Bible Bowl Competes With Youth Sports as Congregations Navigate Scheduling Conflicts

The article highlights the growing challenge faced by Churches of Christ in balancing their youth ministry events with the increasing demands of competitive youth sports. Parents and leaders are navigating the tension between spiritual education and athletic commitments, as conventions like Leadership Training for Christ and Lads to Leaders often clash with travel teams and tournaments.

At the Memorial Road Church of Christ in Oklahoma City, the author, Erik Tryggestad, and his wife, Jeanie, coordinate Bible Bowl, a competition that tests young people’s knowledge of Scripture. This year, they coached over 50 kids for the North Texas Leadership Training for Christ convention, which focused on the life of Moses. The event, held in a large ballroom at the Hilton Anatole, drew hundreds of participants who stayed up late to answer rounds of questions from Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Tryggestad, who has been involved in the event since his daughter was in third grade, recalls the challenges of memorizing biblical details, such as the names of Moses’ parents, Amram and Jochebed. The event also includes a mix of activities, from puppet shows to Scripture readings, and culminates in worship on Easter Sunday, a time when many families gather for the convention.

Easter has become a significant time for these events, partly due to the availability of hotel discounts and the fact that Churches of Christ traditionally place less emphasis on Easter compared to other Christian denominations. However, the growing popularity of youth sports is creating a competing demand for young people’s time and energy.

The article reflects on the dedication of parents and leaders who invest time in preparing children for these events, often sacrificing personal time to coach and support their teams. It also underscores the importance of these gatherings in fostering community, spiritual growth, and intergenerational connections within the Churches of Christ.

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