By Susanna Unruh

"How can a young person keep his way pure?" This is the question we pose to eighty kids who gather together every Wednesday evening at 7:00 for Quest 119 Bible Hour.

They respond by reciting the rest of Psalm 119:9-12: "By guarding it according to Your word. With my whole heart I seek You; let me not wander from Your commandments! I have stored up Your word in my heart, that I may not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your statutes!"

With that, the students are dismissed to their classes, ranging from preschool to eighth grade, for an hour of focused and interactive Bible instruction.

The vision driving Quest 119 is to saturate the hearts and minds of our children with God's Word. Children do not learn God's Word with conviction and clarity by simply growing up in church and being around the things of God. They may become good church kids who know a smattering of Bible stories, and who develop a basic set of morals, but as parents and children’s ministers, our goal is to see our children become wholehearted followers of Christ.

The Bible says that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16), and so the power of transformation is beyond us: it lies ultimately in the Gospel. Therefore, we must diligently teach the Gospel to our children (Deuteronomy 6:7), and this is what we aim to do in Quest 119.

In August of 2015, we launched our four-year plan to chronologically study the Bible. When we complete our entire quest through God’s Word, we will start back at the beginning. In this way, any child who faithfully attends Quest 119 from the time they are in preschool will journey through the Bible twice during their childhood.

But of course, kids are welcome to join us at any time along the way!

Gifted teachers, equipped with a great curriculum, deliver quality ministry on a weekly basis in the one hour Wednesday night classes. Each class studies the same event and portion of Scripture, presented in a manner suitable to their grade level.

Students learn basic Bible skills, such as recognizing the books, history and structure of the Bible. In each unit they learn a new key passage as a song, utilizing the power of music as a memory tool. Teachers create engaging activities, visuals, games, crafts, and conversations, all designed to make God’s Word tangible and relevant.

Each child keeps their own journal where they record their learning and growth. Every lesson teaches an essential Christian doctrine that points to Jesus. All these elements work congruently to intentionally and effectively teach the Gospel to our kids.   

Although in these early stages much of the outcome remains to be seen, the immediate fruit is evident.

There has been a dramatic overall increase in Wednesday evening church attendance. The kids consistently bring their friends, who otherwise do not attend church.

Students are motivated to finish their homework for school so that they can attend Quest 119. Many value the relationships they are developing with their peers, as well as with their teachers.

Some of the kids have told us that they now read their Bible more often on their own. They are all learning to look to God’s Word for answers, and to hide His truth in their hearts.

In doing so, they will find Jesus, the very heart of the Gospel.

QUEST 119 BIBLE HOUR

meets Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.

at The Door Church

2950 E. Irvington Rd.

For information call: 520-360-3445