Each Bible category has specific rules.  A brief overview has been given, however, the coordinator should be contacted for additional rules.

Since the guidelines and rules on this page are meant as an overview; once there is interest in a category it is necessary to read the exact requirements in the AACS Manual.   There may be specific rules that need to be followed.

Division 1:  Bible Quizzing (SH, JH/EL combined)  Homeschoolers cannot participate.

Bible quizzing is a team category, with teams consisting of 2-5 members.  It’s a “jump-quizzing” competition measuring Bible knowledge and speed of recall.

Division 2: Bible Memory 

Competition will be conducted in the traditional spelling bee fashion.

If any student wishes to participate in Bible Memory a list of verses and complete rules for how the Bible Memory will be conducted can be obtained from the CHEWV Coordinator upon request.

Division 3: Bible Teaching – limited to grades 7-12

Competition in this category shall provide opportunity for developing organizational and teaching talent for God‘s use.

1. Students may be either young men or young women.

2. Each student will prepare and teach a Bible lesson from 10 to 15 minutes in length. A missionary biography or contemporary story is not sufficient. The lesson should be based on a Bible character, a Bible doctrine, or a concept taught in Scripture.

3. Each lesson will be prepared for a class of junior-age children, ages 9-12.

4. Each lesson may include some type of audio and/or visual aid. These aids do not have to be original.

5. Lessons may be original or from published or unpublished sources.

6. Each student will submit three copies of the typewritten lesson outline to the judges at the time of presentation. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.

7. The lesson outline will include the following:    a.  Outline of lesson content    b.  Objectives of lesson   c.  Specific principle(s) to be taught     d.  Scripture references    e. Materials required   f.  Brief summary of lesson   g. Bibliography of references

8. Selected students will be chosen from the first session to participate in the final competition session.

Division 4: Bible Preaching

Category 1: Expository Preaching – Sr. High only

Category 2: Evangelistic Preaching – Sr. High and Jr. High only

Category 3: Topical Preaching – Sr. High only

General Rules

1. Entry will be restricted to young men.

2. Each student will prepare a sermon between 10 and 15 minutes in length.

3. Each student will present three copies of his typewritten sermon outline to the judges at the time of delivery.

4. The outline guidelines are as follows:   a.  It should be done in a standard subordination format.   b.  It should be done in sentence form, with transition sentences.   c.  It should include a written introduction and conclusion.   d.  It should include a title, theme, and Scripture references.

5. Selected students will be chosen from the first session to participate in the final competition session. 6. The King James Version will be the only authorized translation.

Rules by Category

Category 1: Expository

An expository sermon is one in which a portion of Scripture is interpreted in relation to one theme or central idea. The bulk of the material for the sermon is drawn directly from the passage, and the outline consists of a series of progressive ideas centered on that one main idea.

Category 2: Evangelistic

An evangelistic sermon may be either expository, topical, or textual, but one which is primarily directed toward the lost, with the goal of drawing them to Christ. Since an evangelistic sermon may be textual in nature, it is good to have a definition of textual preaching also. A textual sermon is one in which the main divisions are derived from a text consisting of a brief portion of Scripture. Each of these divisions is then used as a line of suggestion, and the text provides the theme of the sermon.

Category 3: Topical

A topical sermon is one in which the main divisions are derived from the topic, independently of a text. Scripture passages should be used to support the topic.

Division 5:  Sword Drill – (Elementary only – recommended 5th & 6th graders.  Cannot participate in Spelling bee)

• Students should be divided into rounds of no more than 8 students per round.  They can draw numbers for the rounds or be pre-assigned for the rounds.
• Tape should be placed on the platform to form a line.  All participants should stand behind the tape facing the moderator and the audience.  The moderator should sit at a table or in the pew and use a microphone.
• Bibles (supplied by WVCEA) shall be held straight up (elbows unbent) over the head with one arm, having the other arm down at the side.  The moderator shall give the Scripture reference twice, then say “Charge!”  The students then look up the verse, and step over the tape line with their finger on the verse.
• There should be at least 3 line judges on the platform with the students (off to the side).  One line judge will be assigned to watch for the first person over the line.  That judge will then position him/herself next to that person and verify that the student’s finger is on the verse just called.  Another line judge will be assigned to watch for the second person over the line, and then the third line judge will watch for the 3rd person over the line.  Each judge will then stand by that person, verify that the student does have his/her finger on the correct verse, then give that person’s name and “first”, “second” or “third” to the score keeper.
• The student’s finger must be on the verse, not moving to it.  If the student is on an incorrect verse or is moving to the verse and not on it, 10 points will be deducted.
• 10 points are given to the 1st person, 5 points are given to the 2nd person, and 3 points are given to the 3rd person finding the correct verse.  The students do not read the verse.
• A round is complete whenever one person reaches 70 points.  The 1st place person will have 70 points, whoever has the next most points will be considered 2nd, and the next highest will be considered 3rd.  The final round will consist of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place students from each preliminary round.  The final round will conclude when someone reaches 100 points.  That person will be the winner; second place will be the person with the second highest number of points, and third place will be the person with the third highest number of points.

Division 6:  Bible Preaching with Technology – Senior High can participate in Expository, Evangelistic, and Topical; Jr. High can participate in Evangelistic only.

The same rules apply as the normal Bible Preaching but different technology mediums may be used to enhance the content of the sermon subject and illustrations, as well.  NEVER SHOULD TECHNOLOGY REPLACE THE SPEAKER.

Division 7:  Bible Teaching with Technology

JH & SH are able to participate.  The same rules apply as for normal Bible Teaching but different technology mediums may be used to enhance the content of the lesson and illustration, as well.  NEVER SHOULD TECHNOLOGY REPLACE THE SPEAKER.