“…I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one” (I John 2:14).

For over four decades, Bible quizzing has equipped the young Apostolic church with a firm doctrinal foundation, nourishment to grow, confidence to pursue ministry, and power to overcome the wicked one. The ministry of Bible quizzing should remain a priority for three reasons: the young church has time, choices, and purpose.

The primary reason people do not join Bible quizzing is a perceived lack of time. USA Today reports, among eight to eighteen year olds, American youth spend between eight and a half hours to thirteen hours per day using media, including watching television and over one hour per day using mobile devices. Approximately six hours every day are spent on the computer, listening to music, or playing video games.

The young church has time.

Every day yields thousands of choices for our children and teens. The Word of God provides illumination at every turn. The psalmist wrote, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). David echoed this sentiment when he penned, “The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide” (Psalm 37:31). Not only does the Word of God keep someone on the right path, it also helps them find it. Psalm 119:9 says, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.” Without the Word of God guiding their choices, our young people are walking, without a lamp, down a broad and crowded road (Matthew 7:13).

As it has been said before, our most valuable resource is our children. Each young person has a unique role designed for them in the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:18). In order to fulfill their God-given purpose, our young people must reach spiritual maturity (Hebrews 5:11-14; 6:1). To reach maturity, they need nourishment. For this reason, I believe many new converts find their testimony firmly rooted in Bible quizzing. Both the Western District quiz director, Arlis Barba, and I joined Bible quizzing shortly after being born again. I believe “the milk of the Word” was exactly what we needed as newborns in Christ (I Peter 2:2). With the proper spiritual nutrition, the young church can thrive in its pursuit of God’s purpose (Matthew 4:4).

I would be remiss to leave out the young church’s passion. With that passion, hundreds of Apostolics across North America will memorize hundreds of scriptures this year. The theme for 2015 is the “Way of Wisdom.” The young church will immerse themselves in ageless wisdom from I Kings, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes.

To learn more about Bible quizzing, please visit www.seniorbiblequizzing.com.

Jay Lytle is an optometrist in the greater Columbus, Ohio area and has served as the director of Ohio Senior Bible Quizzing since 2011. He was won to the Lord by a Bible quizzer in high school and went on to quiz for four years in Dublin, Ohio. He now lives in Dublin with his loving wife, Brittany, whom he met in Bible quizzing.