Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. In its 1963 decision in Abington v. Schempp, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled, “It certainly may be said that the Bible is worthy of study for its literary and historic qualities. Nothing we have said here indicates that such study of the Bible or of religion, when presented objectively as part of a secular program of education, may not be affected consistently with the First Amendment.”
No tax dollars are used. Bible electives are 100% gifted to public schools by private charitable contributions from the community given through Bible in the Schools.
No. Bible electives are 100% gifted to public schools by private charitable contributions from the community. No tax dollars are used.
The teachers are selected and hired by school principals and are employees of the school system.
Bible in the Schools raises the funds that are then gifted to Hamilton County Schools for the specific use of the Bible program. Since no tax funds are used, Bible in the Schools is the conduit through which the community gives charitably to provide Bible electives to local public schools. Bible in the Schools reimburses the school system annually for the complete costs of the county-wide Bible program. Included in reimbursement costs are: teacher salaries, benefits, taxes, Bibles, classroom supplies, and year-round teacher professional development, compliance training, and other resources.
All applicants are required to have:
12 credit hours of Bible content from an accredited college or university. Acceptable classes include: Old Testament Survey, Book of James, Major Prophets, Minor Prophets, etc. Classes not accepted: Theology; Biblical Languages; Doctrine, etc.
Applicants are required to have either:
(1) Bible content hours as described above, plus Tennessee teacher certification in History or English; OR,
(2) Bible content hours described above, plus college degree major of History/English.
It should be noted that candidates with other college degrees may be required to obtain a passing score on a History or English Praxis exam.
Candidates without current Tennessee teacher licensure must also obtain full acceptance into a Tennessee Job-Embedded Teacher Licensure Program. Teacher licensure reciprocity is available subject to state policies.
Five courses are offered to students in the middle and high school grades: Genesis (6th grade), Exodus (7th grade), The Life of Jesus (8th grade), Old Testament (9th-12th grade), and New Testament (9th-12th grade). All courses are taught in compliance with the Tennessee State Board of Education Bible Standards.
Genesis: 6th GRADE - Students will engage in an academic study of the book of Genesis and the details related to the origin and development of the Bible. Students will read the creation and flood narratives, the formation of early civilizations, and the founding of the early Abrahamic and Israelite traditions.
Exodus: 7th GRADE - Students will engage in an academic study of the book of Exodus. Students will read the narrative of the Israelite experience in Egypt, as well as their enslavement and eventual exodus from Egypt, including an overview of the life and leadership of Moses and the early rituals, practices, and systems of ancient Israelite culture.
Life of Jesus: 8th GRADE - Students will engage in an academic study of the first four books of the New Testament, the Gospels. Students will complete an academic survey of Jesus’ life, using the Book of Luke as the primary text. This will include Jesus’ early life, his work and teachings, and his arrest and execution.
Old Testament: 9th-12th GRADE - This class provides an academic overview of the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible, beginning with the formation of the biblical canon and the creation of narratives through the Babylonian exile and the Second Temple Period. The course emphasizes understanding the thought and culture of ancient Israel.
New Testament: 9th-12th GRADE - This class provides an academic overview of the entire New Testament. Students engage in a comparative study of the four Gospels and trace the development of the early Christian church. Emphasis is given to the life and teachings of Jesus. Students also investigate the various writings of Paul, as well as the many cultural challenges faced by the early church.
Requests and recommendations to add a Bible program come directly from Hamilton County Schools to the Board of Directors of Bible in the Schools. As funding becomes available through charitable donations, a Bible program is then launched at a new school.
Yes. It is constitutionally permissible to teach Bible courses from a historical or literary perspective. For more information, contact: OfficeAdmin@bibleintheschools.com.
No. Bible elective classes are an opportunity for students to have a viewpoint-neutral, foundational study 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. Bible courses are non-sectarian, rigorous academic elective courses.
No. Courses are optional, and students in middle and high school choose to participate in a Bible course as they would any other elective course.
Yes. Bible courses are approved by the Tennessee Department of Education and focus primarily on the literary aspects of the Bible. Bible instruction aligns with the Tennessee State Board of Education’s academic Bible Standards.