Luke Jordan (left) and Caleb Little, from Southside Baptist Church, Florence.They come with nervousness in their eyes, Bibles clutched in their hands and butterflies in their stomachs. But this is the moment they have been working toward for several months: Children’s State Bible Drill. Now they have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of the Bible and their memory work. They perform at their best in order to receive personal recognition. As they leave, they have smiles on their faces, seals in their hands, and God’s word in their hearts forever.
From Mullins First Baptist Church: Rylee White (left) and Elizabeth Turner.On April 24, more than 200 children in grades 4 through 6 gathered at four sites across the state for the Children’s State Bible Drill. Drills were held in Anderson, Columbia, Taylors and Florence. Drill leaders and parents spent hours helping the children memorize 25 verses, the location of 10 key passages, and all the books of the Bible. Depending on their personal score during the drill, each child received a gold seal to be placed on their Bible Drill certificates: state participant, state winner or state perfect.
While reflecting on his first year of participation in Bible Drill, Caleb Little, of Florence, said, “I like learning verses. Bible Drill is awesome.” For those children who are able to participate at the state level for three years, golden medallions are presented. This year, 43 children received third-year-participant medallions. During their three years in Children’s Bible Drill, they have learned 75 verses, the location of 30 key passages, and usually know all 66 books – backwards and forwards.
Each year, additional churches participate in Bible Drill with their children because of the strong emphasis on Bible knowledge, skills, memorization, and practical application. After participating in a church drill, qualifying children advance to their associational drill. Currently, 24 associations in South Carolina support Bible Drill programs. Children who qualify at the associational level advance to the Children’s State Bible Drill.
Distinguishing parents from leaders at State Drill becomes difficult, especially when some churches wear matching colorful T-shirts. Wanda Kimble, from Portside Baptist in North Charleston, said, “I always tell my children [her participants] how important I think [Bible Drill] is for them, and that I feel it is very important for me also. I make it a point to memorize the information with them and recite it to them the way I want them to tell it to me.”
Rylee White, a Bible Drill participant from First Baptist Church of Mullins, reflected on the lasting impact of God’s word. “I liked Bible Drill because I was able to learn more about God,” she said. “I also liked it because I can witness to other people by telling the verses to them without having to look them up.”
Even though the State Children’s Bible Drill is over and everyone has gone home, children have God’s word in their hearts to share with the hearts of their friends.
– Perez is the Bible Drill specialist for the SCBC childhood ministry group.
Representing Portside Baptist Church, Charleston (front row, from left): Paige Kimble, Shelby Tyler, Abigail Kennedy and Brandon Malak. Back row: Wanda Kimble, Kaitlynn Weeks, Kylee Hall, Jeffrey Mitchum and Jimmy Singletary.