The biblical work of the prophet Daniel, written in the sixth century B.C., sounds almost like an enigma, at least when talking about chapters 7–12. For some people, its content is difficult to understand. Historically, Adventists encourage the study of the book because they understand its prophetic message is related to current times.
Within this context, an important step was taken to motivate women to study the prophecies of Daniel.
The unprecedented Boa de Bíblia (“Good with the Bible”) contest brought together 1,236 Adventist pastors' wives from five countries to learn more about the Old Testament book. There were multiple-choice tests in three levels, with 90 general questions and another 20 for tiebreakers. The final decision, with the participation of ten finalists, took place on Sunday, December 4, in an online format.
The event was organized by the Women's Area of the Ministerial Association (AFAM) of the South American Division, a department that promotes actions and projects dedicated to the wives of pastors and elders.
Winner
The winner at the South American level was Kátia Morais, a teacher. She is a specialist in the management of the education system and has a master's degree in pedagogy. She is married to Jailson Noronha Alves and has a daughter, Débora Raquel Morais Noronha. Kátia lives in the city of Currais Novos, Rio Grande do Norte.
According to the educator, "Participating in the contest was a wonderful experience for me. Since I became an Adventist in 1994, I always liked to study the Bible and prophecy. The Boa de Bíblia contest came to rekindle the importance of nourishing ourselves every day with the Word of God."
Janet Parra, from Argentina, said she is "very happy to have participated and, through this project, to have been able to know more about the true God and His wonderful plans for His faithful children.”
Encouraging Study
Jeanete Lima, AFAM's South American director, explains that the contest was launched in July of this year. The tests involved three phases. The first was at the level of conferences and missions (headquarters that organize the Adventist work of the local congregations); the second, at the level of unions (headquarters that bring together several conferences and missions); and the third, at the division level (with representatives from the ten unions that participated).
There was recognition of and awards to the winners of the conferences and missions, unions, and South American Division phases. "The main objective of this contest was to motivate them to study the Bible more, especially the prophecies," emphasizes the general organizer of the event.
Regional Finalists
Winner: Venue
Gianine Gabriela Cruz Martínez: Bolivia Union
Daniela Balbontín Padilla: Chile Union
Janet Parra: Argentina Union
Cesia Villanueva Carrasco: Paraguay Union
Kátia Lanuce Morais Noronha—first overall, North Brazil Union
Thalia Macedo Lizanio: North Brazil Union (Pará, Amapá, and Maranhão)
Anelise Loureno Alves de Souza: Central Brazil Union (São Paulo)
Dinely Luana Pereira Rodrigues: South Brazil Union (Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and Paraná)
Giselia Silva Santos Neves—second overall, East Brazil Union (Bahia and Sergipe)
Daniela Paula da Silva Pereira: Southeast Brazil Union (Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, and Espírito Santo)
The original article was published on the South American Division Spanish-language news site.