Scholarship Promotes Bible Study

School has almost started and it’s time for students to reclaim their brains from the drudgery of summer jobs and late night festivities. “Reclaiming Your Brain” is a scholarship opportunity to help with just that. It challenges students to memorize Bible scripture and recite it in the style of a traditional spelling bee.

Students who participate will be eligible for three scholarship awards to be used at Southwestern Adventist University. The scholarship for firstplace is $20,000, secondplace is $10,000 and thirdplace is $5,000, all made available courtesy of an anonymous donor.  While the scholarship is important, the donor hopes to give away much more than just money.

“Looking back on my life, I have come to realize that Bible study is the foundation of all that God has done in my life,” he says. “Even though there are only three temporal awards, everyone wins when they put God’s word in their hearts; both now and for eternity,” says the donor.

Students compete by reciting Bible verses word for word. This year’s theme is the Sermon on the Mount. Contestants will be asked to write out or recite Matthew 5, 6 and 7 along with Proverbs 3 from the NIV translation. There are several editions of the NIV, so Southwestern will provide a list of the correct version on its website.

Competitors will also have to study two Bible books.  Questions will be asked to challenge the contestants’ understanding of the principles and concepts presented in these books.

A series of qualifying rounds will take place before the “Reclaiming Your Brain” final. Qualifying rounds will be held at Southwestern Adventist University as well as at different academies throughout the Southwestern Union. If a contestant can’t attend a qualifying round, they may ask their pastor to contact Southwestern Campus Ministries about how to be a proctor.

The first qualifying round is in November. Contestants will be asked to write out Matthew 5. At the second round in January, contestants will write Matthew 5 and 6. Additional rounds will be determined based on the number of contestants that register. The finals will be held at Southwestern in April.

Registration is online at Southwestern Adventist University’s website and will cost $10. For those who come to the finals there will be an additional fee of $50 paid to Southwestern for hosting expense.

“Studying this was challenging but not impossible,” said Elizabeth Marin, participant in 2012. “If you want to do this you have to be determined. It’s challenging and difficult, but God knows your effort and what you’re doing, so have faith.”

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