I never thought I would do this, but in the first few weeks of my time at a new Christian School, I threatened to shut down the Scripture/Bible programme. I love the Scriptures and value their place in Christian schools; however, they were doing more harm than good in this case. I know that sounds almost blasphemous, but from what we could tell, the short-term and long-term impact that the program was having was more negative than positive.
It consistently received the worst feedback from students and parents and was the only subject that some board members’ children had dispensation not to attend. This is not a good look for a Christian School.
I did not want to close the programme, but I felt I had little choice. The current curriculum and pedagogy left many students bored and despising both the class and what it represented.
I met with the teachers of Bible to discuss the pending difficult decision. After a lengthy discussion, I asked them why they think we teach Bible classes at school. Their answer was to help students live by its ways and know how to interpret Scripture. It was then that I realised what was wrong; our purpose for a Bible programme in school was well intended but not well considered.
After some deep reflection, our programme now has a threefold purpose and is intentionally implemented through these three dimensions, not just in the senior years but across the school.
Three-fold Purpose: Authoritative, Relevant and Curiosity
When all three objectives are present, the program has value. However, if even one of the objectives is missing, the program requires major Holy Spirit intervention to be good.
Authoritative: Our students need to understand that they can trust the Bible as a guide for life; its words are more than just a suggestion or another piece of advice. The words are from our Creator, the designer of our being, and the words contained in Scripture are true and trustworthy. Ultimately, what is present in Scripture is not suggestions but truth.
Relevant: Scripture is more than a historical document. The words on the page were recorded so long ago that they are relevant to the world we live in today. They give us direction on how to live in harmony with others, how to live a full life and how to find peace with our Creator. They speak of how to live a life of no regrets and understand the temptations and sins that are prevalent in the 21st century. The relevance of the Bible enables us to live a life of fulfilment and inner peace.
Curiosity: Our students need to develop a curiosity for Scripture. There is a need to ensure that our students desire to read the scripture, to grow a passion to learn more and to engage frequently with it. This is not something that is necessarily ‘taught’, rather it is more likely caught. Teachers who love the Scriptures are more likely to inspire a love for the Scripture in their students.
A solid Bible programme within a Christian school needs to have all three objectives present in order to be effective for our students. These three objectives will help students understand the completeness of His Word. The intentional involvement of these objectives must be delivered through meaningful exposure to and saturation of the content of Scripture.
When the triad objectives are central to a scripture programme in a Christian school (or even a Sunday School), the Bible is not presented as a collection of stories but a series of lessons. Rather than learning about Daniel and the lion’s den, students are taught about God’s faithfulness even when we don’t understand how we can get out of something…with the lion's den as an illustration of this faithfulness. We do not teach Scripture for history’s sake; we must teach Bible in such a way that it equips our students for the future God calls them into.
The Bible is not Shakespeare and it is not Aesop’s fables; it is the Living Word of God, full of reminders of who our Creator is, the promises He has for us and His instructions for how to live our best lives. We need to be sure our Bible classes reflect this truth.
One final and practical note. Our students are less likely to develop a curiosity for the Scriptures if their teachers do not have it. This is not a skill or even teachable. As with students, it is caught. Either hire well or create an environment that values and models this.
The following table explores what happens when any one of the triad objectives is absent from a Bible program. Like a three-legged stool with one leg missing, the program loses its value significantly.
The Effect of a Missing Triad Objective.
|
Present Objectives |
Missing Objectives |
Result |
|
Curiosity, Relevant |
Authoritative |
Students see the scripture as a good book that can provide options and suggestions on how to live. |
|
Curiosity, Authoritative |
Relevant |
Students are interested in what the Bible says but see its words as a historical document that speaks with authority as to why ancient society broke down. |
|
Relevant, Authoritative |
Curiosity |
Students know that Scripture speaks with authority to the issues within society today and how I should live, but there is little interest in exploring what it says. |
|
Relevant, Curiosity, Authoritative |
|
Students know that Scripture speaks with authority to how they are to live life today and desire to know more about what it says. |
Do not stop teaching Bible in your Christian School. And when you teach it, do so with the triad objectives in a way that students understand the completeness of the Canon, the way the authors knit with precision, prophecy, poetry, miracles and manuscript, wisdom and parables.
Would I have pulled the Bible programme from our school? I do not think so. However, it sure is important to get our objectives right for what we hope to achieve in such an important program in a Christian school. Christian education must bring students closer to the Scriptures, not create a barrier between them and a lifelong love for His Word.
I pray God gives you wisdom as you review your students experience of your Bible programme.
Shaun