Texas Bible Bowl Coach's Guidelines

This is a guideline for the 2024 Texas Bible Bowl competition that contains the rules, regulations, and what to expect during the competition that can be used by new or experienced coaches to get the participants ready for the competition.   A PDF copy can be downloaded at the link below.

Rules and Regulations

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1.    BIBLE TEXT USED
  1. CURRICULUM 
    1. We operate with a 10 Year Subject Rotation and match the subject material for other organizations so participants may compete in several places. Our rotation of subjects is:
      • ​Genesis
      • Matthew
      • Life of Moses (Exodus 1-20, 32-34; Numbers 1-3, 10-14, 16-17, 20-27, 31-36; Deuteronomy 31-34)
      • Luke
      • Joshua, Judges, Ruth
      • Acts
      • 1st Samuel
      • John
      • 2nd Samuel
      • Revelation
  2. BIBLE VERSION
    1. All questions are taken from the Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
    2. Each participant must provide their own copy of the text for studying and use on the test.
  3. DOWNLOAD VS PRINTED BIBLE
    1. Photocopied or printed copies of the text are allowed.
    2. Printed and copyrighted Bibles are also allowed to be used for study and the test. (Please make note above of the version used to create the test).
  4. HIGHLIGHTING AND NOTE TAKING 
    1. The text used by participants may be formatted and highlighted using the following parameters:
      1. MARGINS / PAGES
        1. Page margins MUST NOT BE MORE THAN 1” on all four sides.
        2. Page breaks MAY NOT BE USED between chapters. This creates more than a 1” bottom margin in some cases and is NOT allowed.
        3. When studying multiple books, page breaks are allowed between books. Handwritten notes remain limited to the 1″ outer margin.
        4. A header/footer with the Books, Chapter Number and/or page number is allowed
        5. Tabs may be used to locate chapters/books. 
      2. NOTE TAKING
        1. Note taking of ANY KIND is allowed within the 1” margins of the text.
        2. Notes must be HANDWRITTEN by the owner of the text and may NOT be provided ahead of time by the coach/teacher.
        3. Most Bible students scribble notes, references and comments in the margins of their Bibles. This aspect of study should not be discouraged. Each student is free to write notes, comments, scribbles, drawings or references in the 1” margins.
      3. HIGHLIGHTING / COLOR CODING
        1. PEOPLE, PLACES, NUMBERS, KEY VERSES, ONE TIME WORDS, ETC. These may be colored coded or highlighted however you like. TBB provides a copy of the highlighted text on the downloads page for your use.
      4. PICTURES AND ARTWORK
        1. Pictures, art, doodling is permitted within the 1” margins of the page.
        2. Drawings must be done by the owner of the text and may NOT be provided ahead of time by the coach/teacher.
    2. ​Our Examples page shows examples of what is and is not acceptable for your text.  These examples are meant to clarify the rules.
  5. ADDITIONAL STUDY AIDS
    1. Coaches can use and provide any additional study aids they want when preparing for the test. Chapter Heading Lists, Maps, Family Trees, Flash Cards, Indexes, etc. are allowed for use AT HOME.
    2. All additional study materials as mentioned above MUST BE REMOVED from your binder or book before the test. Only the text pages with your handwritten notes are permitted for use on the open book test.
    3. You may find additional study materials and guides under the DOWNLOADS tab on the website.
2.    TEAMS AND AGE DIVISIONS.  
  1. AGE DIVISIONS / EXPERIENCE LEVELS
    1. The competition shall consist of various individual divisions based on grade and experience. The four grade divisions are as follows:
      1. The Elementary Division shall consist of students in grades 3-6.
      2. The Junior Division shall consist of students in grades 7-9.
      3. The Senior Division shall consist of students in grades 10-12.
      4. The Adult Division - anyone who is 18 years or older or has completed high school.
    2. With the exception of the Adult division, each of the grade divisions are subdivided into “Inexperienced” and “Experienced” divisions. The “Inexperienced” division is for participants who have not yet competed in Texas Bible Bowl. The “Experienced” division includes everyone who has previously competed in Texas Bible Bowl.
  2. TEAMS
    1. In addition to Individual Divisions, the Junior and Senior Divisions are eligible to compete in a teams competition.
    2. Each team will compete at the highest division AND experience level of the four team participants.
    3. If you have a student younger than 7th grade that you feel would enhance your team, you may use him/her with the understanding that the tests will be designed for the upper grades.
    4. Adults will not compete in the teams competition.
    5. A team consists of (4) students and is formed prior to the beginning of the competition. Churches may form teams of 4 within their own group of students or you may consult with other coaches to form joint teams where you are short members.
    6. Teams may be formed by elevating an individual to a higher age division and/or experience level, but no student may compete lower than their age division or experience level.
      1.  For example: a 6th grader may elevate to compete on a Junior Team. A 9th grader may elevate to compete on a Senior Team.
    7. Teams will compete based on the experience level of the most experienced member of the team.
      1. For example: If an Inexperienced 9th grader elevates to compete with a Senior Experienced Team that team will compete in the Senior Experienced Division.
    8. Students may compete in different age and experience levels in the same competition year.
      1. For example: An Inexperienced 9th grader would compete Junior Individual Inexperienced, but if they join a Senior Experienced Team (as given in the example above) then their team division would be Senior Experienced.
    9.  Please refer to the following matrix for a listing of all divisions and experience levels.   *Elementary Divisions participants may be placed on a higher level team if you feel they will help your team.
  3. SCORING
    1. Individual Scoring
      1. Each test is scored independently with each correct answer worth 1 point.
      2. Individual scores are determined by performances in Rounds 1-5 and the Power Round.
      3. A total score of 250 points is possible for Individuals (See Round Descriptions for more Information)
      4. Elementary aged individuals do not take the Power Round test and therefore have a total possible score of 200 points. If an Elementary student chooses to take the Power Round test it will NOT BE SCORED for their final total and will not affect their placement.
    2. Team Scoring
      1. Team scores are determined by performance in Rounds 1-5, with no regard to the Power Round.
      2. A total score of 200 points is possible for individuals as a contribution to a total team score possibility of 800 points. (See Round Descriptions for more Information)
 3. TESTING 
  1. DESCRIPTION OF ROUNDS AND SAMPLE QUESTIONS
    1.  "Power Round" (This round is optional. However, if your student is competing for individual awards they must take this test. Youth and adults may participate.) 
      1. The Power Round will be administered with no prior indication of its nature.  The test will be very difficult and should be taken by well-prepared students.   It will be CLOSED-BIBLE.  There is no special registration; just be present ten minutes early.
      2. Possible Score:  50 Round Time:  25 minutes
    2. Round 1 - "Find the Verse"  (For all participants)
      1. Using OPEN BIBLES, participants will locate, by giving chapter and verse numbers, forty (40) quotations drawn from the assigned text of the Bible.    (Quotation marks are not required.  ANY reference from the text may be used.  We consider these to be quotations or references since we are quoting the text itself.)  Single words will not be cited.
      2. Possible Score:  40 Round Time:  25 minutes
      3. Sample Question:  
        1. Using your Bible, write the chapter and verse location of each reference in the space provided on the right.
          1. "Everything that lives and moves will be food for you." ____:____
          2. "Now leave this land at once...." ____:____
    3. Round 2 - "Fact Finder"  (For all participants)
      1. Using OPEN BIBLES, participants will answer forty (40) multiple-choice questions by marking one of three multiple-choice answers.
      2. Possible Score:  40 Round Time:  20 minutes
      3. Sample Question:  
        1. Using your Bible, complete each of the following multiple-choice statements by marking the letter corresponding to the correct response on your score card.
          1. How many times did Noah send birds out from the ark?
            A.   Three    B.   Four    C.   Five
          2. Before Abram had any child who was to receive his estate?
            A.   Eleazar B.   Eliezer C.   Eliazar
    4.  ​​​​Round 3 - "Identification"  (For all participants)
      1. Using OPEN BIBLES, participants will, by marking one of five multiple-choice answers, identify forty (40) items (persons, places, things, times, numbers, etc.)
      2. Possible Score:  40 Round Time:  20 minutes
      3. Sample Question:
        1. ​Using your Bible, complete each of the following multiple-choice statements by marking the appropriate letter on your score card.
          1. On the seventh day of creation God
            A.   Blessed the day    B.  Rested    C.  Made it holy  D. All of these  E. None of these
          2. Who was less than 900 years at their death?
            A.  Adam    B.  Noah    C.  Seth  D. All of these  E. None of these
    5.  Round 4 - "Know the Chapter -- Quotations" (For all participants)
      1. WITHOUT USING BIBLES, participants will locate, by chapter number only, forty (40) quotations from the assigned text of the Bible.  (Quotations may be drawn from narrative or discourse.  Quotation marks are not required.  ANY reference from the text may be used.  We consider these to be quotations or references since we are quoting the text itself.)  Single words will not be cited.
      2. Possible Score:  40 Round Time:  15 minutes
      3. Sample Question:
        1. "Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed"
          A.  24    B.  25    C.  26   D.  27    E. None of these
        2. But the Lord God called to the man, 'Where are you?'"
          A.  2     B.  3     C.  4     D.  5     E. None of these
    6.  ​​​Round 5 - "Know the Chapter -- Headings and Events" (For all participants)
      1. WITHOUT USING BIBLES, participants will locate, by chapter number only, forty (40) general descriptions or subject headings of particular sections of Scripture.
      2. Possible Score:  40 Round Time:  10 minutes
      3. Sample Question:
        1. Abraham Pleads For Sodom
          A.  18    B.  19    C.  20   D.  21    E. None of these
        2. Jacob Blesses His Sons
          A.  45    B.  46    C.  47    D.  48    E. None of these​
  2. QUESTION ANSWERING
    1. Each test is scored independently with each correct answer worth 1 point.
    2. For Power Round and Find the Verse answers are marked directly on the test paper in short answer format.
    3. For Rounds 2-5 answers will be marked on a scantron and graded digitally.
    4. Students may also mark answers on their test sheets but these will not be used for grading.
    5. Questions are only provided in written form and will not be asked orally.
  3. TESTING PROCEDURES
    1. GENERAL
      1. All participants across all divisions and experience levels receive the same tests
      2. Participants may not consult at any time during the testing.
      3. Study questions may not be used in any part of the testing.
      4. Only the TEXT (which may include footnotes) of the Bible may be used during testing. 
        1. Time limitations are part of the testing procedure.
        2. In each round, each student will receive the questions in written form. Questions will not be asked orally.
        3. If cheating, or the appearance of cheating, is understood by a proctor or monitor to have occurred, the student will receive a score of zero for that round. Judgment of the official is final and not subject to discussion. This includes the sharing of answers or the use of non-approved study aides.
        4. No student is allowed to take tests early for any reason.
    2. SEATING
      1. Participants will sit at tables away from others from their own teams or congregations
      2. You must remain in your same seat for the duration of the testing
      3. Participants are expected to remain seated while others are taking the test so as not to disturb others around them. You may not move around the room while the test is being administered
      4. Breaks will only be given after Power Round and Round 2.
      5. All testing will take place in the designated testing room(s). No one is permitted to take the test in another location and have it scored with the group.
    3. FOOD AND DRINKS
      1. Food will not be permitted in the testing area.
      2. Any drinks must have a lid and be placed on the floor near you. No drinks will be allowed on the tables.
    4. SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS
      1. We understand that some participants have special accommodations for testing at school and outside of Bible Bowl. Unfortunately, we are not equipped to accommodate all of these. You may make special requests to the proctor for your area, but in most cases we will not be able to accommodate those.
  4. PLACEMENT AND AWARDS
    1. INDIVIDUAL SCORING/PLACEMENTS
      1. Individuals are awarded placements of 1st place through 10th place based on performance and scores from other participants.
      2. Each division will award placements. See Section 2 Teams and Age Divisions for more information.
    2. TEAM SCORING/PLACEMENTS
      1. Teams are awarded placements of 1st place up to 10th place based on performance and scores from other participants.
      2. Awards for 10th place will be awarded when 12 or more teams are participating in that division and experience level. When there are less than 12 teams in a division, we will award 2 fewer places than the numbers of teams participating.
        • For example: If there are 10 teams competing in that division, the top 8 teams will be awarded.
      3. Each team division will award placements. See Section 2 Teams and Age Divisions for more information.
    3. AWARDS CEREMONY
      1. The awards ceremony will take place on Saturday evening after dinner. We will give awards for all divisions at that time.
    4. SCHOLARSHIPS
      1. TEXAS BIBLE BOWL SCHOLARSHIP
        1. Texas Bible Bowl will offer a scholarship to High School Seniors each year who are participating in the competition. The application for the scholarship will be essay based. The essay should include the participant's name, home congregation, and the number of total years they have participated in Texas Bible Bowl. The essay topic will be posted to the website in January each year and submissions are due back by the date specified.
      2. CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY SPONSORED SCHOLARSHIPS
        1. Several Christian Universities sponsor scholarships to be awarded to the top-scoring Senior High Individuals each year.
      3. MARY ORBISON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
        1. The Mary Orbison Memorial scholarship is open to graduating seniors (12th grade) participating in Texas Bible Bowl, and the funds will be awarded to individuals who demonstrate a strong commitment to studying and understanding God's word. The recipients of the scholarship will be chosen based on their dedication, passion, and overall involvement in the Bible Bowl program. Referrals from coaches and other church leaders will be accepted as nominations for the scholarship.​​
"Making God's Word Important"