CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (August 12, 2021) — As thousands of students return for another school year this August, local nonprofit Bible in the Schools (BITS) celebrates the start of the 100th school year that Bible History elective courses have been offered in Hamilton County’s public schools. Since 1922, public school students in Hamilton County have taken Bible elective courses as part of their regular school day. A 100-year-old institution, Bible in the Schools is the byproduct of the vision of Dr. J. Park McCallie, founder of The McCallie School. After observing the benefits of Bible History classes on McCallie School youth, Dr. McCallie was convinced that Bible classes are “altogether the most worthwhile courses we have.” He wanted all students, public and private, to have the opportunity to study the Bible at their school. In 1922, Dr. McCallie organized a group known as the Public School Bible Study Committee, later referred to as Bible in the Schools, and argued before the City Commission that Bible classes should be taught in the public schools. “Today we stand on the shoulders of one man who, in 1922, understood the academic benefit of the rigor required from students when studying such a complex text, but who also recognized that when students studied the Bible, it had a transformative impact in their lives as well as on the integrity and climate of the entire school,” said Mrs. Cathy Scott. Mrs. Scott is the current president of Bible in the Schools. Bible History classes follow guidelines established by a 1980 federal court ruling, which affirmed that the teaching of for-credit non-sectarian Bible History elective classes in Hamilton County’s public middle and high schools is constitutionally permissible. Before 1980, elementary students throughout Hamilton County were eligible to take Bible courses; since the court ruling, the elective courses are only taught in middle and high schools. The Hamilton County Bible History curricular framework is court-approved, taught from an historical and literary perspective, and aligns with the standards of the Tennessee State Department of Education. The Hamilton County Schools Bible History program continues to lead our nation with the largest concentration of public school students in any one school district studying the Bible. Entering its 100th school year, Bible in the Schools now reaches 29 public schools and over 4,600 students. Demand for Bible History grows each school year: 2021 boasted the highest Bible History enrollment numbers since the program’s inception. Hamilton County Schools’ data reports that of the 19,006 students in the county who had access to Bible History in 2020-2021, approximately one in four students took and completed a course. Bible History elective courses provide public school students with the opportunity to receive a viewpoint-neutral, foundational study--at no cost to taxpayers--of one of the cornerstone texts of world history. Courses like Bible History encourage responsible citizenship and contribute to a broad education. They develop cultural literacy in young minds and equip students to thrive in and contribute to a global world. Bible in the Schools has provided public school students in Hamilton County with Bible History classes for 100 years, funded entirely by charitable community donations. Because of the generosity of the community, Bible in the Schools provided the largest community-funded donation to Hamilton County Schools in the 2020-2021 academic year. More information is available at www.bibleintheschools.com. Please direct any inquiries to info@bibleintheschools.com . 

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., August 1, 2022 - Local nonprofit Bible in the Schools presented Hamilton County Schools (HCS)with its annual community gift of almost $2 million as reimbursement for the 2021-2022 countywide Bible electivecourse program. Bible in the Schools Board Chairman Tom Glenn and President Cathy Scott presented SuperintendentDr. Justin Robertson with the nearly $2 million gift. Also present was Bible in the Schools' board member Dr.Jill Hartness. Dr. Justin Robertson stated, “We very much appreciate the support we receive from Bible in the Schools thatprovides an elective course opportunity for many of our students in grades 6-12. Thanks to the generosity of thegroup and its supporters, our unique partnership has been in place for 100 years, and we look forward tocontinuing our joint work to serve Hamilton County students in the future.” Founded in 1922, Bible in the Schools provides elective Bible courses for public school students in HamiltonCounty. Celebrating its 100th year this year, Bible in the Schools now reaches 29 public schools and over 4,700students in grades 6-12. Demand for Bible continues to grow, as Bible in the Schools prepares to support31 schools for the 2022-2023 academic year with an expected record enrollment of over 5,000 students. HCS datareveals that of all middle and high school students in the county four out of five now have access to a Bibleclass at school. Hamilton County Schools recently announced a partnership with Chattanooga StateCommunity College that will begin this next school year. High school students who take Old Testament Survey willnow have the option to receive a local dual credit through Chatt State, earning college credit while studyingthe Bible. Bible courses are funded entirely by the generous supporters of Bible in the Schools. Board Chairman Tom Glennstated, "It is our great privilege to present this gift to our public schools, as it represents the generosityof so many donors in this community. Such ongoing generosity has made the gift of elective Bible coursesavailable to so many students in Chattanooga for the last 100 years. As we look to the future, we are eager tocontinue fulfilling our mission of advancing Bible education in Hamilton County public schools." Because of thegenerosity of the community, Bible in the Schools provided the largest community partner donation given toHamilton County Schools in the 2021-2022 academic year. President Cathy Scott stated, "The Hamilton County public school Bible program has been a daily dispenser of hopein this community and reflects the generosity of so many committed partners. Studying Bible courses in ourpublic schools helps ground and awaken students to the rich cultural footprint that the Bible has had onhistory. We believe that a knowledge of the Bible is a key component to a well-rounded education that encouragesstudents to not just be passive observers of society, but active contributors in a global world. Thank you toall who have donated generously to enrich Hamilton County Schools with a text that crosses all cultural,socioeconomic, and racial barriers while still enriching lives each day." Bible classes followguidelines established by a 1980 federal court ruling which affirmed that the teaching of for-credit elective Bibleclasses in Hamilton County's public middle and high schools is constitutionally permissible. The Bible coursecurricular framework is court-approved and aligns with the Tennessee Department of Education's state academicstandards. The Hamilton County-based program also leads the nation with the largest concentration of public schoolstudents in any one school district studying the Bible. The program is currently celebrating its 100th year. More information regarding participating schools and courses offered is available at bibleintheschools.com.Please direct any inquiries to info@bibleintheschools.com. Photo Credit: Zecheriah Curtis

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (August 3, 2021) — Local nonprofit Bible in the Schools presented Hamilton County Schools (HCS) with their annual community gift of almost $1.8 million as reimbursement for the 2020-2021 countywide Bible History elective program. Bible in the Schools Board Chairman Mr. Tom Glenn and President Mrs. Cathy Scott presented Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson with the $1.8 million gift. Also present was Bible in the Schools board member Mr. Mike Harrell. Dr. Bryan Johnson stated: “It is an honor to once again accept the gift of Bible History on behalf of Hamilton County Schools. This gift sponsors the education of thousands of public school students in our district. The countywide Bible History elective program encourages students in grades 6-12 to recognize the rich cultural connections between an ancient text and our modern world. Hamilton County seeks to graduate students who are future-ready and prepared for success in college and career. By thinking critically and engaging in historically rich conversations, HCS is preparing students to become global thinkers and responsible citizens.” Founded in 1922, Bible in the Schools provides Bible History elective courses for public school students in Hamilton County. Entering its 100th year, Bible in the Schools now reaches 29 public schools and over 4,600 students in grades 6-12. Demand for Bible History continues to grow, as 2021 recorded the highest Bible History enrollment numbers yet. HCS data reveals that, of the 19,006 students in the county who had access to Bible History elective courses in 2020-2021, one in four students completed a Bible course for graduation credit. Bible History courses are funded entirely by the generous supporters of Bible in the Schools. Board Chairman Mr. Tom Glenn stated: “As we approach our 100th school year, it is an honor to present this gift to our public schools, as it represents the heart behind so many donors in this community. Such generosity makes the gift of Bible History available to so many young lives.” Because of the generosity of the community, Bible in the Schools provided the largest community partner donation to Hamilton County Schools given in the 2020-2021 academic year. President Mrs. Cathy Scott stated: “The Hamilton County public school Bible History program has been a daily dispenser of hope in this community and reflects the generosity of so many committed partners. Studying Bible History in our public schools helps ground and awaken students to the rich cultural footprint that the Bible has had on history, while offering students hope, values, and life lessons relevant to the tough issues they wrestle with daily. We believe that a knowledge of the Bible is a key component to a well-rounded education that encourages students to not just be passive observers of society, but active contributors in a global world. Thank you to all who have donated generously to enrich Hamilton County Schools with a text that crosses all cultural, socioeconomic, and racial barriers, while still touching lives each day.” Bible History classes follow guidelines established by a 1980 federal court ruling, which affirmed that the teaching of for-credit Bible History elective classes in Hamilton County’s public middle and high schools is constitutionally permissible. The Bible History curricular framework is court-approved and aligns with the Tennessee Department of Education’s state academic standards. The Hamilton County-based program also leads the nation with the largest concentration of public school students in any one school district studying the Bible. The program is entering its 100th year. More information regarding participating schools and courses offered is available at www.bibleintheschools.com . Please direct any inquiries to info@bibleintheschools.com . Photo Credit: Rachel Douglass 

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (August 4, 2020) — Local nonprofit Bible in the Schools presented Hamilton County Schools (HCS) with their annual community gift of over $1.7 million as reimbursement for the 2019-2020 Bible History elective program. Mrs. Cathy Scott, President, along with Mr. Tom Glenn, incoming Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Board Member of Bible in the Schools Mr. Mike Harrell presented the community gift to Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson. Also present to receive the gift was School Board Chairman, Mr. Joe Wingate. Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson stated: “Our district’s goal is to graduate students who are future-ready and prepared for success in college and career. The Bible History Program, available for students as an elective in grades 6-12, equips students to recognize the many cultural connections between an ancient text and our modern world. The Hamilton County Schools leadership team is grateful for its strong community partnership with Bible in the Schools, especially for the continued financial support from the greater Chattanooga community, whose generosity has funded the program and enriched the lives of thousands of students.” Attendance in Bible History courses increased despite the broad array of challenges that students in Hamilton County faced this year. In spite of the difficult academic year due to the coronavirus, the economic downturn, and the tornado that impacted thousands of homes across Hamilton County, Bible History enrollment continued to climb. Data from 26 participating Hamilton County public and charter schools reported that 4,579 students (61% of whom are classified by the state as Title 1 or come from low-income families) persevered despite these challenges and completed a Bible History elective course in the 2019-2020 academic year. Of the 20,000 students in the county who had access to Bible History, 24% took and completed a course. Board Chairman Mr. Tom Glenn stated: “For 99 years, Bible in the Schools has provided public school students with the free gift of Bible History elective courses at no cost to taxpayers. It is an honor to present this gift to our public schools, as it represents the generosity of so many people’s hearts across Hamilton County. We are excited about the upcoming school year as we add Bible programs at Tyner Middle Academy and East Hamilton Middle School. For the 2020-2021 academic year, Bible History courses will be offered in 28 participating schools throughout Hamilton County. Our goal is to give every middle and high school student the opportunity to study the Bible at school if they so choose.” President Mrs. Cathy Scott said, “This community gift for Bible History elective courses, given through Bible in the Schools, represents a generous community that understands the enduring value that studying the Bible can have in the lives of students in our public schools. We believe Bible History is a critical component to a well-rounded education. It awakens students to the rich, cultural footprint the Bible has left in global history while offering the hope, values, and life lessons relevant to the tough issues youth face today. The Hamilton County Schools’ program continues to lead our nation with the largest concentration of public school students in any one school district studying the Bible in 28 schools. We are grateful to provide a text that enriches students with wisdom and knowledge--one that crosses all cultural, socioeconomic, and racial barriers, while still touching lives each day.” These courses are an opportunity for students to have a viewpoint neutral, foundational study of one of the cornerstone texts of world history. Students who study the Bible from a historical and literary perspective become more culturally literate and better equipped to thrive and contribute to a global world. Entering this 99th year, Bible History courses will be offered in 28 schools and will be taught by 26 highly credentialed teachers in the 2020-2021 academic year. Bible History teachers are hired by school principals and led by a full-time Bible History Program Coordinator. The organization fully funds all taxes, teacher salaries and benefits, year-round costs of teacher professional development, legal training, classroom materials, and Bible textbooks for the courses. Bible History classes follow guidelines established by a 1980 federal court ruling, which affirmed that the teaching of for-credit Bible History electives in Hamilton County’s public middle and high schools is constitutionally permissible. The Hamilton County Bible History curricular framework is court approved and aligns with the Tennessee Department of Education’s state academic standards. More information regarding participating schools and courses offered is available at www.bibleintheschools.com. Please direct any inquiries to info@bibleintheschools.com. 

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (July 31, 2019) — Entering its 98th year, local non-profit Bible in the Schools presented Hamilton County Schools and two participating charter schools with a collective community gift of over $1.5 million as reimbursement for the complete cost of the 2018-2019 county-wide public school Bible History elective course program. Presenting the gift to Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson were Dr. Gary Phillips, vice chairman of the board of directors of Bible in the Schools, Mike Harrell, member of the board, and Ms. Cathy Scott, the organization’s president. “We are a district invested in holistically preparing students for a successful future,” said Dr. Johnson. “Biblical literacy is one avenue for developing critical thinking, literacy, and cultural awareness for the students participating in this elective program. This gift—which was the largest philanthropic gift received by Hamilton County public schools during the 2018-2019 school year through community partnerships — empowered Hamilton County Schools to hire 23 qualified and certified Bible History teachers, including a full-time Bible History Program Coordinator, for this past academic year.” Enrollment data from 25 participating Hamilton County public schools reported 4,536 public school students in grades 6-12 completed Bible History elective courses during the 2018-2019 academic year — a record enrollment and a 12 percent increase over the previous academic year. Board Chairman Chris Maclellan said, “Bible in the Schools’ commitment to providing Hamilton County Schools with the free gift of Bible History elective courses has remained strong for nearly 100 years. It is our privilege to deliver this gift that represents thousands of generous people who understand the importance of exposing young people to the Bible. Every year, there is evidence that Bible History provides a unique benefit to public school students, at no cost to taxpayers, and has a lasting impact on students’ lives. We look forward to having 26 participating schools for 2019-2020, as Orchard Knob Middle School adds a new Bible History program for this coming academic year. Our board is greatly encouraged to have seen county-wide student access to Bible History increase from 67% to 85% in the past 36 months. Currently, courses are available as electives to the vast majority of all public middle and high school students in Hamilton County, and our hope is to see every middle and high school student have the opportunity to study Bible History if they so choose.” Mrs. Scott said, “Bible in the Schools is honored to be the conduit through which the community makes this elective possible for youth in our public schools. We believe the Bible is essential to a well-rounded education and to the overall character development of youth. While Bible History is a robust academic subject, the byproduct of these courses reaches beyond mere academic gains as students are exposed to the hope, values, and life lessons found in the Bible, many of which are universally relevant today. Students often report that the Bible provides a perspective that encourages them to make healthier choices, and to give more thought to their actions, particularly related to conduct, relationships, and self-care. It is with deep honor that we present this 2019 Community Gift that we trust will continue to enrich public school youth with the hope, wisdom, and knowledge of what is still the world’s most influential book.” Bible History courses will expand to 26 schools this fall and will be taught by 24 highly credentialed teachers, led by a full-time Bible History Program Coordinator, all of whom are employed by the school system and are fully funded through charitable donations to Bible in the Schools. In addition to gifting teacher salaries and benefits, Bible in the Schools fully funds all taxes, costs of regular teacher professional development and legal training, classroom materials, and Bible textbooks for the courses. Bible History classes follow guidelines established by a 1980 federal court ruling, which affirmed teaching of Bible History for-credit electives in Hamilton County’s public middle and high schools as constitutionally permissible, with the Bible to be used as the textbook. The Hamilton County Bible History curricular framework is court approved and aligns to the Tennessee Department of Education’s state academic standards. Officials said, "Bible History elective classes in the public schools are an opportunity for students to have a viewpoint neutral, foundational study – at no cost to taxpayers – of one of the cornerstone texts of world history, which helps students become culturally literate and better equipped to thrive and contribute to a global world." More information regarding participating schools and courses offered is available at www.bibleintheschools.com.

This is the Bible History classroom at Hixson High School that tragically has one less student than a week ago. On Saturday night, August 18th, 2018, a Hixson man shot and killed his 15-year-old son, who happened to be a public school Bible History student in Mr. Quincy Harris’ Old Testament Survey class. The newspaper reports the father of this boy is being held in jail under a $1,000,000 bond and has been charged with criminal homicide. On Friday, Mr. Harris’ classroom was filled with 34 energetic and bubbly Bible History students. However, on Monday one could have heard a pin drop as Mr. Harris broke through the silence to call the roll. This time, only 33 students responded. Additionally, on Monday morning, a student in the same class learned of the tragic passing of their younger sibling due to illness. If you know a teacher or educational leader, you likely know serving youth these days in any capacity is not for the faint of heart. How is a teacher supposed to begin crafting lesson plans for students who are trying to process news of the slaying of a fellow classmate – let alone knowing their friend’s life was taken by his own father? What about the child who will go home to try to eat dinner with one less person at their table? How does one comfort these levels of pain, confusion, or fear? Quite simply, many young people in our schools are dealing with tough circumstances. Where is their hope? It is times like these that we are grateful for the presence of Bible History teachers in 25 Hamilton County Schools, who can show students where to turn to find hope when they’re hurting. Hixson High School alumnus and Bible History teacher, Mr. Quincy Harris, in addition to having two degrees, has 7 years of experience in the U.S. Air Force as a Military Policeman, a Criminal Investigator, and a Hostage and Crisis Negotiator. Mr. Harris’ experience in the Air Force has therefore uniquely positioned him to be able to help his students talk through and process situations of acute grief. He is familiar with the consequences of heinous crime, and he is also able to openly point students in his public school classroom to passages in the Bible from which they can draw comfort and hope in times of grief. It’s likely, that for a while, the start of class will feel like no ordinary roll call; however, how beautiful it is that Mr. Harris can invite students to open the the Bible, which is no ordinary Book! Psalm 30:5b reminds us, “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning.” Cathy Scott, President

Last Thursday's news was the kind of news that really does a number on one’s heart. One story many of us in this community have been following is about a beautiful young 14-year-old boy and his step-grandmother who lost their footing while crossing a creek hiking in the Grand Canyon. Both were swept downstream and have been missing ever since. I can’t even wrap my mind around the level of pain this family must be going through. There are just no words. Another news story on the very same page was about a young 15-year-old girl, who was allegedly kidnapped by a much older man, was missing for over a month, and who has now been found and rescued. Again, how can one put into words what her family and friends must be feeling knowing she has been found, is alive and safe, and will be coming back home? I have wrestled in my spirit knowing how to process these two stories sitting side by side on the same page, yet with such contrasting outcomes. On one hand, there are families, communities, and a school aching over what has been lost, and clinging to the hope of a miracle. On the other hand, there are families, communities, and another school jubilantly rejoicing over a missing teen who has now been found. Both scenarios are gut-wrenching, sobering, and so very hard to understand. How does one make sense of either narrative? It is likely there are students in both schools connected to these two dichotomous scenarios who have unanswered questions, troubled emotions, and who are struggling to process difficult, mature concepts with minds and hearts that are still young, developing, and not equipped to deal with troublesome things of this nature. Both stories are tragic in their own way and serve as a reminder that daily there are youth in all our schools carrying things in their hearts that are way bigger than they know what to do with. Many sit in their desks at school trying to focus on things they’re told are important, such as math or science, or verbs or pronouns, while trying to simultaneously process and cope internally with their own stories of hurt, pain, and loss. These stressors, from things in life that often don’t make sense, can manifest themselves in all kinds of ways in a young person’s life. Many teens are learning at a young age that life can be tough, sometimes even cruel! The reality is that sometimes the circumstances of life, like these two perplexing stories, don’t begin to make sense and can feel really disturbing and confusing to our kids. Helping them process through some of their deeper questions about life, even at school, often becomes something they really need. My youngest son happens to attend the same school and is in the grade below this precious boy who is missing. While the community has ached over this, it has been moving watching his school care lovingly for this family and for all its students as they try to process this tragedy. The school has provided multiple resources to help students work through their emotions and questions. As a school they have also prayed collectively and fervently for this situation and shared words from the Bible to bring comfort to the student body. As for the young girl who was rescued, I know nothing about her school or how they have been helping their students process that circumstance. However, we are grateful that for 95 years students in Hamilton County public schools have been able to elect Bible history classes, through which many students facing hard times have shared that they have found hope and comfort in the words of the Bible. It is likely that there are circumstances in each one of our lives we may never have answers for, or situations that may always feel painful or confusing. It’s also probable that at some point or another we will all be faced with something so tough it will take us to that place where all we can do is put one foot in front of the other as we cling to the hope of a miracle. Knowing life at times can be so hard and sometimes may not make sense to us, we believe it is so important that students have exposure to the Bible and to the hope and comfort it can bring, especially during the times they need it the most. One Bible history student Janaria wrote, “The Bible can help you understand things in life. It can help you get through a lot of things you can’t handle.” Another young man in Bible history named Sean said, “The Bible was like a life map for me when I felt lost.” Whether we pray or pause in respect for the pain of those searching for loved ones lost, or give thanks with those for a life that has been found, we can be reminded that people young and old for thousands of generations have turned to the Bible to bring comfort to the hurting and healing to the broken. Even though life won’t always make sense, we give thanks that because of the community’s gracious gifts to this public school Bible history program, this same book is still able to offer comfort, hope, and healing to students in our schools today. Cathy Scott, President

Last week one of my sons broke his wrist. It still makes me wince to think about it. Anyone who has fractured or broken a bone can testify to the acute pain and discomfort that pulsates through one’s body when a bone breaks or when it's just not the way it should be. As his mom, naturally when I got the news, I wished so much I could have taken that pain from him and just made everything right; but I couldn’t. Now, my son’s entire arm is in a great big blue cast and while his wrist slowly heals he has to learn how to live with this fracture. Every moment of every day he is reminded that things right now just aren’t the way they should be. Metaphorically, we can all relate to living with fracture of some kind. Every one of us carries scars from circumstances or people that have broken some part of us. This is certainly true for many students in our public schools today. Heaven forbid any children are experiencing physical pain, but all kinds of evidence indicates that many students are living with some level of emotional pain. I recently asked one of the Bible history teachers what he felt was his greatest challenge. He replied, “The kids are just really hurting...you know...from their home lives.” This is hard to hear and should fill our hearts with compassion. Kids don’t deserve to live with hurt. No one really does. However, we don’t have to look far to know that pain is a reality of life many have to face every day. We live in a broken world infinitely filled with circumstances and relationships that just aren’t the way they should be. And, some of life’s toughest lessons are learning how to live, love, and move forward in spite of pain and fracture. This is just one of the many reasons we believe Bible history electives are so important for youth today. The Bible is a book of hope we believe every child should have the opportunity to read. One student recently said, “Bible history brings joy to many disappointed people.” Wow! While we’re delighted that Bible history is bringing joy to this young person, we are left wondering what could be going on in a kid’s life that would drive him to reach for the word ‘disappointed’ to describe not just himself, but also other students around him? Another student shared, “Bible history is the only reason I get up in the morning because then I think today’s going to be a good day.” All around us, there seems to be more and more empirical evidence that students feel their lives are just not the way they should be. Many feel fractured and broken and teachers see the side effects of this daily. How we wish we could take their pain away and just make everything right; but we can’t. Neither can we realistically remove all that disappoints a young person’s heart. Yet, there is something our community can do. Knowing life for many students in our Hamilton County public schools often isn’t the way it should be, we can provide them with the rare and unique opportunity to be encouraged through the study of Bible history in their public school classrooms. Several weeks from now, my son will be thrilled to get that great big clumsy cast taken off his arm. Fortunately for him, his fracture will heal, his wrist will strengthen, and soon he’ll be enjoying life again just the way it should be. However, for those students in our public schools whose pain may never go away, and whose broken lives may never be the way they should be, our hope is that through Bible history classes they will be strengthened by the life-affirming narrative of hope and redemption that can bring love, joy, and healing to their hurting hearts.

A gift with no price tag: This Christmas, in many cultures across the world, people will be receiving gifts intended to communicate genuine love and affection to those near and dear to them. Here in Chattanooga, Tennessee, at no cost to taxpayers, students in Hamilton County public schools are receiving a life-changing gift to which no real price tag can be ascribed. This is the rare privilege of having access to Bible history classes as an optional Related Arts elective. Bible history, however, is not just a Christmas gift. The generosity of this community makes this rare treasure available for the full academic school year to over 3,500 middle and high school students annually. A gift that is the real deal: The gift of being able to study from the Bible during the school day comes not with a shiny “To” and “From” label. It comes with the timeless inscribed words of a much larger story of love and hope that has impacted thousands of generations, and that is still changing lives today. Through this story, many students are discovering this love and hope, and many are realizing in a new way that their lives have tremendous value, meaning, and worth. This gift of Bible history for students is not a knock-off of the real thing, or someone else’s interpretation of the real thing. It is the real deal because the Bible itself is their textbook. A free gift to humanity: In many Western cultures this time of year, Christmas tree branches adorned with glimmering lights drape over gifts placed beneath the tree, many of which are attractively tied up with ribbons and bows. Yet, in Bible history, students are “untying" something much deeper. One might call these the “ribbons” of loving correction found through a deeper understanding of choices and consequences recounted in the narrative of old, yet that still apply to us today. While the Bible is providing students the wisdom of guidance and direction, it is also a free gift to humanity that offers young minds a wiser path and a better way. Furthermore, Bible history classes are also helping guide many public school youth through “tough stuff”. The encouragement of the Bible's words is helping kids hold things together when many of them feel as though their lives are unraveling. Bible history isn't only helping students navigate "tough stuff", one seventh grade girl exclaimed, "Bible history is putting kids on the right path.” The gift of grace: In a Bible history class, you won’t find students ripping open shiny bright Christmas paper. Instead, students are “peeling back the paper” of values, morals, and ethics. And, in contrast to how a younger child might close his eyes to guess what's inside a present, metaphorically, the eyes of Bible history students are being opened to a new perspective. In Bible history electives, youth between the pivotal ages of about 12 and 18 are thumbing through the soft pages of the Bible only also to discover the amazing reality that the Bible contains stories of people just like them! They are learning about broken people who messed up over and over again, and who made wrong choices and poor decisions, yet who were shown abundant mercy, grace, and forgiveness. This in turn helps students learn how to grant this same grace to others when they themselves are wronged. One tenth grade boy shared, "Bible history has taught me to forgive others," and a senior student recently confessed, "Bible history teaches beautiful life lessons and has taught me to be nicer." All of these things are encouraging to hear. The gift of the Christmas story: Bible history students have also been learning of the Christmas story and the narrative of the birth of Jesus Christ -- many for the very first time. A broad education includes providing students the opportunity to understand the meaning behind all America's nationally recognized holidays, and Christmas is no exception. More and more, Bible history teachers are also discovering that a vast number of students know little to nothing about the recount of the birth of Christ. One tenth grade boy in Bible history said, “I never knew anything about Jesus.” A sixth grade girl also recently exclaimed, “I hope this class continues on forever and ever because the babies in daycare need to grow up and hear about new things like this.” So, as you read this humble blog, if this Christmas story of the birth of Jesus Christ is also new or unfamiliar to you, we encourage you to find a Bible and perhaps read it to discover it for yourself. The Ultimate Gift: This Christmas, whether the story of the incarnation of Christ is new or old to you, at Bible in the Schools we believe every single person, including every public school student, should have the chance to “grow up and hear it”. Therefore, it is appropriate at this “most wonderful time of the year”, that we express our genuine affection for all of you who give to support this great mission. Thank you for sharing the gifts you have been given to make sure students in our public schools have the opportunity to unwrap The Ultimate Gift of potentially making this Christmas story relevant in their lives as well. Thank you. Merry Christmas!