Safehaven Bible Quiz

2 July 2002

By Sam

[Questions can be found here.]

I approached Clarence with the idea about having a Bible Quiz on the 4 gospels in mid-May for Safe Haven because I had envisioned that such an event might be a good opportunity for everyone to bond. Something informal, something fun, but certainly, a time of learning for everyone, especially the participants. I say this because I was once a contestant in my ex-church's bible quiz representing the Youth Fellowship along with two others. It was a good experience having to read the Gospels (same syllabus) and bolster yourself some essential head knowledge about Jesus Christ and His ministry. The quiz itself was fun - everyone had a great time, even for those who were not participating, as they sat there seeing if they could answer the questions if they were up there.

Clarence agreed to the idea and promptly put me entirely in charge. That put me in a tizzy, as I now have to read through ALL the gospels again in order to source for quirky, interesting questions. I count that as a blessing, for it has re-newed an interest in studying the Bible more closely.

Teams were organised, syllabus was finalised (Gospels and Genesis), a date was fixed (originally 18th June), and Nicholas Lum took his own initiative to ask if I needed help and offered to contribute questions on Genesis. But God had His own plan. The Quiz was postponed for two weeks.

I was worried whether the members would be receptive to having a Quiz of such a nature, since there has never been one in Safe Haven. Quizzes can be a pain - time has to be invested on studying, something which some people can ill afford. It wasn't easy getting participants, but eventually, the Lord provided 5 teams out of 7 cell-groups on 2nd July 2002. I was thankful.

The Quiz was kicked off with the First Round, comprising 6 questions that had to be answered in one minute. That got the teams in a frenzy, trying to answer the trickier and tougher questions under the timer. Round One ended on a fairly equal footing, with teams being only a few points apart each other. By the second round, certain teams had clearly gotten the lead, namely Fish, Grapevines and Newwine, but it was eventually the final round - the speed round - which decided a winner, Newwine. Grapevines and Fish came in a very close second and third respectively. All 3 teams were awarded book prizes courtesy of Clarence.

Judging from the response from the 'audience', I would say that most of them got quite involved in the quiz. The cheerful rowdiness, the smiles, the supporting of their respective cell-groups warmed my heart. More importantly, I hope the quiz got everyone thinking of the questions. Even as 'spectators', I hope that members tried to see if they could answer these questions themselves.

I thank God for this learning experience. I am a complely un-Logistics person, and forgot about planning for resources apart from setting the questions. Yet He managed to provide for me even at the very last moment - mahjung paper, markers, handphones that doubled as stop-watches etc. He taught me not to worry or fret; to trust Him, that He will bring everything to completion.

Some have approached me telling me they enjoyed the questions/quiz. I thank God. Others have mentioned that we should have a yearly Bible Quiz. I leave that in God's hands.