“Who knows my heart?” “How should I talk?” “How can I get to heaven?”
From left: Caroline Perez, Bible drill consultant for the SCBC; Zane Bridwell, second place; and Allison Westberry, winner of the 2011 State Youth Bible Drill.These are common questions that youth might ask. Teens who participate in the state Youth Bible Drill have learned what the Bible says in answer to those specific questions and more. They have studied and memorized verses and can locate the answers in the Bible in less than eight seconds.
On May 14, 42 youth participants arrived at the South Carolina Baptist Convention building in Columbia with parents, leaders, and lots of energy, ready for the state Youth Bible Drill. After five preliminary drills were completed and scores compiled, the eight highest-scoring participants competed in a final drill. Those participants were Mikey Painter of Midway Church, Broad River Association; Trevor Squires of Happy Home Church, Carolina Association; Alison Westberry of Taylors First Church, North Greenville Association; Zane Bridwell of Poplar Springs Church, Spartanburg County Network; Kiernan Gordon of Mountain Rest Church, Beaverdam Association; Alex Copeland of Macedonia Church, Broad River Association; Madison Guyton, also of Macedonia Church; and Leland Lemmons of Gaffney First Church, Broad River Association.
With three of the teens making perfect scores, the deciding factor in the final drill came down to bonus points, awarded to participants who first stepped across the line with an answer in each call. Alison Westberry was the first-place winner, with second going to Zane Bridwell. It was a repeat win for Westberry, who also won last year’s state drill.
Robert Hunter, a 7th-grader from Brushy Creek Church, Greenville Association, offered some simple advice after his first year of participating: “Start early, work hard, and practice.” The teens study for nine months and work their way up through three drills: church, association, and state. In each drill they search their Bibles and memories for 25 calls, striving to answer each call in eight seconds or less.
Youth Bible Drill is a church event for teens in grades 7 through 9. Youth develop skills in using their Bibles by locating books and verses, and by memorizing and locating passages dealing with doctrinal and ethical concerns. Preparing for the drills helps to increase the teenagers’ love for the Bible; its words and phrases become a part of them. Youth also gain poise and confidence as they respond to drill calls with speed and accuracy.
For information about participating in the Youth Bible Drill program: scbibledrill@scbaptist.org or 800-723-7242, ext. 2203. – SCBC