Getting Started in Bible Quizzing

Bible Quizzing is a dynamic, life-changing discipleship ministry centered on memorizing and applying Scripture. If you or your church in Arizona are interested in launching a Bible Quizzing ministry, here’s a roadmap to get started.

What is Bible Quizzing?

It’s a spiritual discipline and team-based competition where young people memorize large portions of Scripture (for seniors often 400-550 verses in a season) word-for-word,  from the King James Version.

Participants are tested not just on memorization but on understanding and applying the Word through different kinds of questions.

More than just a contest, it builds character: faithfulness, humility, sacrifice, teamwork, discipline, accountability, and a deeper love for God’s Word.

Who Can Join & What Divisions Exist

There is no minimum age and the maximum age is 18. Learn more about the various divisions and age cut offs. 

Time Commitment & Season Length

Studying, memorizing, reviewing: expect 7-10 hours per week far as practice and Scripture work go. Often, that’s an hour or more daily.

The quiz “season” usually spans about 9 months. Local practices begin early (sometimes in fall), district or regional meets happen throughout the spring, with finals often in late spring or early summer, and national or major tournaments later.

Churches are free to adjust this to fit their schedules (for example, summer camps, other commitments in your area).

How to Establish a Bible Quizzing Ministry in Your Church

If your church is considering starting, here are key steps:

1. Pray about it – Quizzing is a big commitment! Pray about and feel after the will of God. It is a worthwhile investment, but as with any new venture, we want to cover it in prayer.
2. Get leadership support – Talk with your pastor or church leadership to cast the vision. Having pastoral approval and parental backing is fundamental.
3. Connect with the regional/district coordinator – In Arizona or in your denominational structure, find the district or regional person who oversees Bible Quizzing. They can help with scheduling, resources, and networking. Send us a message and we happy to have a call or meet with you to talk about how to get you involved!
4. Gather a small core team – You need at least two young people to form a small quiz team, plus a coach. Even more is better, but don’t wait on “perfect numbers” to get started.
5. Secure materials and equipment
   1. Study guides and quiz cards (flash card style)
   2. Rules manual
   3. A buzzer system & scoring software if you anticipate doing competitive meets
   4. Extra resources like a good concordance, flash card apps or digital tools
6. Set up a memorization schedule
   1. Regular daily or almost-daily time for memorization
   2. Weekly team/coach check-ins or reviews
   3. Break scripture into manageable chunks. Use consistency so quizzers know what to expect.
7. Establish weekly practice – Weekly meetings for review, memorization, drills with sample quiz questions. The more regular, the more natural the discipline becomes.
8. Plan for competition – Figure out what tournaments you will attend: local church tournaments, district level, invitational events, regional meets, maybe a national championship if your structure has one.
9. Budgeting – Costs to consider:
   1. Printed materials (study guides, quiz-cards)
   2. Equipment like buzzer systems
   3. Travel costs for tournaments
   4. Yearly district registration fees
   5. Tournament registration fees for national events, should you chose to attend
10. Have a vision beyond this season – Bible Quizzing works best when there’s consistency. Think in terms of growth, sustaining quizzers, training new coaches, building a culture of Scripture in your church.

Memorization Tips & How Bible Quizzers Learn

Memorization can feel daunting, but there are proven methods. Here are “levels” of growth that quizzers often move through:

• Level 1: Routine & accountability
  Have a regular time & place to study. Be accountable daily: a coach, parent, or teammate checking in.
• Level 2: Understand what you are learning
  Don’t just memorize cold. Read the context. Ask who, what, where, when, why, how. Identify repeated words, cause and effect. Apply what you learn personally.
• Level 3: Concentrate & repeat
  Use methods like breaking verses into phrases, saying the reference, visualizing the words or hearing them in your mind. Use small distractions criteria (no phone, quiet space). Some people write only first letters of words or use “phrase methods” to aid recall.
• Level 4: Review daily
  Reviewing past verses is just as important as learning new ones. Use flash cards, have someone else read the references, keep lists of verses that are harder, revisit them often. Don’t let small mistakes creep in.

How the Quiz Works

• Two teams face off. Each has a “board” of up to 3 quizzers. There are live buzzers. Coaches sit behind the teams.
• A quiz has a fixed number of questions (e.g. 20 for seniors and 15 for juniors). The questions increase in point value as you go through the quiz. Early questions are lower points, later more challenging questions are higher value.
• Rules vary, but typically if a question is not answered within a time limit (say 5 seconds), it’s closed to both teams. When someone buzzes, they usually have 30 seconds to respond. Incorrect answers may lose points (often half the value), correct answers get full points.

What It Costs

Here are typical start-up expenses:

• Study guides, quiz cards, rules manual
• A buzzer system (if you want to mimic tournament settings)
• Scoring software (a yearly fee)
• Concordance or digital resources
• Questions to be used during practice – Costs may vary based on vendor, shipping, and the number of quizzers. For example, some materials may cost between $10-$25 each;
• Travel & tournament fees

Why is it Worth it?

• Deep knowledge of Scripture that sticks.
• Spiritual growth: discipline, accountability, hunger for learning.
• Strong relationships with coaches and teammates.
• Training ground for future leadership in church and life.
• Fun competition: quizzing stretches your mind and spirit, and there’s joy in seeing progress.

Starting Your Bible Quiz Team in Arizona

• You’re in the right place! Send us a message and we can connect with you and answer any additional questions you may have!
• Look for local mentors or experienced quizzers who’ve already competed in regional or national tournaments; they can give guidance.

Next Steps

If you’re ready to start:

1. Reach out to your church leadership with this vision.
2. Find a district or regional coordinator in Arizona who can connect you with others.
3. Get basic materials: study guide and quiz cards for at least two quizzers.
4. Schedule your first weekly practice.
5. Announce to families in your church; invite interested youth to try this out.