Championing the SPM Bible Knowledge Paper
Do you know that there is a Bible Knowledge Paper that Christian youths can take in their SPM Examination? Are you aware that thousands of students have taken part in the BK Postal Quiz and BK Oral Quiz over the past many years? Have you seen the set of new SPM BK Guidebooks recently produced?! Have you heard that resource and training materials are available to assist students, teachers and parents interested in SPM BK? It is time churches, Christian leaders and Christian parents consider how we can support SPM BK…
Why the SPM Bible Knowledge Paper is Important
Why should Christian students take the Bible Knowledge Paper in their SPM Examinations? Ms Moey Yoke Lai, CEO of Methodist College KL, in the 2006 Teaching SPM Bible Knowledge Seminar asserted that Christian students should take the SPM BK Paper because as Christians, students need to know God’s Word as well as, if not better than, their other academic subjects. Taking SPM BK is an investment for eternity. Furthermore knowing God’s Word will under gird the minds of our students and provide them with a moral compass to guide all their actions and decisions in everyday living. The study of Bible Knowledge will help our students make decisions that are based on biblical principles. Bible Knowledge is also the anchor in times of turmoil as we live in times of social unrest, physical disasters and economic uncertainties. God’s Word alone can give the sense of security that we need today.
It is time churches, Christian leaders and parents consider how we can increase the candidature for this SPM subject. Students trained in the serious study of SPM BK will contribute to the future leadership of the church in Malaysia. Good and strong leaders are grown, not born and SPM BK can be a part of that growth process. Taking Bible Knowledge also helps to encourage mastery of the English language. It is also important to note that when our Christian children make an effort to take the SPM BK, this will be a testimony to our teachers, school administrators and government officials that our Christian faith means something to us!
Syllabus
Introduction
The SPM BK syllabus requires a minimum of two hours of instruction per week over a period of two years. It provides for the study of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ as found in the Gospel According to Luke, and of the growth of the Early Church as contained in the Acts of the Apostles. The RSV version of the Bible was used up to 2006. The Good News Version is the accepted standard text for SPM 2007 onwards. Candidates, however, will not be penalized if they use other versions in their answers.
Aims
The general aim of this course is to acquire knowledge and understanding of the life and teaching of Jesus Christ and the growth of the Early Church. Candidates will be expected to:
- recall and select factual information
- describe, explain, relate and compare and contrast events and teachings in an organized manner
- describe and show an understanding of the role and importance of special people in the text
- appreciate the Christian response to moral issues
Subject Content
Candidates should have sufficient knowledge and understanding of the historical, cultural, political, social and religious setting of the period. A detailed knowledge of both texts is required. The subject content is divided into two sections:
Section 1:
The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ as contained in the Gospel of Luke (24 chapters)
Section 2:
The Acts of the Apostles (28 chapters)
Resources and References
Luke:
- A Study Guide to the Gospel According to Luke (Issachar Sdn Bhd)
- The Gospel According to St Luke – RSV Ed (Rev. F. Marshall)
- Tyndale New Testament Commentaries – Luke (Leon Morris)
- The Cambridge Bible Commentary – Luke
- Commentary on Luke (William Barclay)
- Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ According to the Synoptic Gospels (John Ting)
- Luke’s Commentary (Norval Gelden Huys)
Acts of the Apostles:
- A Study Guide to the Acts of the Apostles (Issachar Sdn Bhd)
- The Acts of the Apostles – RSV Ed (Rev. F. Marshall)
- Tyndale New Testament Commentaries – Acts (I. Howard Marshal)
- The Cambridge Bible Commentary – Acts
- Acts of the Apostles (William Barclay)
- Acts of the Apostles – 24 Studies by R.E. Harlow (Emmaus Bible School)
General Reading:
- A good Bible Atlas
- The Century of the New Testament (E.M. Blaiklock)
- A Scripture Note-Book – Book Two (De La Salle Brothers)
- Life in the Time of Jesus (Margaret Boys)
- Matthew Henry’s Commentary
- The New Bible Dictionary (InterVarsity Press)
