What Is It?

Since 1952, US Supreme Courts have upheld Federal released-time laws that permit public schools to release students during the school day to attend off-campus religious classes, provided the program meets specific Constitutional standards:

The program takes place off of school property

Parental permission is given for a child to participate

Tax-payer funds can not be used

What to Expect at a Program

Bible Adventure is for children in grades 3-5. CIA is for children in grades 6-8. Below are some things a child gets to experience in any of the programs.

FREE to Participants

Bible Adventure & CIA has no fee to join thanks to generous donors and volunteers!

Worship

Children get to sing worship and praise songs at our programs.

Large Groups

For half of the hour of the program’s run time, children get to hear and study the Bible with caring volunteers.

Small Groups

Children in the programs break off into groups of about 3-4 to do verse memory. For verses memorized, they can receive points that get them fun prizes and discounts for summer camp!

Fun, Games, & Community

There are opportunities in programs for children to play games, have fun, and make new friends.

Benefits of Bible Adventure & CIA

The Benefits for the Child

Enrolling your child in the Bible Adventure/CIA Program benefits him or her in many ways. The National Council on Crime and Delinquency did a study on Bible Adventure/CIA classes that found the following:

  • “A comparative review of all 4th and 5th graders involved in this program perform better than their classmates as a whole in almost every category”
  • “Bible Adventure/CIA students improved after one year in three categories of literacy skills: comprehension, spelling, and vocabulary”
  • “The program also provides youth with strong adult mentorship and bonding, and reinforces positive moral and character development in an environment where teachers and administrators struggle with unruly students.”

The Benefits for the Parents & Families

The instruction of moral values that you provide your child at home are affirmed in Bible Adventure/CIA by caring adult volunteers who intentionally invest in your child.

Your child can learn in a safe environment. Bible Adventure/CIA is also a spiritually safe environment in which children can openly ask questions about God, the Bible, and the Christian faith.

You have the opportunity to serve as a volunteer in your child’s Bible Adventure/CIA class, thus giving you the chance to be involved with your child during the school day.

Bible Adventure/CIA students earn awards for scripture memory work that adds up to discounts they can use toward summer camp or weekend retreats. Earning 300 points provides your child a FREE WEEK of SUMMER CAMP!

The Benefits for Schools

Students who participate in Bible Adventure/CIA are being educated far beyond their peers who don’t attend. These are just a few of the proven benefits that Bible Adventure/CIA has provided to students.

  • Bible instruction—Bible lessons are taught simply and clearly, incorporating an understandable Bible principle for the child to practice. We don’t want to overwhelm children with too much instruction at once. The lessons we’ve developed allow children to grasp and apply a simple principle before moving onto the next one. The teaching of biblical principles by caring adult role models results in both spiritual and academic growth.
  • Bible memory work– God’s memorized Word is a valuable resource to the mind and heart for life. Scripture memory develops mental sharpness and equips children to live in the abundant life God offers.
  • Character instruction– Good character qualities and attitudes are modeled and taught, with encouragement for the child to make them personal habits. Spiritual and character training equips children to make good choices in a culture that often promotes less than God’s best.
  • Relationships– Beneficial bonds of friendship, trust, and affirmation are established between your child and at least one caring adult.
  • Learning skills– Practice at listening, memorizing, thinking, and processing along with positive social interaction strengthens the same skills that are vital to public school education.

The Benefits for Churches & The Community

The local church is called to reach the next generation—but it doesn’t have to do it alone. Bible Adventure and Christians In Action bring churches together to reach children in their own communities with God’s Word. Through these programs, children encounter caring Christian adults, hear biblical truth, and have opportunities to grow in their relationship with Jesus. At the same time, churches build relationships with families and with one another, working together to make a lasting difference in their community.