In Loving Memory of Kay Arthur — Beloved Bible Teacher, Author, and Co-Founder of Precept Ministries International, Whose Passion for Scripture Transformed Millions of Lives Around the World (1933–2024)
In Loving Memory of Kay Arthur — Beloved Bible Teacher, Author, and Co-Founder of Precept Ministries International, Whose Passion for Scripture Transformed Millions of Lives Around the World (1933–2024)
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Kay Arthur, a revered Bible teacher, prolific author, and the co-founder of Precept Ministries International, who went home to be with the Lord in 2024 at the age of 91. Kay’s life was a testament to unwavering faith, sacrificial service, and bold teaching rooted firmly in the unshakable truth of Scripture. For decades, she labored tirelessly to bring the Word of God to life for people across all walks of life—helping them discover, understand, and apply the eternal truths of Scripture to their daily lives. Her departure leaves a profound void, yet her spiritual legacy continues to illuminate the paths of countless believers around the globe.
Born in 1933, Kay Arthur lived a life marked not by ease, but by obedience, redemption, and divine calling. Her early years, filled with hardship, personal pain, and brokenness, eventually became the foundation for a ministry that reached across nations and generations. From those difficult beginnings arose a woman of fierce conviction and gentle wisdom, who would later become one of the most influential Bible teachers of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Kay’s journey into full-time ministry began after a life-altering encounter with Jesus Christ. Having come out of a painful past marked by divorce and despair, she rededicated her life to Christ and quickly became consumed by a deep desire to study and share the Bible. Her hunger for truth, paired with her sharp intellect and authentic vulnerability, became the bedrock for a ministry that would span over five decades.
Alongside her husband Jack Arthur, Kay co-founded Precept Ministries International in 1970, headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee. What began as a small home Bible study group blossomed into a global teaching ministry that now spans more than 180 countries, offering Bible studies in over 80 languages. Through the Precept Inductive Bible Study Method, Kay introduced a revolutionary approach to Scripture—one that emphasized observation, interpretation, and application, equipping believers to study God’s Word for themselves, rather than relying solely on pastors or teachers.
Her work birthed countless resources—books, workbooks, audio programs, and televised series—each designed with the express purpose of helping people become serious students of Scripture. Among her most well-known books are Lord, I Want to Know You, Lord, Teach Me to Pray, and As Silver Refined, each filled with personal anecdotes, sound theology, and life-transforming insights. Her voice, both literal and literary, became a trusted source of comfort and truth for millions.
Kay Arthur’s Bible teaching was characterized by clarity, authority, and compassion. She possessed the rare ability to explain complex theological truths with depth and simplicity, making them accessible to both new believers and seasoned disciples. Her style was not one of entertainment, but of earnest engagement with the living Word of God. Her messages were uncompromising, calling people to holiness, repentance, and a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.
In addition to her extensive written work, Kay was a familiar face to many through her long-running television and radio program Precepts for Life, which reached audiences in more than 30 countries. Her calm, earnest demeanor and firm reliance on Scripture made her a comforting yet convicting teacher for millions of viewers and listeners.
Kay Arthur was also a trailblazer for women in ministry. At a time when many women were limited to peripheral roles in church leadership, Kay stood firm in her calling to teach and disciple both men and women. She did not seek fame or prominence; instead, she sought obedience to the call God had placed on her life. As a result, she opened doors and paved pathways for countless other women who have followed in her footsteps to teach, write, lead, and serve.
Her impact extended far beyond pulpits and publications. To those who knew her personally, Kay was known for her kindness, humility, and deep compassion. She mentored leaders, comforted the hurting, and championed the marginalized. Her home was open, her prayers fervent, and her counsel deeply rooted in the Word of God. She lived what she taught, embodying integrity in every aspect of her life.
Even as she aged and faced health challenges, Kay remained deeply involved in the mission of Precept Ministries. She continued to write, speak, and encourage others, demonstrating a faith that was enduring and authentic. Her passion never wavered, and her message never softened: Know God. Know His Word. Live accordingly.
Though Kay Arthur has left this earthly life, her legacy endures in innumerable ways. Thousands of churches around the world use Precept Bible Studies to disciple their congregations. Millions of individuals, from rural villages in Africa to bustling cities in Asia, have come to a deeper understanding of Scripture through her teaching. Her influence is not confined to a generation or geography—it is timeless, rooted in the eternal Word of God.
As we reflect on her extraordinary life, we are reminded of the Apostle Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 4:7-8: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day.” Indeed, Kay Arthur fought the good fight—with courage, compassion, and conviction.
To honor her legacy is to carry forward her mission: to study the Bible with seriousness, to teach others with love and truth, and to walk in the light of God’s Word with boldness and humility. Kay did not simply teach Scripture—she lived it. Her love for Christ was the anchor of her soul, and it radiated through every sermon, every sentence, every study guide.
In her own words, Kay once said, “If you don’t know the Word of God, if you don’t study it, then you don’t know God. You know about Him. You can’t love someone you don’t know.” This simple yet profound conviction became the compass of her entire ministry—and the heartbeat of her life.
Though the world has lost a giant of the faith, Heaven has welcomed a faithful servant home. And while we grieve, we do so with hope, knowing that her life continues to bear fruit in the lives of those she discipled, taught, mentored, and inspired.
We give thanks to God for the life and ministry of Kay Arthur—a woman of the Word, a woman of faith, a woman of courage, and a woman of love. Her voice may be silent on earth, but her impact will echo for generations.
Rest in peace, beloved teacher and friend. Your work is done, your reward awaits, and your legacy lives on.
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