INTRODUCTION

Bible quizzing is a ministry currently attracting over thirty-one thousand youth from more than thirty organizations and denominations. Each group publishes various helps and guidelines to assist the promotion, involvement and competition of their particular style of quizzing. No group has failed to produce a set of rules. Many groups have added study questions and/or official competition questions. Some have added specific helps for coaches regarding the study of techniques of quizzers, what to do at quiz practice and other practical directions. All of these are necessary aids, but they need to be carried one step further. A major fault has been laid at the feet of Bible quizzing. Some quizzers have not allowed the Word of God to get past their head and into their heart. Much of this is the fault of the coach who has drilled quizzers for knowledge and failed to teach for application. But this is not entirely the fault of the coach. What materials have been made available during the more than 30 year history of Bible quizzing that have helped a coach fully understand this ministry and build on a solid foundation? This manual sets out to fill this void through the accomplishing of these three things: 1. To help the coach see the need for a personal philosophy of Bible quizzing and to lead him to begin building an adequate philosophy that will turn his quizzing program into a personal ministry to individuals. 2. To guide the coach into an understanding of his roles, the qualities he should strive for in effectiveness and the basic responsibilities he faces. 3. To give him practical suggestions for expediting his philosophy through personal involvement with the quizzer and through the wise use of the quiz practice. This manual will be foundational and practical. It will be foundational in that it will give the coach direction in forming a Biblical and personally effective view of Bible quizzing. It will be practical in that it will offer numerous methods and suggestions for putting this philosophy into practice. But why add another Bible quizzing manual for coaches? First, very few have been written, and all but one are denominationally oriented. Second, while some have been written on the characteristics necessary for coaching a quiz team, and many make suggestions as to study methods, and some give practical guidelines for the practice, and a few have stated a brief philosophy of quizzing; none have helped a coach to think through his own personal philosophy of Bible quizzing to help him make the quizzing program a ministry. All have told what to do. This manual adds the why, and helps the coach make it personal.