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Did you ever ask this question growing up? Maybe you questioned the validity of diagraming sentences or solving algebraic equations.
Your kids are probably asking this whether they attend public, private, or homeschool.
Sometimes as parents and educators we might even still wonder this ourselves.
With Bible Drills you can answer that question with a clear “YES.” Bible Drills is one skill I learned as a child that I used EVERY SINGLE DAY of my adult life.
Why study Bible Drills?
Some people memorize very easily, while others must put in more time and effort, but the rewards are worth it. Verses memorized will come back in times of need. Whether its the minor circumstances of daily life or a devastating event that changes the future, God’s Word is relevant for personal needs, helping others, parenting, sharing Christ, and more.
1. Bible Drills prepares your heart and mind to use scripture when you need it.
When you are discouraged because of failure, the Holy Spirit whispers, “For I am confident of this very thing that He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)
When your child is afraid, you share, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” (Psalm 56:3)
When a friend is facing a crisis God gives you, “And all things work together for good for them who love God, for those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
When you are sharing Christ with someone who believes he or she is beyond forgiveness, you say, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all righteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
2. Bible Drills well help you distinguish truth from error.
When you are listening to a speaker, reading a book, or talking to friends Bible Drills will help you compare their words to God’s Word. I recently took the youth from our church to a local youth event. The speaker did not read from the Bible, but constantly quoted Scripture. He didn’t usually specify the chapter and verse or even say that the words came from the Bible. Those who have studied the Bible well, whether through Bible Drills or in other ways, recognized the quotes and were able to confirm His teaching. They also would have been able to tell if he was misquoting or using the Scripture out of context.
The same applies when reading a book, discussing the Bible with friends, listening to Christian music, etc. We MUST be able to distinguish Biblical truth from either accidental or intentional heresy if we do not want to be misled.
3. Bible Drills will build an understanding of Biblical references found throughout literature and life.
Screen shot from news update that references the Messiah in relation to President Trump.
Bible references are all around us. Someone is said to have “the patience of Job,” or is called “Judas.” A sports caster calls a game a “David and Goliath” battle. A writer refers to a character with the “wisdom of Solomon.” You will understand such allusions if you know the Bible.
Although general study of the Bible in Sunday School, church and home will make you familiar enough go recognize these allusions, Bible Drills helps you remember where those specific references are found in the Bible.
Even those who are not Bible-believing Christians need a basic knowledge of the Bible to interpret literature, news, music, and even everyday conversation. How much more do those who desire to follow Jesus need a thorough understanding!
4. Bible Drills greatly increases familiarity with the location of the specific books and passages.
In our technological society Scripture can be just a click away. We can always have God’s Word handy on a smart phone or tablet. I use my Bible app often.
Still, something about turning the pages and seeing how the passage fit together seems to give more depth to my reading. Because of Bible Drills, I can quickly find passages to follow along with the pastor in church or teacher in Sunday School. Also, remembering pieces of Scripture helps me search them on the apps when I can’t remember the references.
Many times pulling up an app is not appropriate for the situation. When a friend is crying on your shoulder, you don’t want to stop and pull out your phone. The Holy Spirt can bring passages to mind from God’s Word that is hidden in your heart.
My husband did not have the opportunity for Bible Drills as a child. When we married and ministered to youth together, his lack of familiarity with the location of Bible books and passages really bothered him. So, as a young adult, he joined the teenagers in our church for Bible Drills. He even competed with them in our local church drill. His example and eagerness to learn inspired the kids and leaders. At the end of the drills for the year, the leader presented him with a plaque that named him, “Our Hero.”
The Catch
I use the Bible Drills I learned as a child every day, but there is a catch. If I had memorized them once and quit, my feeble human mind would have forgotten most of them long ago. The verses stayed with me because of continuous study over the years. Practicing finding books regularly, not in drills, but in church and in life, kept these skills fresh. Revisiting passages and learning them anew with the kids at church and with my own children keeps them hidden in my heart.
As Christians, we are lifelong learners. We never outgrow the need to study God’s Word until the day He completes the good work He began in us and we are conformed to the likeness of His Son.
It’s not too late for Bible Drills.
Whether you are a new believer or a mature Christian, whether you parent toddlers or teenagers, whether you are young or old, study God’s Word today. Use Bible Drills or any other method that helps you and your children know His Word better. Knowing His Word better will lead to knowing God better.
I will continue to support Bible Drills in my church and family because as my children grow up I want them to remember that the skills they learn in Bible Drills will produce fruit for a lifetime.
See the Bible Drill page of the MS Baptist Convention for 2018 resources, as well as helpful information anyone considering Bible Drills in your ministry.
