High school division adds depth to Bible Drill

Ready. Set. Go! 
   
That is exactly what 41 state Baptist youth did as they gathered for the Youth Bible Drill and Speakers Tournament April 29 at Heritage Baptist Church, Montgomery, in Montgomery Baptist Association.
   
Traditionally the youth Bible Drill is designed for students in grades seven through nine. 
   
But this year, the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM) created a high school Bible Drill for students in grades 10 through 12.
   
Michelle Hopkins, who won first place in this year’s high school Bible Drill, said she was glad older students were included in the competition.
   
“I competed three years on the youth level and placed all three years. It’s a really good challenge and helps you to learn a lot of Scripture,” said Hopkins, 18, a member of Whitesburg Baptist Church, Huntsville, in Madison Baptist Association.
   
In conjunction with the Bible Drills, a youth Speakers Tournament was also hosted for 10th through 12th graders.
   
Sonya Tucker, an associate in the office of discipleship and family ministries of the SBOM, said the competition is vital for today’s youth. 
   
“In today’s world, youth just really don’t have very many opportunities to know the Bible and be taught how to apply it to their lives,” Tucker said. “The Bible Drill helps youth to know the Scriptures, and the Speakers Tournament helps them to understand the Scriptures and then apply it to their lives.”
   
The youth Bible Drill challenges students in a variety of ways from locating the books of the Bible to Scripture searches to quoting verses to a doctrinal drill. 
   
For example, students may be given a question such as “Am I alone?” They would look up Joshua 1:9 and give its reply: “I command you — be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
   
In the high school Bible Drill, students are required to learn more in-depth information, like memorizing longer passages such as John 15:1–17 (The vine and the branches) and quoting them word for word. They also learn the “Roman Road” plan of salvation and are drilled on its statements.
   
Hopkins said she enjoyed learning the longer passages. 
   
“It was a big challenge, but when you learn a long passage of Scripture, you learn the verses in context and learn a whole train of thought of what the Bible was trying to say instead of getting pieces here and there,” she said. 
   
Those who enter the youth Speakers Tournament have a choice of approximately 10 topics to research. After choosing a topic, they write a paper and then deliver a four- to six-minute memorized speech. 
   
Essence Ambers, a member of Winewood Baptist Church, Birmingham, in Birmingham Baptist Association, entered the youth Speakers Tournament last year but was unable to make it past the first level of the competition. 
   
This year, she entered again and won first place with her speech, “A firm foundation in a shaky world.”
   
Ambers said she wanted to enter the competition again this year for several reasons. “I thought it would be a good way for me to enhance my speaking skills and get in touch with God a little bit more, and I really did see that happen.”
   
Ambers, who won the Birmingham Baptist Association and district competition, said that as the state competition drew closer, she saw the things she had written in her paper come to life.
   
“I knew that I was speaking from experience about having a good spiritual foundation and knowing how to maintain that. But going through this experience and putting my experiences down on paper and reading the Bible more has helped me to maintain myself better spiritually,” said Ambers, who plans to enter Judson College in Marion this fall to study pre-law.
   
Of the 41 students who competed at the state level, 11 won recognition.