Bible Drill and Speakers

Looking for something creative for the kids in your family or church to do this summer? Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers Inc is sponsoring an essay contest. There will be a Preteen Division (completed 4th and 5th grades) and a Middle School Division (completed 6th-8th grades). The winner of each division will receive an award, a $50 cash prize and their essay will be featured on our website and in the Christian Index.

The topic for the Preteen Essay is “My Favorite Bible Verse/Passage.” Preteens are to share why the verse(s)/passage is their favorite and what it means to them. The essay is should be 250-300 words in length.

The topic for the Middle School Essay is “What I learned about God/my faith while we sheltered in place.” Middle School Essays are to be 400-500 words in length.

The deadline to submit the essays is July 31st. Coming this fall, we are offering an Essay Contest for High Schoolers and College Students.

Congratulations to our 2020 State Student Speakers Competition Runner-up: Lexie Partain from Dewy Rose Baptist Church! The Student Speakers Competition is for Georgia Baptist students in grades 10-12 and a great opportunity for High School Students to grow in their discipleship and learn to share their faith. Traditionally, students write a 4-6 minute speech and present their speech at the Church, Associational, and Regional levels. The top 2 scorers from each region advance to the State Competition. The students are graded 50% on delivery and 50% on written content. 

Due to Covid-19, we eliminated the Regional Competition, and our 2020 speakers submitted a written copy  of their speech along with a video for the judges to score. Lexie was the runner-up and recipient of the Jenny Rogers Memorial Scholarship ($500) to be used at the college or university of her choice. For more information on the Jenny Rogers Memorial Scholarship and/or donate to the scholarship fund click here: https://gbfoundation.org/rogers-scholarship-fund/

You can read Lexie’s speech below and watch her virtual award presentation video above with Dennis/Judy Rogers, Lexie, and leader, Debbie Whitmire.

Join me in congratulating Lexie for being our 2020 Student Speakers Competition Runner-up! For more information on the Student Speakers Competition, you can visit our webpage: https://bibledrillandspeakers.com/student-speakers-competition/

Congratulations to our 2020 State Student Speakers Competition Winner: Ellie Gray from FBC Lawrenceville! The Student Speakers Competition is for Georgia Baptist students in grades 10-12 who want to become better communicators, build confidence, and prepare for a lifetime of success and service. It’s about making a greater difference in the world, both now and for the rest of your life. Traditionally, Students write a 4-6 minute speech and present their speech at the Church, Associational, and Regional levels. The top 2 scorers from each region advance to the State Competition. The students are graded 50% on delivery and 50% on written content.

Due to Covid-19, we eliminated the Regional Competition, and our 2020 speakers submitted a written copy  of their speech along with a video for the judges to score. Ellie was the top scorer and recipient of three college scholarships: the Jenny Rogers Memorial Scholarship ($1,000), the 2020 State Winner Scholarship ($500) and a Georgia Baptist College Speakers Scholarship ($4,000). The Jenny Rogers Scholarship and the State Winner Scholarship can be used at the college or university of her choice. The Georgia Baptist College Speakers Scholarship can be used at Truett-McConnell, Shorter, or Brewton-Parker.

You can read Ellie’s speech below and watch her virtual award presentation video above with Dennis/Judy Rogers, Ellie, her parents, and leader, Peggy.

Join me in congratulating Ellie for being our 2020 Student Speakers Competition Winner. For more information on the Student Speakers Competition, you can visit our webpage: https://bibledrillandspeakers.com/student-speakers-competition/

Each year we recognize Bible Drillers at the 3, 6, and 9 year milestones of participating at the Regional Level of Bible Drill. By the time students complete their 9th year of Bible Drill, in addition to learning Bible Skills, they have memorized 359 verses plus learned where 30 Key Passages of Scripture are located. In 2020, we had 3 drillers achieve this milestone. I asked each driller to share what Bible Drill meant to them and/or how it helped them grow spiritually and their favorite Bible Drill verse.

Lauren Tripp, Harp’s Crossing Baptist Church: “I began Bible Drill as a child at 8 years old. I thought it was “cool” because my older siblings also did Bible Drill. As I practiced more and more, I became very good at finding and memorizing scripture in the Bible quickly. There was a sense of pride I found in Bible Drill. It was not until I failed (missing a call at a state drill and relinquishing the opportunity to move forward) that the Lord laid upon my heart the real purpose for Bible Drill: to know His Word. It was from that moment forward that I looked at Bible Drill not as a competition or to show other people how “good” I was at it but as a way to meditate upon God’s word. What an invaluable skill I have learned. I desire to one day teach children and young adults this invaluable skill that others so graciously taught me.”

Lauren’s favorite Bible Drill verse: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).

Darren Li, First Chinese Baptist Church of Atlanta: Bible drill is important to me because it helps me answer questions about my faith and points me to verses whenever I am faced with any situation. Bible drill helps me reaffirm my beliefs and reevaluate my relationship to God by making sure I am following God in all aspects of my life.

Darren’s favorite Bible Drill verses:
¹ If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. ² And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. ⁴ Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant ⁵ or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ⁶ it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 
⁷ Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. ⁸ Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. ¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. ¹² For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. ¹³ So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13

Tiffany Dell, Warren Baptist Church: “The past nine years of getting to learn the Bible inside and out have meant more to me than I could ever put into words, and the friendships I’ve made through this will last a lifetime.  I’m so, so thankful that I had the opportunity to learn so much about God’s Word and make so many amazing memories!” 

Tiffany’s favorite Bible Drill verse: “I have said these things to you, that I me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Join me in congratulating these students for 9 years of discipleship as they have memorized God’s Word!

Over the last several weeks, the Covid-19 pandemic has placed tremendous burden and stress on the workers of our healthcare community. One of those faithfully serving our medical needs is Rebekah North. Rebekah currently serves as a registered nurse on a medical-surgical unit at South Georgia Medical Center. As a 9-year Bible Driller, and 2012 Georgia Baptist Student Speakers Competition Winner, Rebekah knows what it means to combine hard work with a passion for God.  Today, Rebekah lives out that combination of hard work and Godly passion in her service as a nurse amid the Cov-19 crisis.  

The words of her winning speech, “Handling the Storms in Life,” continues to be an encouragement to all of us during this difficult time. “As Christians, there is no need to be afraid when He is there with us every step of the way. All we need to do is listen for his voice, trust His decisions, and obey His commands.”  You too can find hope and encouragement from her speech. Read her speech here.

As a former Georgia Baptist Student Speakers Competition winner, Rebekah received the Jenny Rogers Scholarship that helped pay for her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.  Jenny Rogers was also an example of Christ’s call to serve those in need through healthcare.  Jenny Rogers, the daughter of Dennis and Judy Rogers, was a nursing student employed by the Georgia Baptist Hospital, now known as the Atlanta Medical Center. Through the Jenny Rogers Scholarship, established in her memory, we have been able to impact the lives of Student Speaker Competition Winners for over two decades. As a part of the #GivingTuesdayNow emphasis going on tomorrow, May 5, 2020, will you consider making a gift to the Jenny Rogers Scholarship Fund?  Your gift will provide even greater support to Godly young people like Rebekah and Jenny, who desire to make a positive impact for Christ.  

Give Now www.gbfoundation.org/rogers-scholarship-fund

To impact the next generation through the ministry of Bible Drill and Speakers donate here.

A special thank you to the Georgia Baptist Foundation for their assistance in highlighting the Jenny Rogers Scholarship.

Due to Covid-19, Student Speakers will participate in a 2020 State-Wide Competition via video with guidelines provided by Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc.  There will not be a Regional Student Speakers Competition for 2020, only a state-wide competition.  Speakers will submit a video of their speech for scoring by our team of judges.  For more information on this change, read our blog article: Covid-19 Update 3.

Deadline to register for the State-Wide Student Speakers Competition is April 30.  Speakers have through May 11th to submit their video to Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc.  

Process for Speakers: 

• Student Speakers qualify at the Church Level by one of these options: 
  • Qualifying in a Church Student Speakers Competition conducted under normal circumstances before Covid-19 impacted church schedules.
  • Qualifying in a small Speakers Competition/Presentation (limited to 10 or less). The presentation would include the speaker, 3 judges, a timekeeper, and speaker(s). Option: Livestream each speaker for the church family. 
  •  Qualifying in a Church Speakers Competition using technology (video/zoom, etc.): 
    • The speech can be filmed using a phone or video recorder. Download our tips sheet at the end of this blog article for guidelines and helpful hints.
    • Upload the video file(s) and share with the judges. If a speaker is doing the speech at home, share the video of the speech with the Leader so that she can send it out to the judges for scoring.

If a Student Speakers Competition/Presentation is held at the church, make sure to follow current church, CDC, and/or State/National Guidelines regarding gathering together, social distancing, Shelter in Place orders, etc.

• Register qualifying speakers online for the state-wide Student Speakers Competition.
  • https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe8NiOZRcvpe9CM-DPtLnpDNBtv01vZjcRqheivXswSxjrzaQ/viewform?usp=sf_link 
  • Once you have registered the names of your speakers, click the link to pay your registration fees.  The cost to register for the State Student Speakers Competition will be $10.  The remote registration fee will cover partial cost of administrative expenses, certificates/awards, and shipment expenses. Member churches who contributed $250 or more to Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers Inc., earlier this year will receive special instructions to register each speaker at a 50% discount. To pay online, click this link: https://checkout.square.site/buy/PVSRCG6J6TFJIETD3U5VEZUM
• Leaders will receive instructions for recording the speech and how to upload the Student Speakers video for State Competition score after they register and pay.
• Recognition: Certificates and/or awards will be mailed to the church. If a participant is the State Winner/Runner-up, a future date will be scheduled to present the winner trophies at the speaker’s church.

Scholarships:

The 1st place State Student Speakers Winner will receive three scholarships: the Jenni Rogers Memorial Scholarship, a one-time (2020) Georgia Student Speakers Scholarship of $500 (due to Nationals being canceled), and a $4,000 scholarship ($1,000 per year) if speaker chooses to attend Shorter University, Truett-McConnell University, or Brewton-Parker College.

The 2nd place winner in the Student Speakers Competition will receive the second place Jenni Rogers Memorial Scholarship.

Get immediate updates from our website by entering your e-mail address on our main webpage.

Thank you for your patience and gracious consideration as events in our state and country are unfolding on a daily basis. Please understand that we may have to make additional future adjustments.

Contact us if you have any additional questions at bibledrillspeakers@gmail.com

Due to Covid-19, Youth/High School Bible Drillers will participate in their 2020 Regional Drill via video with guidelines/materials supplied to their church by Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc.  Bible Drill Leaders will submit a video of the drill for scoring by our team of judges.  For more information on this change, read our blog article: Covid-19 Update 3.

Churches/drillers have through May 17th to conduct the Regional Drill and to submit the video to Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc.  We recommend you host your Church Drill no later than May 3rd.

Process for Youth/High School Drillers: 

• Youth/High School Drillers qualify at the Church Level by one of these options*: 
  • Qualifying in a Church Drill conducted under normal circumstances before Covid-19 impacted church schedules.
  • Qualifying in a rescheduled drill if time and circumstances allow.  We realize that this will may not be an option for many churches.
  • Qualifying in a small Church Drill (limited to 10 or less). These drills may have to be scheduled on different days and only drill 3-5 at a time with no family in the audience because of the need for judges/and caller.  Option: Limit drillers to 3-4 per drill and livestream a church drill. 
  •  Qualifying in a Church Drill using technology (video/zoom, etc.) For instructions on how to do Bible Drill by video check out our blog article: Bible Drill by Video
  • *If a church is unable to have a Church Drill using one of these options, please contact us at bibledrillspeakers@gmail.com.

• Youth/High School Drillers qualify at the Associational Level by one of these options:
  • Qualifying in an Associational Drill under normal circumstances before Covid-19 impacted schedules.
  • Qualifying by applying Associational standards to the church drill.  Any Youth/High School drillers who scored 225 at the church level may advance to the Regional Drill.
  • Qualifying by participating in a second drill at your church or by video. (If hosting a drill at your church, it is recommended to limit attendance as described above with Church Drills) This drill is designated as an Associational Drill, using different “calls” and applying the Associational standards to advance.

In any Church or Associational Drill, if held at the church, make sure to follow current church, CDC, and/or State/National Guidelines regarding gathering together, social distancing, Shelter in Place orders, etc.

• Register qualifying Youth/High School Bible Drillers online and designate the date you will conduct the “Regional Drill.” Use this link: 
  • https://bibledrillandspeakers.com/2020-regional-bible-drill-and-speakers-registration/
  • Once you have registered the names of your Youth/High School drillers, click the link to pay your registration fees.  The cost to register for regional competitions for each driller/speaker will be $10.  The remote registration fee will cover partial cost of administrative expenses, certificates/awards, and shipment expenses. Member churches who contributed $250 or more to Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers Inc., earlier this year will receive special instructions to register each driller at a 50% discount.
• You will receive a copy of the Regional Call sheet by email, 24-48 hours before the date of your Regional Drill you indicated when you registered.  (Important: If you have not paid your registration fees, you will not receive the call sheet.) This call sheet is to only be viewed by the Bible Drill Leader and/or caller.  It cannot be used for a practice drill.
• The Drill can be filmed using a phone or video recorder. Download our tips sheet for guidelines and helpful hints. Tips for Shooting a Bible Drill Video Download
• Leaders will receive instructions on how to upload the Regional Bible Drill video for scoring when they are emailed the call sheet. 
• Recognition: Regional Drill certificates and awards (3,6, 9 years) will be mailed to the church or presented at the State Youth/High School Drill to those qualifying drillers.

Get immediate updates from our website by entering your e-mail address on our main webpage.

Thank you for your patience and gracious consideration as events in our state and country are unfolding on a daily basis. Please understand that we may have to make additional future adjustments.

Contact us if you have any additional questions at bibledrillspeakers@gmail.com

Many of our churches were not able to host a church drill before Covid-19 impacted ministry. Some of our families are self-isolating due to a variety of reasons: someone in the household undergoing cancer treatment, aging grandparents living in the household, parents in the medical profession, etc. Other families live in cities or counties that have issued shelter in place or stay at home orders. In this day of social distancing and rethinking how we do church and ministry using technology, we are offering drillers the option to do their 2020 Church Drill via video.

Process:

• Choose whether to do this at home (single driller or siblings drilling together) or as a small group of less than 10 (including drillers, caller, and any on-site judges). Friends and family can watch the video at a later time or via live stream.
• For a Church Drill, the Bible Drill Leader will provide a copy of the call sheet to the caller or parent, if doing an in-home drill. For Regional Youth and High School Drills, Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers will provide the call sheet. It is recommended that the call sheets be provided approximately 24 hours before the drill. The call sheets should not be used as a practice for the driller(s).
• The Drill can be filmed using a phone or video recorder. Download our tips sheet below for guidelines and helpful hints.

• Upload the video file(s) and share with the judges. If parents are doing the Church Drill at home – Share the video of the Drill with the Bible Drill Leader. She will send it out to the judges for scoring.
• A Video file can be uploaded and shared using Google or Dropbox. Best practices for sharing files of drillers:
  • Parents – share the video with the Bible Drill Leader and at least one other leader (Children’s Minister, Student Minister, Pastor, etc.)
  • If students are uploading and sharing the file, always include one or both parents in addition to sharing the link with your leaders.

• Bible Drill Leaders:
  • Share the video file with your judges. Send an e-mail to the judges. Include attachments and links for Judges (scoresheets, a copy of the call sheet, judge guidelines) as well as any other instructions.
  • Remind Judges that they can only view the video of the drill once. They cannot rewind the video, etc.
  • Determine if someone will serve as the judge chairman to collect and tally sheets via e-mail/text or if the judges will send the scoresheets to you to tally. Include these instructions in the e-mail to the judges.
  • Text or call parents with the results.
• Recognize drillers after the Church Drill.
  • In church newsletter
  • On Church’s Social Media (with parents permission)
• Register Drillers for the State Drill (Children) and Regional Drill (Youth and High School) https://bibledrillandspeakers.com/2020-regional-bible-drill-and-speakers-registration/

Contact us if you have any additional questions at bibledrillspeakers@gmail.com

Due to Covid-19, Children’s Bible Drillers will participate in a State Drill at their local church with guidelines/materials provided by Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc.  Churches have through July 31st to conduct the State Drill at their church and to submit the names, scores, and 3rd year Bible Drill award recipients to us. (This deadline will be extended if needed.)

Process: 

• Children’s Drillers qualify at the Church Level by one of these options*: 
  • Qualifying in a Church Drill conducted under normal circumstances before Covid-19 impacted church schedules.
  • Qualifying in a rescheduled drill if time and circumstances allow.  We realize that this will may not be an option for many churches.
  • Qualifying in a small Church Drill (limited to 10 or less). These drills may have to be scheduled on different days and only drill 3-5 at a time with no family in the audience because of the need for judges/and caller.  Option: Limit drillers to 3-4 per drill and livestream a church drill.  
  • Qualifying in a Church Drill using technology.

• Children’s Drillers qualify at the Associational Level by one of these options:
  • Qualifying in an Associational Drill under normal circumstances before Covid-19 impacted schedules.
  • Qualifying in a rescheduled Associational Drill if time and circumstances allow.  We realize that this may not be an option for some associations.
  • Qualifying by applying Associational standards to the church drill.  Any children’s drillers who scored 16 at the church level may advance to the State Drill.
  • Qualifying by participating in a second drill at your church. (It is recommended to limit attendance as described above with Church Drills) This drill is designated as an Associational Drill, using different “calls” and applying the Associational standards to advance.

• Register qualifying Children’s Bible Drillers online and designate the date you will conduct the “State Drill” at your local church. Use this link: 
  • https://bibledrillandspeakers.com/2020-regional-bible-drill-and-speakers-registration/
• Once you have registered the names of your children’s drillers, click the link to pay your registration fees.
• You will receive a copy of the Regional Call sheet by email, 24-48 hours before the date of your Church Drill.  (Important: If you have not paid your registration fees, you will not receive the call sheet.) This call sheet is to only be viewed by the caller, Bible Drill leader, and judges.  It cannot be used for a practice drill.
• Conduct the State Drill at your local church.
  • Schedule a date
  • Enlist a caller, timer, and 3 judges
  • Use the call sheet provided by Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers Inc.  
  • Email our office the results of the drill using this form

• State Drill certificates and awards will be mailed to the church.
• Set a time to present Children’s Bible Drillers with their certificates and 3-year awards.

*If a church is unable to have a Church Drill using one of these options, please contact us at bibledrillspeakers@gmail.com.

In light of recent CDC, state and national announcements, and with last night’s declaration of school closings through April 24th, we are canceling all of our onsite Regional Bible Drill and Student Speakers Competitions. We will move to our remote/video plan for 2020 Bible Drill and Speakers in Georgia as mentioned in our earlier post:

• Children’s Bible Drillers will participate in a State Drill at their local church with guidelines/materials provided by Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers Inc.  Churches have through May 31st to conduct the State Drill at their church and to submit the names, scores, and 3rd year Bible Drill award recipients to us. This deadline will be extended if needed.
• Youth and High School Drillers will participate in their Regional Drill via video with guidelines/materials supplied by us to their church.  Bible Drill Leaders will submit a video of the drill to us for scoring. 
• Speakers – Speeches will be submitted via video along with a copy of their written speech. Our judges will score it based 50% on delivery and 50% on written content.  There will only be one level of scoring for speakers. The speaker with the top score will be our State Winner.

The cost to register for regional competitions for each driller/speaker will be $10.  The remote registration fee will cover partial cost of administrative expenses, certificates/awards, and shipment expenses. Member churches who contributed $250 or more to Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers Inc., earlier this year will receive special instructions to register each driller at a 50% discount.

We are still hoping to have a State Youth/High School Drill on our original date of May 9.  June 20 is our back-up State Drill date if needed due to Covid-19 issues.

Over the next few days, we will release a series of articles on our website/blog for each age group with specific details regarding hosting your Children’s State Drill at church and Youth/High School Drills Speeches via video.

Get immediate updates from our website by entering your e-mail address on our main webpage.

Thank you for your patience and gracious consideration as events in our state and country are unfolding on a daily basis. Please understand that we may have to make additional future adjustments.