http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2019:7-11&version=NIV1984
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+119:97&version=NIV1984
Everyone likes trivia. Not everyone remembers it. But most people like it. Then, there are some people who love it. And live for it. Such as Ken Jennings.
Jennings, a former software engineer, was selected to appear on the internationally famous quiz show, Jeopardy! His first appearance was on Wednesday, June 2, 2004. Jennings, with his extensive knowledge of trivia, defeated the 2-time champion, Jerry Harvey. Well, Jennings won the next show. And the next. And the one after that. All told, Jennings won 74 consecutive Jeopardy! contests over a span of almost 6 months. To put this in perspective, the previous record was 8 consecutive wins. Boy, did Jennings blow that record out of the water or what!
Finally, on November 30, 2004, Jennings’ long reign as Jeopardy! champion ended when he lost his 75th game. To challenger Nancy Zerg. It all came down to one final question. The category was Business & Industry, and the answer was “Most of this firm's 70,000 seasonal white-collar employees work only four months a year.” Jennings responded with the question, "What is FedEx?” Wrong! Zerg answered correctly with, "What is H&R Block?” Don’t feel too sorry for Jennings though. All told, he won $3,022,700. For knowing trivia. I guess knowing trivia does actually pay. For a few people.
It would appear that trivia has become very popular in our culture. This is seen by the popularity of such shows as Jeopardy! as well as the sales of trivia-related games such as Trivial Pursuit. It seems that knowing a little trivia can make a person popular. And it may even contribute to the perception that they are smart. Who knew? Interestingly, there is even such a thing as Bible trivia. This is for serious-minded Christians who want to engage in some meaningful memorization. (I’m kidding!) Such things as ‘What 2 chapters in the Bible are exactly the same?’ And 'What is the longest verse in the Bible?' (The answer to the 1st question is 2 Kings 19 and Isaiah 37, Psalms 14 and 53. The answer to the 2nd question is Esther 8:9. Not a particularly great verse to memorize! Check it out = http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Esther%208:9&version=NASB)
Unfortunately, all of this obsession with memorizing trivia can come at the expense of real knowledge. Knowledge that is useful. Knowledge that will expand a person’s mind. Knowledge that will ultimately make a difference in a person's life. The fact is that knowing how to administer CPR is going to be of much greater help to a person who needs it than knowing all kinds of trivia will be to them. CPR can save their life. Trivia might lead to their death. This is especially true in the Christian life.
There is a vast difference between knowing trivia about the Bible and knowing the Bible. As a pastor (and I say this very carefully) I would rather have my people know a few key Scriptures and doctrines and apply them to their lives, than I would to have them memorize large portions of Scripture and know many doctrines and apply none of them to their lives. In the final analysis, not only is WHO you know important, but WHAT you know as well.
So, if you want to memorize a little trivia that’s fine with me. Just don’t major on the minor. Major on the major. Know the important stuff in life. Know your Bible. Know the important doctrines. Memorize key Scriptures. And most of all, live it! Allow the Holy Spirit to take your knowledge and enable you to live a holy life. This is pleasing to God. And helpful to yourself. And others.
Lord, with the limited time that I have available to me, help me to use it wisely. Help me to seek for, and treasure, true knowledge. Knowledge about You and Your ways. And may that knowledge be used by Your Spirit to help me live as You desire. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Jennings, a former software engineer, was selected to appear on the internationally famous quiz show, Jeopardy! His first appearance was on Wednesday, June 2, 2004. Jennings, with his extensive knowledge of trivia, defeated the 2-time champion, Jerry Harvey. Well, Jennings won the next show. And the next. And the one after that. All told, Jennings won 74 consecutive Jeopardy! contests over a span of almost 6 months. To put this in perspective, the previous record was 8 consecutive wins. Boy, did Jennings blow that record out of the water or what!
Finally, on November 30, 2004, Jennings’ long reign as Jeopardy! champion ended when he lost his 75th game. To challenger Nancy Zerg. It all came down to one final question. The category was Business & Industry, and the answer was “Most of this firm's 70,000 seasonal white-collar employees work only four months a year.” Jennings responded with the question, "What is FedEx?” Wrong! Zerg answered correctly with, "What is H&R Block?” Don’t feel too sorry for Jennings though. All told, he won $3,022,700. For knowing trivia. I guess knowing trivia does actually pay. For a few people.
It would appear that trivia has become very popular in our culture. This is seen by the popularity of such shows as Jeopardy! as well as the sales of trivia-related games such as Trivial Pursuit. It seems that knowing a little trivia can make a person popular. And it may even contribute to the perception that they are smart. Who knew? Interestingly, there is even such a thing as Bible trivia. This is for serious-minded Christians who want to engage in some meaningful memorization. (I’m kidding!) Such things as ‘What 2 chapters in the Bible are exactly the same?’ And 'What is the longest verse in the Bible?' (The answer to the 1st question is 2 Kings 19 and Isaiah 37, Psalms 14 and 53. The answer to the 2nd question is Esther 8:9. Not a particularly great verse to memorize! Check it out = http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Esther%208:9&version=NASB)
Unfortunately, all of this obsession with memorizing trivia can come at the expense of real knowledge. Knowledge that is useful. Knowledge that will expand a person’s mind. Knowledge that will ultimately make a difference in a person's life. The fact is that knowing how to administer CPR is going to be of much greater help to a person who needs it than knowing all kinds of trivia will be to them. CPR can save their life. Trivia might lead to their death. This is especially true in the Christian life.
There is a vast difference between knowing trivia about the Bible and knowing the Bible. As a pastor (and I say this very carefully) I would rather have my people know a few key Scriptures and doctrines and apply them to their lives, than I would to have them memorize large portions of Scripture and know many doctrines and apply none of them to their lives. In the final analysis, not only is WHO you know important, but WHAT you know as well.
So, if you want to memorize a little trivia that’s fine with me. Just don’t major on the minor. Major on the major. Know the important stuff in life. Know your Bible. Know the important doctrines. Memorize key Scriptures. And most of all, live it! Allow the Holy Spirit to take your knowledge and enable you to live a holy life. This is pleasing to God. And helpful to yourself. And others.
Lord, with the limited time that I have available to me, help me to use it wisely. Help me to seek for, and treasure, true knowledge. Knowledge about You and Your ways. And may that knowledge be used by Your Spirit to help me live as You desire. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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