Photograph by Joel Muniz
“If you are ignorant of God’s Word, you will always be ignorant of God’s will.” – Billy Graham
“It is Christ Himself, not the Bible, who is the true Word of God. The Bible, read in the right spirit and with the guidance of good teachers, will bring us to Him.” C. S. Lewis
“Bible study is the most essential ingredient in the believer’s spiritual life, because it is only in study of the Bible as that is blessed by the Holy Spirit that Christians hear Christ and discover what it means to follow Him.” James Montgomery Boice
Fun quotes. I thought about just providing a page of wonderful and timeless quotes from seasoned and classic teachers on the importance of spending time reading, studying and praying on God's word. But the title is on Maricopa Christian Academy's focus on Bible instruction, so a few words from me, a seasoned teacher but far from classic.
All of our teachers spend around forty-five minutes a day on Bible study. It entails a group reading of a passage from the Bible, (usually a chapter) discussion on the key points, answering 2-5 questions on paper, and either memorizing verses or reviewing the day's reading with a coloring project, map work or an activity.
We use the NIV for memorization along with a program called Memlock. Memlock uses a card system of Bible verses organized around a topic to encourage Bible verse memorization. I have used it for eighteen years with much success. They still use my comment on praising it on their website.
When we begin to hire teachers to instruct our subjects, among the qualifications of a college degree, great references, and being a nice person, these future teachers will have to show a love of God's word.
And what does that mean? It means an active, daily time spent reading, studying and discussing the Bible. Being a part of a weekly Bible study. and a member of a church.
Anyone is able to read and teach the Bible. Few share and believe its promise of love, forgiveness and salvation.