What is Released Time Christian Education?
Released Time Christian Education provides Bolivar Intermediate School students with the option of being released during school hours to participate in weekly Bible study. Each Intermediate School family receives an invitation letter explaining Released Time Christian Education and are asked if their child or children would like to participate. The students enroll in this class only with written parental permission.
This program started at the Intervention Ministries Center with the fourth grade in January 2000. The fall class of 2000 was expanded to third, fourth and fifth grades and includes 103 students.
How does it work?
Students attend with their respective classes during their Tuesday recess period. They are picked up at school and transported by bus to the IM Center. During this five-minute drive to and from school they sing songs, review scripture memory work and discuss questions from the lessons.
The Release Time volunteer staff greets the children at the IM Center door and sit with them for their instruction period.
What do the students learn?
Instruction includes a panoramic overview of the Bible from creation to Christ. Lesson plans are especially adapted to each age level and enhanced by visuals, power point presentations, music and drama. Regularly mailed letters to each student, take-home flyers, and a monthly copy of Clubhouse magazine by Focus on the Family are added to provide follow-through beyond the weekly class period.
Each session encourages students to have a right relationship with God, family members, school teachers, and peers. Character development is empowered by learning to appreciate our creation, to respect authority and to discern right from wrong. Released Time Christian Education reveals to every child their true identity within the context of God's Word. Students involved are eager to learn and enjoy their time spent at the IM Center.
Grace McVicker, Administrative Director for Released Time Christian Education
Released Time Christian Education is an exciting opportunity, an open door to teach the only perfect truth to the children of America during school hours.
The "Password" for our classes is:
The Bible is Absolute Truth
For all people
In all places
At all times
God's Word gives us the foundation for Released Time in Proverbs 22:6—
"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not turn from it."
Children learn easily, memorize quickly, have a God-given curiosity and interest in spiritual matters. Because the Bible contains the knowledge and wisdom that all people need, we must be willing to teach the bible to the young at every opportunity.
Dr. Benjamin Rush, one of the youngest signers of the Declaration of Independence, physician, scientist, and treasurer of the U.S. mint under President John Adams from 1797 to 1813, wrote:
"I believe no man was ever early instructed in the truths of the Bible without having been made wiser or better, by the early operation of these impressions upon his mind."
Our hope is that the children will acquire a love for God's Word, come to believe it, receive it, and know their true identity.
Endorsees
Released Time Christian Education is a community effort.
Endorsees include: Becky Castle, Judy Dutile, Dr. Lou Harris, Robert Ingold, Karen Kurtz, Dr. Jim Sells, Gary Short, Duane Williams, and Karen Williams.
Advisory Board
Advisory Board Members are: Dr. John Wheeler, Mr. Bob Ingold, and Mrs. Carolyn Roberts
Related Links —
David & Tawny Donell, parents of a RTCE student say—
Release Time for our daughter has filled in some gaps in her knowledge of the Bible. She is putting things together that she has learned from Sunday School and from what we have taught her at home. We like to hear about the upbeat bus ride and what she is learning. She looks forward to Tuesdays. Thanks!
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