"This
curriculum leads each learner to discover the unfolding
progression in God's plan of redemption, so he or she
can see the Bible as one unified whole. This view of the
Bible is a life-transforming experience. I know of no
other curriculum comparable in breadth and depth of application
of the content. It is suitable for a wide range of ages
and situations, yet very applicable to each of those groups."
From
Left: Miss Mary Faith Phillips,
Mrs. Sarah Overtreet Midyett,
Miss Sara Petty, Miss Nancy Havlick
Teachers of Columbia International University's
Bible Teaching Program
during the first 52 years from its inception.
"An
indispensable gold mine for the teacher in planning any
Bible curriculum. Divides the Bible into teachable segments,
from which the teacher may choose as many as necessary
to fit each situation."
Dr.
John Blanchard, Former Executive Director of Association
for Christian Schools International (1974 comment):
"
. . . As far as I know . . . the only application-oriented
material especially prepared for day school use at the
Junior-Senior High level. It should certainly be considered
by anyone seeking carefully structured materials for those
grades."
A
Christian school principal:
"The
Bible notebook sheets are excellent. Thank you for your
trouble."
A
Christian school teacher:
"I
would like to mention how much I, as Junior High Bible
teacher, enjoy using your materials with our students.
This year we have used The History of Christ and His Church
. . . During the teaching of this Bible series I saw evidence
of a deepening of spiritual life in the lives of several
of the students, and all of them grew in the knowledge
of His Word."
A
Christian School Sixth Grader:
"I
sure do like these workbooks [now called Discovery Guides].
They are more fun than anything else we've ever had before."
A
public school Bible teacher:
"This
is our third year to use your workbooks in our Bible classes.
We appreciate having available such a helpful guide for
Bible study."
A
Public school tenth grader:
"This
course has meant so much to me. I always knew there was
a God, but I never realized before that you could have
such a personal, intimate relationship with Him."
Douglas
Bosler, a 1990s student in Columbia International University's
Seminary, was greatly impressed with the training he received
through the Bible Teaching Program, and with Bible
Discoveries in particular. His first two years
after graduation, he limited his employment so he could
dedicate as much time as possible to developing International
Teachers Association. The first major task of that organization
was lining up volunteers to scan all of Mrs. Midyett's
work that could be scanned and type the rest into the
computer. He still heads up that work as part of his present
employment contract, helping us produce the more user-friendly
editions we are now beginning to make available through
this storefront. Rev. Bosler says of Bible Discoveries,
"God led me to Sarah Overstreet Midyett's "Bible Discoveries"
when I was a student at Columbia International University.
I immediately saw the depth of research the studies
represented. Completing a "Bible Discoveries" study
is like having a master teacher sit at your side as
you study the Scriptures. Truths that you might have
passed over seem to jump out as the carefully worded
questions lead you to personally discover God's truth.
"Teachers
and students have been encouraged by the life transformation
that takes place when Scripture is understood in the
mind, felt in the heart, and acted upon by the will.
"It
has taken five years and many volunteer typists to convert
the studies from mimeographed pages to computer texts
that are now being edited so they can be made available
to Bible teachers and students around the world."
Through
Rev. Bosler's efforts, on September 1, 1999 two ladies
stepped out in faith to become full-time International
Teachers Association workers to assist with this project
and to train others in how best to use these materials.
These two are pictured below with the author during her
April 2000 visit to Belize, Central America:
Left to right:
Sarah Overstreet Midyett, Author of "Bible Discoveries"
Juanita Sampson, Director ITA Belize
Martha Loide, ITA Director Teacher Training USA
