Teacher:

Mr. Ed Sammons

Bible Class Summary

At the beginning of the year, an outline containing an overview of the Bible is used in all classes. We generally have students new to the Academy in all grade levels involved. The overview gives students a basic frame of reference and a Biblical foundation of information upon which they can build. Returning students refresh this information and also assist those who are new to the Academy or who have less understanding of this basic information. This normally takes from three to four weeks.

Because the makeup of classes can be a mix of grade levels, a system has been practiced which entails identifying the Bible curriculua from sixth grade through ninth grade as tracks one through four - the intent being that in the passage through the four grades, each track should be accomplished. This avoids any student having to repeat a curriculum.

For the First Quarter, an extensive outline (in question form) has been prepared covering a major portion of the books of Genesis (Track 1) and Exodus (Track 2), and of the accounts of the prophets included within other books (Track 3). These outlines emphasize primarily the accounts of the lives of notable Old Testament characters. On workdays, students are assigned a portion of the outline. They read the text from the Bible to themselves (which may be varied by having one of the students read). Then they work at answering the questions, which include values emphasis and requires that they continue to develop their reasoning skills.

During the Second Quarter, extensive outlines are again used for the books of Matthew
(Track 1), John (Track 2), and Acts (Tracks 3). The basic approach is the same as that described above.

In the Third Quarter, a variety of materials are used to stimulate interest in the Psalms, including illustrated Psalms (Track 1). Proverbs (Track 2) is approached by a combination of reading and analysis, with limited questions. Students must apply reasoning skills to determine the meaning. Students in ninth grade study Ruth and Esther (Track 3), complete with extensive investigation concerning customs of the time.

During the Fourth Quarter, the books of James (Track 1), I and II Peter (Track 2), and Ephesians (Track 3) are studied from the Bible text, and there are outline questions to encourage their comprehension, along with considerations of the values presented.

Every day, a “wise saying” from a numbered list is placed on the board, usually with a verse or two from the Bible which relates to the saying. Students copy the saying, look up the verse, and try to understand, through writing and discussion, both the meaning of the saying and the manner in which the Bible verse relates to it. Encouraging different students to explain the saying concludes this relatively brief portion of the class period. The Bible verse is read aloud by students- from different translations whenever available. Then students are called upon to elaborate upon the meaning of the verse.

Other materials are available, such as “The Moral Compass”. A story is made available to the students, usually along with printed questions, so that the application of morals to practical situations may be explored. This usually piques interest and allows the students to feel successful. Occasionally, a video is presented, usually of mysterious events or places on earth. The students receive this well, and it serves to make room in their minds for a broader understanding that not everything in the world can be explained by physical laws.

Where interest is sufficient, classes are encouraged to sing Biblically-based songs from books available in the classroom. Leadership is encouraged by students “beginning” these songs and leading them. Expression of values is encouraged by informal discussions both as relates to the saying each day and as to the Bible material being covered, with emphasis in these discussions being upon practical application of these principles today.

For evaluation purposes, brief oral quizzes are given, usually weekly. Students are also evaluated on completing their work accurately, and upon responses to verbal questions asked in class. These may include questions such as the subject addressed by the guest speaker at the beginning of school, the meaning of the saying and related Bible passage, and items concerning the current area of Bible study or supplemental materials. Occasionally a longer quiz is given in writing. These are sometimes “open book, open note, open Bible.” This has proven most effective at encouraging students to keep up to date with their work, and to keep their materials together in an orderly fashion. It increases their ability to use notes in the fashion of research work. It serves also as a “second learning” period for those who would never voluntarily look over their notes to that extent. A longer examination is given at the end of each term. The format for written quizzes is used, though the quantity of questions is greater. The scope includes all materials presented during that term.

Text:
The Holy Bible - variety of versions, however the student versions are the New King James Version.

Supplemental Materials:
Atlas of the Bible, Reader’s Digest
Great Religions of the World, National Geographic Society
Book of Virtues, John Bennett
Bible Wisdom for Modern Living, David Brown
The Quest for Character, Charles K. Swindall
Chicken Soup For the Soul, John Camfield and Mark Victorhouse
Sunshine and Shadows, Monta Crane

Methods:
Classes are mostly involved in question and answer discussions, what is sometimes called the Aristotelian type of instruction. This type of investigation of the Bible allows the student application Biblical principles. They can only question and understand what is valid to them and the student can only act upon their own conclusions. So the classes focus more on internalization of Biblical principles rather memorization of Biblical facts.