MUSICAL INTERLUDE: Day One

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: Illustrated Bible from 1864

VERSE OF THE WEEK: Psalm 37:39

The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble. - Psalm 37:39 (ESV).

So... What's Next?

Districts is over, practices for the year are over, so... what is next for Quiz Team in general and this blog in particular?

Well, we still may have one more year-end event (keep a close eye out for any announcements).

In the meantime, we're going to take a month or so off from Bible Quizzing, per se, and just focus some fun. We'll be posting news related to the Bible, good music, comics, jokes, photos, and other interesting tidbits. As always, this site will be updated every day. Then, starting soon, we'll begin getting ready for the 2015-2016 season, where we'll be studying the Books of Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.

But, for now, let's have some fun!

Bible Knowledge Test for Acts

Our team did quite well on this year's Bible Knowledge Test on the book of Acts (ESV).  But maybe you'd want to retake the test to improve or ask your parents, friends, or siblings to take it!  If so, here is your chance to download the test.

• Bible Knowledge Test
• Answer Key

VIDEO: Worship Time from Districts

WEEKLY COMIC: Powerful Prologue

PHOTOS: Coach Matt's Pictures from Districts

The paparazzi were on the job this weekend!  Click here for the next set or on the image below.

PHOTOS: Coach Mark's Pictures from Districts

The paparazzi were on the job this weekend!  Click here for the whole set or on the image below.

Congratulations on First Place at Districts!

Congratulations on your First Place win at Districts.  You did a great job!  Keep your eyes here for news about next season coming in Late Summer.

REMINDER: No Practice Tonight!

Remember, practices are over for the season.  There will be one more celebratory event in a few weeks.  But there is nothing for tonight.

WEEKLY COMIC: Old fears

Home at Beacon Hill Church! #biblequizzing #districts

ETA to be back in Monroe is 6 pm. #biblequizzing #districts

Rest stop. #biblequizzing #districts

Heading home! #biblequizzing #districts

Monroe - First Place #biblequizzing #districts

Seniors! #biblequizzing #districts

Closing ceremonies. #biblequizzing #districts

Lunch! #biblequizzing #districts

We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. #biblequizzing #districts

Bible knowledge test. #biblequizzing #districts

Bible quizzing resumes. #biblequizzing #districts

Snack time. #biblequizzing #districts

Dallas vs Monroe #biblequizzing #districts

Quizzing begins #districts #biblequizzing

Today's schedule #biblequizzing

Opening ceremonies #biblequizzing #districts

Praying for breakfast #biblequizzing #districts

Gathering before breakfast. #biblequizzing #districts

DISTRICTS: Today's Schedule

Parents, This is our rough schedule for today.  You can check back here during the day for regular photo updates of our progress.

• 6:15am - Rise and shine, personal hygiene, pickup cabin, check-out
• 7:15am - Leave for Dallas EFC,  45 Hildebrandt Rd, Dallas, PA 18612, 570.675.6426
• 7:30am - Breakfast
• 8:30am - Devotions
• 9am - 11:30am - Quizzing, Short break, tiebreaker round (if needed) and Bible Knowledge Test
• 12:30pm - Lunch
• 1:30pm - Worship/closing/presentations
• 2:30pm - Leave for Home
• 4pm - Bathroom break, snack, gas
• 6pm - Arrive at Calvary EFC

We have arrived at the Camp! #biblequizzing #districts

Reloading after some van difficulties. #biblequizzing #districts

Dinner at Chipotle #biblequizzing #districts

Heading out! #biblequizzing #districts

DISTRICTS: See you at the Van!

We're meeting at the church at 4:00 PM tonight to leave for Districts in Dallas, PA.  Please arrive a little early, if possible, so we can be ready to go promptly.

The Trumbull Team will be picking us up, and stopping at Chipotle for dinner.  Once we arrive, we'll hang out in the camp gym until bedtime at 10 PM.

See you then!

DISTRICTS: What do I pack?

We leave for Districts tomorrow afternoon.  If you're going to be packing today/tonight, here is a good list to use as you fill your duffle bag.

ABSOLUTELY DO NOT FORGET:

• Either money for dinner Friday at Chipotle or a bag dinner
• Sleeping gear for Friday night (sleeping bag, pillow, etc.)
• Your Quiz Team shirt
• Long Pants for Saturday quizzing (you can change into shorts after quizzing is done)

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOUR SUITCASE:

• A warm/rain jacket for Friday night (Low of 45 with rain predicted overnight)
• Study materials including your scripture portion
• Toiletries (warm showers will be available)
• An alarm clock (or multifunction device with an alarm app)

If possible, please pack in a soft suitcase for maximum packing flexibility.

ANNOUNCEMENT: We're driving to Districts with Trumbull!

Good news, everyone!  We'll be driving up to Districts with the Trumbull Team.  We're still leaving church at 4 PM - Trumbull with stop off for us - but we are adding a short dinner stop at Chipotle (but feel free to still bring a bag lunch instead).  See you then!

THIS WEEK: Review all Chapters of Acts

This week (April 14 thru April 18), please review all chapters of Acts.

This is it!  Districts is in 4 days where we will quiz on all chapters of Acts.  Please check and make sure you have all the study materials you need.  Every things can be found here:  http://www.monroebiblequiz.com/search/label/acts

If you are missing anything that you need, please contact the coaches.

Study Tip: At this late stage, you have two choices to excel:  (1) cram, cram, cram and try to learn as much material as possible in the few days left, or (2) pick something you are good at and focus on that for the next few days.  We generally recommend #2.  Choose one thing and be the expert - FTVs, References, Multiple Part Answers, Short Answers, etc.

Upcoming Events:

- April 17-18 - Districts Quiz Meet in Dallas, PA

REMINDER: Practice resumes tonight!

Practice resumes tonight!  We'll see you there at the usual time.  We'll be quizzing on all chapters of Acts.

HOLY WEEK LEFTOVERS: Where do the symbols of Easter come from?

Holy Week raises lots of questions worth answering, which we don't always get around to discussing during Holy Week.  We'll take a few days this week to look at those questions.

QUESTION 4:  Easter has a lot of traditions/symbols.  From where do we get the egg, bunny, etc.?

Tradition is always a tricky thing to talk about, because each culture and even sub-culture can have their own traditions.  But traditions almost always go back to a real core of truth, somewhere in their past. Let's go over a few of the most common Easter traditions:

• Rabbits (The Easter Bunny):  Easter is all about life, and rabbits have long been symbols of life due to their large families.  But there is more to it when it comes to the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The rabbit coming out of her hole is a symbol reminding us of Jesus emerging from his tomb.
• Eggs (Easter Egg Hunts/Rolls):  Eggs are also symbols of life. And a chick emerging from what previously looked like a lifeless stone is a symbol reminding us (again) of Jesus emerging from the tomb.  The coloring of eggs comes from old traditions which forbade the eating of eggs during Lent (as a symbol of denying oneself) but encouraged their eating at Easter as a celebration.  The rolling of Easter Eggs is symbolic of the stone being rolled away from the opening of the tomb.
• Candy:  There is nothing subtle about this.  Candy is a sign of celebration and a symbol of the sweetness of life.  Candy makers have, of course, embraced this as a chance to sell every kind of sugary snack imaginable which cover the other symbols of Easter.
• Parades:  While modern Easter parades don't look much different from Christmas or New Years (or NCAA champion) parades, ancient Easter parades were quite different.  They were made up of new converts to Christianity and people who were newly baptized, wearing white to proclaim to the world that they had been forgiven of their sins.
• Lilies:  Easter lilies are always purest white, reminding us of the purity of our new life as forgiven people, saved by the blood of Jesus Christ.
• Sunrise Services:  Well, this one is no mystery.  The women went to the tomb in the early morning, and that is when they discovered - to their great confusion and soon to their great joy - that his corpse was not there.  Jesus was alive!
• New Clothes for Easter:  The buying and wearing of new clothes at Easter is not just about "looking your best for God".  It is also a symbol of the new life Christ brought us with his death and resurrection, clothing us in his own righteousness.

HOLY WEEK LEFTOVERS: Why do we call Resurrection Sunday by the name "Easter"?

Holy Week raises lots of questions worth answering, which we don't always get around to discussing during Holy Week.  We'll take a few days this week to look at those questions.

QUESTION 3:  Where does the name "Easter" come from?

This is a big question and hard to answer, because language changes so much over time.  There are two primary theories for the origin of the word "Easter".

Pagan Origins:  Eastre (or Eostre) was a goddess of the Saxon peoples of Northern Europe, associated with Springtime and especially rabbits.  (It is believed this is where the idea of the Easter Bunny may have come from, although the fact that rabbits emerge from a hole in the ground also makes them a natural symbol for Jesus emerging from the tomb.)  This theory is that a feast to Eastre was held in the Springtime. Christian missionaries did not want to deny their converts a chance to celebrate, so instead of banning the old celebration they replaced the former significance with a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The practice of "redeeming" pagan holidays with new Christian significance was quite common in the old Roman Empire.

German Origins:  The german word for "resurrection" is "auferstehung"(say it fast, you can get a sense of how it could have morphed into "easter" over centuries of time).  Under this theory, the word was first used by early German Christians to refer to the time of Passover, reflecting the fact that Resurrection Sunday would historically be the Sunday after Passover.  Over time, the word's use was expanded and expanded as people began to not only note the day on their calendars, but make a celebration out of it.  Finally, the word "Easter" eclipsed Passover in the mind of Christian Europe (much of which had never known a Jewish person or read a Bible, so the significance of the old Hebrew holiday was lost).  This theory is supported by the fact that Easter first appears as a word in German writings, rather than Saxon ones.

WEEKLY COMIC: Keeping it rad!

HOLY WEEK LEFTOVERS: Was Jesus really in the tomb for 3 days?

Holy Week raises lots of questions worth answering, which we don't always get around to discussing during Holy Week.  We'll take a few days to look at those questions.

QUESTION 2:  Was Jesus really in the tomb for 3 days?

There are big questions and there are little questions, and this is one that people argue over the size of. Many ask, "If Jesus died Friday night and rose Sunday morning, how does that work out to three days?"  After all, he was only in the tomb for a full day on Sunday, right?

Nope.  First century Jews thought about the calendar differently than moderns do:

1. Days start at sundown on the Jewish calendar.
2. People of the time didn't think in 24 hours days, where 3 days meant "exactly 72 hours".  Rather, they thought in terms of day periods.  For something to happen "on the third day" was always considered to mean "sometime during the third day".  (72 hours later would be "on the fourth day".)
3. When Jews of the time spoke about "three days and three nights", partial days were considered sufficient.  In Esther 4 and 5, she fasts "for 3 days and 3 nights" but goes to the king "on the third day". 

Thus, Jesus being in the tomb for three days was fulfilled by:  

1. Some time on Friday (Jesus died in the afternoon, before sunset)
2. All day on Saturday
3. Some time on Sunday (Jesus was seen by the women in the morning)

3 days, even though it was not 72 hours later.

HOLY WEEK LEFTOVERS: How do we know Jesus actually rose?

Holy Week raises lots of questions worth answering, which we don't always get around to discussing during Holy Week.  We'll take a few days this week to look at those questions.

QUESTION 1:  HOW DO WE KNOW JESUS ACTUALLY ROSE FROM THE DEAD?

Since the very day Jesus rose from the dead, people have been trying to argue it didn't happen.  (The gospels actually record an attempted payoff from the Sanhedrin to the tomb guards to claim the disciples had stolen the body.)  But there is plentiful evidence that Jesus died and that he rose again!

1. Jesus Died:  The Romans were experts at killing and crucifixion was one of their go-to methods for killing.  The gospels even record that the guards at the cross were ready with a backup plan for anyone who hadn't died.  They would break their legs, so they couldn't push themselves up to catch a breath.  Instead, when they came to Jesus, they saw he was dead.  But just to make sure, they thrust a spear into his side.  The gospels report "blood and water" flowed, which either indicates that the blood had begun to coagulate inside the body, or that the cardiac sack around the heart had been punctured.  Either way, there is now way to survive that.
2. Jesus Rose:  First century Jews were no fools and were used to Messiahs who didn't deliver what they promised, so it makes little sense to chalk up Jesus's appearances to superstition.  Instead, the gospels report repeatedly that there were eyewitnesses to the resurrected Christ.  First, he appeared to the women who came to the tomb to care for his body.  Second, he appeared to Peter (and John saw the empty tomb).  Third, he appeared to two unnamed disciples on the way to Emmaus.  Fourth, he appeared to all of the disciples in the upper room, except Thomas.  Finally, he appeared to Thomas, as well, and even showed him the scars in his hands, his feet, and his sides.  And it was not just the apostles who saw him, but Paul reports in 1 Corinthians 15:6 that over 500 people saw Jesus alive (most of whom were still alive when he wrote for readers to check back with).
3. Jesus Changed Lives:  Finally, it is worth noting the transformation seen in the disciples after Jesus's resurrection.  After the crucifixion, all accounts report they were terrified and hidden away, fearing the Romans or Sanhedrin would come for them next.  They feared for their lives, and were ready to run away.  But after the resurrection, suddenly they are bold and brash men with no fear for their lives.  They preach, they teach, they do miracles, and they eagerly march toward martyrdom.

While we do not have a photograph of the risen Jesus to examine, all of this adds up to a lot of strong evidence that Jesus of Nazareth did indeed rise from the dead.

THIS WEEK: Review all Chapters of Acts

This week (April 7 thru April 13), please review all chapters of Acts.

If you want to read the chapters online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

If you are missing any MP3s, please contact the coaches.

Study Tip: We're now done learning new material for the year.  From here on out, it's all review.  But don't let that turn you off to studying.  We've got two weeks - 14 days - until our next practice.  Use that time and study 2 chapters each day, and you'll end up at the perfect place by the next time wee meet.

Upcoming Events:

- April 17-18 - Districts Quiz Meet in Dallas, PA

REMINDER: No Practice Tonight!

There is no practice tonight due so no one had to do prep during Holy Week.  We'll resume next Monday reviewing all chapters.

HOLY WEEK: Resurrection Sunday!

Matthew 28:1-10:  Easter Sunday

1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

HOLY WEEK: Holy Saturday

It is typical to think of Saturday as an "off day" for Holy Week, but actually quite a lot was happening.  Jesus was taken down from the cross and his body was wrapped in fine cloths and spices.   Then Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea - both prominent men who had much to lose by declaring they were followers of Jesus - came forward to claim the body and place it into a rich tomb.  Finally, the Sanhedrin - aware of Jesus's prophesies about resurrection - convinced Pilate to seal the tomb and guard it to protect against tampering.

HOLY WEEK: Good Friday

Good Friday is the holiest day on the Christian calendar, because it is the day Jesus died and took on all of our sins.  Without his death, we would still be in our sins and under judgement for all eternity.  Salvation, both Old and New Testament, is based on faith in the saving work of God thru Christ.

It was a long and difficult day for Jesus.  He not only died, but went thru multiple trials before both Jewish and Gentile, both local and imperial authorities.  He was offered a way out by Pilate, but the crowds chose a known murderer instead.  Jesus was then tortured, and forced to carry his own cross (until he collapsed and a bystander in the crowd was drafted to carry it for him).  Finally, he was nailed to the cross and after blessing nearly all those around him, died.

It is important to note how Jesus died.  He was not killed, but instead scripture says he "gave up his spirit."  God chose to die, because his life could not be taken from him.

HOLY WEEK: Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday is the most solemn and somber of days in the Christian calendar.  It marks the day that Jesus gave the Last Supper, prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, and was betrayed by Judas.

The term "Maundy" is a reference back to the Latin "mandatum" - i.e. "command" - which comes from John 13:34-35:  "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”"

Why is this day more somber than "Good Friday" on which Jesus actually died?  Because that day is made "good" by the redemption accomplished by his death on the cross.  Thursday, on the other hand, is just one difficult moment for Jesus after another with no relief in sight.  In light of this, it is traditional for Maundy Thursday services to end in silence, with people leaving the church without talking.

HOLY WEEK: Silent Wednesday

Nothing is recorded in the gospels about Wednesday of Holy Week.  This certainly doesn't say "nothing" happened, but scholars speculate Jesus and his disciples may have spent the day resting up for the Passover celebration in Bethany with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.