Thanks for expressing your support!

Children ages 4-14 are

America’s largest,

most reachable,

most spiritually open,

people group.

10 Steps to Launch a Bible Club

Gather Community Support

Spread the word and encourage people to express their support for an after-school Bible Club in your school district. 20-30 interested community members is a great target for kicking off the whole process!

Host a Vision Meeting

When there’s a good base of support, we’ll send an In The Gap team to your community to cast the vision and help everyone unite around the mission!

Form a Search Committee

A select committee will begin recruiting the core leaders needed to run Bible Club, such as Lead & Assistant Coordinators and Bible Lesson leaders.

Train Core Leaders

Once the core leaders are in place, we’ll take them through a comprehensive training to equip them in the areas of Bible Club logistics, practical teaching experience, and volunteer development.

Customize the Plan

An In The Gap coach will help you take our blueprint and adapt it your particular needs. We’ll guide you in choosing curriculum, making a school proposal, deciding a launch timeline, and more!

Recruit Volunteers

Find people who will be the boots on the ground, showing the love of Jesus to kids week after week.

Get School Approval

Meet with your school’s principal to discuss Bible Club plans and obtain written permission to move forward.

Equip Volunteers

We’ll help you give your team an orientation on the basics of how to run a Bible Club, and make sure everyone is prepared for their roles!

Promote & Practice

Spread the word at school that you’re getting ready to launch, and do a rehearsal of Bible Club with your entire team so everyone knows what to expect!

Launch!

First day of Bible Club! Show up early, set up and have a great day!

FAQs

What is a Bible Club?
A Bible Club is an after-school program for children in public elementary schools that is 100% legal. If a school allows any outside after-school activities, it cannot discriminate against religious programs. Bible Club is completely voluntary to attend, which means that as long as parents give consent, children are allowed to come.

Since 90% of a person’s worldview is formed by age 13, after-school Bible Clubs are a great way to reach children with the gospel at the most formative time of their lives. It’s estimated that less than 30% of children attend church regularly, but the vast majority of children attend public school. We can’t keep waiting for them to come to us — it’s time to go to them!
How does Bible Club work?
Typically, Bible Clubs run for approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, once per week. Bible Clubs take place on school grounds, such as in a gym or cafeteria.
Is it legal?
Yes, it’s 100% legal! The Supreme Court issued a ruling in 2001 that stated that if a school allowed any after-school programs on its premises, it could not discriminate against religious programming.

Because Bible Club is an after-school program, it’s completely voluntary to attend, which means that as long as the parents give their consent, the children are allowed to come.
What do you actually do in a Bible Club?
Most Bible Clubs run for approximately 1.5 – 2 hours, once per week.

Each Bible Club might look a little different, but here’s a sample schedule for what goes on in a typical Bible Club:
- Opening Small Group (10–15 min.)
- Games (15–20 min.)
- Large Group (40–45 min.)
  - Songs
  - Memory Verse
  - Bible Lesson & Gospel Presentation
- Closing Small Group (15–20 min.)
What grades does Bible Club serve?
In The Gap Bible Clubs focus on reaching kids in elementary school, essentially from Kindergarten – 6th grade.

Why elementary? Researchers have found that 90% of a person’s worldview is formed by the age of 13.

Imagine a child entering middle school, high school, college and the rest of their life with a firm foundation on who God is, His love for them, and His design for their lives.

That makes after-school Bible Clubs in elementary school a very strategic opportunity!