“For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” Hosea 6:6
Recently, Georgia Grace, a Youth Driller from FBC Eastman shared that her favorite verse is Hosea 6:6. This is one of our verses that our Youth Bible Drillers are memorizing this year. She said that “this verse reminds her that I belong to God and not the world. I should try to be more like Him and less like the world.”
A great reminder for today: We belong to God and not the World. Here are a few questions to ponder: How can we be more like Him today? How can we demonstrate steadfast love for God? How can we know God more each and every day?
What verse are you currently memorizing? How can you use it to encourage someone?
We’re excited to announce a brand-new resource: Devotional Pages for High School Bible Drillers. This resource connects the verses students memorize to life. Bible Drill leaders are encouraged to provide this Devotional Resource for the High School Bible Drillers. 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.
A quick review of the 6 key areas of the Devotional Pages:
Verse Reference block: Students write out the verse in their preferred translation.
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 second set is the Cycle 3 What We Believe Devotional Pages. Download this resource here:
Recently a driller, Kyrie from Valdosta, shared with us that Philippians 4:8 meant a lot to her. This is a verse that our High School Drillers are memorizing this year. She said that “this verse helps me when I’m mad, sad or angry. I say (to myself) that these things shouldn’t be in my head. I shouldn’t even be thinking these thoughts.”
What do you think about when you are mad, sad, angry, frustrated or overwhelmed? Philippians 4:8 encourages us: “Finally, finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on these things.” Do we as believers focus on God’s Word and His promises? What is your favorite verse when life is overwhelming?
The life of a high school student is fast-paced. From school and sports to their social life and college prep, a quiet time can be neglected in the busyness of life. We’re excited to announce a brand-new resource: Devotional Pages for High School Bible Drillers. In addition to memorizing verses and drilling, it provides a tool for further spiritual growth. This resource connects the verses students memorize to life.
Each page contains 6 key areas:
Verse Reference block: 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 additional related verses for students to spend additional time in the Word reading.
Prayer: A prayer is provided with each Bible Study page for students to use as a starting point in their prayer time. Additional space is provided for students to list out prayer requests.
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:
Looking for a way to make Christ Connections at Home with your Children’s Drillers during the week? We are continuing our Christ Connections – Bible Skills at Home Blog series. If you missed our introduction (Part 1), we encourage you to check it out. Encourage families to connect and dig into God’s Word. Truthfully, a parent or grandparent spending a few minutes sharing God’s Word together speaks louder and deeper in a child’s heart than the most elaborate, amazing lesson any teacher in a class could do. A family devotion is not about teaching an amazing lesson. It is about connecting as a family and showing that your family prioritizes God’s Word. The power of the family devotion is in the relationship you have with each other. God reminds us of this power and responsibility in Deuteronomy 6:1-9. In this article, we’ll share some more 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 2 – Families can place them on the kitchen table and use them at meal time or to keep them in the van and use them as the family is on the go.
A quick reminder: On each devotional page above, 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. 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.
Discipling and mentoring students can be done in a variety of ways. This fall, Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc. is sponsoring a High School Essay Contest. Students in 9th-12th grades are invited to participate. Encouraging students to write an essay is a great way to help disciple and mentor them in their faith. This is an opportunity for them to grow spiritually as they study scripture and examine their beliefs. Enlist mentors to meet with students and to have intentional conversations related to the topic. Pray with students and guide them to examine God’s Word as related to the topic. An additional bonus is that students may discover a love for writing that they can use to share their faith with others.
The 2025 High School Essay Topic is “Making the Lord’s Prayer Personal.” Students will write a 750 word essay that is judged based on use of scripture, creativity, grammar, and evidence of research. Our state winner will receive a $500 scholarship to the college of his/her choice. The deadline to summit the essay is December 1, 2025. To view more information on the Essay Contest, judging criteria, and submission link, visit our webpage.
*High School Students must be a resident of Georgia and/or a member of a Georgia Baptist Church.
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:
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.
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 devotional page above, 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.
Looking for a quick, easy idea to kick-off your new year in Bible Drill? Recently, FBC Monroe kicked off a new year in Youth and High School Bible Drill with Cookies and Cards. They picked up some cookies and handed them out along with Bible Drill cards on the first night. In addition to handing out cards and interacting with students, they reviewed the books of the Bible through a Football toss game, held a Book Drill Competition, and overviewed the upcoming year in Youth and High School Bible Drill.
How do you kick-off a new year in Bible Drill? Share your ideas with us.
Looking for ways to help students grow in their faith and to further hide God’s Word in their hearts after your weekly Bible Drill class? You can download a free copy of our Youth Bible Drill Student Devotional Book and encourage students to have a quiet time meditating on the verses you are currently learning. These devotions are based upon the Cycle 3 Youth Bible Drill verses. Our hope is that students participating in Bible Drill, will use this devotional resource to dig in His word, to hear from Him, to meditate on the scriptures, and to draw closer to Him in prayer.
Listed below are highlights and explanations to help in the use of this resource:
Scripture Reference – Each day students will write out the Bible Drill verse (in the translation that they are memorizing) that the devotion is based on. This will help them focus on the verse as they are writing it out and reinforce the verse as they are working to memorize it.
Think About It – This section contains a story or devotion to help students focus and meditate on the verse. The hope is that when they think of the story or illustration, it will help them remember the verse and make it more meaningful for them.
Journaling Idea – Each day students will be asked to journal on the next page about an idea related to the verse and/or devotion for that day. This time will help them dig deeper and apply the scripture and devotion to their personal life.
Tunnel Deeper – Additional verses related to the Bible Drill verse and/or devotion for the day will be listed to allow more in-depth Bible study.
Prayer – This section helps students in their prayer time beginning with a printed prayer that especially relates to the verse and devotion for the day. Students are encouraged to use the corresponding page to list personal prayer requests and to journal their prayer time.
Quote – Each day the writer will conclude with a quote, song, or significant thought related to the verse/devotion.
As we are beginning a new year of Bible Drill, here are 10 tips to help you have a great year of 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. Food and door prizes are always a big hit.
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– Communicate with new kids/students in your church and with families who have not been a part of Bible Drill about this ministry and invite them to your kick-off night. Communicate with Bible Drill 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.
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.
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.
Encourage families to work on Bible skills and verses at home. These table top cards from Alabama Baptists are a great resource for your families. Download the first set of cards here.
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!
Youth and High School Bible Drill are great discipleship opportunities for students. Through involvement in Bible Drill, students learn Bible Skills, memorize scripture, learn to share their faith, and learn what the Bible says on key subjects. A special congratulations to four outstanding students (our 2025 State Bible Drill Winners) who committed to a deeper level of discipleship during the 2024-2025 school year:
Our High School Bible Drill 2nd place winner was Emma Kate Hoffman from Wrens Baptist Church (left). Our High School Bible Drill winner was Hannah Cooke from Harp’s Crossing Baptist Church in Fayetteville (left center). Our Youth Bible Drill winner was Diego Mongillo from Warren Baptist Church in Augusta (right center). Our Youth Bible Drill 2nd place winner was Gracie Poole from Dewy Rose Baptist Church (right). As the High School Bible Drill winner, Hannah Cooke was the recipient of the Waldo and Sarah Woodcock High School Bible Drill Scholarship in the amount of $500.
As we are approaching a new church year, consider offering this great discipleship opportunity for your students. You can contact us (maria@bibledrillandspeakers.com) or visit our website for more information.
Thank you to Missouri for hosting the 2025 National Invitational Youth and High School Bible Drill and Speakers Tournament! It was held Friday, June 13th at First Baptist Church in Springfield, Missiouri. This picture was captured on Friday when our state winners during our banquet. (Springfield is a part of Route 66.) We are proud of our State Winners who represented Georgia at the National Tournament. Gracie Pool (left) is our Georgia State Youth Bible Drill Runner-up and is from Dewy Rose Baptist Church. Hannah Cooke (right) is our State High School Bible Drill Winner from Harp’s Crossing Baptist Church in Fayetteville. Hannah received a perfect score award at Nationals.
Sophie Mansur (Baptist General Convention of Texas) won 1st place in Youth Bible Drill. Luke Easley (Louisiana) won 2nd place in the Youth Bible Drill. Charlotte Felton (Southern Baptists of Texas Convention) won 1st place in High School Bible Drill. Jonas Browder (Alabama State Board of Missions) won 2nd place in the High School Bible Drill. Emma Niehaus (Missouri) won 1st place in the Speakers Tournament. Aiden Terrell (Southern Baptists of Texas Convention) won 2nd place in the Speakers Tournament.
Congratulations to all the State Winners who were a part of the 2025 National Tournament!
Scripture memory is not just for kids or students who participate in Bible Drill, it is important for all of us, regardless of age. Through memorizing scripture, we grow deeper in our relationship with God. Among the many reasons for memorizing scripture, hiding God’s Word in our hearts, helps in times of fear, loss, difficulty, and temptation. It gives us direction.
In the midst of the busyness of life and different life seasons, how do we make it a priority to memorize scripture? Here are some ideas on how to incorporate scripture memorization into our daily lives:
Use Scripture verse cards or notes on your mirror.
In the car and on the go. Keep an index card or sticky note with the verse you are memorizing on your dashboard and say it together as a family.
Post-it Notes – On the Brentwood Baptist Church blog, Jason Dukes, shares great ideas on how Post-it Notes can aide in scripture memory in his article 7 of the Best Ways to Memorize Scripture. He encourages for us to “write a verse you want to memorize on a Post-it note. Stick it to your mirror and read it and recite it while brushing your teeth for the recommended two minutes. Stick it on your laptop or iPad cover and read it every time you open your device. Stick it in a prominent place at work and read it each time your sit down at your desk.”
Create a Verse Frame that you can write the current verse you are memorizing on and display it on your table so that you see it every day.
Save a scripture verse image or meme to your phone and make it your lock screen wallpaper. Say it each time before you unlock your phone.
Scripture verses set to music. Seeds Family Worship and David Crain have some great scripture songs you can download.
Recently Baptist Press shared an article by Kurt Shiver sharing some ideas for scripture memory:
I put my verses on note cards and review them daily on my own, and weekly with students I am discipling and with an accountability partner. Two of the biggest pitfalls I have seen in Scripture memory are not having accountability with others and not having a plan to review old verses. If the habit of Scripture memory isn’t something you are used to, link it up with something you enjoy. A lady from my church reviews verses every day when she drinks her afternoon coffee!
A great thing about Scripture memory is that it doesn’t have to take much time out of your schedule. I read in an article that the average American spends 45 minutes every day simply waiting. These moments are a great opportunity to review verses we have memorized, thereby redeeming that time… even at the beach. (Read the entire article here.)
In this video, Kristina Mongillo, a parent from Warren Baptist Church in Augusta shares with us about the impact of memorizing God’s Word with the story of her daughter’s hospitalization. Through Bible Drill and other ministry opportunities, her daughter had memorized God’s Word and in the midst of this tough season, God’s Word was inside of her. It had taken root in her life. Kristina ends with encouraging parents to “get God’s Word in your Children’s heart.”
In this video, Bill Bates, a Bible Drill parent at Harp’s Crossing Baptist Church in Fayetteville shares that “hiding God’s Word in our hearts is one of the most important and useful things for us to do as believers. The world has so many voices trying to speak into our lives.”
Bill reminds us as believers, that “the Bible is our foundation…it gives us our worldview.” What are we doing strategically and intentionally as believers, Kids/Student Ministry Leaders, parents, and grandparents to help lay a Biblical foundation in the lives of kids and students we know?
For Bible literacy, Bible Skill or Bible Drill ideas, visit our website/blog, Pinterest Page or contact us: maria@bibledrillandspeakers.com
Congratulations to our Fall 2024 High School Essay Contest winner – Jada Ellis. As the High School Essay Contest winner, she is the recipient of a $500 college scholarship to use at the college of her choice. Jada is a student at Woodland High School in Stockbridge, GA and is in the 11th grade.
She wrote her essay on showing Esther strength in a struggling world. Jada opens her essay with the statement: “In a world marked by uncertainty, division and struggles, the story of Esther from the Old Testament offers timeless lessons of courage, faith and resilience. She shares that “Esther 4:14 (“…Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”) serves as a reminder for us all that we have been placed in our respective situations for a purpose.”
You can read her complete essay using the link below:
Your generosity has allowed us to continue impacting children and students throughout the state of Georgia by passing the love of God’s Word, Bible skills, and the practice of Scripture reading to the next generation. Through Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc., we will continue providing resources and events/drills to encourage a love for God’s Word and growth in Christian discipleship.
As we begin wrapping up the year, we reflect on the lives that have been touched through Children and Youth Bible Drills, Student Speakers Competition, and the Essay Contest for high school and college students. As a non-profit organization, we rely on gifts from donors to continue this ministry. Like many other non-profits, we encourage year-end giving as you plan to make the most of your gifts for the remainder of the year.
End-of-year giving is always appreciated, and it could provide tax advantages. If you itemize your tax deductions, you may be able to decrease your tax liability with a gift to Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc.
Additionally, you can give through a qualified retirement plan such as an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), 401(k), or 403(b) plan, depending on your age and future needs. For those subject to Required Minimum Distributions (RMD), you can instruct the custodian of your IRA account to distribute your RMD funds (all or some) directly to Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc., avoiding any tax liability while satisfying your RMD for the year. Be sure to 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.
Whether large or small, your gifts make a difference. God is pleased when we trust Him with our finances and giving. Thank you for your faithfulness to support the work of Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc.
Click on the donor tab on this website to learn more or click this link to go directly to our donation page.
Written by Eddy Oliver, Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc. Board Member
In today’s culture where the electronic media significantly affects knowledge intake and decision making, we have become less effective in how we, in composition, communicate what we really want to say. There is a strong correlation between being able to read and write well and heathy self-esteem and career success. To write well is to communicate well. It is an important life skill that will bear fruit in our interpersonal and professional relationships. As Christ followers, we should be willing and able to effectively communicate what and why we believe what we do about our faith experience. “… and if anyone asks about the hope living within you, always be ready to explain your faith with gentleness and respect.” (I Peter 3:15). Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers believes this is so important we are offering $500 scholarships each year to a high school and college student who best exhibits his/her writing skills in essay form. Each fall we choose a relevant and timely topic listed on our web page for students to address. Essay guidelines are also listed on the web page. We encourage students to not only creatively think and use words to convey their thoughts, but to seek mentors who can encourage and assist them in this important discipline. For more information visit our Essay Contest webpage or contact Maria Brannen at: maria@bibledrilland speakers.com or (470) 650-8452.
Written by Dennis Rogers, Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc. Board Member
Growing up as a youth in a South Georgia Baptist church in the 50’s-60’s, part of our programming was Sunday evening Training Union. I have good memories of Jack and Sally Fletcher, our youth leaders, and the ways they led us. One of our favorite activities they introduced to us and we regularly enjoyed was “Sword Drill,” a race to see who could find a Bible verse the fastest. I later realized there was much more to such an activity than quickly locating a scripture. Unfortunately, we did not know about the organized SBC program which would have helped us grow significantly more in our Bible skills and knowledge.
Years later while working with age-graded training programs in many of our Georgia Baptist churches, I met many adults who reminisced with me about the sword drills they participated in while they were children and youth. On occasion at senior adult activities, I have seen or led an old-fashioned sword drill as a 15- minute delightfully fun activity. This has been an opportunity to remind them that Bible Drill is an opportunity available to help our children and youth become more adept in their use and knowledge of Scripture. However, Bible Skills and Biblical literacy is important for all ages. There is a lot of merit to including an old-fashioned sword drill at a senior adult gathering. Senior Adult classes can also challenge each other to memorize the books of the Bible or the scripture verses along with the Children’s Bible Drillers. Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc. will be glad to assist senior adult leaders with resources and ideas which can result in a regular Bible Skill/Drill activity for them and rekindle interest in growing in their discipleship using Scripture. Sharpening basic Bible skills, at any age, will pay significant spiritual dividends. For more information contact Maria Brannen, our Executive Director by email (maria@bibledrillandspeakers.com) or by phone: 470-650-8452.
This blog post was written by Dennis Rogers, Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc. board member.
This fall, Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc is sponsoring a High School Essay Contest. Our 2023 winner was Benjamin Bayless from Valdosta. Take a minute to watch the video as Benjamin shares about his experience.
Our state winner will receive a $500 scholarship to the college of his/her choice. This essay contest is open to 9th-12th High School students. The deadline to submit the essay is December 1, 2024. To view more information on the Essay Contest, judging criteria, and submission link, visit our webpage.
*High School students must be a resident of Georgia and/or a member of a Georgia Baptist Church.
