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Leaving a Legacy

Recently, I met Joan Stancil through our website contact form. Joan, a veteran Bible Drill leader, contacted me asking for some Bible Drill information. She shared some of her story, in the hopes that her Bible Drill story will encourage others to renew their participation in this vital ministry to children and youth.

Joan lives in Charlotte county, Florida and has been involved in the ministry of Bible Drill for over 60 years! She has worked with hundreds of children. She is now 92 years of age and unable to continue. However, like a true disciple, Joan is leaving another Bible Drill legacy by sharing her Bible Drill resources with others in Florida so that they can teach Bible Skills to a new generation.

Joan is a retired classroom teacher and elementary school principal. Her husband was a Baptist pastor for over 40 years. Joan led Bible Drill in multiple churches and at the associational level in Florida. She shared with me that she first began with Bible Drill when it was only for youth, back in 1960, in Martin county (FBC Stuart), and has rarely missed a year since. She has four sons. The first two did drills when it was just for youth. By the time her third son came along and was in the 4th grade, children’s drill had begun. Over the years, she has had a number of participants who qualified for state drills and a few who went on to the National Invitational Tournament for Bible Drill and Speakers (Jeffrey/James Gagliardo and Ben Sloan). In later years, she also had some speakers.

In closing, Joan shared: “If we are REALLY ‘People of the Book,’ then we need to start EARLY teaching how this wonderful treasure came to us and how to use it properly.”

Facing Fears and Trusting God

Hello! My name is Maria. I am one of eight siblings, and the oldest out of five that were adopted. God chose the perfect family for me and my siblings. When my parents adopted me, my mom began to teach me how to read. It was hard and confusing at first, moving to a new home, but God had a plan for me. In this home, I learned many things and visited many new places. One of the things that I learned most about was the Bible. I was so amazed how God created the world and that is when I asked Him inside of my heart. Later I was baptized and I continued to learn more about God. I was always shy and did to like to talk in front of people, but God was growing me. I joined the High School Bible Drill. When it became too hard, especially the public speaking aspect, I wanted to give up. God helped me press on and I did not give up! I competed on many levels, finishing with the State Bible Drill level. Through my first year in Bible Drill, I learned to face my fears, trust in God, bury God’s word in my heart, and that God will walk with me through hard times. I am so thankful for my family, for those who serve with the Bible Drill and for Jesus, my savior.

This guest blog is by Maria Mongillo, a High School Bible Drill Student who lives in the Augusta, GA area.

2023 National Bible Drill and Speakers Competition

Thank you to Southern Baptists of Texas Convention for hosting our 2023 National Invitational Youth and High School Bible Drill and Speakers Tournament! It was held Friday, June 16th at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Participants and families enjoyed a warm welcome to Southwestern Seminary by Dr. David Dockery (President of Southwestern Seminary), Dr. Micah Carter (Associate Dean of Texas Baptist College), Dr. Karen Kennemur (Professor of Children’s Ministry), and Dr. Richard Ross (Senior Professor of Student Ministry). Dr. Dockery, Dr. Carter, and Dr. Ross encouraged participants and shared that they were all former Bible Drillers.

We are proud of all of our Georgia State Winners for they great way they represented Georgia at the National Tournament. Hannah Cooke (center) is our Georgia State Youth Bible Drill Winner and is from Harp’s Crossing Baptist in Fayetteville. Leala Mae Hutchens (left) is our State High School Bible Drill Winner and is from First Baptist Church, Cochran. Suanna Morris (right) is our State Student Speakers Winner and is from Covenant Baptist Church in Valdosta.

Leala won 1st place in the National High School Bible Drill and received a perfect score award. Annabelle Hamrick (North Carolina Baptist State Convention) won 2nd place in High School Bible Drill. Peyton Woodell (North Carolina Baptist State Convention) won 1st place in Youth Bible Drill. Jonas Browder (Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions) won 2nd place in Youth Bible Drill. McKenna Masters (Baptist General Convention of Texas) won 1st place in the Speakers Competition. Liliana Jade Locklear (North Carolina Baptist State Convention) won 2nd place in the Speakers Competition.

Congratulations to all the State Winners who were a part of the 2023 National Tournament! The North Carolina Baptist State Convention will be hosting the 2024 National Tournament.

2023 State Winners

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Thank you to FBC Barnesville for hosting our 2023 State Youth/High School Bible Drill on May 6th. Students from across Georgia were a part of this event. Our Youth Bible Drill Winner was Hannah Cooke from Harp’s Crossing Baptist Church in Fayetteville. Our runner-up in Youth Bible Drill was Laura Faith Hayes from Wrens Baptist Church. Our High School Bible Drill Winner was Leala Mae Hutchens from FBC Cochran. Our runner-up in High School Bible Drill was Suanna Morris from Covenant Baptist Church in Valdosta. Our Student Speakers Competition Winner was Suanna Morris from Covenant Baptist Church in Valdosta.

As the High School Bible Drill Winner, Leala was the recipient of the Waldo and Sarah Woodcock High School Bible Drill Scholarship in the amount of $500. As the Student Speakers Competition Winner, Suanna Morris was the recipient of the Jenny Rogers Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1500. These scholarships can be used at the college of their choice.

Our State Winners will be representing Georgia at the National Invitational Tournament for Bible Drill and Speakers in Fort Worth, Texas, June 15th-16th. It will be held on the campus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

2023 Spring Events

We are looking forward to our 2023 Spring Regional Events. Registration is open online. You can use our Events tab or use this direct link to our registration page: Registration

Regional Bible Drill and Speakers Competitions dates and locations:

April 11 – FBC Douglas

April 13 – Tom’s Creek, Martin

April 17 – FBC Lawrenceville

April 18 – FBC Cochran

April 20 – Cassville Baptist, Cartersville

April 23 – McDonough Road Baptist, Fayetteville

Congratulations to our High School Essay Contest Winner

Congratulations to our Fall 2022 High School Essay Contest winner – Benjamin Bayless. As the High School Essay Contest winner, he is the recipient of a $500 college scholarship to use at the college of his choice. Benjamin is a member at Northside Baptist Church in Valdosta and is in his senior year at Open Bible Christian School. He plans to attend Georgia Military College to complete his core classes and then transfer to Valdosta State University.

Benjamin shared that writing this essay challenged him to think more thoroughly about his faith, and has caused him to strive to be unwavering in his faith through trials and circumstances. You can download and read a copy of his essay using this link:

Benjamin’s Essay

For more information on our Essay Contests, visit our website:

 https://bibledrillandspeakers.com/essay-contests/

Postponed – Partnering With Parents to Teach Bible Skills

Due to a family emergency with our speaker, this webinar has been postponed. A rescheduled date will be announced in the near future.

Kids Ministry leaders, teachers, and Bible Drill leaders, join us January 19th at 12:30 pm EST for our third lunch and learn. Taylor Garmon, Family Ministry Pastor (Sagamore Baptist Church, Texas) and Bible Drill Consultant with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention will share some great ideas for partnering with parents to teach Bible Skills. Register for this free webinar using this link: Partnering with Parents to teach Bible Skills.

Creative Ideas for Bible Drill

If you missed our November Bible Drill webinar with Mark Jones from Mr. Mark’s Classroom, you’ll want to watch this video for all the creative ideas Mark shared for teaching Bible Drill/Bible Skills and for encouraging/motivating our kids in Bible Drill.

Mark your calendar to join us for our January 19th Bible Drill Lunch and Learn at 12:30 pm EST. Taylor Garmon, Southern Baptist of Texas Convention, will join us to discuss Family Discipleship. He will be focusing on partnering with parents in teaching Bible Skills.

Investing for a Lifetime

Fun, sticks with me, and I want to keep doing it! These words are not describing a new app, or a fun road trip. All of these are words that have been used to describe Bible Drill. 

Hear what these students shared about Bible Drill:

Fun – I memorized Bible Verses during this time (Bible Drill), I had fun at competitions, made lifelong friendships, improved my public speaking (Student Speakers), and most importantly, I had the opportunity to share God’s Word with others – Sarah North Scheffler (former Bible Drill and Speakers Competition State Winner)

Sticks with me – ” These scriptures (from Bible Drill) will stick with me the rest of my life.” – Mary Carol Kletcke, 9-year-driller, FBC Cochran

I want to keep doing it – “I just wanted to keep doing it (Bible Drill) over and over again.” – Will Bowick, 9-year Driller, FBC Monroe

Tuesday, November 29th is Giving Tuesday. Join us in investing in the lives of kids and students. When you donate, you impact the lives of students like Darren Li, a 9-year Bible Driller. Darren recently shared with us what Bible Drill means to him:

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.

Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc. relies on donations from individuals and churches to make this ministry possible. Join me today in making a difference through discipling kids and students by donating to Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc. 

Click here to give now:

Through our Website: https://bibledrillandspeakers.com/donate/

Or with this direct link: Donate.

Friday Free Youth Bible Drill Printables

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.  And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.  You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.  You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Posting scripture verses in a room are a great way to focus on and memorize God’s Word. Today, we are offering a free download of 10 Scripture verse posters. The posters are available in ESV, KJV, and CSB.

3 creative ways you can use these posters to help with scripture memorization:

  1. Print out the posters on 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock, trim and insert one in an inexpensive 8 x 10 picture frame. Place the framed verse on your kitchen counter or table so that your family can read and memorize the verse together. Change the verse weekly (or monthly.)
  2. Use in your Youth Bible Drill Class. Print these Cycle 3 Youth Bible Answer Verses in color on 11×17 sheets. If you don’t have access to a copier that prints on 11 x17 paper, check out a local store that offers copy services. Hang the verse posters in your Classroom.
  3. Print out 8 1/2 x 11 size on white cardstock and laminate. Use these with teaching activity stations as students are learning the verses.

Download ESV Cycle 3 Youth Verse Posters Here

Download KJV Cycle 3 Youth Verse Posters Here

Download CSB Cycle 3 Youth Verse Posters Here

Thank you to Karen North for creating these posters and sharing them with us! She is the Bible Drill Leader at Covenant Baptist Church in Valdosta, GA and one of our Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc board members.

Creative Ideas for Bible Drill with Mark Jones

We are excited about our upcoming November 3rd Bible Drill webinar in which Mark Jones will share some creative ideas for Bible Drill as well as ideas to motivate our drillers. Mark Jones is the Children’s Pastor at Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City where he loves and teaches preschoolers, children and their parents. He also teaches Bible Drill at Quail Springs.

Mark speaks around the nation training kids ministry leaders and parents. He is the founder of Mr. Mark’s Classroom, an online leadership development and teacher-resource company which helps overwhelmed children’s ministry leaders get clarity, confidence and the resources they need to win at reaching kids for Jesus, equipping kids with Bible skills and teaching kids to serve others. 

Make plans to join us on November 3rd at 12:30 EST/11:30 CST. Register using this link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_irLOt32eR8KoYGNti5qG8A

2022 Fall High School Essay Contest

This fall, Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc. is sponsoring a High School Essay Contest. The prize is a $500 scholarship to the college of your choice. This essay contest is open to 9th-12th grade High school students. Students may choose from the following list of topics:

  • How Recent World and National Events Have Affected My Faith.
  • Where Does Christian Stewardship Most Impact My Faith?
  • How Can I Best Express My Faith in My Relationships?

The deadline to submit the essay is December 1, 2022. To view more information on the Essay Contest, judging criteria, and submission link, visit our website: https://bibledrillandspeakers.com/essay-contests/

*High School students must be a resident of Georgia and/or a member of a Georgia Baptist Church.

Photo by Retha Ferguson on Pexels.com

10 Tips for A New Year in Bible Drill

  • Plan a fun kick-off event to get kids and students excited about Bible Drill. Include some fun Bible Skill games as well as an overview/introduction of Bible Drill. Door prizes and food are always a big hit. Consider including parents (for Children’s Bible Drill).
  • Determine when and where you will meet. Be creative and flexible. You can meet on Wednesday or Sunday nights at church, Thursday afternoon in a homeschool group, or with a group of friends during the week at your house!
  • Choose your translation (ESV, KJV, or CSB) if you are beginning your first year of Bible Drill.
  • Communicate with Parents – Connect with parents on a regular basis sharing the current verse you are learning and other Bible Drill information using social media, texting, email, mail, flyers, etc.
  • Download Bible Drill materials including Bible Drill cards in the translation of your choice from our website: https://bibledrillandspeakers.com our Children’s Leader Guide, our handout on how to have a winning year in Bible Drill, and our NEW Children’s Bible Drill scoresheet. We also have similar administrative resources on our Youth and High School pages.
  • Create a Bible Drill calendar or checklist for the school year. List out all the dates related to Bible Drill: Bible Drill kick-off/parent meeting, dates you will have class, dates you will take a break (due to holidays, fall festival, etc.), Christmas party, special practices/activities, and which verse(s) you will be teaching each night. We’ve created a checklist for each age group that you can fill in your dates Children, Youth, and High School.
  • Order Children’s Bible Drill Resources from https://www.lifeway.com/en/product-family/bible-skills-drills-thrills or contact Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc (maria@bibledrillandspeakers.com) for Youth Bible Drill Resources.  
  • Utilize new ideas and resources this year in teaching Bible Drill: (1) Consider providing a Bible Drill drawstring backpack for your drillers to use in Bible Drill this year. You can order ones imprinted or add a special backpack tag for your drillers. (2) Create some new learning games and activities using ideas from our blog and/or Pinterest page.
  • Keep connected with Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc and other Bible Drill leaders by subscribing to our website/blog and/or by joining our Facebook group. By entering your email on our website, it will allow you to receive our latest Bible Drill updates by email. Joining our Facebook group is a great way to connect with other Bible Drill leaders in the state.
  • Make plans to be a part our our National Bible Drill webinars. Currently four are scheduled for this year. These webinars will feature different Bible Drill leaders from around the country. Our first one will be August 25th at 12:30 pm and will feature Maria Brannen (Georgia) and Belinda Stroud (Alabama). More information about the August webinar will be released soon.

I hope you have a fun year as you help kids and students develop a love for God’s Word and to memorize scripture! We’d love to hear what you have planned for your year in Bible Drill!

Photo by Eddy Oliver.

2022 Fall High School Essay Contest

This fall, Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc is sponsoring a College Essay Contest. The prize is a $500 scholarship that can be redeemed at any college. This essay contest is open to currently enrolled undergraduate college students. Students may choose from the following list of topics:

  • How Recent World and national Events Have Affected My Faith.
  • Where Does Christian Stewardship Most Impact My Faith?
  • How Can I Best Express My Faith in my Relationships?

The deadline to submit the essay is December 1, 2022. To view more information on the Essay Contest, judging criteria, and submission link, visit our website: 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.

Photo by Buro Millennial on Pexels.com

Join us for our National Bible Drill Webinar

Join us on August 25 at 12:30 pm EST for a National Bible Drill Webinar on Starting Up Bible Drill. This webinar is for Kids Ministry Leaders, Pastors, and Bible Drill Leaders. Maria Brannen (Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc) and Belinda Stroud (Alabama State Board of Missions) will provide tips and ideas on how to start, restart, and/or rejuvenate Bible Drill in your church. Register for this free webinar by clicking this link: Registration

Investing in the Next Generation of Bible Drillers and Speakers

You can make a difference now and in the future for the ministry of Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc. Consider leaving a bequest from your estate or contribute to an endowment fund through the Georgia Baptist Foundation. If you are 72 or older and do not need all of your Required Minimum Distribution from your retirement account, you can realize tax savings by making a direct gift to Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc. For further information about Required Minimum Distribution donations, visit the link below:

Required Minimum Distribution Donation Information

Article by Eddy Oliver, Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc. Board Member

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Congratulations to our 2022 National Winners!

Our 2022 National Invitational Youth and High School Bible Drill and Speakers Tournament was held Friday, June 17th at First Baptist Church in Brunswick, GA. Will Bowick, our 2022 State Student Speakers Competition Winner from FBC Monroe won 2nd place in the National Speakers Competition. Briana Reardin, our 2022 State High School Bible Drill Winner, from FBC Cochran, received a perfect score award in the National Bible Drill.

Emily Whileyman (Texas, Baptist General Convention of Texas) won 1st place in Youth Bible Drill. Lydea Keller (North Carolina Baptist State Convention) won 2nd place in Youth Bible Drill. Brielle Taylor (Baptist General Convention of Texas) won 1st place in High School Bible Drill. Andrew Wisely (Southern Baptists of Texas Convention) won 2nd place in High School Bible Drill. Donald Smith (Southern Baptists of Texas Convention) won 1st place in the Speakers Competition.

Congratulations to all the State Winners who were a part of the 2022 National Tournament! Southern Baptists of Texas Convention will be hosting the 2023 National Tournament in Fort Worth.

Congratulations to our 2022 State Bible Drill Winners!

Congratulations to our State Bible Drill Winners! Our 2022 State Youth and High School Bible Drill was held on Saturday, May 14th at FBC Monroe. To qualify for the State Youth/High School Bible Drill, students had to score 270 points or higher at the Regional Drill. In addition to memorizing the books of the Bible in order and being able to locate the books and verses in 8 seconds, Youth Drillers learned 30 verses and our High School Drillers memorized 59 verses including Psalm 100. Winners are pictured (L-R): Caleb Speirs (Covenant Baptist in Valdosta) was the 1st place winner in Youth Bible Drill. Hannah Cooke (Harp’s Crossing Baptist Church, Fayetteville) was the 2nd place winner in Youth Bible Drill. Danae Bates (Harp’s Crossing Baptist Church, Fayetteville) was the 2nd place winner in High School Bible Drill and was recognized this year for being a 9-year driller. Briana Reardin (FBC Cochran) was the 1st place winner in High School Bible Drill. Bates and Reardin both received a perfect score in the High School Bible Drill. As the High School Bible Drill winner, Briana received the Waldo and Sarah Woodcock $500 College Scholarship. Our first place winners have the opportunity to represent Georgia at the 2022 National Invitational Tournament for Bible Drill and Speakers June 16-17 at FBC Brunswick, Georgia.

Congratulations to our College Essay Contest Winner

Congratulations to our Spring 2022 College Essay Contest Winner – Kenzi Rowell. As the College Essay Winner, she is the recipient of a $500 college scholarship to use at the college of her choice. Kenzi is a member at Second Avenue Baptist Church in Rome and a student at Kennesaw State University. She is currently majoring in Business Marketing, and plans to pursue a career in Hospitality and Tourism Marketing after college. Her speech topic was Fruits of the Spirit in Christian Discipleship.

You can download and read a copy of her essay using this link:

Kenzi Rowell Essay

For more information on our Essay Contests, visit our website: https://bibledrillandspeakers.com/essay-contests/

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