Why Biblical Literacy Is Surprisingly Different Than You Think

by Chris Brown

In C.S. Lewis’s beloved story, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, four siblings discover the amazing fantasy land of Narnia and embark on a life-changing journey. And like the sibling adventurers who encounter Narnia, we want students to encounter the truth and beauty of God’s Word in a life-changing journey. 

Misconceptions about biblical literacy 

Before we address what biblical literacy is, it’s vital for us to first address what it is not. Here are a couple misconceptions surrounding the term biblical literacy: 

1. Biblical literacy is merely factual knowledge about the Bible.  
2. Regular church attendance means someone is biblically literate. 

It’s critical to never diminish the importance of regular church attendance and growing in biblical knowledge. While these practices can lead to biblical literacy, these practices do not equate to being biblically literate in and of themselves. 

Defining true biblical literacy 

True biblical literacy moves beyond obtaining factual knowledge about the Bible. Biblical literacy is knowing how the Bible works and rightly interpreting it. A truly biblically literate person is able to properly apply the truth of God’s Word to his or her life.  

Rethinking our approach to teaching the Bible 

To cultivate an environment in which students can become biblically literate, we must rethink how we approach teaching God’s Word. Here are some questions worth asking yourself and the ministry leaders you serve alongside: 

• What do you want high school seniors to know and what milestones would you like for them to achieve by the time they graduate from your student ministry? 
  • Your answer to this question will guide your spiritual formation process (how you help students grow as followers of Jesus). 
  • Students, parents, and volunteer leaders want clarity around the big picture: what the ministry is aiming to accomplish and why.  
• Are there any assumptions you need to trash? 
  • We mustn’t assume students have a church background or possess a biblical worldview; nor should we assume they understand who God is, what the Bible is, and the key stories of Scripture. 
• How are you gauging and addressing students’ real questions? 
  • Students have real questions about the Christian faith. With a listening ear, we must take their questions into account as we help them see the relevancy and truth of God’s Word. Students need to know there are reasonable, biblical answers to their questions. 
• How are you inviting students to engage God’s Word with their senses and imagination? 
  • This can look like a creative Scripture memory activity that involves drawing or writing a poem. You can challenge students to participate in a ministry opportunity that’s relevant to a recent teaching; this connects the lesson to our real-life experiences. Small group discussion is key, yet there are many ways to help students engage with the truth of God’s Word. 

By the Holy Spirit’s power, pursuing true biblical literacy will lead to genuine heart transformation.