When Susan Loor, Mt. Ellis Elementary School (Bozeman, Mont.) teacher, chose a new fifth- through eighth-grade Bible textbook, she had no idea the fervor it would generate among her students.
This “textbook” is Messiah, a contemporary adaptation of Ellen G. White's Desire of Ages geared for youth by Jerry D. Thomas. “I think that the Messiah is easier for me to understand. It helps people my age follow in the path of the Messiah and live a Christian life,” says Marie Jenkins, eighth grader.
"The kids are so excited that they read ahead and do the underlining, then they can't wait to discuss it in class. Someone couldn't find their copy and had the whole classroom in an uproar until it was found. It is the best thing that has happened to my Bible class, and I am very grateful to have this book in our school," says Loor.
Each book belongs to the student, and they get to take it home at the end of the year, Loor explains. “With their own personal books, the students mark and underline as they want, encouraging them to hopefully start their own library.”
A special subsidy for Messiah is available to North American Division schools.
Two Mt. Ellis Elementary School Students, Katy Meharry (left) and Lora Holmes, study Messiah in their classroom.
The fifth and sixth grade Bible class discusses their reading from Messiah with their teacher, Susie Loor.
