The National Bible Bowl is an annual competition that tests the Bible knowledge of hundreds of young people (6-12 graders). The tournament involves an Individual Written Achievement Test, a Quote-Bee, Round Robin competition, and the main Double Elimination Tournament. The TV network TLC followed seven teams who competed in the 2015 National Bible Bowl in Cincinnati, Ohio.
All of the teens memorize 1100 verses of the Bible. On camera, the teens admit to studying 12 to 13 hours a day. One says her coach keeps them “locked up in rooms for hours and makes us study without food.” Another says if she doesn’t put her faith in God, she’ll mess up big time. Those who make it to the final round tend to be confident, “God has given me an ability to play this game,” but that doesn’t mean they aren’t vulnerable too. Tears and tantrums associated with teenagers are abundant. Bible Bowl premieres Monday, December 28 at 8pm on TLC.
