2026 National Bible Bee Memory Verses & Resources
Welcome, Bible Bee families! The 2026 Summer Study is here — eight weeks in the book of James, June 8 through August 14, 2026. We're a Bible Bee family passionate about helping participants hide God's Word in their hearts, and this page gathers the memorization help we wish we'd had our first summer.
This page is created by Bible Bee participants to share resources. We are not affiliated with the National Bible Bee organization.
The 2026 Season at a Glance
Summer Study: "Thrive" in James
The 2026 Summer Study walks through the book of James — faith that does more than survive trials, it thrives in them.
- Runs June 8 – August 14, 2026
- About 20 minutes a day, 5 days a week, with the Discovery Journal
- 14–15 memory passages over the summer, sized by age division
- Qualifying test in August
Nationals & Age Divisions
Top qualifiers advance to the National Bible Bee Competition, planned for fall 2026 at Kalahari Resorts in Sandusky, Ohio. Competition divisions:
- Primary: Ages 7-10
- Junior: Ages 11-14
- Senior: Ages 15-18
Ages 5-6 can join the Summer Study with the non-competitive Beginner journal. Confirm dates and rules with the official Bible Bee organization.
Practice with Other Bible Bee Families
Connect with other Bible Bee participants in the community Bible Bee group on The Bible Memory App — created by participants, for participants. Practice your Summer Study passages alongside families across the country and keep each other going all the way to the qualifying test.
Join the Bible Bee GroupThe Bible Memory App — Your Bible Bee Companion
A summer of Bible Bee is really two jobs: learning new passages every week, and keeping June's passages solid in August. The Bible Memory App is built for both. You type each passage from memory while the app fades words away as you learn, then spaced repetition schedules reviews at growing intervals so nothing slips before the qualifying test — or Nationals. New to memorizing long passages? Start with our guide on how to memorize Scripture.
Type-to-Memorize
Active recall, not rereading — type each James passage as the words fade out
Spaced Review
Automatic review scheduling keeps week-1 passages fresh through the August test
Family Groups
Siblings practice the same passages while parents track everyone's progress
Multiple Translations
ESV, KJV, NASB, NIV, NKJV, and more — practice in your division's wording
Bible Bee Success Tips for the James Summer
Start in June
Begin memorizing the week the Summer Study opens — August always arrives faster than you think
Read All of James
It's only five chapters — knowing the flow of the whole letter makes every passage easier to memorize and study
Review Old Passages
A few minutes of spaced review daily keeps every passage test-ready, not just this week's
Practice Out Loud
Recite to a parent or sibling with the reference before and after, the way you'll be tested
Want more verses to memorize as a family once the summer wraps up? Browse our library of memory verses by topic.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bible Bee 2026
What is the National Bible Bee?
What book is the 2026 Summer Bible Bee studying?
How many verses do Bible Bee participants memorize?
When and where is the 2026 National Bible Bee Competition?
How can The Bible Memory App help with Bible Bee preparation?
Is The Bible Memory App free?
Get Started with Bible Bee 2026 Today!
Whether this is your family's first Summer Study or your seventh, the goal is the same: a summer spent thriving in the book of James. Create a free account, add your passages, and start memorizing today.
For official information about the National Bible Bee — registration, rules, dates, and materials — visit www.biblebee.org. This resource page is created by Bible Bee participants using The Bible Memory App. We are not affiliated with the National Bible Bee organization.