# 14. Sharpening Arrows: A Family's Guide to the National Bible Bee

[00:00:16] Speaker A: Hi, Bible bee families. My name is John Cart and this is my beautiful wife, Krishna. We are active in family life and a marriage ministry at church which are focused upon strengthening families. And as you know, we are original host for the National Bible Bee competition. [00:00:33] Speaker B: Yeah. So let's start with something real. Only 3% of American teens read their Bible every day. And by the time they reach their 20s, 64% of young adults who grew up in the church are no longer actively involved. And that's from Barna. That's not just a stat, it's a warning. [00:00:52] Speaker A: But there is hope. The National Bible Bee is one of the most powerful tools we've seen to fight back against that trend. A chance for families with children ages 7 to 18 to dig into scripture together and build a lasting spiritual foundation. [00:01:08] Speaker B: Well, it all starts with a [email protected] and once you're registered, your family receives a beautiful big box study box. Everything you need to begin the eight week summer study running from June through July. [00:01:26] Speaker A: What makes it different? This isn't just a Bible study for kids. It's built around parents as spiritual mentors walking with their children through memorization, study and real conversations about God's word. [00:01:40] Speaker B: Well, the results speak for themselves. Over 92,000 young people have participated. Together, they've memorized more than 1.7 million Bible verses. And the program has awarded over 3.2 million in prizes. But the true reward, Spiritual growth in your home. [00:02:00] Speaker A: We are honored to serve as a regional host through the Masterpiece Academy, helping families in our area stay focused, supported and encouraged throughout the journey. [00:02:11] Speaker B: Well, at the end of the summer study, we come together for a proclaimed day held in the second week of August. Well, it's a celebration where students share scriptures out loud and give glory to God for what they have learned. [00:02:24] Speaker A: Then about a week later comes the national qualifying test, a timed 100 question exam that covers scripture memory and comprehension. Only the top 120 students in each age division advance to the final stage that is the National Bible Bee competition. [00:02:42] Speaker B: While the nationals are unforgettable, families from across the country gather for a week of faith fellowship and scripture celebration. It's very rewarding for those who get in. But yeah, it's a time of faith, fellowship and scripture celebration, including another powerful sort of proclaimed day. It's oral visitation on the national stage. [00:03:05] Speaker A: But even if your child doesn't qualify for the nationals, the real win is everything that happens along the way. Deeper faith, stronger family bonds, and a love for God's word that goes beyond the season. [00:03:18] Speaker B: As Psalm 127. [00:03:21] Speaker A: Four states, like arrows in the hand of a warrior, are the children of one's youth. This is our time to sharpen those arrows and send them out grounded in truth. Thank you for stepping up and leading your family with purpose. We'll share more in our next meeting. And we can't wait to see what God does through your home. Let's do this together. [00:03:46] Speaker B: Thank you so much for listening.