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| Children's Bible Drill participants from Portside Baptist, North Charleston attended the State Drill in Columbia with their leaders, Wanda Kimble and Jimmy Singletary. |
They come with nervousness in their eyes, Bibles clutched in their hands and butterflies in their stomachs. But this is the moment they have been working toward for several months: Children’s State Bible Drill. Now they have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of the Bible and memory work. They perform at their best in order to receive personal recognition. As they leave, they have a smile on their face, a seal in their hand, and God’s Word in their heart forever.
On April 24, 2010, over 200 children in grades 4 through 6 gathered at four sites across the state for the Children’s State Bible Drill. Drills were held in Anderson, Columbia, Taylors, and Florence. The Bible Drill leaders and parents had spent hours helping the children memorize 25 verses, the location of 10 key passages, and all the books of the Bible. Depending on their personal score during the drill, each child received a gold seal to be placed on their Bible Drill certificates: state participant, state winner, or state perfect.
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| Two of the drill participants from Southside Baptist, Florence. |
While reflecting on his first year of participation in Bible Drill, Caleb Little, from Florence, said, "I like learning verses. Bible drill is awesome!" For those children who are able to participate at the state level for three years, golden medallions are presented. This year 43 children were presented with third-year-participant medallions. During their three years in Children’s Bible Drill, they have learned 75 verses, the location of 30 key passages, and usually know all 66 books backwards and forwards.
Each year, additional churches participate in Bible Drill with their children because of the strong emphasis on Bible knowledge, skills, memorization, and practical application. After participating in a church drill, qualifying children advance to their associational drill. Currently, 24 associations in South Carolina support Bible Drill programs. Those children who qualify at the associational level advance to the Children’s State Bible Drill.
At State Drill, distinguishing parents from leaders becomes difficult, especially when some churches wear matching colorful t-shirts. Wanda Kimble, from Portside Baptist in North Charleston, regarding her group at State Drill, “I always tell my children (her participants) how important I think it (Bible Drill ) is for them, and that I feel it is very important for me also. I make it a point to memorize the information with them and recite it to them the way I want them to tell it to me.” Wanda has been involved in Bible Drill for 10 years, saying, “and it has changed my life!”
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| Drillers from Mullins First Baptist's group. |
Rylee White, a Bible Drill participant from First Baptist of Mullins, reflected on the lasting impact of God’s Word. “I liked Bible Drill because I was able to learn more about God, “she stated. “I also liked it because I can witness to other people by telling the verses to them without having to look them up.” Even though the State Children’s Bible Drill is over and everyone has gone home, children have God’s Word in their hearts to share with the hearts of their friends.
Caroline Perez is the Bible Drill consultant for the Childhood Ministry Group of the South Carolina Baptist Convention.
