Bible instruction has been a central part of the EMS curriculum and influential in the lives of many students. Through study, classroom instruction and chapel programming, students learn to interpret, understand, and apply the Bible and its lessons within a supportive community of believers. The EMS Bible department is one of the school’s core departments, stretching through a student’s entire academic career, and influencing them in post-graduation life.
The EMS Bible experience begins at the elementary level. At EMES, learning is focused on Jesus’ life, the stories he told others, and understanding the example He set for His followers. EMES Bible instruction focuses on an annual theme, such as showing good will to others and understanding that all people are uniquely created by God. EMES students attend a weekly group chapel called Gathering, where they sing, listen to speakers, and ponder questions to grow their faith. Elementary teachers focus on connecting students with their congregations and future Bible courses they will take at EMS.
Bible instruction continues at the middle school level. In sixth grade, Mrs. Susan Melendez guides students through study of Creation, the birth of Jesus, and how stories from the Bible relate to modern life. In Mr. Andrew Gascho’s class, seventh graders continue learning the foundational stories of Christianity, primarily the parables and miracles of Jesus and how they apply to their own lives. Students create interactive, hands-on projects whenever possible, through a mixture of podcasts, animations, and other technology-based activities. In eighth grade Bible, Mrs. Randa Hendricks ’96 presents multiple lessons revolving around Old Testament prophets through a combination of memorization, answering questions the students themselves raise, and “wrestling with big ideas.” These lessons prepare the students for the intensity of high school Bible courses.
At the beginning of their high school career, students take Mr. Steve Yoder’s Bible 9 class. Mr. Yoder has developed a curriculum based around the content, context, and interpretation of the Bible. Mr. Yoder immerses the students in the stories of the Old and New Testaments, having them act out the scenes, look for patterns, and consider the historical context of the writing. This teaching method also allows students to interpret text and ask questions they create themselves. Mrs. Susan Swartz, Bible 10 teacher, uses the skills students learned in previous years to delve deeper into the Bible. Her teaching focuses on the different disciplines of faith, including different forms of prayer, scripture reading, and meditation on the Word. Memorization is emphasized as Mrs. Swartz believes that knowing the Word is the “heart of the message of Jesus.” These disciplines form the basis of the “Controversial Research Project” the students complete. For this project, students choose and research the sides of a debate in the church, finding both secular and religious material for both sides. Upon completion, students present their research and personal opinion to the class. Mrs. Swartz hopes to prepare students in the faith, addressing doubts and providing a safe learning environment for their growing understanding of Christianity.
During their Junior year, students have a variety of possible Bible electives. Global Anabaptism and Global Christianity, taught by Mr. Elwood Yoder, introduce students to the history and beliefs of the Anabaptist church, and general church history and its modern reach, respectively. Global Anabaptism is an online course, making it available to students beyond EMHS, such as a student enrolled last semester from Sarasota Christian School. Other electives include Christian Family Living which focuses on faith in combination with home life and nurturing romantic relationships. Philosophy and Theology focuses on the difficult issues of the church and challenges the students to defend their developed faith. The final elective option is Christian Leadership/Ministry which prepares students to lead others in faith through church interaction.
In their Senior year of high school, students end Bible instruction with Kingdom Living class, taught by either Mr. Elwood Yoder or Mr. Curt Stutzman. This final class brings together all the past lessons of the Bible curriculum: reading, memorization, context, scripture analyzation, and personal interpretation. Mr. Stutzman focuses on the Lord’s Prayer, the coming of the Kingdom of God, and how His will should be carried out on earth. Mr. Yoder takes his classes in a similar direction, focusing on maturing the seeds of faith each student has gained from past years and preparing that growth to weather the storms of life. In Kingdom Living, students complete an EMHS created workbook focusing on mission work, living simply, and peaceful Christian lives.
Since 2007 Seniors have delivered a culminating 15-25 minute public speech about their life and faith journey as a part of the Kingdom Living Bible class. Each May students summarize their co-curricular involvements, academics, and faith development and present their reflections to peers, family, faculty and friends who attend. Caroline Clymer ’07 gave the very first Senior Presentation, almost ten years ago, and she used the hymn “My life flows on in endless song” as her theme. Caroline, a member at Lindale Mennonite Church, is currently a long term missionary in Cambodia and an example of the impact Bible classes at EMS can have on a student’s future.
From Kindergarten through Senior year, EMS Bible curriculum and educators seek to reflect all aspects of our school mission of faith in Jesus Christ, academic excellence, personal integrity, and compassionate service in the world.
