Bible Drills

Resources Available

Children's Bible Drills    Youth Bible Drills   High School Bible Drills   Resources from LifeWay

Associational materials can be requested by contacting
Chris Travis

Why Bible Drills?

The purpose of the Bible Drill program is to help children, youth and high school students:

• Increase their knowledge of the Bible

• Develop skills in locating Bible books and Key Passages

• Memorize the names of the books of the Bible in order and memorize the verses and key passages (Children's verses available through the Bible/Teaching office for free or ordered online at www.lifeway.com. Youth and High School verses can be found here to download.)

Who can Participate?

Children in grades 4-6, youth in grades 7-9, and high school students in grades 10-12 for the current church year are eligible to participate. A method of participation can be worked out for children with disabilities to fit the individual's needs. Contact Chris Travis for more information.

Which Translation of the Bible?

The Bible Drill curriculum is provided in the King James Version (KJV), New International Version (NIV), and Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) translations. Each church must make a choice as to which translation to use. The choice needs to made before Bible Drill training begins so everyone is using the correct version.
KJV and HCSB Bible Drill Bibles are available for purchase through LifeWay. NIV Bibles are available through the International Bible Society.

What is Learned?

Bible Drills are made up of three cycles, which rotate over a three-year period. The participants should use the current cycle as printed on the front of the current Verse Cards. For 2007, the cycle is Blue for all three age groups.
Each participant will learn:

•  The names of the 66 books of the Bible in their proper order and be able to locate   each within 10 seconds (8 seconds for Youth and High School).

• Memorize the verses and their references printed on the current verse card.

• Learn the names, references, and locations in the Bible of the Key Passages.

How are the Drills Administered?

The Children's Discipleship Training Director, a director or leader in the Children's Discipleship training department, or another worker may be asked to coordinate and lead the drill.
The following leaders are needed for the drill: a caller, a timekeeper, and three judges. The caller serves as the chairperson, calls the drills, and averages the scores given by each of the three judges.
Each child receives a recognition card indicating whether he/she has advanced to the next drill level. It is recommended not to announce to the audience at the final church drill, who has moved to the next level so students will not feel left out.
No more than 12 students should participate in one drill at a time. If there are more than 12 in the program, provide multiple drills.
In the associational and state drills, multiple drills will be necessary depending on the translation used by churches as well as the number of participants.

What are the Levels of Participation?

Bible drillers will pass through three levels of participation:

• Church Drill - Schedule a church drill one or two weeks before the associational drill. A church drill should be conducted at the church before an audience. Children who participate in a church drill and give 12 or more correct responses, youth who score at least 180 points in the church drill, and high school students who score at least 200 points will be eligible for participation in the associational drill.

• Associational Drill - The associational drill is held at the time and place to be set by the association where the church is located. Contact your associational office to find out more information. If your association does not have enough participating churches, your church may attend another associational drill. Children who give at least 16 correct answers at the associational drill can participate in the state drill. Youth who have a score of at least 200 and high school students with a score of at least 220 are eligible for the state competition.

• State Drill - The Ohio drills are held at a time a place designated by the Bible Teaching/Leadership Resource Group. Children who give 20 or more correct responses are considered state winners. Youth and high school students will receive 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place rankings as determined by the scores. At the 2007 State drill, the youth and high school first place winner will receive a scholarship to attend a youth camp at Seneca Lake Baptist Assembly.

Types of Drills

Children:
Quotation Drill: 6 calls (Quoted from memory, Bibles are not used)
The leader gives the reference. If the child knows the verse, he steps forward after the call "start" and when called upon, the child gives the reference, quotes the verse, and then states the verse again. After a response, the callers says, "thank you.
Completion Drill: 6 calls (Quoted from memory, Bibles are not used)
The leader reads the part of the verse which is underlined on the Children's verse card. If the child can complete the verse, he steps forward after the call "start" is given. The child then states the reference, says the entire verse, and quotes the reference again. After the response, the caller says, "thank you."
Book Drill: 6 calls (Bible is used)
The caller says the name of any book of the Bible. After "start" is called, the child finds the book (any page within the book) and places his index finger on the page. The child then looks up and steps forward. When called upon, the child states the book before, the book called, and the book after the book. Prior to the call, children will place their hands, one on top and one on the bottom of the Bible and holds it out in front of them.
Key Passage Drill: 6 calls (Bible used)
After "start" is called, the child finds the passage, places his finger on any portion of the passage, looks up, and steps forward. When called on, the child states the title of the Key Passage and the reference. The caller asks the child to read a verse from the Key Passage. After the response, the caller says, "thank you."
The four types of drills are to be called in this order. Complete one type of drill before proceeding to the next.

Youth:
Book Drill: 5 calls, 3 points per call (Bibles used)
The leader calls the name of the book of the Bible. At the command "start," participants begin searching  for the book and steps forward after locating the book and placing an index finger on any section of the book. He looks up at the caller and waits to be called upon. The book before, the book called, and the book after should be the response.
Scripture Searching Drill: 5 calls, 3 points per call (Bibles used)
Verses are taken from any part of the Bible. The caller announces a scripture to be found. A participant must locate the scripture, place a finger on it, look up and step forward. When called upon, the participant must be able to read the verse and state the correct scripture reference.
Identifying Verses Drill: 5 calls, 4 points per call (Bibles used)
The caller quotes a part of the verse taken from the list of verses of Identifying Verses Drill on the current verse card. It could be any part of the verse (first, middle, last). A caller, however should quote a reasonable amount of the verse. A participant must correctly locate the verse in the Bible, place a finger on it, look up and step forward. If called upon, the participant must be able to read the entire verse and state the scripture reference.
Doctrinal Drill:  5 calls, 5 points per call (Bible used)
The caller announces a doctrinal statement taken from the verse card. A participant must correctly locate the verse listed with that doctrine and place a finger on the verse, look up, and step forward. When called upon, the participant must be able to state the doctrine, give the scripture reference and read the verse.
Bible Answers Drill: 5 calls, 5 points per call (Bibles used for the first part)
The caller announces a question taken from the Bible Answers drill on the verse card. Before stepping forward, a participant must correctly locate the verse listed that answers the question and the caller will instruct the participants to close their Bibles. If called upon, the participant must be able to quote the question, state the scripture reference, and recite the correct verse.

High school (uses the same rules as the Youth Drills):
Book Drill: 5 calls, 4 points per call (Bibles used)
The caller will name a book of the Bible. On the command “Start,” participants will look for the book called. After locating the book called, the participant must place his index finger on any verse before stepping forward. When called upon, the driller must name the book that immediately precedes the book called, the book called, and the book that immediately follows the book called.
Scripture Searching Drill: 5 calls, 4 points per call (Bibles used)
scripture searching drills are taken from any book in the Bible. The caller will announce a scripture reference to be found. On the command “Start,” participants must locate the scripture reference and place their index finger on the verse before stepping forward. When called upon, the driller reads the verse and states the scripture reference.
Steps to Salvation: 6 calls, 4 points per call (Bibles used in the first part)
The purpose of this drill is to help youth recall verses in order to share the plan of salvation with someone. All six verses will be called out in the order listed. The caller will quote the scripture reference of a verse in the order listed. On the command “Start,” the participant must locate the verse and place his index finger on the verse before stepping forward. When “Time” is called the caller will instruct all drillers to “Close Bibles.” When called upon the driller must recite the verse and state the scripture reference.
What We Believe Drill: 5 calls, 5 points per call (Bibles used in the first part)
Ten questions with Biblical references for response. The caller will ask a question taken from the list. On the command “Start,” participants must locate the verse that answers the question, place their index finger on the verse, and step forward. When “Time” is called the caller will instruct all drillers to “Close Bibles.” When called upon, the driller must state the question, recite the verse or verses, and state the scripture reference.
Key Biblical Passage Drill: 3 calls, 7 points per call (Bibles used in the first part)
The purpose of this drill is for youth to hide longer Key Passages of Scripture in their hearts. The caller will call a title of a Key Biblical Passage. On the command “Start,” participants will locate the verses listed for the passage called and place their index finger on any verse in the passage before stepping forward. When “Time” is called, the caller will instruct all drillers to “Close Bibles”. When called upon a participant must be able to state the Key Biblical Passage and reference. After stating the passage and reference, the caller will ask the same participant to either recite specific verses in the passage or the entire passage.

Scoring

Judging is based on the verses in each category of participants (Children, Youth, High School). Mistakes are marked on the score sheet. Only one mistake may be scored for a participant on any single call. While mistakes are scored, only the number of correct responses is reported to the children. Mistakes are the basis for scoring because the drill is against a standard and not against other individuals.
Mistakes include:

• Failure to step forward during the time allowed.

• Quoting the wrong verse or misquoting the right verse.

• Stepping forward before the index finger is on the reference.

• Stepping forward before the "start" command is given.

• Failure to hold the Bible correctly (as to give an advantage with fingers stuck in pages).

• Searching the Bible before the "start" command is given.

Bonus points for Youth/High School
On each call, the bonus judges award one bonus point each to the first person to step out. If two or more step out at the same time, judges score a bonus point for each. If a participant steps out first, but then answers incorrectly, he loses the bonus point.

What are the Drill Commands?

Attention - Stand straight; eyes focused on the caller until the command "start" is given; Bible held at side with the spine down, hand under the spine. Hold the Bible during the entire drill.
Present Bibles - This call is used in the calls that require a Bible. When the caller gives the call, Bibles are brought to waistline in front, parallel to the floor. One hand is placed on top and one hand is placed on the bottom, resting flat.
Start - This is the signal to step forward and begin searching their Bibles if applicable, until the allotted time is up.
Time - The timekeeper makes this call at the end of the allotted time. The caller will then call on one child by number* to give the response. Everyone remains where they are until the call "attention is given again."
Attention - Close the Bible, return it to its original position and take one step back.
*Each child receives a number (1-12) so the caller can call their number.

How do I Judge and Call a Drill?

Before the Drill

• Study the drill prepared by the Bible Teaching/Leadership Resource Group.

• Put a strip of masking tape on the floor to serve as the line behind which the participants should stand.

• Judges should sit in front of the drillers in the front row.

• Make a set of numbers to pin to the participants shirt (1-12).

During the Drill

• A drill should be preceded by instructions to the participants and a practice call to acquaint children with the voice and timing of calls by the caller.

• All judges will watch and score the participant.

• Judges should watch for the mistakes listed in the Leader's/Judge's guide.

• Only one mistake can be scored against a participant.

• The person calling the drill should go slowly enough for the judges to record the scores.

• Every participant should be called on at some time during the drill.

• Do not always call on the participant who first steps out.  

After the Drill

• Following the drill, the judges go to a private room to add the mistakes made by each participant.

• The caller then adds the three scores from the judges to get the final score. Note: If two out of the three judges disagree, us the score of the two agreeing judges.

• The decision of the judges is final.

• Give the scores to the caller. Each participant receives a recognition card whether he has advanced to the associational drill. Recognition should be given to all the drillers no matter what their scores or advancement.

• Questions or concerns by parents, leaders, or participants should be addressed to the caller.

• Encouragement should be given to children who qualify for the associational drill to continue their training for the state drill. Announce state drill times, locations, and date.

• The drill leader is responsible for  sending all participants names for the associational drill to the association Bible drill leader/office/contact person immediately following the church drill.

• Questions?  Call Karen Place 614-827-1822, toll free 877-SCBO-ORG, or email kplace@scbo.org.

Materials Needed

• Bibles

• Score Sheets

• Copy of Rules for each Judge

• Numbers for the Participants

• Registration Cards

• Pencils

• Stop Watch

• Copies of Drills (on for caller, one for each judge)

• Recognition Cards

• Certificates

• Three Regular Scoring Judges (One Bonus judge for youth and high school)

• Timekeeper

• Caller

• Signs