Bible

Valley Christian values treating each student as a whole person—mind, body, soul, and spirit. Part of our mission is to equip students to serve God and others based on Christian values, challenging them to grow academically, relationally, and spiritually. Since the Christian faith is a result of events in world history surrounding the person, acts and teachings of Jesus Christ,the study of these events requires educational time, just as another history, philosophy or service class would require. Additionally, Jesus was a teacher who made disciples not only through lecture but through relationships. The ongoing relationship of Bible teachers with their students allows teachers to create meaningful experiences that can meet students in their various faith stages; whether they are uncertain about God, open to spirituality, committed to Jesus, or searching for how to practice the mission of the gospel in their lives. The Bible emphasizes that acquiring knowledge and wisdom is fundamental to a thriving faith (Psalm 1:1-3; Prov. 1:7; Col. 3:16; Ro. 12:1-2) Thus, VCS Bible classes are designed to inform and equip the mind, challenge the will (which entails the soul and body), and create opportunities for the student to respond to the work of the Holy Spirit.

Yearly survey data consistently reveals that VCS students are looking for a variety of methods to grow spiritually. Bible classes are only one component through which a student has the opportunity for being equipped for maturity in their service to God and others. Chapels, Biblical integration in other courses/programs, service trips and opportunities, mentorship, church connections and spiritual retreats are also provided as a means for students to grow. All of these features together make up our “Spiritual Formation” environment. For more information about “Spiritual Formation”, please visit www.vcs.net/spiritualformation. 

Bible classes are required of all students and use the educational structure to provide feedback through the use of grades. Classes also allow students and teachers to "do life together" for an entire year, thereby creating discipleship opportunities. This means that student work is graded and measured according to standards set by the curriculum and the instructor. The requirement for junior high graduation is three years of Bible credits. The requirement for high school graduation includes four years of Bible class credits and some of these classes are included on college transcripts or offered for dual credit college classes. Each class addresses content standards that build from year to year in addition to skill standards including reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, collaboration and cross-cultural communication among others. Thus, just like another academic class, there is required content knowledge, participation and skill demonstration in order to pass a class.

Spiritual life is not graded at Valley Christian. As the scriptures say, God and God alone can judge the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7, Jeremiah 17:10, Proverbs 21:2) Therefore, while Bible classes are a feature of spiritual formation, a Bible course grade should not be considered a direct reflection of the spiritual state of a student. If a student is earning a high or low grade in a Bible class, that is a result of their academic effort and ability, not a sign of their acceptance or disapproval by God or by the subjective approval or disapproval of their instructor. Bible instructors are accountable for maintaining a specific standard in assigning and grading coursework due to the integration of academic and spiritual aspects. They must distinguish between objective questions, graded for accuracy, and subjective questions, graded for completion. Instructors should clearly outline requirements for full credit on subjective questions and provide grading rubrics for skill-based assignments to guide student success. Students earn their grades by accomplishing course objectives effectively. As for the student’s internal faith formation, the Christian faith specifically states that there is nothing from our own strength that can earn us approval from God. His love for us is a free gift made available to us through Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:8) Therefore, an academic performance grade cannot be a judge of the heart.

Bible class curriculum is applicable and useful for students of all backgrounds. Part of what it means to be a student at Valley Christian is to give a fair hearing of the good news of Jesus. We want students to engage in deep thinking about their beliefs, cultivate a heart of service, and experience God in meaningful ways. At minimum, a student who is not a follower of Jesus cannot even rationally reject such a belief if they do not actually understand what it does and does not claim about itself. Just as is true with other religious and cultural beliefs, misinformation and misunderstanding abound. Therefore, all students can benefit from a more thorough study of any topic of this kind. Another reason why Bible course curriculum is applicable and useful for a non-believing student is that there is universally recognized wisdom to be found in the teachings of the Bible. Whether it be wisdom for good relationships or wisdom for personal peace, these timeless truths benefit all people, young and old, self-proclaimed Christians or not. Finally, as is often mentioned in student admissions interviews, many students decide to make Jesus Lord and Savior of their lives after gaining a more robust understanding of what it means to be a Christian.

As any other teacher, a Bible instructor should have expertise in their field of study. This includes, at minimum, academic knowledge of their specific course content. However, since the Bible program is also a feature of spiritual formation, an ideal instructor would have other spiritual giftedness that equips them to be effective in the discipleship of young people. In addition to teaching itself, these could be gifts of pastoral ministry, evangelism, discernment, service or encouragement for example. Teachers should be modeling a life of following Jesus and practical faith. 

While there may be points of cross over between these two roles in a students life, some common differences could be the following…

• Youth pastors are not required to grade and assign academic grades like a Bible teacher.
• Youth groups are generally self-selected rather than a mandatory requirement like a Bible class.
• Youth pastors are not required to enforce classroom management or “school rules” as a Bible teacher must enforce.
• Youth pastors have more involvement in the life of the whole family unit and may be expected to make house calls.
• Youth pastors often have different boundaries of formality in their relationships with students. For example,

• Youth pastors are often called by their first name
• Youth pastors have unique pastoral/parishioner rights and freedoms related to legal mandated reporting and lines of communication (use of social media, personal texting, etc.)
• Youth pastors expected work with students is not limited to school hours or events

• Youth pastors more often continue a personal relationship with a student long after they graduate. While this can and does happen with some Bible teachers, it is not as common due to more limited exposure and the high number of students each one teacher may have in a year.

Over the years, VCS has developed Bible content standards which are integrated throughout a student’s experience in their 3 year program at the junior high and 4 year program at the high school. These standards include categories such as Bible Content Knowledge, Christian Doctrine, Personal Transformation and Community Transformation. The following is a high level view of the 6th-8th program and the 9th-12th program. For more detailed course descriptions, see course catalogs.