National Bible Bee
Encyclopedia
The National Bible Bee is a Bible quiz
held for the first time in 2009 by the Shelby Kennedy Foundation. The competition starts with local contests across the United States
. The top 100 contestants from each age group (Primary, ages 7-10, Junior, ages 11-14 and Senior, ages 15-18) advance to the National level. In 2009, the national level was held in Washington, D.C.
on November 5–6, 2009. More than $260,000 in prize money is awarded. The winner in the Senior age category wins $100,000, the second placer in the Senior age division wins $25,000, and the third placer wins $15,000. In the Junior Age division, The first placer wins $50,000, while the second placer gets $20,000, and the third placer gets $10,000. In the Primary age division, The first placer wins $25,000, the second placer gets $10,000, and the third placer gets $5,000. The organization claims that this is the "largest prize of any academic competition of its kind".
. After her death, a non-profit ministry, The Shelby Kennedy Foundation, was established in her name to commemorate her by encouraging children and youth to memorize Scripture.
While the National Bible Bee promises large cash prizes for at least nine of the top-place finalists, Both local and national competition will involve oral and written tests. The Bee has the larger goal of encouraging young people in the Christian
faith, such as by becoming more biblically literate. Their website states, "The vision for the Bible Bee is to encourage parents as they disciple their children through in-depth study of the Word of God, Scripture memorization, and prayer." The organization also has a statement of faith stating a set of fundamental doctrines for Christianity; though this statement is not made a requirement for competition, the contestants and their families must agree not to dispute any of the doctrines in any stage of competition.
The 2011 Bible Bee was held in Nashville, Tennessee.
Contestants are divided into three age groups: primary (ages 7–10), junior (ages 11–14) and senior (ages 15–18).
, NIV, English Standard Version
). Points are deducted for extra or omitted words. In addition, comprehension of these verses is tested in a multiple-choice written test.
From 2010, all contestants receive the Sword Study Handbook, which is a study guide for a single book of the Bible. Comprehension of this book of the Bible is tested on a written test. Parents receive a Parent Handbook, which contains guidelines for helping their children study that book of the Bible.
The Bible Knowledge book for 2010 was Colossians.
The Bible Knowledge book for 2011 was 1 Peter.
As of 2011, The contestants who advanced to Nationals were given a new book of the bible to study, which was announced when the National competitors were announced. In 2011, this book was 2 Peter.
Bible Quiz
Bible Quiz, also known as Bible Bowl, is a competition between teams over knowledge of a pre-determined section of the Bible. Various Protestant denominations, plus a handful of independent groups, sponsor these competitions...
held for the first time in 2009 by the Shelby Kennedy Foundation. The competition starts with local contests across the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The top 100 contestants from each age group (Primary, ages 7-10, Junior, ages 11-14 and Senior, ages 15-18) advance to the National level. In 2009, the national level was held in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
on November 5–6, 2009. More than $260,000 in prize money is awarded. The winner in the Senior age category wins $100,000, the second placer in the Senior age division wins $25,000, and the third placer wins $15,000. In the Junior Age division, The first placer wins $50,000, while the second placer gets $20,000, and the third placer gets $10,000. In the Primary age division, The first placer wins $25,000, the second placer gets $10,000, and the third placer gets $5,000. The organization claims that this is the "largest prize of any academic competition of its kind".
Origins and philosophy
The National Bible Bee is sponsored by the Shelby Kennedy Foundation. Shelby Kennedy, who died of cancer at the age of 23, spent all of her life studying the BibleBible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
. After her death, a non-profit ministry, The Shelby Kennedy Foundation, was established in her name to commemorate her by encouraging children and youth to memorize Scripture.
While the National Bible Bee promises large cash prizes for at least nine of the top-place finalists, Both local and national competition will involve oral and written tests. The Bee has the larger goal of encouraging young people in the Christian
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
faith, such as by becoming more biblically literate. Their website states, "The vision for the Bible Bee is to encourage parents as they disciple their children through in-depth study of the Word of God, Scripture memorization, and prayer." The organization also has a statement of faith stating a set of fundamental doctrines for Christianity; though this statement is not made a requirement for competition, the contestants and their families must agree not to dispute any of the doctrines in any stage of competition.
Competition
Competition is divided into local and national levels. Local competition is not administrated directly by the Shelby Kennedy Foundation, but rather by separate entities known as Local Planning Committees. Though these committees are not legally related to the Shelby Kennedy Foundation, they are the only source of finalists for the national competition. The highest-scoring hundred contestants in each age category proceeds to the national competition, which in the inaugural competition year was held at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C.; the 2010 competition was held at the Marriott Renaissance Hotel and Conference Center in Schaumburg, Illinois.The 2011 Bible Bee was held in Nashville, Tennessee.
Eligibility
Eligibility for the National Bible Bee is restricted to United States residents, including residents of the District of Columbia and children of U.S. Armed Forces personnel stationed overseas. Close relatives of members the Shelby Kennedy Foundation or others who have worked on the contest content are allowed to compete; however, they may not win prize money at the National Bible Bee Contest.Contestants are divided into three age groups: primary (ages 7–10), junior (ages 11–14) and senior (ages 15–18).
Study materials
The Bible Bee's competition material includes both memory work and an in-depth study on a selected book of the Bible.Bible memory
Contestants are required to memorize 250 verses for Primaries, 500 verses for Juniors, and 800 verses for Seniors. In oral competition the contestants must recite the passage word-for-word from any of five approved English versions (KJV, NKJV, New American Standard BibleNew American Standard Bible
The New American Standard Bible , also informally called New American Standard Version , is an English translation of the Bible....
, NIV, English Standard Version
English Standard Version
The English Standard Version is an English translation of the Christian Bible. It is a revision of the 1971 edition of the Revised Standard Version...
). Points are deducted for extra or omitted words. In addition, comprehension of these verses is tested in a multiple-choice written test.
Bible knowledge
In 2009, all the contestants were to study Genesis, 1&2 Samuel, Matthew, Acts, and Romans.From 2010, all contestants receive the Sword Study Handbook, which is a study guide for a single book of the Bible. Comprehension of this book of the Bible is tested on a written test. Parents receive a Parent Handbook, which contains guidelines for helping their children study that book of the Bible.
The Bible Knowledge book for 2010 was Colossians.
The Bible Knowledge book for 2011 was 1 Peter.
As of 2011, The contestants who advanced to Nationals were given a new book of the bible to study, which was announced when the National competitors were announced. In 2011, this book was 2 Peter.
Senior Division
- Daniel Staddon, Salem, West VirginiaSalem, West VirginiaSalem is a city in Harrison County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 2,006 at the 2000 census. It is located at the junction of U.S. Route 50 and West Virginia Route 23; the North Bend Rail Trail passes through the city...
, $100,000 - Truman Falkner, Kansas City, MissouriKansas City, MissouriKansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, $25,000 - Ellen Lawrence, Madison, AlabamaMadison, AlabamaAs of the census of 2000, there were 29,329 people, 11,143 households, and 8,067 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,266.5 people per square mile . There were 12,121 housing units at an average density of 523.4 per square mile...
, $10,000
Junior Division
- Isaac Ward, Binghamton, New YorkBinghamton, New YorkBinghamton is a city in the Southern Tier of New York in the United States. It is near the Pennsylvania border, in a bowl-shaped valley at the confluence of the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers...
, $50,000 - Jessica Hofmeister, Warsaw, IllinoisWarsaw, IllinoisWarsaw is a city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,793 at the 2000 census. The city is notable for its historic downtown and the Warsaw Brewery, which operated for more than 100 years beginning in 1861...
, $20,000 - Sophie Haire, Havre de Grace, MarylandHavre de Grace, MarylandHavre de Grace is a city in Harford County, Maryland, United States. Located at the mouth of the Susquehanna River and the head of the Chesapeake Bay, Havre de Grace is named after the port city of Le Havre, France, which was first named Le Havre de Grâce, meaning in French "Harbor of Grace." As...
, $10,000
Primary Division
- Rebecca Horning, Raytown, MissouriRaytown, MissouriRaytown is a city in Jackson County, Missouri, United States, and is a suburb of Kansas City. The population was at 29,526 in 2010 census. The mayor of Raytown is David Bower.-History:...
, $25,000 - Rhonda Grakov, Guilderland, New YorkGuilderland, New YorkGuilderland is a town in Albany County, New York, United States. In the 2010 census, the town had a population of 35,303. The town is named for the Gelderland province in the Netherlands....
, $10,000 - Courtney Minica, San Antonio, TexasSan Antonio, TexasSan Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
, $5,000
Senior Division
- Liesl Lawrence, Georgetown, TexasGeorgetown, TexasGeorgetown is a city and also the county seat of Williamson County, Texas, United States with a population of 47,400 at the 2010 census. Southwestern University, founded in 1840, is the oldest university in Texas and is located in Georgetown, about 1/2 mile east of the historic square...
- Mallory Powell, Linden, TennesseeLinden, TennesseeLinden is a town in and the county seat of Perry County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 1,015 at the 2000 census. Linden was officially incorporated in 1850.Linden is served by Perry County Airport, located 3.5 miles to the southwest....
- Mark Heimann, Wexford, PennsylvaniaWexford, PennsylvaniaWexford is an unincorporated community in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The area known as Wexford is split among multiple municipalities, including Franklin Park, McCandless, Pine Township, and Marshall Township...
Junior Division
- Alex Watt, North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
- Anna Floyd, Bath, PennsylvaniaBath, PennsylvaniaBath is a borough in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is named for Bath, Somerset, England. It is located in the Lehigh Valley region of the state.The population of Bath was 2,693 at the 2010 census.-History:...
- Brittany Schlicter, Montgomery, TexasMontgomery, TexasMontgomery is a city located in Montgomery County, Texas. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 489. It is the birthplace of the Lone Star Flag of Texas.-History:...
Primary Division
- Olivia Davis, Salem, OregonSalem, OregonSalem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
- Esther Lin, San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
- Mark Tremaine, McKinney, TexasMcKinney, TexasMcKinney is a city in and the county seat of Collin County, Texas, United States, and the second in population to Plano. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 131,117 The Census Bureau listed McKinney as the nation's fastest growing city from 2000 to 2003 and again in...
Primary Division
- Olivia Davis, Salem, OregonSalem, OregonSalem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
$25,000 - Paul Keaton, Pikeville, KentuckyPikeville, KentuckyPikeville is a city in Pike County, Kentucky. The population was 6,903 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Pike County.-History:On March 25, 1822, the county's government officials decided to build a new county seat named Liberty, one and one-half mile below the mouth of the Russell Fork...
- Everett Chew, La Palma, CaliforniaLa Palma, CaliforniaLa Palma is a city located in northern Orange County, California. Incorporated on October 26, 1955, the population was 15,408 at the 2000 census...
Junior Division
- Bethany Xiques, Miami Springs, FloridaMiami Springs, FloridaMiami Springs is a Miami suburban city located in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The city was founded by Glenn Hammond Curtiss, "The Father of Naval Aviation", and James Bright, during the famous "land boom" of the 1920s and was originally named Country Club Estates...
$50,000 - Rionna Flynn, San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
$20,000 - Benjamin Smith, Murfreesboro, TennesseeMurfreesboro, TennesseeMurfreesboro is a city in and the county seat of Rutherford County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 108,755 according to the United States Census Bureau's 2010 U.S. Census, up from 68,816 residents certified during the 2000 census. The center of population of Tennessee is located in...
$10,000 - Joshua Bontrager, [ [Kalona, Iowa] ] 4th place winner
Senior Division
- Kari Erickson, Dell Rapids, South DakotaDell Rapids, South DakotaDell Rapids is a city in Minnehaha County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 3,633 at the 2010 census. It is known as "The little city with the big attractions."-Geography:...
$100,000 - GraceAnn Westfahl, Laramie, WyomingLaramie, WyomingLaramie is a city in and the county seat of Albany County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 30,816 at the . Located on the Laramie River in southeastern Wyoming, the city is west of Cheyenne, at the junction of Interstate 80 and U.S. Route 287....
$25,000 - Laura Hedstrom, Oxford, NebraskaOxford, NebraskaOxford is a village in Furnas and Harlan Counties in the U.S. state of Nebraska. The population was 876 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Oxford is located at...
$15,000