Officials Instructions

THE ROLE OF A BIBLE QUIZ MINISTRY OFFICIAL

gt;Are you a quizmaster or content judge in need of help? Perhaps you have just been assigned this important role and don't know where to start. First of all, please spend some time studying the rules of Bible Quiz competition. Next, follow these nine steps, and you will be well on your way to being every quizzer's favorite quizmaster.

BE A MINISTER - The opportunity that you have to be a minister every time you enter a quiz is the most important part of quiz mastering. While competition plays an important role in the Bible Quizzing Ministry, striving for success must never interfere with our goal to be Christ-like. As a quizmaster, it is vital that you exhibit Christlikeness and encourage quizzers and coaches to do the same. You have an opportunity to touch the lives of quizzers, families, and coaches through prayer and encouragement. As one quizmaster once said, "Every time a quizzer stands up to answer, I pray that they will get it right. I want everyone to succeed." Such an attitude brings a positive tone to each round.

DON'T WAVER - More than anything else, your consistency throughout a match-whether you tend to be strict or lenient-will determine how smoothly the competition runs in your quiz room. It's not fair to expect a quizzer to "guess" how you're going to operate. As a quizmaster, you have the responsibility to set the tone for the quizzing in your room by committing to consistency in several areas. These include: your tone and cadence, the way you recognize quizzers, how you choose to preannounce question types, how much "dead time" you allow between the introductory information and the rest of the question, and how you rule on questionable answers.

BE FAIR - The teams quizzing in your room deserve a fair "playing field." Your relationship with certain coaches and quizzers, the ability of certain teams, personalities of coaches and quizzers, or negative experiences with a team or individual in the past should not ever affect your rulings.

SPEAK CLEARLY - Make a distinct effort to pronounce every word as clearly and as audibly as possible . . . without lapsing into a monotone, of course!

ENCOURAGE, ENCOURAGE, ENCOURAGE - These teams and coaches have spent many hours studying and preparing for this occasion. Make them feel like it's worth it! Try to keep an upbeat and positive atmosphere in your quiz room.

If possible, talk with some quizzers and/or coaches following the round and let them know how well they did!

BE A TEACHER - Take advantage of the role you play to help quizzers (and coaches!) understand your rulings. Chances are they'll repeat their mistakes if they don't clearly understand what they did wrong. Explain why you had to count an answer wrong; talk through your reasoning for accepting a challenge. Make sure everyone knows why you had to call a foul. You'll find this is most helpful and necessary toward the beginning of the quiz season. This type of assistance will also be helpful to those in the audience who may not be as knowledgeable about quizzing ministry and its rules as those on the platform are.

BE RELATIONAL - Take the time to get to know the quizzers. Learn their names, eat lunch with them, pray with them, and most of all be a friend!

BE CONFIDENT - Quizzers need to understand that the final authority during a competition round rests on the quizmaster. It is your responsibility to exhibit a level of confidence that allows the coaches and quizzers to trust you. If they're confident that you know what you're doing and that you are going to be straightforward and fair with them, they're more likely to treat you with the respect necessary for a proper quizzing atmosphere. Don't be unsure or hesitant with your rulings; take the necessary time to review the material and then make your decision with confidence! A perceived lack of confidence on your part will be viewed by the quizzers as a lack of authority and knowledge. (Also, don't be afraid to admit a mistake when appropriate, but do it with love and fairness.)

KEEP THE FOCUS ON GOD - Winning a quiz, beating the other team, or taking home the first-place trophy should never be the ultimate focus of teen Bible Quizzing. Remember that it is not about us, but all about God. Do everything within your power to keep the focus always on the Lord and on how His Word can be exhibited in the lives of everyone involved. In other words, the competition format is just a tool to help all those involved including observers to see and want the benefits of knowing and living God’s Word.