Do you want to share a testimony of what IFCA Bible Quizzing has meant to
you? What impact has memorizing God's Word had on your life?
Please consider sharing with others who are interested
in Bible Quizzing.
Thy Word Have I Hid in my Heart-Mark D. Johnson
What kind of world will our children and grandchildren face? Do you ever fear
for the next generation? What tool can we give them to face an unknown and
complex future?
According to Isaiah 26:3, perfect peace (shalom or "well being in every
way") comes from fixing one’s mind on God Himself. That is best
accomplished through meditating on His Word day and night.
That is why I love IFCA International Bible Quizzing. It fixes young minds on
God and His Word in an extremely focused way! As a former quizzer and quiz
coach, and as pastor of a church with an active Bible Quiz Program, and as a
parent whose children love quizzing, I am excited about IFCA International Bible
quizzing as a discipleship program.
Every year, dozens of IFCA International teens memorize entire books of the
New Testament or at least several chapters (somewhere around 250 verses per
year). To succeed at quizzing, they must understand the meaning of the verses
and be able to process that meaning very quickly.
Quizzing is fun, energetic, highly competitive, and builds deep friendships
among participants. Wise quiz coaches disciple their teens, help them understand
how Scripture applies to their lives, and help them become leaders in actually
using the verses they learn to serve in their churches and communities. Numerous
Bible College graduates, pastors, missionaries, and church leaders have come
from IFCA International quiz teams.
There is no better tool that we can give our young people for facing a
challenging and uncertain future than deep roots in the Word of God. By the way,
do you have today that perfect peace that passes understanding? You will find it
by fixing your mind on the Savior. Try memorizing some Bible verses. (Yes, you
can do it.) Try meditating on God’s eternal Word. Find that peace of mind that
can face whatever the storms of life bring.
Mark D. Johnson
Pastor, Independent Bible Church
Martinsburg, WV
Jon Rinker
My name is Jon Rinker and I quizzed on the Westchester Bible Church (IL) quiz
team from the years 91-92 through 93-94 (3 quizzing years). My coaches were
Jutti West and Kathy Meitzler.
I can't say enough positive things about my experience in the quizzing ministry.
It was life changing with many memories I cherish. I made many quality friends
that I still keep up with. Also while in quizzing I believe that the Lord
protected me and guided me through the tempting and formative teen years while
at a public school. Bringing my "material" to school to study during
lunch, study halls, or on class trips always gave me an opportunity to witness
for the Lord. I also couldn't live like the world because my life was associated
with the Bible and the things of God. I had a testimony to uphold.
I actually only quizzed three years. Prior to joining the team there were years
when my parents encouraged me to join the team. However, I wasn't really
interested in all the memorization and the focus of the program. However, at the
IFCA youth convention in Kansas in June of 1991 God really convicted me about
the need for a personal, daily relationship with Jesus Christ. I also repented
of sin in my life at that time. It was weird because I came back from the
convention and actually wanted to get involved in ministries of my church. I had
an inner desire to know God and serve him. Now my parents didn't have to
pressure me to join the quiz team. I wanted to join. It was as if God changed my
heart. I'm very thankful for those blessed last few years in high school. Those
years in quizzing and seeking God were some of the most happy of my life.
Of all the things I was involved with during those years, quizzing was the most
exciting and rewarding. I had an inner motivation to win in quizzing so I ended
up being above average in diligence in memorization and "success."
While I enjoyed getting the trophies and scholarships, the memory of God's word
has been far more impacting beyond the passing recognition of winning.
Having parts of the New Testament memorized has been invaluable as I've gone
through Appalachian Bible College and then seminary. Its interesting that some
of my classmates from Bible College still remember me as the "one who has
the Bible memorized." I chuckle at this in my mind since I know they're
exaggerating, but it reminds me of how God even challenged others to know His
word better by what He had done in my life. It has also been helpful in ministry
as I preach and counsel others. Since the Word of God is our tool for ministry
it has been very helpful to know this tool and how to use it. The memory of
God's Word has also been impacting in my personal life as I contemplate the
truths of the gospel, the Christian life, serving God. Many times the Lord gave
me victory over temptation or challenged me to live for Him by the Word He had
put in my heart.
I would also mention that the Lord allowed me to start a Bible quizzing ministry
at Piney View Bible Church (WV) in 1994 when I went to college. This ministry
also encouraged Independent Bible Church (WV) to quiz (A quizzing ministry which
has been faithful for several years). It has been gratifying to see pastors and
lay leaders of these churches to catch the vision for the Bible quizzing
ministry. I've been thankful to see others challenged and changed through God's
Word.
Last, I would challenge pastor's, parents, and youth leaders to make Bible
quizzing a priority in your ministry and direction of young people. If you
really believe in the essential necessity of God's Word as THE tool for ministry
and change in lives then you will find some way to practice what you preach. I'm
afraid that we send a devastating message to young people when we do not
purposefully, strongly, and enthusiastically endorse the memory and meditation
of the Holy Scriptures. In addition, the Bible quizzing ministry isn't perfect,
but God's Word is - so find an effective way to systematically instill extended
portions of the Scriptures into young minds. I haven't found any system better
in this battle for the mind than IFCA Bible quizzing when it is correctly
administered.
I would challenge prospective and current quizzers in two ways. First, seek God
and this daily walk with the Lord Jesus Christ with all your heart. Ask the Lord
to change your heart and give you an appetite for His Word. Second, consume
God's Word on a daily basis and seek meditation on the Word (Ps. 1). If you're
daily meditating on it then you will likely have it memorized and even
understand it. Then you will have "good success" (Joshua 1:8-9).
Jon Rinker
Carol Coglianese Rinker
89-90 (Junior and Senior year) at Westchester Bible Church
I found quizzing to be very hard. Perfect memorization required
discipline and understanding. The weekly meetings allowed us to spend
time understanding the Word. Debates over what a verse meant also
triggered deeper truths. Meeting many other kids and adults centered
around God's Word was exciting. In my opinion, the camaraderie was
unsurpassed.
Today, those same verses come back to me over and over again. Many have become
favorites because of the acquired understanding. I would not be able to remember
them if I had not memorized them earlier. I've used them to reason with people
and to encourage.
Without quizzing, I don't believe I would have known or understood the
first chapter of Romans when God declares everyone has seen him in nature and
those that chose to deny god turn their desires to one another, men with men and
woman with woman. The Word is definitely clear and
powerful!
From Rev. Tracy (Bud) McConnell
Pastor of the New Life Bible Church in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin
When I was 15 years old, I was heavily involved with
drugs. After a
falling out with my drug buddies I found myself at an IFCA quiz meet. I
had attended Indian Hill's youth group a few times but never really
connected. As I sat there listening to the quizzers buzz in and give
their answers I was impressed. Then the thought entered my mind, "You
could do this!" I went up to Pastor Miller and asked if I could join the
quiz team. I was in church the next Sunday, and soon after that I
rededicated my life to the Lord. I only quizzed for three years, but
learned scores of verses that I can still quote today.
As a Pastor, I have had numerous opportunities to thank God
for leading
me into Bible Quizzing, since it has given me a greater knowledge of the
scriptures.
Regardless of the limitations and objections I've heard over
the years
about the benefits of Bible quizzing, I believe it is a worthy ministry.
It is a ministry based on a promise. Isaiah 55:11 says "So shall My word
be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it
shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for
which I sent it." That is true because God said it, but I can testify
that it has been and is still being proved true in my own life. It is
never a waste of time to pour the Word of God into the hearts and minds
of the young people in our churches today. I'm glad Pastor Miller and
Pastor Danny took the time to pour it into mine.
Tracy (Bud) McConnell
1980-82
Indian Hill Bible Church
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