Do you know who the first Christian martyr was? Or who replaces Judas Iscariot as the 12th apostle? Or how to escape imprisonment by Herod Agrippa? Wrangell’s youth Bible Bowl team knows. For the first time in 15 years, the town has a competitive Bible quiz crew in The Salvation Army competition.
Since December, the five team members have met regularly, sometimes as often as twice a week, to study and memorize the biblical Book of Acts. The competition involves two rounds of 50 questions. Each team member answers questions on a tablet that calculates their individual speed and accuracy, but teams progress based on the performance of the group as a whole.
The Wrangell team took first place in the divisional competition in Ketchikan at the end of March, which means they will represent Alaska at the territorial competition in Los Angeles in June.
“I think we can take first place this year,” said their coach, Damon Roher. “I kind of expect with the way the kids are going that they have a pretty good chance of if not taking first place, at least being solid runners-up.”
Team member Everett Edens, a sixth grader, felt “nervous and excited” at the divisional tournament. He looks forward to competing in Los Angeles and going to Disneyland with the team.
His dad, James Edens, is impressed by his son’s and the team’s accomplishments. “I knew they would do great,” he said, “I’m just really proud of them because sometimes the studying is pretty monotonous. But I think it’s pretty special skill.”
Also called the Acts of the Apostles, Acts is the fifth book in the Christian New Testament. It tells the story of the founding of the Christian church and how the faith spread throughout the Roman empire.
Among its most famous stories are Jesus’ ascension into heaven, the day of Pentecost and the Christian conversion of the apostle Paul.
“It is a really fun book of the Bible,” said Everett Edens. “Saul, one of the major people that wrote most of the New Testament, became Paul, the guy we usually know.”
According to the text, Saul was on his way to Damascus to arrest followers of Jesus when he was enveloped in heavenly light. After this spiritual encounter, he converted to Christianity and changed his name to Paul.
Everett’s other favorite stories include Peter’s vision of animals descending from heaven and Paul’s rescue of a young boy named Eutychus, who had fallen from a third-story window.
The Wrangell team members come from a variety of Christian faiths — or have no religious affiliation. Roher believes that Bible Bowl is a valuable experience regardless of the relationship participants have with the text. For some, it might be an exercise in memorization, similar to a quiz game show. For others, it’s an opportunity to engage deeply with gospel stories.
“I think from a non-religious standpoint, it just helps teach good principles and good morals,” he said. “From a religious standpoint, it just helps the children learn the Bible more in-depth and truly understand what they’re reading. I think it’s awesome that we have such a diverse group.”
When Roher was growing up, he also participated in the tournament. “I had a really good experience when I did it as a teenager,” he said, “and I wanted my kids to have that experience too.”
Roher plans to continue coaching next year.
Contact The Salvation Army at 907-874-3753 for information.
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