Bible Schools
Bible study ministry is one of the most essential ministries in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Throughout our history, both headquarters and local church-based Bible schools have brought the light of truth to people around the world.
Why Bible Study Ministry?
The heart of the mission of the church is to “preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). And where do we find the gospel? In the Bible! So in a sense, sharing the Bible’s message is our mission.
When we give people opportunity to study the Bible, we bring them to a place where Christ can reveal Himself to their hearts and minds, where the new birth can happen, where truth can protect them against deception, where light can illuminate their path, and where they can become disciples of Jesus Christ. Giving Bible studies is not just a helpful ministry to fulfill the mission of the church, it’s an essential one for the salvation of souls! (See 2 Tim. 3:15; 1 Pet. 1:23).
Furthermore, the role of church members in giving Bible studies is critical to their own spiritual growth. Ellen White states, “Let ministers teach church members that in order to grow in spirituality, they must carry the burden that the Lord has laid upon them—the burden of leading souls into the truth” (Christian Service, p. 69). And in another place, “The more one tries to explain the word of God to others, with a love for souls, the plainer it becomes to himself” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 354).
Giving Bible studies gives depth and strength to the Christian life. It helps us to think more spiritually. It deepens our love for Jesus, bringing heart renewal and character transformation. It gives us clear convictions of truth, courage to obey God, and an unmistakable identity as disciples of Jesus and members of His remnant church.
Bible Studies: An Interesting History
In the early 1880s, Adventist evangelism consisted mostly of traditional preaching events or tract and literature distribution. At a tent meeting in Southern California, Elder Stephen N. Haskell was preaching when a severe storm arose and there was thought of canceling the meeting. Instead, Elder Haskell asked the people to crowd close around him in the center of the tent. He would then call out a question followed by a Bible text, asking someone to read the text aloud. He continued in this way, question after question, each followed by a Bible answer. The effect of this study of God’s Word was powerful as the people saw their questions answered straight from the Bible!
After the guests had dispersed, one of them—Elder William C. White—shared with his mother, Ellen White, what had taken place. On the next day, Ellen White explained to Elder Haskell and certain other ministers that God had shown her hundreds and thousands of Seventh-day Adventists giving Bible studies using this same question-and-answer format.
“In visions of the night representations passed before me of a great reformatory movement among God’s people. . . . Hundreds and thousands were seen visiting families, and opening before them the word of God. Hearts were convicted by the power of the Holy Spirit, and a spirit of genuine conversion was manifest.”
Inspired by Ellen White’s vision, Elder Haskell established a ten-day Bible Reading Institute. A general announcement was given in one of our leading papers, encouraging everyone to attend the training: “Not only young men and women are wanted, but men of mature years; even if their heads are sprinkled with gray hairs, they are none too old to visit families and tell what God has done for them, and read the Scriptures” (S. N. Haskell, in The Signs of the Times, October 18, 1883, p. 465).
“The plan of holding Bible readings was a heaven-born idea. There are many, both men and women, who can engage in this branch of missionary labor.”
Old and young, men and women—anyone who could tell what God had done for them, and read the Scriptures, were encouraged to give Bible studies. In this way a Bible study movement was born, which continues to empower lay people around the world and which will be an essential means of finishing the work.
What is a Bible School?
A Bible school is a Bible study ministry that offers free Bible study guides through postal mail, digital formats, or personal delivery by local church members. There are two types of Bible schools. First, every church should operate its own Bible study ministry, or Bible school, to actively find and follow up with people interested in Bible studies. But in addition to local church-based Bible schools, there are many headquarters Bible schools around the world. These schools are typically based in a union, conference, media ministry, or media center.
A headquarters Bible school, often referred to as a Bible correspondence school (BCS), generally consists of a director, instructors, and office assistors. These schools often write, design, and print Bible courses and supporting materials. Many of them utilize software programmers and technicians to develop and manage digital platforms. They also prepare marketing strategies and materials to engage the public in studying Bible courses. The end goal of any headquarters Bible school is to make disciples of those receiving Bible studies by eventually connecting them to a local church.
What is the International Association of Bible Correspondence Schools (IABCS)?
The International Association of Bible Correspondence Schools (IABCS) is an advisory body established in 2000 to coordinate, resource, and guide the collaboration of Bible schools globally in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The IABCS empowers and supports division BCS coordinators in implementing the vision, mission, and tasks of the headquarters BCS and local church-based Bible schools in their territories. The IABCS is an entity of the Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Department (SSPM) of the General Conference and its membership includes General Conference SSPM Department leadership, division BCS representatives, and several departments and media ministries of the General Conference.
Explore More
Global Bible School
The Global Bible School is a new Bible study platform that engages people in Bible studies with Daniel, a virtual Bible study assistant, over WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. Study interests are currently followed up by AWR’s Center for Digital Evangelism in the Philippines. A system and process is under development that will soon be able to deliver interests directly to local churches for follow up.