Bible Teaching

HomeBachelors ProgramsBible Teaching

Program Overview

Interested in becoming a teacher in a private Christian school? The Bachelor of Arts in Bible Teaching is designed to give you all the training you need for teaching Bible as well as other subjects in a primary or secondary Christian school setting.

Johnson is a member institution of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), the most widely recognized organization that accredits Christian schools, universities, and teachers. The degree paths in Johnson’s Bible Teaching program will satisfy the requirements for their Elementary Teacher and/or Bible Specialist certifications. You may apply for ACSI certification (renewable every five years) upon graduation from the program.

Every undergraduate student pursuing a four-year degree at Johnson earns a double major – a major in Bible and Theology and a major of their choice, like Bible Teaching. Click here to learn more about the Bible and Theology major.

Core Classes

Students may choose an Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Bible Specialist certification or an ACSI Standard All Levels Teacher Certification. The former prepares students to teach Bible in ACSI-accredited schools, and the latter prepares students to teach Bible and other subjects in these schools. (Note that additional subject-matter training may be required by potential employers for non-Bible subjects.)

The core curriculum for the ACSI Standard All Levels certification requires 5.5 more credit hours and is detailed below. The full course listing for both options is available in our academic catalog.

Four semesters of Biblical Hebrew or Biblical Greek

Elementary Hebrew I
An introduction to elements of biblical Hebrew prose, including basic grammar, verb forms, and common vocabulary. This course and its follow-ups develop the ability to read and translate the Hebrew Old Testament for more insightful ministry in the contemporary world.

Elementary Hebrew II
A continuation of the study of biblical Hebrew grammar, morphology, and vocabulary as introduced in Elementary Hebrew I, aiming to complete the basic preparation that students will need to be able to read and translate biblical Hebrew prose.

Intermediate Hebrew I
Reading of selected prose texts from the Hebrew Bible in follow-up to Elementary Hebrew I–II, with focus on basics of Hebrew syntax and use of lexicons and other biblical Hebrew exegetical tools.

Intermediate Hebrew II
Continuation of developing proficiency in reading selected prose texts from the Hebrew Bible, with focus on the use of biblical commentaries and other scholarly tools which are helpful for doing exegesis for preaching and teaching.

Elementary Greek I
Elementary Greek I introduces students to the basics of Koiné Greek grammar, syntax, and vocabulary, with particular reference to biblical texts (New Testament and Septuagint). Both this course and its follow-on, GREK 2200, develop a greater appreciation for the relation between the Greek New Testament and modern translations, and encourage students to explore the challenges and opportunities of communicating the ancient word of God in contemporary global contexts.

Elementary Greek II
Elementary Greek II continues the introduction of GREK 2100. Students translate a significant biblical text (e.g. 1 John) with the aid of appropriate Greek reference tools. Both this course and its predecessor, GREK 2100, develop a greater appreciation for the relation between the Greek New Testament and modern translations, and encourage students to explore the challenges and opportunities of communicating the ancient word of God in contemporary global contexts.

Intermediate Greek I
This course enables students to improve their skills in translation and grammatical analysis, with an emphasis on translation from selected New Testament passages.

Intermediate Greek II
This course enables students to continue improving their skills in translation and grammatical analysis, with an emphasis on translation from Greek Judeo-Christian material. Students also learn how to apply their skills in congregational or missional settings.

Three additional Exegesis/Theological Study 1 or 2 courses beyond the Bible and Theology major

Spiritual Formation for Ministry

Christian Pilgrimage Today (Israel Trip)

Introduction to Teaching: Elementary Education

This course gives students an initial experience teaching in an elementary school setting. Students study principles of education with an emphasis on aiding struggling readers, doing assessment, and lesson planning. They implement these principles as they engage in a one-to-one tutoring session with an at-risk child. The course is made possible through a partnership between Mooreland Heights Elementary School and Johnson University.

Bible and Social Studies Methods

This two-part methods course introduces students to theory and methods regarding the teaching of social studies and the Bible as classroom subjects. Students develop and use knowledge of spiritual development in children and effective methods to support student acquisition of spiritual knowledge and understanding. During the second part of the course students learn effective instructional strategies that integrate the ten strands of social studies as developed by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) —including culture, economics, geography, governance, civics, history, individual development, and group interaction.

Classroom Management with Regular and Special Populations

This course explores two areas of significance and potential difficulty for the beginning teacher: effective classroom management and successful organization of the inclusive classroom. In this course, participants study management theory and teacher style, and explore a variety of strategies for developing a plan for classroom management based on Christian principles. They also gain understanding of the special needs of the mainstreamed child and ways to meet these needs within an effective inclusive setting.

History & Philosophy of Christian Education

Educational Psychology

This course includes a study of the physical, social, emotional and mental development of the child from birth to adolescence. This includes the role of preschool through eighth-grade teachers as they work with these children. Observations and assessments of children are included in this experience. Special attention is directed to working with students with emotional and family problems in early childhood, elementary, and middle schools.