For those who attend church regularly, the idea of learning from the Bible may evoke memories of memorizing verses in Bible school or hearing quotes woven into a sermon. However, the Bible also provides philosophical, spiritual and historical insights that few other books can offer under one cover. It’s a treasure trove of information for teachers, particularly those who work in Christian schools.
Educators who study the Bible in a structured way gain tools for reading closely and asking better questions. They also find out how themes like covenant, justice, mercy and redemption weave through the whole narrative. Learning the Bible in this way can shape how educators teach.
This type of study also roots people in the Bible’s history. They begin to see when and where the different books were written, who first heard them and what was happening in their world. This historical perspective helps teachers read the Bible with context.
Fresno Pacific University’s biblical education courses for educators, including An Overview of the Bible, Apologetics for the 21st Century and Unleashing God’s Word to the Romans, give teachers and ministry leaders space to explore these insights while also learning how to share them with others. It can prove especially helpful to Christian educators.
Learning the Bible Provides Insights for Life and Teaching
Courses that focus on learning the Bible help educators see the book as a unified story pointing to God’s work in the world. In An Overview of the Bible, students survey the entire canon from Genesis to Revelation, tracing major themes and the overarching storyline.
Educators learn how law, the prophets, wisdom literature, the Gospels and epistles fit together. For Christian educators, that big-picture view makes it easier to select passages, design units and show students how familiar stories connect to larger theological ideas. They also gain practice turning insights into clear, age-appropriate lessons.
The History of the Bible and the World Behind the Text
Understanding the history of the Bible means looking at the world behind the text, including the social, political and religious settings in which biblical writers lived. Courses at Fresno Pacific emphasize this historical world, helping educators see how context shapes meaning and application.
When educators study a book like Romans in depth, they encounter the first-century Roman Empire, early Christian communities and the specific issues that the writer, Paul, addressed. That historical framework enriches classroom teaching. It gives teachers the expertise to explain why certain commands were given and what principles still speak to today’s cultural questions.
Courses That Strengthen Confidence in Teaching From the Bible
Apologetics for the 21st Century focuses on responding to doubts and hard questions about the Christian faith in a skeptical culture. Students explore reasons for belief and common objections. This understanding of the Bible equips educators to guide students who wrestle with faith, science, suffering and truth claims.
When combined with the broad survey of An Overview of the Bible and the focused study of Unleashing God’s Word to the Romans, educators develop a toolbox that includes biblical knowledge, historical understanding and practical teaching strategies.
Across all three courses, the goal is not only to deepen personal understanding but also to help teachers become more effective Christian educators. By studying the history of the Bible in a thoughtful, structured way, teachers can help students see the Bible as more than an old book, but as something that continues to provide meaning to millions today.