Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. (Matthew 3:8 NIV)
Have you ever casually observed a golf instructor teaching juniors? What impresses me is their ability to keep kids’ attention by turning drills into games. The genius of this method is the little ones are learning without even realizing it.
We all know the importance of spending time in the Word. So, as an encouragement to begin our day well, let’s play a game. Hopefully, it will inspire similar interest or intrigue in you.
Who doesn’t love trivia? Let’s start in the world of golf.
1. Do you remember who finished second (12 strokes back) to Tiger at the 1997 Masters?
2. Do you recall which player withdrew from the 1991 PGA Championship at Crooked Stick, allowing John Daly to get in as the 9th alternate and go on to win his first major?
3. Did you know Jack Nicklaus has more second-place finishes in majors than his 18 victories? How many?
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While I’m taking a lighthearted approach to this devotion, I’m serious with its intent. Just as one doesn’t develop a good short game without practice, one will not deepen his or her faith without being in the Word.
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While golf trivia is fun, I get more satisfaction from answering correctly in the Daily Donut, a Bible trivia game my accountability group plays. It’s inspired by a whiteboard quiz offered up in a legendary Dallas donut institution. Each of us in the group is committed to reading Scripture, and when any of us comes across something interesting, a “donut” is offered up via text.
Ready to give it a shot? Here we go…
4. How many humans entered Noah’s Ark?
5. What is the longest chapter in the Bible?
6. Who replaced Judas Iscariot as the 12th disciple? (Bonus donut if you can name the other nominee.)
7. According to John 21, a resurrected Jesus encouraged seven disciples to “throw your net on the right side of the boat” (v. 6). When they did, how many fish did they catch?
While I’m taking a lighthearted approach to this devotion, I’m serious with its intent. Just as one doesn’t develop a good short game without practice, one will not deepen his or her faith without being in the Word.
If it takes a game to get someone to open their Bible, so be it. My hunch is that as you start to increase your trivial knowledge of the Scriptures, you will unknowingly “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2).
So why today’s verse? First, it’s a great reminder; a Biblical version of walking the walk. Second, it can also be found as the eighth verse in the third chapter of the book of Luke. Tidy little tidbit, huh?
(Cue Bubba Watson’s voice) … “You’re welcome.”
Answer Key:
1. Tom Kite
2. Nick Price
3. 19
4. 8 (Genesis 7:13)
5. Psalm 119
6. Matthias (Acts 1:15-26, Barsabbas)
7. 153 (John 21:1-14)
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Drew Hamilton
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The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at linksplayers.com.