Bible driller urges others to hide God’s word in their hearts

By Barbara Denman
May 2, 2008

ORLANDO (FBC)—Eight years of Bible drills have instilled life lessons in 17-year-old Lydia Kulpa of St. Augustine.

“Bible drill is more than who gets the fastest time and it’s more than how far you go in the competitions,” said Lydia. “It’s about hiding God’s word in our hearts so that His word can penetrate our hearts and cut out anything wrong or wicked.”

Lydia’s words were spoken during the Florida State Bible Drills and Speakers Tournament April 26 in Orlando, when she chose the topic, “God’s Sword: The Bible,” for her speech.

The teen was the only student in the state to participate simultaneously in both the Youth Speakers Tournament and High School Bible Drill.

"Lydia is amazing, said Gary Nichols, associate director of the event sponsors Discipleship and Family Department. “That is a lot of work, requiring a lot of discipline.”

In her speech for the tournament, the homeschooled high school junior equated the Bible with a sword, which serves as both an offensive and defensive weapon. “God’s uses His sword, the Bible, to penetrate our hearts and cut out anything wrong or wicked,” she explained.

The Bible verses she has learned through Bible drills have helped her fight off temptation and cope with problems, she said. “If you are struggling with some sin in your life, God’s word can help you overcome it.”

Admitting that she was nervous as a beginning Bible driller, Lydia said learning Philippians 4:6-7, calmed her fears. She now recalls the verse whenever she is nervous or anxious, she said. “I know the reason I remember this verse is because God is speaking to me and reminding me that I should be trusting Him instead.”

As one of nine children in a family who are members at Fruit Cove Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Kulpa comes from a long-line of Bible drillers, said her mother Jackie Kulpa. Her bother, Tony won the state speakers tournament in 2004. All of the children have practiced their drills together.

Nichols observed, “It is an indication of the good job her parents are doing in training their children, as James 4:7 points out, to resist the devil and he will flee from you. Parents need to be affirmed in their role of nurturing faith at home."

This year’s speech for Lydia, her mother said, was less about competition and more her desire to communicate with others about “hiding God’s word in her heart,” said Jackie Kulpa.

In her speech, Lydia encouraged others on the proper use of the Bible. “Just as having a sword doesn’t make you a swordsman, having a Bible doesn’t mean you know how to use it. It you don’t use it daily, then how will God’s word be in your heart? I have learned from Bible drill how to handle my Bible with respect, how to use it daily and learn to hear from God.”