Kerygma · Seasonal · Back to school
Back-to-school Bible trivia, for the first week back.
A new school year is, biblically speaking, a beginning of learning — and the Bible has more to say about learning than most of us remember. Kerygma's back-to-school rounds gather Solomon's prayer, the wisdom literature, Jesus as teacher, and the Shema — the words Israel was told to "teach diligently to your children." A gentle round to mark the year's start, at home or in a Sunday-school classroom.
What back-to-school touches in the Bible
Scripture treats learning as a household practice before it's a classroom one. Deuteronomy 6 tells parents to recite the Shema "when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way." Proverbs opens with a father teaching a son. Solomon, given any wish, asks for an understanding mind. Jesus is called "Rabbi" — Teacher — sixteen times in John's Gospel alone. And Paul, writing to Timothy, points back to the Scriptures Timothy had known "from childhood." Education in the Bible is never just academic — it's formation, slowly, over years, in the company of the people who love you.
Sample back-to-school trivia questions
When God told Solomon he could ask for anything, what did Solomon ask for?
"Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?"
Commentary
Solomon was a young king, conscious of his own inexperience, and his request pleased God so much that God added the things he hadn't asked for. The story has become the standard biblical type of "ask for wisdom before you ask for anything else" — James 1:5 picks up the same posture for every Christian.
Choose an answer
When God told Solomon he could ask for anything, what did Solomon ask for?
"Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?"
Commentary
Solomon was a young king, conscious of his own inexperience, and his request pleased God so much that God added the things he hadn't asked for. The story has become the standard biblical type of "ask for wisdom before you ask for anything else" — James 1:5 picks up the same posture for every Christian.
When God told Solomon he could ask for anything, what did Solomon ask for?
"Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?"
Commentary
Solomon was a young king, conscious of his own inexperience, and his request pleased God so much that God added the things he hadn't asked for. The story has become the standard biblical type of "ask for wisdom before you ask for anything else" — James 1:5 picks up the same posture for every Christian.
When God told Solomon he could ask for anything, what did Solomon ask for?
"Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?"1 Kings 3:9
Solomon was a young king, conscious of his own inexperience, and his request pleased God so much that God added the things he hadn't asked for. The story has become the standard biblical type of "ask for wisdom before you ask for anything else" — James 1:5 picks up the same posture for every Christian.
Proverbs 9:10 says the beginning of wisdom is what?
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight."
Commentary
"Fear" here is not terror — it's the kind of awe that puts you in your proper place. The Hebrew wisdom tradition consistently insists you cannot become wise without first acknowledging that you are not the most important reality in the room. The same line appears almost verbatim at Proverbs 1:7 and Psalm 111:10.
Choose an answer
Proverbs 9:10 says the beginning of wisdom is what?
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight."
Commentary
"Fear" here is not terror — it's the kind of awe that puts you in your proper place. The Hebrew wisdom tradition consistently insists you cannot become wise without first acknowledging that you are not the most important reality in the room. The same line appears almost verbatim at Proverbs 1:7 and Psalm 111:10.
Proverbs 9:10 says the beginning of wisdom is what?
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight."
Commentary
"Fear" here is not terror — it's the kind of awe that puts you in your proper place. The Hebrew wisdom tradition consistently insists you cannot become wise without first acknowledging that you are not the most important reality in the room. The same line appears almost verbatim at Proverbs 1:7 and Psalm 111:10.
Proverbs 9:10 says the beginning of wisdom is what?
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight."Proverbs 9:10
"Fear" here is not terror — it's the kind of awe that puts you in your proper place. The Hebrew wisdom tradition consistently insists you cannot become wise without first acknowledging that you are not the most important reality in the room. The same line appears almost verbatim at Proverbs 1:7 and Psalm 111:10.
In John's Gospel, what title do people most often use when speaking directly to Jesus?
"They said to him, 'Rabbi' (which means Teacher), 'where are you staying?'"
Commentary
"Rabbi" appears about 16 times in John, more than any other address. Jesus' contemporaries recognised him as a teacher even when they disagreed about what kind of teacher he was. Mark and Luke prefer "Teacher" in Greek (didaskalos); John preserves the Hebrew form. Both name the same role.
Choose an answer
In John's Gospel, what title do people most often use when speaking directly to Jesus?
"They said to him, 'Rabbi' (which means Teacher), 'where are you staying?'"
Commentary
"Rabbi" appears about 16 times in John, more than any other address. Jesus' contemporaries recognised him as a teacher even when they disagreed about what kind of teacher he was. Mark and Luke prefer "Teacher" in Greek (didaskalos); John preserves the Hebrew form. Both name the same role.
In John's Gospel, what title do people most often use when speaking directly to Jesus?
"They said to him, 'Rabbi' (which means Teacher), 'where are you staying?'"
Commentary
"Rabbi" appears about 16 times in John, more than any other address. Jesus' contemporaries recognised him as a teacher even when they disagreed about what kind of teacher he was. Mark and Luke prefer "Teacher" in Greek (didaskalos); John preserves the Hebrew form. Both name the same role.
In John's Gospel, what title do people most often use when speaking directly to Jesus?
"They said to him, 'Rabbi' (which means Teacher), 'where are you staying?'"John 1:38
"Rabbi" appears about 16 times in John, more than any other address. Jesus' contemporaries recognised him as a teacher even when they disagreed about what kind of teacher he was. Mark and Luke prefer "Teacher" in Greek (didaskalos); John preserves the Hebrew form. Both name the same role.
The Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4–5) is the central confession of Israel. What does it begin with?
"And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way."
Commentary
The Shema (from the Hebrew word for "hear") is recited twice daily in observant Jewish prayer. Jesus quotes it directly when asked the greatest commandment (Mark 12:29). Notice what Moses commands immediately after the confession: it is to be taught at home, casually, all day — the original household curriculum.
Choose an answer
The Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4–5) is the central confession of Israel. What does it begin with?
"And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way."
Commentary
The Shema (from the Hebrew word for "hear") is recited twice daily in observant Jewish prayer. Jesus quotes it directly when asked the greatest commandment (Mark 12:29). Notice what Moses commands immediately after the confession: it is to be taught at home, casually, all day — the original household curriculum.
The Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4–5) is the central confession of Israel. What does it begin with?
"And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way."
Commentary
The Shema (from the Hebrew word for "hear") is recited twice daily in observant Jewish prayer. Jesus quotes it directly when asked the greatest commandment (Mark 12:29). Notice what Moses commands immediately after the confession: it is to be taught at home, casually, all day — the original household curriculum.
The Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4–5) is the central confession of Israel. What does it begin with?
"And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way."Deuteronomy 6:6–7
The Shema (from the Hebrew word for "hear") is recited twice daily in observant Jewish prayer. Jesus quotes it directly when asked the greatest commandment (Mark 12:29). Notice what Moses commands immediately after the confession: it is to be taught at home, casually, all day — the original household curriculum.
In Luke 2, where do Mary and Joseph find the twelve-year-old Jesus after their three-day search?
"After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions."
Commentary
The only canonical glimpse of Jesus between infancy and his public ministry. Luke is careful with the details: Jesus is listening first, asking second, and the teachers were "amazed at his understanding." Even the one in whom "the fullness of deity dwells bodily" (Colossians 2:9) goes to school — by sitting at the teachers' feet.
Choose an answer
In Luke 2, where do Mary and Joseph find the twelve-year-old Jesus after their three-day search?
"After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions."
Commentary
The only canonical glimpse of Jesus between infancy and his public ministry. Luke is careful with the details: Jesus is listening first, asking second, and the teachers were "amazed at his understanding." Even the one in whom "the fullness of deity dwells bodily" (Colossians 2:9) goes to school — by sitting at the teachers' feet.
In Luke 2, where do Mary and Joseph find the twelve-year-old Jesus after their three-day search?
"After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions."
Commentary
The only canonical glimpse of Jesus between infancy and his public ministry. Luke is careful with the details: Jesus is listening first, asking second, and the teachers were "amazed at his understanding." Even the one in whom "the fullness of deity dwells bodily" (Colossians 2:9) goes to school — by sitting at the teachers' feet.
In Luke 2, where do Mary and Joseph find the twelve-year-old Jesus after their three-day search?
"After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions."Luke 2:46
The only canonical glimpse of Jesus between infancy and his public ministry. Luke is careful with the details: Jesus is listening first, asking second, and the teachers were "amazed at his understanding." Even the one in whom "the fullness of deity dwells bodily" (Colossians 2:9) goes to school — by sitting at the teachers' feet.
Paul writes to Timothy that from childhood Timothy has known what?
"From childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."
Commentary
The "sacred writings" Timothy knew from childhood are the Old Testament — Paul is writing before the New Testament was complete. Timothy was raised by his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois (2 Timothy 1:5), both Jewish believers. Three generations of patient teaching, named in three verses.
Choose an answer
Paul writes to Timothy that from childhood Timothy has known what?
"From childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."
Commentary
The "sacred writings" Timothy knew from childhood are the Old Testament — Paul is writing before the New Testament was complete. Timothy was raised by his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois (2 Timothy 1:5), both Jewish believers. Three generations of patient teaching, named in three verses.
Paul writes to Timothy that from childhood Timothy has known what?
"From childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."
Commentary
The "sacred writings" Timothy knew from childhood are the Old Testament — Paul is writing before the New Testament was complete. Timothy was raised by his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois (2 Timothy 1:5), both Jewish believers. Three generations of patient teaching, named in three verses.
Paul writes to Timothy that from childhood Timothy has known what?
"From childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."2 Timothy 3:15
The "sacred writings" Timothy knew from childhood are the Old Testament — Paul is writing before the New Testament was complete. Timothy was raised by his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois (2 Timothy 1:5), both Jewish believers. Three generations of patient teaching, named in three verses.
In Proverbs, the figure of "Wisdom" is personified as what?
"Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks."
Commentary
"Lady Wisdom" (Hebrew chokmah, grammatically feminine) is a recurring figure in Proverbs 1–9, contrasted with "Folly" who calls from the same crowded streets. The personification was a striking literary move; later Jewish tradition (especially Sirach and the Wisdom of Solomon) developed her further, and the New Testament hints that Jesus himself fulfils what Proverbs glimpses — "Christ, the wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:24).
Choose an answer
In Proverbs, the figure of "Wisdom" is personified as what?
"Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks."
Commentary
"Lady Wisdom" (Hebrew chokmah, grammatically feminine) is a recurring figure in Proverbs 1–9, contrasted with "Folly" who calls from the same crowded streets. The personification was a striking literary move; later Jewish tradition (especially Sirach and the Wisdom of Solomon) developed her further, and the New Testament hints that Jesus himself fulfils what Proverbs glimpses — "Christ, the wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:24).
In Proverbs, the figure of "Wisdom" is personified as what?
"Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks."
Commentary
"Lady Wisdom" (Hebrew chokmah, grammatically feminine) is a recurring figure in Proverbs 1–9, contrasted with "Folly" who calls from the same crowded streets. The personification was a striking literary move; later Jewish tradition (especially Sirach and the Wisdom of Solomon) developed her further, and the New Testament hints that Jesus himself fulfils what Proverbs glimpses — "Christ, the wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:24).
In Proverbs, the figure of "Wisdom" is personified as what?
"Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks."Proverbs 1:20–21
"Lady Wisdom" (Hebrew chokmah, grammatically feminine) is a recurring figure in Proverbs 1–9, contrasted with "Folly" who calls from the same crowded streets. The personification was a striking literary move; later Jewish tradition (especially Sirach and the Wisdom of Solomon) developed her further, and the New Testament hints that Jesus himself fulfils what Proverbs glimpses — "Christ, the wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:24).
When Paul says "all Scripture is breathed out by God," what Greek word does he use for "breathed out"?
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness."
Commentary
Theopneustos appears nowhere else in the New Testament — Paul coins it, joining theos (God) and pneō (to breathe). Older translations rendered it "inspired" (from the Latin inspirare, also "to breathe"). The image is of the same divine breath Genesis 2 says brought the first human to life now animating Scripture itself.
Choose an answer
When Paul says "all Scripture is breathed out by God," what Greek word does he use for "breathed out"?
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness."
Commentary
Theopneustos appears nowhere else in the New Testament — Paul coins it, joining theos (God) and pneō (to breathe). Older translations rendered it "inspired" (from the Latin inspirare, also "to breathe"). The image is of the same divine breath Genesis 2 says brought the first human to life now animating Scripture itself.
When Paul says "all Scripture is breathed out by God," what Greek word does he use for "breathed out"?
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness."
Commentary
Theopneustos appears nowhere else in the New Testament — Paul coins it, joining theos (God) and pneō (to breathe). Older translations rendered it "inspired" (from the Latin inspirare, also "to breathe"). The image is of the same divine breath Genesis 2 says brought the first human to life now animating Scripture itself.
When Paul says "all Scripture is breathed out by God," what Greek word does he use for "breathed out"?
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness."2 Timothy 3:16
Theopneustos appears nowhere else in the New Testament — Paul coins it, joining theos (God) and pneō (to breathe). Older translations rendered it "inspired" (from the Latin inspirare, also "to breathe"). The image is of the same divine breath Genesis 2 says brought the first human to life now animating Scripture itself.
Jeremiah 29:11 — "For I know the plans I have for you" — was first written to whom?
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Commentary
The verse is often quoted as a personal promise, but its original setting is corporate and political: Jeremiah's letter to Judean exiles in Babylon, telling them not to flee, but to "build houses and plant gardens" — and to wait seventy years for return. The promise of "a future" was God's word to a community in long-term displacement, not just a graduation-card encouragement. That deeper original sense is the one worth holding onto.
Choose an answer
Jeremiah 29:11 — "For I know the plans I have for you" — was first written to whom?
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Commentary
The verse is often quoted as a personal promise, but its original setting is corporate and political: Jeremiah's letter to Judean exiles in Babylon, telling them not to flee, but to "build houses and plant gardens" — and to wait seventy years for return. The promise of "a future" was God's word to a community in long-term displacement, not just a graduation-card encouragement. That deeper original sense is the one worth holding onto.
Jeremiah 29:11 — "For I know the plans I have for you" — was first written to whom?
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Commentary
The verse is often quoted as a personal promise, but its original setting is corporate and political: Jeremiah's letter to Judean exiles in Babylon, telling them not to flee, but to "build houses and plant gardens" — and to wait seventy years for return. The promise of "a future" was God's word to a community in long-term displacement, not just a graduation-card encouragement. That deeper original sense is the one worth holding onto.
Jeremiah 29:11 — "For I know the plans I have for you" — was first written to whom?
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."Jeremiah 29:11
The verse is often quoted as a personal promise, but its original setting is corporate and political: Jeremiah's letter to Judean exiles in Babylon, telling them not to flee, but to "build houses and plant gardens" — and to wait seventy years for return. The promise of "a future" was God's word to a community in long-term displacement, not just a graduation-card encouragement. That deeper original sense is the one worth holding onto.
Categories that pair well with back-to-school
For Christian families, homeschoolers, and Sunday-school teachers
Try the Custom mode to start the year: type "Proverbs", or "Solomon and wisdom", or "Jesus as teacher", or "the Shema" and you'll get a round shaped around exactly that. Five questions takes about three minutes — short enough to fit at the breakfast table, focused enough to actually plant a verse in everyone's head. The first week of school is a good week to mark, and a Bible trivia round is a kinder way to mark it than a lecture.
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