During my school years, when the teacher announced the date of a “Spelling Bee,” some students were excited and others were anxious. If the truth were known, I was a little bit of both!

Those memories came to mind recently when I read about the “National Bible Bee Game Show.” The TV program launched its second season earlier this year on www.christiancinema.com. You can also watch it on the NRB Network, CTN, and UPLIFT TV.

Seventy-two players are selected from the winners of a national contest. The top three percent from three age groups – primary (ages 7 – 10), junior (ages 11-14), and senior (ages 15 – 18) compete on the “National Bible Bee Game Show” for $260,000 in prize money.

The game show’s host is Kirk Cameron, a well-known actor, producer, and speaker. In an article about the game show, last year’s winner, Hannah Leary, said, “It’s not just about memorizing Scripture. It’s studying Scripture and being able to dive in deep and understand what God has to say in His Word.”

An earlier Bible-based Game Show, hosted by comedian Jeff Foxworthy, aired for three seasons. When it premiered on Aug. 21, 2012, an audience of 2.3 million viewers watched the show.

Maybe those millions of viewers were watching to test their own Bible knowledge. However, what I find interesting is that a spokesperson for the show cited research that says “25 percent of Christians never read their Bible.” I decided to find more information.

According to the Pew Research Center, “About a third of Americans (35 percent) say they read scripture at least once a week, while 45 percent seldom or never read scripture” (per their 2014 Religious Landscape Study).

“In 2014, about four-in-ten Christians (42 percent) said reading the Bible or other religious materials is an essential part of what being Christian means to them personally. An additional 37 percent say reading the Bible is important but not essential to being a Christian, and 21 percent say reading the Bible is not an important part of their Christian identity.

So apparently, there is a need for the Christian community to be challenged to study the Word, learn the Word, and apply the Word in our daily lives, if we are to be “salt and light” in this world, as God’s Word directs us.

“Seven-in-ten Americans (71 percent ) know the Bible teaches that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. A similar share know that Moses was the biblical figure who led the Exodus from Egypt, and 63 percent could identify Genesis as the first book of the Bible, according to our 2010 religious knowledge survey. But fewer than half of adults (45 percent) could name all four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John),” the Pew Research Center states.

The writer of Psalms tells us the importance of reading and studying the Bible. “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You,” (Psalm 119:11 NKJ). I have found that the reading, study and memorization of the Word is invaluable in my daily life. I encourage you to check it out for yourself.

 

– Jan White is an award-winning columnist. She can be reached at jwhite@andycable.com.