Bachelor of Science in Bible Teaching

Location

Curriculum

120 credit hours

Program Length

4 years

Accreditation

Accredited by ACSI

Learn How to Teach the Bible with Excellence!

CIU is one of the few Christian universities that offers an undergraduate degree in Bible Teaching. Other schools offer a degree in Bible or education, but not a combination of both!

Our program is designed to train you to know, love, live and teach the Bible with integrity. Although this training will equip you to design creative Bible lessons and curriculum in a Christian school setting, your skills will be transferable to multiple Christian ministry settings. Many graduates use their training in pastoral, youth ministry, camping and mission ministry contexts.

The purpose of the Bible Teaching program is to develop the ministry skill of teaching Bible in North America and around the world in public, private, international, government and missionary schools. In addition, this program provides preparation for other areas of Christian work where Bible teaching skills are required. CIU Education programs are endorsed by the Higher Education Approval Program (HEAP) of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Program graduates who meet specific requirements are eligible to apply for appropriate ACSI teacher or administrator certificates. ACSI waives the certification fee when applying at the time of CIU graduation.

The objectives of the Bible Teaching program are to develop the following competencies:

  • Cultivate the skill of preparing hermeneutically-sound Bible lessons and curriculum that are developmentally appropriate and consistent with the pattern of biblical revelation
  • Implement the sociological, philosophical, and psychological principles of the teaching-learning process into the preparation and delivery of Bible lessons
  • Establish positive, professional behavior and relationships with supervisors, co-workers, parents and students
     
BS Bible Teaching Testimonial, Elizabeth Clemmer

“The Bible Teaching program at CIU prepared me to teach Bible in the classroom, as well as to teach children at church and ministry opportunities overseas. I learned how to teach all subjects through the lens of Scripture. So even if I’m not teaching Bible, I’m teaching Bible. I will begin my 22nd year in Christian education this fall, and my Bible charts have been hanging in each and every classroom! The Bible Teaching program not only gave me a career, but the life-long skill of sharing the Word of God wherever I am.”

 — Elizabeth Clemmer

Why Choose Columbia International University?

Although many Christian colleges offer programs in Bible, Theology and Education, the Bible Teaching program at CIU is unique! Our program is actually gives you a double major in Bible/Theology and a Bible Teaching all in one program. This includes supervised training in the classroom, providing the practical skills of teaching and designing Bible curriculum, including one semester of student teaching.

Overall Benefits of getting this degree

First and foremost, this program provides you with the opportunity to study the Bible and Theology with professors who are experts in their fields and who work in association with CIU’s Columbia Biblical Seminary. You will learn the Bible first. Building on that knowledge, you will learn educational principles and best practices for teaching the Bible that are both hermeneutically and theologically sound. That includes creative and engaging methods which are developmentally appropriate for 21st century students.

Because the Bible Teaching program requires the Bible/Theology major, every student will graduate with a double major. With early strategic planning, as a Bible teaching major you can enrich your degree with a minor in a related area of study (ex: Youth Ministry, Philosophy, Middle Eastern Studies, Greek, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages [TESOL], etc.).

Here are examples of how CIU graduates of the Bible Teaching can serve around the world:

  • Teaching Bible in private Christian schools
  • Teaching Bible in public Schools in the United States
  • Head of school: Headmaster or Principal
  • Youth Ministry with a Bible Teaching emphasis
  • Teaching Bible and Theology in Bible colleges and seminaries
  • Camp ministries: camp directors, counselors and Bible study leaders
  • Women’s Ministries director in the local church
  • Women’s conference speakers
  • College professors of Bible, Theology, Anthropology, Education and Bible Teaching courses
  • University President
  • Pastors of local churches (head pastor and college pastors)
  • College campus ministries: CREW, RUF
  • Child Evangelism Fellowship
  • Evangelists
  • Sports ministries
  • Church planting ministries in the United States and overseas
  • Small group discipleship groups in Thailand
  • Business consultants in developing countries
  • Rescuing victims of sex trafficking
  • Business professionals operating from a biblical worldview

Featured Faculty

John Crutchfield

Bible and Christian Ministries Division Chair, Middle Eastern Studies Program Director

What Will I Study?

In addition to the undergraduate core, here are degree specific-courses you can expect to take:

  • BIB 3820 Bible for Teachers

    In this course, you will develop a philosophy of Bible teaching and learn to follow a preparation procedure that will ensure that the purpose for which Scripture was given will be accomplished in your own teaching. You will focus specifically on how to plan a Bible curriculum with courses of study, units, and daily lessons, following the pattern of biblical revelation and teaching the biblical material with integrity.

    3.00 credit hours
  • EDU 2110 Foundations of Education

    This course is an introductory study of the historical, social, philosophical, psychological, and pedagogical "foundations" of education, designed for those preparing to become professional educators. You will develop the tools to articulate a personal philosophy of education, with an emphasis on the social context of urban schools and an understanding of biblical principles relating to education.

    3.00 credit hours
  • EDU 3541 Learning Environment and Classroom Management

    This course is designed to introduce a variety of class management models, with analysis and application emphases. Implications for both early childhood and elementary settings are studied. Classroom environmental arrangements; time management factors; children of diverse backgrounds and needs; mental-, emotional -, social-and/or physical differences; and preventive, supportive, and corrective discipline are addressed. Large and small group management and components of effective physical, social, emotional, and academic learning environments are examined.

    2.00 credit hours
  • EDU 4910 Directed Teaching in Bible

    You will apply the principles and methods of teaching in an extended classroom experience under the supervision of an experienced teacher. Regular personal conferences with cooperating teacher and college supervisor required. (Directed Teaching fee is charged).

    9.00 credit hours
  • EDU 5400 Principles of Bible Curriculum Design

    This course covers principles of curriculum design with application to the preparation of curriculum for Bible teaching. Existing Bible curricula are evaluated in order to determine the philosophical basis for their construction. Students design original Bible courses and units on various grade levels for use in varied teaching environments.

    3.00 credit hours
  • EDU 5451 Methods of Teaching Bible

    This course is a study of the methods of classroom instruction with specific application to using the Bible as the text. Preparation of material for teaching, including formulation of objectives; and preparing units and daily lesson plans is discussed.

    3.00 credit hours
  • EDU 5452 Student Teaching Seminar: Bible Teaching

    This seminar is designed to prepare the student teacher in Bible for the directed teaching experience. Issues of being under supervision, managing the classroom, and evaluating student performance will be addressed.

    3.00 credit hours
  • EDU 5453 Applied Methods Teaching Bible

    This course is a practical experience in and demonstration of principles and methods of teaching Bible. Students complete the preparation of an assigned unit for Directed Teaching in Bible.

    3.00 credit hours
  • PSY 3330 Psychology of Learning

    This is an in-depth study of learning, motivation, and change, and the implications this will have for teaching and counseling methods. You will focus on historical and modern cognitive research and testing, especially within the academic, relational, emotional, and spiritual arenas. You will also give particular attention to the development of biblical perspectives of learning theory.

    3.00 credit hours
  • ENG 3540 Classics of Christian Literature

    This course examines a selection of influential Christian classics (primarily written in English but not excluding translated works) which reflect a variety of genres and traditions of Christian writing within the tradition of what C. S. Lewis called "mere Christianity." Particular attention will be given to how reading the Christian classics can be spiritually nourishing and help clarify challenges facing the Church today.

    3.00 credit hours
  • HIS 3110 History of the Christian Church

    In this survey of the developmental history of the Christian church from New Testament times to the modern era, you will address four periods: Early church history from the First Advent of Christ to the collapse of the Roman Empire (5 B.C.-A.D.590); Medieval church history from the rise of the Roman Catholic Church to the beginning of the Reformation (A.D. 590-1517); Reformation church history from the Protestant Reformation to the Roman Catholic Counter-Reformation (1517-1648); and modern church history from the Pietistic Revival to the present (1648 on).

    3.00 credit hours
  • HIS 4221 History of Global Christianity I

    This course provides a global survey of Christianity from its birth to the close of the Middle Ages. You will discuss and analyze the Early Church's growth, challenges, and compromises, including the Crusades and early missionary efforts. Special attention will be given to the way in which the Early Church responded to the Great Commission by establishing churches in African, Slavic, Indian, Sinic and Latin American civilizations. Attention will also be given to Christianity's relationship with both Judaism and Islam before 1500.

    3.00 credit hours
  • HIS 6221 History of Global Christianity I

    This course provides a global survey of Christianity from its birth to the close of the Middle Ages. You will discuss and analyze the Early Church's growth, challenges, and compromises, including the Crusades and early missionary efforts. Special attention will be given to the way in which the Early Church responded to the Great Commission by establishing churches in African, Slavic, Indian, Sinic and Latin American civilizations. Attention will also be given to Christianity's relationship with both Judaism and Islam before 1500.

    3.00 credit hours
  • HIS 4231 History of Global Christianity II

    This course provides a global survey of Christianity from the Reformation of the 16th century to the early 21st century. You will examine the Reformation as a global phenomenon, comparing church reform in Europe with simultaneous developments in Africa, Russia, and Latin America. Special attention will be given to the interaction of Christianity with Slavic, Sinic, Islamic, Hindu, Western, African, Jewish, and Latin civilizations.

    3.00 credit hours
  • HIS 6231 History of Global Christianity II

    This course provides a global survey of Christianity from the Reformation of the 16th century to the early 21st century. You will examine the Reformation as a global phenomenon, comparing church reform in Europe with simultaneous developments in Africa, Russia, and Latin America. Special attention will be given to the interaction of Christianity with Slavic, Sinic, Islamic, Hindu, Western, African, Jewish, and Latin civilizations.

    3.00 credit hours
  • HUM 3221 Arts and Ideas

    In this course, you will: a) develop a basic appreciation for the various visual and temporal arts - painting, sculpture, music, literature, drama - and b) grow to understand the broad historical progression of the arts from the late Middle Ages to the 20th Century. You will particularly focus on how philosophical ideas and worldviews are communicated through the arts.

    3.00 credit hours
  • HUM 3540 Great Books: Christian Classics

    This course examines a selection of influential Christian classics (primarily written in English but not excluding translated works) which reflect a variety of genres and traditions of Christian writing within the tradition of what C. S. Lewis called "mere Christianity." Particular attention will be given to how reading the Christian classics can be spiritually nourishing and help clarify challenges facing the Church today.

    3.00 credit hours
  • ICS 3110 Introduction to World Religions

    This course is an introduction to the broad historical development, philosophical structures, and worldviews of the non-Christian religions. You will explore primal religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Chinese and Japanese religions, and Islam, as well as some of their folk expressions.

    3.00 credit hours
  • PHI 3310 Classical Philosophy

    In this history of philosophy course, you will explore the central ideas of classical philosophy by reading central works of the presocratic and Greek philosophers that are foundational to the development of Western thought, politics, ethics, and religion.

    3.00 credit hours
  • PHI 3320 Medieval Philosophy

    In this history of philosophy course, you will explore the central ideas of medieval philosophy by reading the central works of the medieval philosophers, which are characterized by the synthesis of classical Greek thought with Christian theology.

    3.00 credit hours
  • PHI 3330 Modern Philosophy

    In this history of philosophy course, you will explore the central ideas of modern philosophy by reading the central works of the modern philosophers that provide the basis for our present postmodern context.

    3.00 credit hours
  • PHI 3610 Introduction to Christian Apologetics

    This course introduces students to Christian apologetics: the task of "giving a defense" of the Gospel and Christian doctrine to contemporary intellectual and cultural challenges. Students will study specific challenges to Christian doctrines and responses to those challenges, as well as comparing and contrasting different approaches to the apologetic task (e.g., classical apologetics, presuppositionalist apologetics, etc.). (3)

    3.00 credit hours
For a comprehensive list of courses related to this program visit the Academic Catalog.

Accreditation and Accolades

ASCI (Association of Christian Schools International)
SACSCOC (The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges)
ABHE (The Association for Biblical Higher Education)

Career Path Opportunities

  • Bible Teaching in public or Christian schools in the United States and in international schools around the world.
  • Bible Teaching in a church ministry
  • Youth Ministry: A number of our graduates are teaching Bible to youth in a local church.
  • Children’s Ministry directors
  • Writing and designing Bible curriculum for Sunday school and Youth Ministry programs
  • Many of our graduates discover ministry opportunities in the workplace as business and education professionals. While not directly in a Bible Teaching position, their training is practiced in unique purposeful ways.

Top FAQs

When I graduate can I get a job with this degree?

Every year the Bible Teaching director receives more requests for Bible Teaching positions than there are graduates to fill them. Although the jobs are often not as abundant in certain locations, if one is willing to relocate there is usually a position available. In addition, there are other requests for Bible Teaching ministries that are not in a school setting such as youth-related ministry positions.

How can I find out about available positions upon graduation?

There is a job board administered by CIU where ministry positions are posted on a regular basis. In addition, the director of the Bible Teaching program receives multiple requests every year and assists current students and graduates in securing a position upon graduation or even before graduation.

Are the Bible Teaching courses difficult?

Honestly, this often depends on your past experience in high school. If you took easy courses and made Cs, you may find courses are difficult. But if you are motivated to learn and are willing to work hard, you find the courses challenging, rigorous, thorough and obtainable. In addition, to your professors there is a full staff in the Academic Success Center who will assist you in areas where you may be weak. In addition, some of the more difficult classes offer study groups.

Is there a variety of good food choices in the Dining Hall?

Most CIU students find good choices at every meal! Is it like your mom’s? No! But many say it is the best cafeteria food that they have ever had!

Can I change my major after choosing a major?

Absolutely, however, you should always discuss it with your advisor because the later you change, the more difficult it will be to graduate on time. Usually it is best to change, if necessary, by your third semester.

Will I have to write formal research papers?

Yes, welcome to college! There will be papers to write; however, not every class will require formal papers. But there will be wonderful help from your professors, rubrics and assistants in the Academic Success Center who are available if you need extra help in this area.

Will I have time to get involved in campus activities while maintaining healthy academic practices?

Yes! There are wonderful social, ministry, and academic-related extra-curricular activities on campus every week. But be careful to choose wisely! Start with a few regular activities as you balance your time and studies. Look at your calendar and assignments before you commit to extra activities.

What is the greatest mistake you can make?

Probably the worst one you can make is to avoid meeting your academic advisor before registering for classes. Also, meet with your professor as soon as you need extra help. Often you just need some explanation and clarification of assignments. Professors and staff are available to assist you.