I was very much fascinated by the 2009 National Spelling Bee Champion when thirteen year old Ms. Kavya Shiva Shankar spelled the winning word “laodicean.” The word laodicean is in Revelation Chapter 3:16, "So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold or hot, I will spew you out of my mouth.” Laodicea was one of the cities in Asia Minor founded during the time of Saint Paul’s Missionary Journeys. Some examples of lukewarm Christians would be people who have no fervor for the Lord, and feel no need for evangelism. In this passage, God warns Christians not to be lukewarm towards His Word, and the Mission of Jesus. To such lukewarm Christians, God warns us that HE will spit us out of His mouth. It simply means we must keep the joy of His Salvation alive within us, not to quench the Holy Spirit, and take joy in sharing Jesus.To such lukewarm Christians, God warns us that HE will spit us out of His mouth. It simply means we must keep the joy of His Salvation alive within us, not to quench the Holy Spirit, and take joy in sharing Jesus.
Our mission and purpose of the Bible Spelling Bee for India Christian Children of Chicago and North America is based on Revelations 1:3, “Blessed is he who reads aloud the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those hear, and who keep what is written therein; for the time is near.” Based on this passage, children are to read, learn, and make part of themselves the words of Bible, and believe in the prophecy. The Bible is the basis of our life and existence. The Bible is not only the best book to learn, but also the only book to live according to the Will of God. Spelling Biblical words every day, a child can discover core purposes and meanings of their life on this earth.
We believe the Spelling Bee will significantly increase a child’s biblical knowledge and comprehension. For example, children should understand why it is that everyone is always “going up to Jerusalem.” Why is Jerusalem always “up?” What are the messages to be learned that don’t get taught in Sunday School, or even in Worship? Children will learn and understand the significance of each Biblical place. Children will learn how to trace, follow and understand the Israelite’s route of Exodus from Egypt to the Promised Land.
The most significant aspect of this Spelling Bee Championship is that children are not only required to spell the word, but build those words into sentences. By making sentences from Biblical words, young children will increase their reading comprehension and reading skills that can be translated into their classrooms. All knowledge starts from the Bible and knowledge leads to believing in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer.For example, we may ask a child to spell the word “obedience,” and after a child spells the word, we may ask that child to develop the word into sentence. For example, a child may make sentence like “obedience is a blessing” or “obedience brings miracles.” And also, why the Lord God made “obedience” to parents such an important Commandment.By making sentences using Biblical words, we are preparing our children to learn the concept of “obedience” as the cornerstone of Christian life: by learning obedience to those whom we can see, and who love us, we learn how to be obedient to Him who has always loved us, but whom we have never seen: the Lord Jesus Himself.
In this Spelling Bee Championship, each spelling word is accompanied by a suitable Biblical reference. In preparing to spell a particular word, the child must read the specified verse to understand what that word means in the Bible. By referring Biblical verses, we hope children participating in this competition will learn from the Book of Genesis to Book of Revelation..
Recent research has shown that poor spellers are unsuccessful people. For example, misspelled applications mean lost opportunities for getting employment. A great writer but a poor speller will not be able to complete a book. Parents must teach their children the habit of spellings from an early age. Accurate spelling and pronunciation of a word is the first step to Christian and academic success in child’s life.The Bible gives an important example of why mispronunciation of a word could be a life and death situation. ‘After the battle, the surviving Ephraimites were escaping and came to stop by soldiers of Gilead. The Ephraimites said, let us go over river Jordan to other side, Then men of Gilead said unto him, Art thou an Ephraimite? If he said nay, then said they unto him, say now “Shibboleth” and he said “Sibboleth” for he did not pronounce it right. They took him and slew him.’ While no one will ever lose their life by mispronouncing a word from the Bible, it’s good to know why we need to take God’sWord – whether spoken aloud or read quietly to the self – so very seriously.
I believe the Bible Spelling Bee Competition will translate into academic scholarship. A child that permeates Scriptures into studies will be a successful student, and excel in classroom competition. The Spelling Bee will formulate a child’s study habits and prepare well for college entrance examinations. Children will gain greater efficiency and knowledge of the Bible through the spelling competition. Parents also have a responsibility to help their children to spell correctly. Acts 17:11 says children must be eager to study scriptures. Matthew 22:29 says of lack of study, “you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures or the power of God.”Mark 4:19 says, “wealth and worry impair study.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 says, “success assured whatever circumstances.” Hebrews 13:20-21 says, “Prepare by God to Succeed.” Do not neglect your gift (1 Timothy 4:14), but to use one’s gift for the good of others (1 Peter 4:10). Reading and Spelling Biblical words will reveal inner secrets of the Holy Bible.
Our Spelling Bee is a prayerful exercise and needs commitment and discipline to master the Bible. Readers are leaders but spellers of Biblical words are the leaders of leaders,and true disciples of Christ.My gratitude extends to the Indian Christian Community, its elders and leaders. This is the first annual competition, and we hope to improve later Spelling Bees, and welcome any suggestions to improve this community project..