Maria Brannen

“Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105

As High School students return to school and a busy fall schedule, encourage them to continue (or restart) their time in God’s Word each day. Psalm 119:105 reminds us that “God’s Word is a light for their path” each day. We’re excited to offer a new discipleship resource, Devotional Pages for High School Bible Drillers– Cycle 1, to help students grow as they spend time in the word. This resource connects the verses students memorize each week to Bible study and life application.

Each page contains 6 sections:

Write it Out: the Bible Drill verse is listed. Students write out the verse in their preferred translation. This practice reinforces the verse as it is being memorized as well as provides further opportunity to focus on the verse.

Think about it: A brief devotional thought is shared about each verse.

Journaling Idea: Students are asked a question or given a statement that encourages them to meditate on the devotional and write a response.

Going Deeper: This section provides related verses for students to read and spend additional time in the Word.

Prayer: A prayer is provided with each Bible Study page for students to use as a starting point in their prayer time. Students can also list out additional prayer request in the margins.

Quote to Remember: A related quote for students to ponder concludes the Bible Study page.

The High School Bible Devotional Pages will be released in a series of blog articles.

The first set are the Cycle 3 Steps to Salvation Devotional Pages. Download this resource here:

Thank you to Dennis Rogers for writing these Devotional Pages for our High School Drillers.

Looking for a way to make Christ Connections at Home with your Children’s Drillers during the week? A parent or grandparent spending a few minutes sharing God’s Word together with the child (and family) can be powerful. In this article, we’ll share some resources and ideas created by the Bible Drill team from the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions that you can use with your families. Encourage families to use these resources to have fun and grow closer to the Lord:

Resource: Bible Drill Tent Cards: Set 1 – Families can use these ideas with their cards:

• Use a hole punch to put a hole in the top corner of each card and place a key ring in it to keep them together. Families can keep them in the car and backpacks as they are on the go.
• Use a magnet to place them on the fridge.
• Put a cute little basket on the kitchen table with the cards in them.

Resource: Bible Drill Family Devotions – Print out and send home the devotions that match set 1 of the Bible Drill Tent Cards: Genesis 1:27, Key Passage – The Creation, Leviticus 22:31, Deuteronomy 6:5, Key Passage – The Israelites Leave Egypt, 1 Chronicles 16:8, Job 37:4, Psalm 19:14, Psalm 54:2, Psalm 145:9, Proverbs 8:33.

Family devotional times are not about teaching an amazing lesson. It is about connecting as a family and showing that your family prioritizes God’s Word. On each verse devotional page, at the top of each verse page, all three versions (KJV, CSB, ESV) of the verse are listed. When you send this out to parents, edit and make sure you use one with only your version OR that you make sure your parents know which version you want them to learn. Each week send your families (by email, by giving out a hard copy, or both) the verse(s) and Key Passage you introduce in class that week. Families could be doing family devotions on the same things you taught in class and learn the verse and Key Passage together that week. This email or copy could also serve as a reminder of what the kids should be working on at home during the week. An alternate idea is to send a monthly email to parents with the devotions.

Thank you to Belinda Stroud and the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions for making these great family Bible Skill Resources available.

Photo by Brett Jordan on Pexels.com

Looking for ideas to use in connecting church and home as you begin a new year in Bible Drill? You’ll want to join us for this podcast episode that features Belinda Stroud, Children’s Specialist, from the Alabama State Board of Missions. In part 1 of our podcast, Belinda shares about resources from Alabama Bible Drill as well as great ideas for kicking off a new year in Bible Drill, parent resources, and practical tips that she has used in teaching Bible Drill at her own church.

You can listen to the “Bible Drill and Speakers Podcast” on our podcast page, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Looking for additional tips as you kick off a new year in Bible Drill, check out our 10 tips to help you have a great year of Bible Drill.

Be sure to catch the part 2 podcast episode on August 20^th as Belinda shares more great ideas.

A special thank you to Rod Hampton and Eddy Oliver for helping make this podcast possible and for Belinda Stroud being our guest on this episode.

Looking for ideas to use in teaching kids Bible skills? Whether you are a kids Sunday School teacher, Bible Drill leader, parent, or grandparent, you’ll want to join us for this podcast episode that features Lynn Jordan. Lynn is a veteran Bible Drill leader from Oklahoma and is extremely creative in helping kids develop Bible skills. In part 1 of Ideas for Teaching Bible Skills, Lynn shares some great practical tips that you can use with kids.

You can listen to the “Bible Drill and Speakers Podcast” on our podcast page, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

A special thank you to Rod Hampton and Eddy Oliver for helping make this podcast possible and for Lynn Jordan being our guest on this episode.

Our most recent Bible Drill and Speakers podcast features three guests: Jennifer Howington (Baptist General Convention of Texas), Bronwyn Stanley, and Grant Stanley. In this podcast, we discuss Student Speakers and visit with the 2026 National Speakers Winner, Grant. You can join us for this special podcast on our podcast page, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

You can see Grant presenting his speech at the State Tournament in Texas using this link: You tube video – Grant Stanley. You can read the text of his speech using this link:

Student Speakers is a great opportunity for 10th-12th grade students to share their faith. For more information, visit our webpage: Student Speakers Competition.

Georgia had the privilege of hosting the 2026 National Invitational Youth and High School Bible Drill and Speakers Tournament! It was held Friday, June 12th at Northside Baptist Church in Brunswick. A special thank you to Northside Baptist Church for hosting the Tournament and to Frederica Baptist on St. Simons for hosting our banquet Friday night.

This picture was captured on Friday night with our National Winners following the banquet. On the left is pictured Emma Kate Hoffman (Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc.) who was the winner in High School Bible Drill. In the center is Taylor Shoupe (Alabama State Board of Missions) who was the winner in Youth Bible Drill. Emma Kate and Taylor both received perfect Score Awards. On the right is Grant Stanley (Baptist General Convention of Texas) was was the winner in the Speakers Tournament.

Congratulations to all the State Winners who were a part of the 2026 National Tournament!

Congratulations to Hannah Cooke, a senior at Harp’s Crossing Baptist Church in Fayetteville. She received her 9-year Bible Drill award at the Regional Drill at Lisbon Baptist in Fayetteville on April 20th. Hannah was the 2025 State High School Bible Drill Winner and a former State Winner in Youth Bible Drill.

During her 9 years of Bible Drill, Hannah learned 359 Bible verses and to locate 30 Key Passages as she participated in Children’s, Youth, and High School Bible Drill. For more information on Children’s, Youth, and High School Bible Drill, you can visit our website: bibledrillandspeakers.com.

We are excited to continue our discussion with Mark Jones on the Value of Making Bible Drill a Part of your Kids Ministry in episode 2 of the Bible Drill and Speakers Podcast. Mark Jones is a veteran Kids Minister and is passionate about our kids learning Bible skills.

Our May episodes will feature Taylor Garmon from the Southern Baptist of Texas Convention and we will be discussing Bible Skills and Biblical Literacy at home. Future episodes will feature interviews with experienced Bible Drill leaders in Georgia and around the country as well as interviews with kids and students. Whether you are a new Bible Drill leader or have been leading kids and students for years in Bible Drill, you’ll enjoy this new resource. You can listen to the “Bible Drill and Speakers Podcast” on our podcast page, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

We are excited to announce the launch of our Bible Drill and Speakers Podcast. It is designed to equip you on your Bible Drill Journey. Our podcast will feature interviews with experienced Bible Drill leaders in Georgia and around the country as well as interviews with kids and students. Whether you are a new Bible Drill leader or have been leading kids and students for years in Bible Drill, you’ll enjoy this new resource.

Our first episode features Mark Jones from Mr. Mark’s Classroom. Mark is a veteran Kids Minister and is passionate about our kids learning Bible skills. Join us for this podcast as we discuss the value of making Bible Drill a part of your kids ministry.

You can listen to the “Bible Drill and Speakers Podcast” on our podcast page, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

A special thank you to Rod Hampton and Eddy Oliver for helping make this podcast possible and for Mark Jones being our guest on our first episode.

Congratulations to our 2025 High School Essay Contest winner – Logan James. As the High School Essay Contest winner, he is the recipient of a $500 college scholarship to use at the college of his choice. Logan is a senior at First Academy at FBC Douglas and plans to attend ABAC in Tifton after graduation.

This year’s topic was Making the Lord’s Prayer Personal. Below are a few excerpts from Logan’s essay on the Lord’s Prayer:

I first learned the Lord’s Prayer in Sunday school as a five-year-old. I distinctly remember my sweet teacher, Mrs. Juanita, reading Matthew 6 and asking several of us to recite it with her afterwards. We did this for several weeks until one day near Christmas time, she asked us each to recite it on our own without help from her.

Since that day, nearly 13 years ago at Arbor Baptist Church I have easily recited this prayer dozens and dozens of times. 

* “Our father”. . .I think of the privilege it is we have as Christians to call the creator and sustainer of the universe such a term of endearment. To be adopted into the family of God by faith in Jesus as my personal Savior is nothing short of miraculous.

* “Hallowed be thy name”. . . The holy name of God is not to be spoken of lightly or without reverence. . .This causes me to speak slowly and thoughtfully so I will not use His name in an unholy way or even to use His name flippantly.

* “Thy will be done”. . . God’s will is being done today, just as it was done yesterday and as it will be done tomorrow. He is always in total control of all things…It is important for me to remember that God knows my needs before I tell Him. I can easily forget that sadly.

You can read his entire essay using this link: Logan James Essay

For more information, visit our website: using this link: Essay Contest

“The grass withers, the flowers fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:8″

When your world changes, sometimes it happens all at once or slowly over time. The change may be the loss of a job, a cancer diagnoses, the loss of a loved one, a divorce, a move, or a hundred other things. It can be a really tough season when our world changes. How do you cope?

Recently, a driller from Covenant Baptist in Valdosta, shared Isaiah 40:8 with us. This verse is one that our children’s drillers are memorizing this year. She reminded us “that even though earthly things come and go, we can rest in the confidence that God’s promises are eternal.”

I am so thankful in a constantly changing world, that we can cling to Him, His Word, and His promises.

Welcome to Part 4 of Christ Connections at Home through Bible Skills. This is an important opportunity for our families to study God’s Word. Pray for families as they study God’s Word together. Our prayer is that they will make memories that will last a lifetime and that it will be a fun and life changing event for everyone.

Encourage families to guide their child to pick two to three table cards. The child will be responsible for presenting those cards to their family. The child might be in charge of a song, memory verse motions or activity. Parents are in charge of the cards numbered 1, 2, and 3 and the rest are up for grabs. Write the names of the person responsible for leading each card in the blank on the top of each card.

Share these resources with your families as they continue the journey of making Christ Connections at Home through Bible Skills:

Resource: Bible Drill Tent Cards – Set 4

Resource: Bible Drill Family Devotions – Set 4

The Crucifixion

1 John 1:9

The Faith Chapter

Revelation 4:11

Thank you to Belinda Stroud and the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions for making these great family Bible Skill resources available.

In 2019, the North American Mission Board launched its personal evangelism initiative, “Who’s Your One?”, with the goal of challenging every church member to intentionally build a relationship and share the gospel with at least one person during the year. I’d like to expand on this as we go past sharing the gospel to the part of discipling and mentoring those in the faith in our churches.  

If you have ever been involved in Student Speakers Competition, think back – although it may have been a bit daunting to get started and to work up the courage to speak in front of a group, what positive things did you learn from your experience?  What I have seen from the viewpoint of a parent of several Student Speaker Competition participants is that they had to think about their Christian faith and find something they could share with others. They developed discipline in sitting down to write, rewrite, memorize, rehearse, and rehearse again.  They learned public speaking skills that some have been able to put to use in their careers.  Long lasting relationships were formed with other student speakers at the different levels of competition. 

As an audience member and a judge, I have been challenged, encouraged, and convicted by the many messages I have heard over the years. There are points that I have heard in speeches that still affect me to this day.  It doesn’t make a difference if the speaker was the state winner or not – he/she still had an impact. 

If you have been a former student speaker participant, who’s your one?  If you have been the parent, or sibling, or grandparent of a former student speaker participant, who’s your one? If you have been the pastor, the Sunday School teacher, or the friend of a former student speaker participant, who’s your one? If you have been a member of the audience whether at church or at a church level, association, region, or state drill and have heard former student speakers, who’s your one?  

Who is the one student in the 10^th -12^th grade in your church who has a message, a testimony, or a life experience others need to hear?  Who is the one student in your church who needs encouragement to share God’s Word through a channel such as Students Speakers Competition?  Who is the one student you know who needs to be given a voice to share with those around him or her?  Who’s your one you can encourage to participate in the competition and then walk along side them as they choose a topic, develop a speech, and prepare to present their message?  

Who’s your one you can impact for life via Student Speakers Competition?  

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For more information on how to develop a speech, a student speakers’ guide book, a sample judge’s sheet/guide, a list of suggested topics, and a list of dates for the region and state competitions, see: 

Resources – Student Speakers Competition

Event dates

Karen North is a Bible Drill Leader at Covenant Baptist Church in Valdosta and a champion of Student Speakers Competition. She serves as a State judge and a member of our Board for Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc.

We are excited to highlight the third part of a brand-new resource: Devotional Pages for High School Bible Drillers. Bible Drill leaders are encouraged to provide this Devotional Resource for High School Bible Drillers in your church. The Devotional Page can be printed and sent home each week as the verses are being memorized or a student can be provided with a notebook including all the Devotional Pages. This resource connects the verses students memorize to life.

A quick review of the 6 key areas of the Devotional Pages in this section:

Verse Reference block: Students are encouraged to write out a verse to ponder from the Key Biblical Passage. They will write out the entire passage in their preferred translation on the Verse Note Page.

Think about it: A brief devotional thought is shared about each verse.

Journaling Idea: Students are asked a question or given a statement that encourages them to write a response.

Going Deeper: This section provides additional related verses.

Prayer: A prayer is provided with each Bible Study page.

Quote to Remember: A related quote for students to ponder. 

This third set is the Cycle 3 Key Biblical Passages Devotional Pages. Download this resource here:

Cycle 3 Key Biblical Passages Devotional Pages

Thank you to Dennis Rogers for writing these Devotional Pages for our High School Drillers.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6.

As you and your driller families celebrate Christmas, consider sending your Children’s drillers the Isaiah 9:6 Bible Drill Devotion and the table time card from the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. This would be a great resource for drillers and their families to use for a Christmas week family devotion:

Who does not love Christmas? It is my favorite time of the year. I like it more than I like my own Birthday. I like all the presents I get and I like all the presents that I give.  

Sometimes the birth of Jesus gets lost in all the giving and receiving of presents. Christmas is not about lights, trees, giving and receiving presents. It is about God sending His one and only Son to be the Savior of the world. God was sending His only Son to earth, knowing that Jesus would have to die on the cross for our sins.

Do you think it was a happy time or a sad time for God? Why or why not?

Seven hundred years before Jesus was born, God told us what Jesus would be like. 

What do you think makes Jesus “Wonderful?”

The Bible calls Jesus the Counselor. What does a counselor do? How is Jesus like a counselor?

“The Mighty God” – This is a good bit of theology here. Jesus is in the Trinity. He is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Three in one. Can you think of ways that Jesus is like God? 

“The Everlasting Father” – What are some things that a father does? What are some of those fatherly things that Jesus does for us?

“The Prince of Peace” –  Jesus came to earth to bring peace between God and people. Someone had to pay for our sins. Jesus chose to come to earth as a Baby to die for our sins. Jesus took the punishment that was meant for us so we could have peace with God. Jesus also came to show us how to have peace with each other. Can you think of 3 things that Jesus told us to do to help us have peace with others?

I am glad that Jesus is all we need. 

You can text or email them the link to this article or you can download and print out a copy to send home:

Isaiah 9:6

Another resource for families to use during Christmas is the Isaiah 9:6 Bible Drill Tent Card discussion questions:

Read and memorize Isaiah 9:6

1. Did you know Isaiah is the most well known prophet in the Bible? What is a prophet? 

   A prophet is a messenger of the Lord; prophets receive messages from God through visions or dreams. Then the prophet is told to send that message to a person, a town, or a big group of people. 

2. What do you know about Isaiah the prophet?

   Isaiah was a prophet in and around Jerusalem from 739-686 B.C. Isaiah prophesied about many things: Sennacherib’s attempt to overtake Jerusalem and the Lord healing Hezekiah just to name a few. Isaiah prophesied a lot about the coming Messiah, this is what your memory verse talks about today. 

3. “For unto us a child is born…”, what child is Isaiah talking about and when do we celebrate His birth? 

   Isaiah is talking about Jesus Christ and we celebrate His birth on December 24th.

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas!

Thank you to Belinda Stroud and the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions for making these great family Bible Skill Resources available.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and He will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Recently, Madelyn, a Children’s driller from Fortsonia Baptist Church in Elberton, GA shared that her favorite verse is Proverbs 3:5-6. This is one of the verses that our Children’s Bible Drillers are memorizing this year. She said that “anytime I am going through a tough time, I can remember this verse. It makes everything better.”

It is a great reminder for us to call upon scripture we have memorized when we are going through tough times. I find it helpful to keep a list of encouraging verses in the notes section on my phone. When I am experiencing a tough time, I can immediately go to this list of verses, read, and meditate on the verses.

What verses are you currently memorizing? What verses do you recall when you are going through a tough time?

Make your donation count!

Giving Tuesday this year is on December 2 and we want to take a moment to thank you for your faithful prayers and generous support throughout the year. Whether large or small, your gifts make a difference every day of the year.

Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc. continues to provide resources and events/drills to encourage a love for God’s Word and growth in Christian discipleship. Many lives have been touched by Bible Drill, Student Speaker’s Competition, and the Essay Contest for high school and college students. Like many other non-profits we encourage year-end giving, as well as on Giving Tuesday. As a non-profit organization we rely on gifts from donors to continue this vital ministry.

Although cash gifts are appreciated, there are many other ways to give, especially if you are retired. These include giving through qualified retirement plans such as IRAs, required minimum distributions, and other miscellaneous options. Check with your financial adviser for more information. The Georgia Baptist Foundation can also assist with answering questions about donations from retirement plans and other sources. Contact them at (770) 452-8338.

Again, thank you for being such a valuable part of our mission by supporting the work of Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc., which seeks to assist churches and families in discipling the next generation through Bible skill development.

By Eddy Oliver – Eddy serves on the Board of Directors for Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc.

Welcome to Part 3 of Christ Connections at Home through Bible Skills. This is an important opportunity for our families to study God’s Word. Pray for families as they study God’s Word together. Our prayer is that they will make memories that will last a lifetime and that it will be a fun and life changing event for everyone.

Encourage families to begin with this activity: Grab a pen/pencil, scissors, and paper/ notecards. Write the books of the New Testament on individual notecards or slips of paper. Once they are done, instruct them to put the books in order. Challenge families to time themselves to see how fast their family and each individual can put them in order. Extra idea: You may want to have a competition between Bible Drill families to see which family can put the books in order the fastest!

Share these resources with your families as they continue the journey of making Christ Connections at Home through Bible Skills:

Resource: Bible Drill Tent Cards – Set 3

Resource: Bible Drill Family Devotions – Set 3

Romans 8:28

Parable of the Sower

Romans 12:1

The First Lord’s Supper

Ephesians 4:32

1 Corinthians 4:2

Jesus and Nicodemus

Colossians 3:23

2 Timothy 1:7

Thank you to Belinda Stroud and the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions for making these great family Bible Skill resources available.

“After them another generation rose up who did not know the Lord or the works he had done for Israel.” Judges 2:10

In the Priscilla Shirer Bible Study on Gideon, she shared that “The Israelites didn’t know the Lord. Maybe their parents were not intentional in teaching them about the Lord. It took just one generation for it to collapse of those who knew God.” What are we doing as parents, grandparents, Kids/Student Ministry leaders, and as a church to be deliberate in teaching the next generation about God and His Word? In a day of digital immersion through social media and AI, this next generation is seeking answers from the world. Do our kids know Biblical truth or is the world defining truth for them? Various sources including a CDC article estimate that kids 8-18 spend 7.5 hours a week in screen time not counting school work.

Common Sense Media shared key findings that 40% of children have a tablet by age 2. Screen time is now filled with YouTube and TikTok videos. Our preschoolers and kids use Siri or Alexa and ChatGPT among other AI. According to pewrearch.org, parents whose children are under 5 are using smartphones to calm their child. See Pew Research article.

According to George Barna article Key Insights for Raising the Next Generation of ‘Spiritual Champions’, “A person’s worldview starts developing in the second year of life (from 15 to 18 months) and is largely in place by the age of 13. That’s the prime window of opportunity for discipleship.” He further states that “the research shows that fewer than 10% of parents today have any kind of spiritual development plan for their children. Only 2% of parents with children under 13 possess a biblical worldview.”  

The world is shaping the thoughts, worldview and defining truth for many kids and students. What are some things that we as parents, grandparents, families, kids/student ministries and churches do?

1. Realize and acknowledge the reality and impact of the world on a daily basis as kids/students are living in a digital world and immersed in it for multiple hours a day. Begin to make intentional choices regarding time in the digital world and time in God’s Word.
2. Take steps to intentionally develop a Biblical Worldview or in Barna’s words, a spiritual development plan for your family. Kids/Student Ministries and Churches consider tools and resources to offer families in discipleship, Biblical literacy, parenting digital/tech resources as you walk the journey together of passing along a love of God’s Word to the next generation.
3. Offer practical tips and demonstrate how to spend time in God’s Word as a family and as a kid/student. Begin with basic skills and tips. Encourage kids to read the scripture text from the Bible at home, in worship and in class at church. Challenge kids and families to spend time reading a book of the Bible during the summer or reading the book of Luke during the month of December. Encourage scripture memorization as a family and a church.
4. Pray for your kids/grandkids, families, kids/student ministry, and church to have a Biblical Worldview, to make daily choices with their time that result in more time in God’s Word.
5. Be intentional in how your kids/students spend their time each week. How much time each week is spent in God’s Word? How much time is spent in Bible study and worship with other believers? Are kids/students memorizing scripture? One-two hours a month at church will greatly minimize the impact the church can have in the lives of kids and their faith. Meanwhile, the world is pouring into the lives of our kids.

In conclusion, do your kids know of God’s great plan? Is God’s Word a light into their lives (Psalm 119:105)? Is God’s Word used to show our kids what is good and true? Do our kids know Biblical truth?

“It is up to us to carry the baton of faith from one generation to the next. – Christine Caine.

What are you doing to redeem the time, to pass off the baton of faith and a love of God’s Word to the next generation in your family and in your church?

Sharing your faith can be done in a variety of ways from one-on-one conversations, speaking/sharing with a group, teaching, through social media, through writing and so on. This fall, Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc is sponsoring a College Essay Contest. This is an opportunity for Christian students to share their faith through writing. The prize is a $500 scholarship that can be redeemed at any college. The winner’s essay will also be shared on our blog.

This essay contest is open to currently enrolled undergraduate college students. The topic for 2025 is “The Role of a College Student in the Local Church.” The deadline to submit the essay is December 1, 2025. To view more information on the Essay Contest, judging criteria, and submission link, visit our webpage: Essay Contest.

College students must be a resident of Georgia and/or a member of a Georgia Baptist Church. College students who attend a Georgia University/College campus in person are also eligible.