Nazarene Bible Quizzing (also known as "Youth Quizzing," "Teen Quizzing," or "Bible Quizzing Ministry"), is a program for discipleship for (in the United States/Canada Region) youth ages 12–18 and/or in 6th-12th grades. Nazarene Bible Quizzing emphasizes Scripture memorization and application/discipleship, using a form of Bible Quiz competition for 6th-12th graders all over the world, sponsored by the Church of the Nazarene.
Contents
In Nazarene Bible Quizzing, two or three teams of up to five members compete against each other with participants jumping from a chair to answer a question. The jumping triggers an electronic lockout device in the seat, and only the first person to jump may answer the question. Should someone jump before the question is completed they must finish the question and give the answer. In this respect, it is similar to other Christian denominational Bible quiz ministries.
Each year, the material is chosen from a predetermined list of books in the New Testament. Over its eight-year cycle, Nazarene Bible Quzzing covers over half of the New Testament.
Types of questions
In quizzing, there are eight different kinds of questions used and 20 questions in a round. "Situation" questions are used when the predetermined books being studied are that of a story or an actual timeline (Matthew, Luke, John, Acts), and "In What Book and Chapter" Questions take the place of the Situation questions during the years where the letters are being studied (Hebrews and 1 & 2 Peter, Romans and James, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians-Ephesians-Philippians-Colossians-Philemon).
The quiz cycle
The current quiz cycle is determined by the World Bible Quizzing Association, and repeats every 8 years.
*General Assembly year
Q Q event
† Nazarene Youth Conference year
Levels of competition
Official Nazarene Bible quizzes can be placed in two categories:
- Districts - This is the most basic officially sanctioned level of quizzing. Usually, states are divided into multiple districts. Sometimes a district will include areas from more than one state. The number of districts in a state can range from 1 to over 10. A quizzer attends these meets in order to practice and qualify for the end-of-the-year Regional quiz. Normally, the top ten quizzers from the final district meet are sent in two separate teams (A and B) to the Regional Quiz. District meets serve little purpose for expert quizzers aside from qualification for Regional unless the district has multiple expert-level quizzers. Districts that have multiple expert-level quizzers as of 2015 include Tennessee, Oklahoma, South Texas, Northern California, Dallas, Mid-Atlantic, and a few more. However, all districts are breeding grounds for up-and-coming quizzers. District meets also serve the purpose of meeting new people and providing enough competition for casual or novice quizzers who may never attend an invitational.
- Regionals - This division usually consists of 3-10 districts. Quizzers qualify for regional level competition based on the final monthly district quiz which is typically in March or April. The top ten quizzers are again split into two separate teams (A and B) and sent to Nationals. The United States consists of 8 distinct regions; one region is assigned to each of the Nazarene universities found in the United States. The 80 quizzers who qualify for Regional Team Quizzing at Nationals are dubbed Regional-Level Quizzers and are occasionally referred to as "experts."
- Nationals - Nationals take place at the General Assembly or at the Nazarene Youth Conference (these events are held once every two years and alternate so that each event occurs only once every four years), or at a Q event held at one of the Nazarene Universities, and the top quizzers from English speaking countries compete. The top quizzers are chosen through one of the 8 Regional competitions that occur in March, April, and May. The Regional Teams normally participate in a double round robin tournament, receive seedings ranging from 1 to 8, and then participate in a double-elimination tournament. At the end of the quizzing the teams are ranked 1-8, the A-division quizzers 1-40, and the B-division quizzers 1-40 (41-80 if considered on an A/B combined scale). A Q event also involves quizzes for local churches and districts. Teams may compete in divisions such as Novice, Experienced, and Regional-Level. While General Assembly and Nazarene Youth Conference events hold only Regional-Level competition.
- Invitational - This quiz meet style does not mean that all teams require an invitation but that some qualification process is required to attend. The only true Non-National invitational is the St. Louis Top Ten. This quiz can only be attended by the A and B teams from a district. It is notable because it is the only Non-National competition that discourages local church teams and encourages A and B district teams. It is always held in early December, half way through the season. The Tri-State tournament is the next closest thing to an invitational because any team that is not located on the Mount Vernon Nazarene University region that wishes to compete must be invited based on performances at other tournaments and at Q events. A team will typically play against 40% of the other teams and then all of the teams are sorted into roughly 4-7 divisions and each receives a seeding in one division. Each division has an elimination tournament and the top three teams are ranked based on their performance. Individual quizzers are ranked based on their performance in pre-tournament rounds.
- Tournament - This quiz meet style is exactly the same as an invitational but is open to quizzers and teams of all skill levels and abilities. This level of competition allows expert quizzers to compete with others of the same caliber from around the country. Most tournaments tend to host teams from 2-4 different regions. District A and B teams, or "cup teams", are strictly forbidden from quizzing at these events.