Source/Author: By Ms Tay Choon Neo

Council of Education (COE)

It was wonderful to see so many school students with the Word of God in their hands studying hard for a Bible Quiz. This was the scenario early Saturday morning, 1st August 2015 at SMK Assunta, Petaling Jaya. They had come from near and far and were cramming in last minute for the 19th National Oral Bible Quiz organized by the Malayan Christian Schools’ Council (MCSC).

The Bible Knowledge Quiz based on the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles started in the Bukit Bintang Boys School under Mrs Kua Kun Han, a teacher of Bible Knowledge for SPM, some 19 years ago. She wanted to prepare her students to take the subject for the school examination. This Quiz soon gained interest from other schools who also wanted to compete. It became so large that it was decided to add Regional levels (in different states) before the National levels (in Petaling Jaya, Selangor), all approved by the Ministry of Education.

This year saw the addition of a new region as Sabah schools joined in with participation of 140. MGS Melaka saw a record number of over 240 participants coming from the southern region. At the Nationals, 424 students, teachers, helpers, parents and organizers turned up. The National Champion team consisted of Lee Zhen Jian and Lee Zhen Fung from Wesley Methodist School Ipoh this year, who narrowly beat a very strong Sri Sempurna team. Methodist Boys’ School Kuala Lumpur took 3rd and 4th place whilst SMK Methodist Sibu, Sarawak took 5th placing.

In his Foreword for the Quiz booklet, Mr Yap Kok Keong, MCSC Chairman, writes

… The question, “What do we need most to face tomorrow” requires our mind to roam past school days to working life, family life, middle age, old age and beyond. A more thoughtful and profound answer would be – We need a clear sense of direction in life; a cause worthy enough to live and die for; strength of character with strong moral fibre to withstand the temptations and pitfalls along the journey of life. The teachings of Jesus Christ exemplified by his own life would surely equip us with what we need most to face the unknown future. Jesus Christ, his words and his life would guide and empower us to lead a life of wisdom and significance, enabling us to leave behind a legacy that extends even beyond this life on earth.

At the same time that we see the growth in the participation of the bible quiz at the regional levels, we notice that the numbers have dropped within the Klang Valley schools. The Quiz Coordinator, Ms Satkunamary tells me that the numbers taking BK as an SPM subject has also dropped. As the Christian community, we must be mindful of this: so we must continue to encourage our young people not to leave Bible Knowledge in their pursuit of other paper qualifications. After all, we need the Word of God for LIFE.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 
                                                                                                                                    Acts 1:8