BIBLE NEWS: Airdropping Bibles into North Korea

For most of the world, this is a great time to read the Bible.  It is available free on the internet at sites like BibleGateway.Com and it is available free through countless Missions organizations.  But there are still places on Earth where getting your hands on a Bible is a life and death situation.  Christians are seeking to sneak more Bibles into North Korea, one of the most tightly controlled Communist dictatorships left on the planet.

The balloons, made from a large sheet of "farm plastic," said Foley, are filled with hydrogen before the Bibles and "tracts" - testimonials written by other North Korean Christians - are attached at the bottom inside a sack or box. Timers are then used to release the materials in stages, dispersing them at high altitudes across North Korea.
Foley and members of his Christian mission group, Seoul USA, use GPS technology to help direct where the Bibles land. Around 50,000 of them have dropped from the skies in the last year.

WEEKLY COMIC: Spare Me!

Happy Thanksgiving!

BIBLE NEWS: Bible More Accessible Than Anytime in History

It was not so long ago that you were a very lucky person if you had access to a Bible.  For centuries, they were held almost exclusively by priests and monks.  Then for centuries more, they were mostly held by the rich.  By the time our parents and grandparents came along, Bibles were everywhere in the Western world, but still forbidden across most of the east.  But now, experts are saying the Bible is accessible to nearly anyone, more-so than any time in history.  And it may be fulfillment of prophecy!

Creson states that "the last translator for the last Bible translation is alive somewhere in the world today." He told CP why he believes that. "Thirty years ago, the average New Testament took over 20 years to translate," Creson explained. Today, it takes about 8 years.
The Wycliffe president also testified his belief that organization's work helps bring about the End Times. "I believe that the work we do hastens the return of Jesus Christ," Creson told CP. Citing Matthew 24:14, he paraphrased Jesus' words saying "this good news message has to be preached to the whole world, to every tongue, tribe, and nation, and then the end will come."

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: When the Waters Rise

THIS WEEK: Review Romans, Chapters 6-10

This week (November 25 thru December 1), please review Romans, chapters 6-10.

If you want to read the chapters online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

For resources on past chapters, click below:

• Romans 6
• Romans 7
• Romans 8
• Romans 9
• Romans 10

Study Tip: This next week will be a tough one for studying.  Thursday is Thanksgiving (and families will spend Monday thru Wednesday preparing), then Black Friday and Cyber-Saturday.  How can you possibly find a minute to review for Bible Quizzing?  Here's a tip - we have time when we MAKE time.  This next week (and the whole December when you'll be surrounded by Christmas craziness) set aside 30 minutes each day for review.  It can be first thing, last thing, lunchtime, break time - whatever - but do it the same way, every day.  And if you miss a day, don't sweat it.  Just pick it up again the next day.

Upcoming Events:
- January 10:  Quiz Team Christmas Party in Monroe, CT
- January 25:  Midwinter Quiz Meet in Sparta, NJ

CHAPTER REVIEW: Romans 10

We're missing practice this week for our "Special Missionary Presentation", but we don't want you to miss out on the review of the chapter.  You can download Coach Mark's lesson by clicking here, or on the image below.

Monroe Quiz Meet is TODAY!

See you there!  Be there at 9:00 AM to help set up.

REMINDER: Monroe Bible Quiz Meet is TOMORROW!

The Quiz Meet in Monroe, CT is tomorrow!  Now's the time to cram and get ready to show the other teams what we're made of.  Come on out and invite your friends and family to come and cheer us on, as well.  Remember, we're hosting so let's work hard to show the other teams a good time!

MEET AT THE CHURCH TO SETUP:  9:00 AM
QUIZ MEET BEGINS:  9:30 AM
COST:  $5.00 for lunch (or bring your own)
CHAPTERS COVERED:  Romans 1-10
CLEAN-UP AT THE CHURCH:  ~1:00 PM
HEAD HOME:  ~1:30 PM

REFERENCE QUESTIONS: Romans 10

Remember, the full list of Reference Questions can always be found in the sidebar or at this link.

QUESTION:  According to Romans 10:9, who will be saved?
ANSWER:  You, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead. (cf Rom 9:27; 10:9, 13; 11:26)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 10:11, Scripture says what? 
ANSWER:  “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” (cf Rom 9:17; 10:11; 11:3; Jam 4:5, 6)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 10:12, there is no what?
ANSWER:  Distinction between Jew and Greek. (cf Rom 3:18, 22; 4:15; 10:12; 13:1; Jam 1:17)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 10:13, who will be saved?
ANSWER:  Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord. (cf Rom 9:27; 10:9, 13; 11:26)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 10:15, what is written?
ANSWER:  “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” (cf Rom 1:17; 2:24; 3:4, 10; 4:17; 8:36; 9:13, 33; 10:15; 11:8, 26; 12:19; 14:11; 15:3, 9, 21)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 10:16, Isaiah says what?
ANSWER:  “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” (cf Rom 9:27, 29; 10:16, 20; 15:12)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 10:18, I ask what?
ANSWER:  Have they not heard? (cf Rom 10:18, 19; 11:1, 11)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 10:19, I ask what?
ANSWER:  Did Israel not understand? (cf Rom 10:18, 19; 11:1, 11)

Happy Birthday, Coach Matt!

Today is Coach Matt's birthday.  If you can, take a moment today to drop him an e-mail and wish him a happy and blessed day.

FINISH THE VERSE: Romans 10

Remember, the full list of FTV's can always be found at this link. The // in the verse marks the minimum number of words you need from the FTV to uniquely identify it.

QUESTION: This // means that it is not... 
ANSWER:  ...the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. (Romans 9:8)

QUESTION: For Christ // is the end...
ANSWER:  ...of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. (Romans 10:4)

QUESTION: Because // if you confess... 
ANSWER:  ...with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (Romans 10:9-10)

QUESTION:  For there // is no distinction...
ANSWER:  ...between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:12-13)

QUESTION:  But how // are they to call... 
ANSWER:  ...on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” (Romans 10:14-15)


QUESTION:  So faith // comes from hearing...
ANSWER:  ...and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)

VOCABULARY: Romans 10

Paul had a large vocabulary, so sometimes he uses words with which you may be unfamiliar.  This weekly series attempts to help by highlighting potentially unfamiliar terminology.  If there are additional words you need help with, please e-mail the coaches.

Romans 10 Vocabulary:

Ignorant:  Lacking knowledge or education

Abyss:  A deep pit or chasm, sometimes referring to the grave

Bestowing:  Giving as a gift or leaving to as an inheritance

Contrary:  Stubbornly opposing

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: Redeemed

THIS WEEK: Study Romans, Chapter 10

This week (November 18 thru November 24), please read Romans, chapter 10

If you want to read the chapter online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

Click here to download an MP3 of the chapter.

If you'd like to read a commentary on the chapter, click here. (Free website, ChristNotes.Org)

If you want to download the puzzle for this week, click here.

Study Tip: During the holiday season, it becomes increasingly difficult to stay focused on Quiz Team.  Parties, concerts, plays, etc. eat more and more into your daily study time. How do you cope? First, accept the fact that your life will have competing priorities and that sometimes Quiz Team can't be #1. Second, realize that we only HAVE time if we MAKE TIME. Set aside some time every day for studying. Make it the same time, as much as possible, and try to be disciplined. Eventually, study time will become a habit, and something you won't have to work so hard to keep up.

Upcoming Events:
- November 23, Quiz Meet in Monroe, CT

CHAPTER REVIEW: Romans 9

If you'll miss practice this week we don't want you to miss out on the review of the chapter.  You can download Coach Mark's lesson by clicking here, or on the image below.

REFERENCE QUESTIONS: Romans 9

Remember, the full list of Reference Questions can always be found in the sidebar or at this link.

QUESTION:  According to Romans 9:3, who are my kinsmen? 
ANSWER:  My brothers. (cf Rom 9:3; 16:7, 11, 21)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 9:5, who is blessed forever? 
ANSWER:  The Christ (who is God over all). (cf Rom 1:25)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 9:13, what is written?
ANSWER:  “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” (cf Rom 1:17; 2:24; 3:4, 10; 4:17; 8:36; 9:13, 33; 10:15; 11:8, 26; 12:19; 14:11; 15:3, 9, 21)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 9:17, Scripture says what?
ANSWER:   (To Pharaoh:) “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” (cf Rom 9:17; 10:11; 11:3; Jam 4:5, 6)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 9:20, who are you to do what? 
ANSWER:  Answer back to God? (cf Rom 9:20; 14:4; Jam 4:12)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 9:27, who will be saved?
ANSWER:  Only a remnant of them. (cf Rom 9:27; 10:9, 13; 11:26)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 9:33, what is written?
ANSWER:  “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” (cf Rom 1:17; 2:24; 3:4, 10; 4:17; 8:36; 9:13, 33; 10:15; 11:8, 26; 12:19; 14:11; 15:3, 9, 21)

WEEKLY COMIC: Prayer Styles

FINISH THE VERSE: Romans 9

Remember, the full list of FTV's can always be found at this link. The // in the verse marks the minimum number of words you need from the FTV to uniquely identify it.

QUESTION: This // means that it is not... 
ANSWER:  ...the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. (Romans 9:8)

QUESTION: But who are // you, O man...
ANSWER:  ...to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honored use and another for dishonorable use? (Romans 9:20-21)

VOCABULARY: Romans 9

Paul had a large vocabulary, so sometimes he uses words with which you may be unfamiliar.  This weekly series attempts to help by highlighting potentially unfamiliar terminology.  If there are additional words you need help with, please e-mail the coaches.

Romans 9 Vocabulary:

Unceasing:  Never ending

Anguish:  severe suffering

Accursed:  Living under a curse

Covenants:  Contracts or agreements between two parties

Patriarchs:  The earliest or greatest fathers among a person's ancestors.  For Israel, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, or the 12 sons of Jacob.

Forefather:  One of the males among a person's ancestors.

Exertion:  A great effort or work

Vessels:  A hollow container, like a pot

Remnant:  The few surviving individuals after a great calamity or tribulation

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: The Rock Won't Move

THIS WEEK: Study Romans, Chapter 9

This week (November 11 thru November 17), please read Romans, chapter 9

If you want to read the chapter online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

Click here to download an MP3 of the chapter.

If you'd like to read a commentary on the chapter, click here. (Free website, BibleGateway.Com)

If you want to download the puzzle for this week, click here.

Study Tip: Looking for more study tips from a different source? Check out StudyTips.Org for other ideas for improving your studying of the Bible and in school.

Upcoming Events:
- November 23, Quiz Meet in Monroe, CT

REMINDER: No practice today

Just a reminder that we will not be meeting for practice today.  All Sunday Schools are combined to hear about the short-term missions trips from this year.  Enjoy a day off, but don't let up!  We're right onto Romans 9 next week and the Quiz Meet is almost upon us!

BIBLE NEWS: Tweeting the WHOLE Bible

For the last three years, one dedicated user on Twitter has been tweeting a summary of every chapter of the Bible, one day at a time.  As of Friday, he has completed his project with the tweet "Rev22: The river of life flows from the throne of God. "Behold, I am coming soon. I am the beginning and the end." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!"  Now that is a social network worth following!

WEEKLY COMIC: Starting a Garden

LOOKING DEEPER: Calvin's Commentary on Romans

Are you enjoying working through the book of Romans?  There's a lot of theological depth and meat here.  If you are interested in looking deeper, consider checking out John Calvin's Commentary on Romans, available online for free!

BONUS COMIC: WWJD?

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: You Alone

THIS WEEK: Review Romans, Chapter 1-4

This week (October 4 thru November 10), please read Romans, chapter 1-4

If you want to read the chapters online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

If you need any resources from these past chapters, they're still available on the original posts:

• Romans 1
• Romans 2
• Romans 3
• Romans 4

Study Tip: It's tempting to use review weeks to sit back and watch TV instead of studying the old material.  But these are key opportunities to solidify your knowledge of sections on which you are weak.  Take a moment to read thru the chapters and identify areas of weakness.  Then find someone to sit with and quiz through those rough spots.

Upcoming Events:
- November 23, Quiz Meet in Monroe, CT

CHAPTER REVIEW: Romans 8

If you'll miss practice this week we don't want you to miss out on the review of the chapter.  You can download Coach Mark's lesson by clicking here, or on the image below.

REFERENCE QUESTIONS: Romans 8

Remember, the full list of Reference Questions can always be found in the sidebar or at this link.

QUESTION:  According to Romans 8:6, what is death?
ANSWER:  To set the mind on the flesh. (cf Rom 6:23)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 8:10, what is dead? 
ANSWER:  The body (cf Rom 8:10; Jas 2:17, 26)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 8:16, the Spirit himself what?
A. Bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. (cf Rom 8:26)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 8:22, we know that what?
ANSWER:  The whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. (cf Rom 2:2; 3:19; 6:6, 9; 7:14; 8:22, 28)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 8:26, the Spirit himself what?
ANSWER:  Intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

QUESTION:  According to Romans 8:28, we know that what?
ANSWER:  For those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (cf Rom 2:2; 3:19; 6:6, 9; 7:14; 8:22, 28)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 8:32, he did not spare whom? 
ANSWER:  His own Son. (cf Rom 11:21)

QUESTION:  According to Romans 8:36, what is written?
ANSWER:  “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” (cf cf Rom 1:17; 2:24; 3:4,10; 4:17; 8:36; 9:13,33: 10:15; 11:8,26; 12:19: 14:11; 15:3,9,21)

Reformation Day

Yesterday was not only a day for candy and costumes.  It was also "Reformation Day" - the anniversary of the day Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg.

Martin Luther was a monk and a theologian of the Catholic Church in the 1500s. He had struggled his whole life with overwhelming feelings of guilt and awareness of his own sinfulness. He finally was able to overcome this by studying the book of Romans, where he learned that salvation is a Free Gift and that Jesus Christ had already done everything required by God.  He was known for both his scholarly teaching of students, and his compelling sermons at the local church. 

Pope Leo X needed money to fund the building of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, so he sent out priests on a fund-raised selling "indulgences".  Indulgences were pieces of paper that could be bought to get loved ones who had died out of Hell and into Heaven.  (This Pope didn't start the practice.  It was well-established by this time.  But it had not been seen in Germany during Luther's lifetime.)  Some of the priests of the time were so zealous to sell indulgences that they used tactics that we'd associate with a "used car dealer" today.   

Luther was outraged to see people selling Christ's "free gift".  He put together his 95 Theses - a list of 95 statements of what Luther believed to be true - and nailed them to the door of the local church.  (This was a common practice of the time for advertisements.)  He intended to have a scholarly debate on the subject with other theologians.  But copied of his 95 These made their way to Rome, and the pope ordered that Luther be tried for heresy (i.e. teaching false things about the Bible and the Church). 

The trial and its results triggered the Reformation, whereby nations and churches broke away from the Catholic Church and formed the many denominations of Christianity we know today.