was having heart surgery, and we just did not participate in many activities at that time.  

Last year, for the 3rd annual Bible Bee, both Jersey #1 and Jersey #2 participated.  The local bee was held at our own church, so I signed the girls up.  Jersey #1 did not want to do it.  She was still traumatized by the first experience.  That year, there was an option to do a non-competitive track, so we went that route.  On the non-competitive track, there was no pressure to try to score high enough to be invited to the National Bee.  Jersey #1 preferred the lack of pressure, and did very well.  Jersey #2 had a blast.

This year, Jersey #1 started out by telling me she did not want to participate.  I made an agreement with her that she had to join in this year while she was still in the "primary" division, but would not have to sign up next year when she would go into the "Juniors" category.  The workload increases significantly then.  Jersey #1 is highly competitive and does not enjoy activities where she is not naturally going to win.  Knowing this, I am requiring her to participate in some activities that are more humbling.  Everyone has room to grow.  Jersey #2 was excited to participate again.  Jersey #3 is now 7 and old enough to participate.  He is thrilled to join in with his sisters.

Much to my surprise, Jersey #1 has changed her tune by the time the box of goodies arrived in the mail.  She is now looking forward to the Bible Bee.  She even asked if she had to wait on her siblings to begin the Sword Study, or could she start on her own.  I am pleased with her enthusiasm.   

The box of goodies was really neat.  Each participant received a T-shirt and button, a new Bible, the study, and a stack of memory verse cards.  Let the studious fun begin...