How to Conduct a Summer Bible School
| By the Rev. Abraham Lance Lathem, D.D. [excerpted from Christianity Today, 8.2 (June 1937): 32-33]. Click here to view a letter from the Rev. Francis A. Schaeffer, written in commendation of the Summer Bible School program. Click here to view the finding aid for the A.L. Lathem collection at the PCA Historical Center. |
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The Summer Bible School has long since ceased to be an experiment. It has been proved to be of the highest efficiency in every school where it has had a fair trial. Many witnesses might be summoned who by their own testimony would establish this fact. A test of a quarter of a century with continued success and blessing is an evidence that cannot be lightly treated or to which a deaf ear can be turned by a consecrated pastor and church officials.
In order that it may be understood just what the "Summer Bible School" is by those who may not be acquainted with it, the curriculum appears at end of article.
It will be noticed that there is no place in this course of study for handwork in the ordinary sense of that word. A few maps are drawn and written tests are used.
The quotation marks in the curriculum indicate that the title thus set off is a book or booklet used in teaching, as are the books in public school. It is quite impossible to successfully conduct a Summer Bible School or any other type school unless the pupils have the necessary books, and they should by all means be provided by the church or churches putting on the Summer Bible School. A good motto for each School should be: "A book in the hand of each child who can read for every subject he is required to study." This can be said quite freely as there is no personal profit on books; the profit all goes toward promoting the "Summer Bible School" work. It is unwise to cheapen the Bible School by trying to run it on a cheap scale--our children are too important. Without question the falling away in the Church (and there is a constant falling away) is largely due to lack of training or faulty training in childhood along Christian lines.
If possible, the teachers employed should be public school teachers of experience, and of course Christians. The care of the young being the most important function of any church, the teachers employed should be paid for their services. Economy that fails to provide for the proper training of the youth is a false economy. If public school teachers in exercising their functions in the state are paid, they should surely be paid for standing three hours a day and teaching in the Bible School.
The length of the term to be efficient should be five weeks--five days a week and three hours a day.
All Scriptures should be carefully memorized, and the same perfection required in all other studies as is required in the public school work. Older pupils should take tests and receive grades according to what they have done.
As an encouragement to study, emblems are useful, such as: stars, crosses, crowns, crescents, etc., as well as the giving of grades.
Perfect discipline should prevail in any school if it is to be a success. Children respect and appreciate a thing that is well done, and will be found almost unanimously willing to help.
The "Summer Bible School" is not a local organization. Such schools are now found in nearly all of our states, many of them have been continuous from summer to summer for ten to fifteen years. They are found also in a number, if not all, of the Provinces of Canada. The "Summer Bible School" is a missionary institution, both home and foreign. By action of the Korean General Assembly the "Summer Bible School" is officially put on in that country, with the result that during the past five years (the school term being five weeks each summer) more than 50,000 young Koreans have made public acceptance of Christ. Many of these that have been gathered in have never been in Sabbath School or Church before.
The Summer Bible School is non-sectarian. Its ardent advocates are found among practically all denominations.
It might also be noted that the "Summer Bible School" is not for lecturing, but for searching the Scriptures and mastering them and getting them into the mind. The Word hidden in the heart is used largely of the Holy Spirit.
Those wishing information and literature may obtain it by writing Dr. A.L. Lathem, Summer Bible School Assn., Broad and Potter Streets, Chester, Pa., and enclosing 10c to cover the postage. The books used in the course may be purchased from the same address.
[Note: Copies of three curriculum items mentioned in the text below are preserved at the PCA Historical Center in St. Louis:
1. Old Testament History: Adam to Saul, in Question and Answer (1924)
2. The Twelve Apostles and James, the Lord's Brother (1926)
3. The Shorter Catechism of the Westminster Assembly. Standard Edition. Printed by the Summer Bible School Association. Undated.
If you have other examples of the Summer Bible School curriculum that you would like to see carefully preserved, please contact the staff at the PCA Historical Center. We'd like to hear from you.]
CURRICULUM |
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KINDERGARTEN |
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| (Pupils three and four years of age) | ||
(1) The Books of the New Testament. |
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PRIMARY |
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| FIRST GRADE (age five years) | ||
(1) The Lord's Prayer. |
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| SECOND GRADE (age six years) | ||
(1) "The Bible, The Christian's Sacred Book"--first half. |
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| THIRD GRADE (age seven years) | ||
(1) "The Bible, the Christian's Sacred Book"--completed. |
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| INTERMEDIATE |
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| FOURTH GRADE (age eight years) | ||
(1) "Catechism for Young Children"--completed. |
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| FIFTH GRADE (age nine years) | ||
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| SIXTH GRADE (age ten years) | ||
(1) "Adam to Saul"--reviewed and completed. |
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JUNIOR HIGH |
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| SEVENTH GRADE (age eleven years | ||
(1) "Saul to Christ." |
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| EIGHTH GRADE (age twelve years) | ||
(1) Psalms 91, 121, 122; 1 Cor. 13. |
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| NINTH GRADE (age thirteen years) | ||
(1) John 1:1-18; 3:1-21. Review Psalms 91, 121, 122 and I Cor. 13. |
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SENIOR HIGH |
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| TENTH GRADE (age fourteen years) | ||
*(1) "Bible Atlas," pp. 1-6; p. 11, pp. 13-19; pp. 26-46. |
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| ELEVENTH GRADE (age fifteen years) | ||
*(1) "Bible Atlas," pp. 47-83. Review 14th year. |
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| TWELFTH GRADE (sixteen years and older) | ||
(1) "A Study" of the Gospel of John. Memory chapters 16, 20, 21. Review John 15. Special Chapter the Third--see Curriculum Ninth Grade. |
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POST GRADUATE AND TEACHER TRAINING COURSE |
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(First Year) |
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(1) "The Book of The Acts" (A Study) chapters 1-14. Memory Chapter Acts 2. |
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(Second Year) |
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(1) "The Book of The Acts" (A Study) Chapter 15-28. Memory Verses Chapter Acts 20:17-35; also II Timothy, Third Chapter (throughout) and Fourth Chapter, verses 1-8. |
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| *Changed to conform with new edition of the Atlas. | ||