Preparing for the NBBC Qualifying Test

So, You Want to Take the NBBC Qualifying Test?

If you are new to Bible Bee or you want to qualify for the first time, you may be wondering what you need to know for the Qualifying Test.  In this post I will give some tips and ideas about how to prepare so that you feel ready at test time.

If you have not already read through the current Summer Study Guidebook, please head over to your Bible Bee dashboard and check that out.  There is a list of the things that a participant should study and learn for the Qualifying Test.  The ideas that I am going to share come from my experience as a Bible Bee mom who has helped several of my children study.  Anything I share on this blog is unofficial, so please make sure that you have read the official resources put out by the National Bible Bee.

The Discovery Journal

The Discovery Journal is the Bible study that is provided by National Bible Bee for the Summer Study.  It is designed to introduce students to important Bible study skills.  You can read more about the Bible study method and the different aspects found in the Discovery Journal by reading the first section of your Discovery Journal. 

Many people make the mistake of viewing the Discovery Journal as the manual for the Qualifying Test, thinking that the questions on the test will come directly from the Discovery Journal.  There is truth to that, but the Qualifying Test almost always has questions that are not found in the Discovery Journal.  I like to view the Discovery Journal as a guide, providing specific information to learn as well as introducing content that will require extra study.

Here are the things that the Discovery Journal introduces:

1. Study Passage
2. Memory Passages
3. Keywords, Terms, and Original Language Terms
4. Background Study
5. Cross-References
6. Context

The Study Passage

The Study Passage is what the Discovery Journal is all about.  As you go through the Discovery Journal you will see that every lesson begins with reading a section from the study passage.  During the lesson that particular section is unpacked to bring out keywords, original language terms, background study, and cross-references.

As a parent, the Study Passage content is the most important part of studying for Bible Bee.  I want my children to know and understand the passage to the best of their ability.  There are a few ways that students learn the Study Passage.  Below are some ideas:

• Read the Study Passage - This is simple and effective.  We have applied this in different ways throughout the years.  Create a reading schedule and rotate through the chapters a few times a week.  Use an audio Bible or read aloud as a family.  For younger kids, try using a Bible version that is easier to understand (I like the NIrV for early readers).  Copy work is another effective tool for students of all ages.
• Memorize - Many students memorize the entire Study Passage, but it is also beneficial to memorize portions of it as you are able.  Apply your favorite memorization techniques to accomplish this big goal.
• Outline - Creating an outline of the study passage can help to remember the big picture.  You can make your own, or find an outline that you like and learn it.  Make a poster or banner that hangs in a prominent place in your home.  Use fill-in-the-blank worksheets to review the outline.
• Random Recall / Random Access - This is the idea that you can recall a specific verse and its content.  Quizlet is a favorite for practicing random recall.  You can learn the verse number and the exact words of that verse, use a summary or paraphrase of the verse, or break it up into short sections that you summarize.
• Summarize - Knowing the specifics of each verse is important, but it is equally important to understand what the passage is saying.  Summarizing is a great way to synthesize the information.  For younger students, make a storybook of the important parts of the passage (use your outline for this), then add pictures or cartoons.
• Themes - This goes along with summarizing the passage.  Use the keywords and concepts found in the Discovery Journal to identify the theme of each portion of the Study Passage.
• Bible Commentaries - Find a good commentary and read through it, taking notes as you go.  I use these online Bible Study notes.  A sermon series is also very effective.  Our family listens to sermons at bed time.
• Write Questions - This is such an important aspect of Bible study.  Even younger children can begin to come up with questions about the text.  Start with simple questions that test the knowledge of the content, and then branch out to more difficult questions that deal with context and other connections.

The Memory Passages

These are assigned and can be found on your Bible Bee dashboard.  For the summer there are usually 14 or 15 passages that are given.  Half of them typically come directly from the Study Passage while the other half are usually cross-references to the Study Passage.  Sometimes these are quotes/prophecies that are in the Study Passage, or they highlight an important keyword or theme that the Discovery Journal has brought out.

You need to know these word-for-word and be able to recite them as accurately as possible.  Practice asking questions about the study passages and making connections between them.  Think about the keywords and themes found in each passage.  You also need to study the context of each.  I will talk about context at the end of this post.

Keywords, Terms, and Original Language Terms

Keywords, terms, and original language terms come from the Study Passage and other passages studied in the Discovery Journal lessons.  Know which section of the Study Passage the keywords and terms are in, and learn the definitions in the Discovery Journal.  In addition to knowing the terms well, you also need to understand what they mean and how they are used in the Study Passage, cross-references, and Memory Passages.

Background Study

This is another straightforward section in the Discovery Journal.  There is a lesson in each unit dedicated to background study.  There may also be maps included at the end of a unit or the end of the Discovery Journal.  These fall under background study since historical and geographical study go hand in hand.  Make sure you know the maps!

The Cross-Reference List

A key component to the Bible study method employed in the Discovery Journal is the use of cross-references.  These are found all throughout the Discovery Journal and it is important that you look them up as you study.  Don't skip this part!  It can be easy to find the correct answers for the Discovery Journal without reading the cross-references, but don't fall into that trap.

At some point during the Summer Study, NBB releases an official cross-reference list on the dashboard.  This list comprises a portion of the cross-references that are found in the Discovery Journal.  You will need to know all of the cross-references on that list as well as you know the Study Passage.  It can seem intimidating at first because the lists are not short!  I like to organize the cross-references by theme and then assign them to my kids one set at a time.

In my opinion, cross-references are the key to the Qualifying Test.  You should know exactly what each cross-reference says, and you should also be able to summarize it and understand how it connects with the Study Passage (themes, keywords, etc).

Here are some ideas to learn and review the cross-references:

• Memorize them.
• Flashcards - Write the reference on the front and a summary on the back.
• Read - Create and print a document that has the full text of each cross-reference and make a rotating schedule to cycle through them at your own pace.
• Write Questions - This is a great way to synthesize information.  You can use the questions for review games like Jeopardy, Bingo, or Kahoot.  My favorite are questions that ask "Which cross-reference mentions __________?"
• Discuss - This is important for comprehension and to understand how the cross-reference relates to the Study Passage.  Find themes and keywords.

In addition to knowing the cross-references, you also need to study them in context.  Again, I will address context at the end of this post.

Understanding Context

As I have said before, not every question on the Qualifying Test will come directly from the Discovery Journal.  The content of the Study Passage, Memory Passages, and cross-references is likely to make up a big portion of the Qualifying Test, but the context of these things is also very important.

So, what is context?  It is the most important aspect of Bible interpretation.  It helps you to understand the meaning of the text as it was intended by the author and to the original audience.  You can study the context by asking the following questions:

• Who is talking/writing and to whom?
• Where/when does it take place?
• What happens before and after? This can include topics that are spoken about in writing that is not narrative.
• Are there any parallel passages?
• Are there any quotes or prophecies that are found in other passages of Scripture?
• Are there any people or places mentioned?

These questions primarily address the Biblical context of the passage.  You will also want to know the literary context.  This is the style of writing - narrative/history, poetry, prophecy, wisdom, etc.  Knowing this will aid in asking the "right" questions about the context.

To dig even further, learn about the cultural, historical, and geographical setting for the passage.

Here is a list of helpful tools and resources for studying context:

• Study Bible - To me this is the simplest place to start.  Our family uses these study Bibles for older kids.  I really like the Adventure Bible for younger kids.  (These are not affiliate links).
• Commentary - There are many commentaries out there.  I like to use these online Bible Study notes.
• Sermon Series
• Bible Dictionary - We like to have a few around the house.  This is helpful for learning more about people and places.
• Bible Atlas and/or Maps - We have various Bible atlases and maps.  Some are for younger children and others are quite detailed.  I have also had success finding some in our local library system.  I especially like using wall maps and timelines when I can.
• Blue Letter Bible - This online resource is the one recommended by Bible Bee in the Discovery Journal.  You can access everything you need for context study by using Blue Letter Bible.

Conclusion

As I wrap up this post, I want to encourage you to keep in mind the reason for participating in Bible Bee.  The competition is a lot of fun.  It will push you to learn more and to learn it better than what you might do on your own.  This is one of the great benefits of Bible Bee!  However, while learning the material in the Discovery Journal is important for the Qualifying Test, fostering an appetite for and curiosity about the Bible is, in my opinion, what Bible Bee is all about.

Be diligent in your studies.  Work hard.  Learn as much as you possibly can.  Learn it well and practice recalling it so that you can do your best on the Qualifying Test.  But also have fun.  Ask questions and find the answers.  Immerse yourself in the world of the Study Passage and ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom to understand it and to apply it in your life.  Use the studying process as an opportunity to grow in your understanding of God and His Word.

Parents, learn alongside your children.  Memorize with them.  Study with them.  Play review games with them.  Discuss the Study Passage and other passages introduced in the Discovery Journal.  This is a unique opportunity to put Deuteronomy 6:6-9 into practice.  Your children will need the Word of God more than any generation before them.  This is the time to equip them so that they are able to "stand fast in the faith" (1 Corinthians 16:13).

Whether or not you make it to the National Bible Bee Competition, what you learn this summer and the Bible study skills you develop will stay with you.  And if you do qualify for the NBBC, you will have the opportunity to apply those skills as you prepare for the next stage of the competition.