Biblical Integration in Middle School History

“I was drawn to teaching because I had teachers, coaches and youth ministers who changed my life and led me to Christ. I want to continue the legacy of those who went before me because I wouldn’t be the man I am today without those who poured their life and time into me,” says middle school history teacher Blaine Spencer. 

For Mr. Spencer, teaching is about more than the subject; it is about integrating Christian character development and biblical worldview into his teaching in such a way that inspires and impacts students for Christ while, at the same time, achieving a high level of learning. Biblical integration in academics is not about adding scripture to lessons about history. According to Mr. Spencer, it is about “incorporating a series of biblical principles that are applied and expanded through all aspects of history.” He continues, “These principles allow students to recognize that mankind’s quest for liberty is a direct correlation to the salvation that Christ provided for all of humanity on the cross.”

Proverbs 22:6 states, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Accordingly, Abraham Lincoln said, “The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.” If our students are taught to think critically and to live biblically, they will lead courageously in the future when given the opportunity to change the world for God’s glory.

More specifically, Mr. Spencer expounds on the Founding Fathers of our nation and how they established our American Republic as a God-fearing nation based on their understanding of history. Mr. Spencer elaborates, “Our Founding Fathers knew the benefits and errors of the Hebrew Republic, the Roman Republic and Greek Democracy and how each ultimately failed because their governmental principles were not established on the principles of the Bible.” 

Finally, Mr. Spencer shares the “5 Rs of History” that he hopes each student who takes his class will come away with: Research, Reason, Relate, Record and Rhetoric. “These principles allow students to process through the information that is discussed in class and determine how we, as Christians, should react to this information and how we should fulfill the mandate for which the Lord has called us.”

As an SBS community, we are thrilled to welcome Mr. Spencer to our faculty this year as someone who not only integrates biblical principles in the classroom, but also loves the curiosity and humor of middle school students. Teachers like Mr. Spencer are committed to developing a biblical worldview alongside academic excellence, all within our caring, Christian community.