Texas Bible Bowl

 

McDermott Bible Bowlers & Padme'

Before the test, they're all smiles!

This weekend Caleb, Abigail and friends competed along with 100+ other kids in the Texas Bible Bowl!  In the past they have competed in the 'National Bible Bowl' at Abilene Christian University in 2008 & 2009;  at the Tulsa Soul Winning Workshop in 2010; and Oklahoma Christian University in 2011.  All of those Bible Bowls have stopped competing so the Texas Bible Bowl is now the closest event for us.  The competition is in Marble Falls, Texas out by Austin. 

Abigail and her friend Roy along with 35 others competed in the "Elementary Division" for students younger than 6th grade. Richard, Blake, Ryan and Caleb competed in the "Junior Division" as a team and individual for participants in grades 6th-9th.  There is also a  "Senior Division"for participants of grades 10-12; and an "Adult" division. 

Abigail at the picnic
with her pogo stick

Friday night there was a great praise and worship and youth led devotional.  Competition began on Saturday morning with a 50 question timed Power Round followed by five rounds timed of forty questions each, all over the book of Genesis!  The various rounds include Verse Find; Fact Finder; Identification; Know the Chapter - Quotations; and Know the Chapter - Chapter Headings!  

Singing at the park

Following the six timed rounds we all met up at the park in Marble Falls for a great picnic lunch, fellowship and singing.  The evening was finished up with a wonderful banquet and awards.  Everything was lovely!  The Texas Bible Bowl group did a wonderful job of taking the focus off the testing and placing the emphasis on like-minded kids and parents spending time together. 

The Awards Banquet

I know the Grandparents are waiting to hear the results so here you go.  First of all, we did not begin preparing until February, as the kids get older they really don't need as much study time.  But we did rely on prayer to God to multiply their learning and he definitely blessed the study time they did have.  We were up against congregations that have been preparing twice a week since last September.  Most of our studying took place for an hour on Sundays in February and March.  The rest of the studying was done by the kids at home in their private study time. 

Abigail & Roy

In the Elementary Division they only compete as individuals not teams.  The Power Round is not included in their score, only Rounds 1 thru 5.  Roy finished 3rd place and Abigail took 1st place.  Abigail answered 195 questions out of 200 correctly!  

In the Jr. Experience Team Division, the largest division, Richard, Ryan, Blake and Caleb took First Place!!!!  In the Jr. Experienced Individual Division, Blake took 11th Place; Richard took 5th Place, Ryan took 3rd Place and Caleb took First Place!!!

Top 3 and the
sponsoring youth ministers

There are also awards for top Overall Scores for the highest Elementary, Jr. High, Sr. High and Adult Division.  The scores include the five rounds and the Power Round.  Caleb took 3rd Place and Abigail, with one point higher took 2nd Place!!!!   Crazy right!!!!  In a very sweet moment, Caleb applauded Abigail and hugged her!  He even teared up and said he would be happy to lose to her any day because she had worked very hard studying and he was proud of her!!!  Awww, and Mom teared up, too!

let us consider how we may spur one another on

toward love and good deeds

Hebrews 10:24