"I had a mink, and I had money and I was miserable."
—Kay Arthur
A Mock Interview
Kay Arthur is known as one of the leading Bible teachers around the world, ministering to the hearts and minds of millions. She has written more than 100 books and Bible studies, particularly on the subject of embracing life’s disappointments.
Four of Kay Arthur’s books have received the prestigious Gold Medallion, including A Marriage Without Regrets; the International Inductive Study Bible; and Lord, I Need Grace to Make It Today.
Following is a mock interview based on the facts of Kay Arthur’s life and ministry.
Q. When and where were you born?
A. I was born in the United States in 1933. (Laughs.)
You can do the math!
Q. Tell me a little bit about your childhood.
A. I grew up a home that honored God. My family moved frequently, and in each new community we would first look for a church home, and then we’d find a house to live in.
Q. What kind of education did you receive?
A. As a young woman, I graduated from nursing school. I also studied modeling. In 2007, I received a Doctor of Humane Letters from Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Q. Did you marry and when?
I was once warned, "sin will take you father than you ever intended to go, it will cost you more than you ever expected to pay, and it will keep you longer than you ever intended to stay." Unfortunately, over the next few years, I sought comfort with several other men including a two-year relationship with a married man.
After a dramatic conversion experience when "I went down on my knees a harlot, and I got up a saint," I met Jack Arthur at Tennessee Temple University where I was studying the Bible. We’ve been married nearly 36 years.
Q. Do you have any children?
A. Jack and I have three grown sons and nine grandchildren.
Q. How did your ministry develop?
Together, Jack and I founded Precept Ministries International in 1970 (Chattanooga Tennessee). It began as a small Bible study for teens. Now there are Precept inductive Bible study groups in all 50 states, with materials in nearly 150 countries and nearly 70 languages.
We also host radio and television broadcasts which reach a potential viewing audience of more that 94 million households worldwide.
Q. When did you sense the Lord had a special purpose for your life?
A. "Before I was a believer, I would read the Bible and find it boring. When I became a child of God at age 29, I opened the Bible and it became a brand new book. I knew what was filling me was exactly what others were looking for as well… My passion and burden is to help other people to get into the Word of God in the most effective way possible."Q. How have you fulfilled that calling?
A. I discovered that the inductive Bible study method took me right into the Word of God, apart from the interpretations of the text by someone else. It’s a process that involves three steps: observation, interpretation, and application.
"Everything we do in our ministry is geared toward one thing: Not to have you think like we think, or to believe what we believe, but to show you how you can know the truth for yourself."
Q. What kind of legacy would you like to leave?
A. "Ultimately, it doesn’t matter whether I speak here or there, or accomplish this or that. What matters is if everything’s all right between me and God. Am I becoming a holy woman? Am I reflecting Him...?
Q. What kind of legacy would you like to leave?A. "Ultimately, it doesn’t matter whether I speak here or there, or accomplish this or that. What matters is if everything’s all right between me and God. Am I becoming a holy woman? Am I reflecting Him...?
When you develop an intimacy with God that comes through knowing His Word, then you are able to approach Him with clean hands and a pure heart… Only then can you truly experience the sweetness of His presence and His joy. There’s nothing greater!"
All direct quotes are from the interview, "Beauty From Ashes" by Laurie Beyer and published by Just Between Us: For Women With a Heart For Ministry. See also, Gifted For Leadership's article, "Kay Arthur."
Related
All direct quotes are from the interview, "Beauty From Ashes" by Laurie Beyer and published by Just Between Us: For Women With a Heart For Ministry. See also, Gifted For Leadership's article, "Kay Arthur."
Related
• "Kay Arthur: Extreme Adventures With God" by CBN.com
• "How to Have An Inductive Bible Study" by Chrysalis
Up Next—Why Beauty Matters
Are you familiar with Kay Arthur’s books? What do you think?
• "How to Have An Inductive Bible Study" by Chrysalis
Up Next—Why Beauty Matters
Are you familiar with Kay Arthur’s books? What do you think?Photos: Random House, Barnes & Noble, Precept Ministries
14 Comments:
I've known about Kay Arthur for years. I was once in a young moms bible study and the leader used her stuff as a springboard. It was a wonderful experience. I didn't know that much about her personally. What a nice "mock" interview!
Hey E-mom,
This was great!! I'm a HUGE fan of Kay Arthur. She is among the top of my list when it comes to GREAT women of God! I respect her, and I've learned so much about the word from her teaching. Many of her books God used to bring deep healing in my life.
I think I may have just about every book she's written!
I had the HONOR of having lunch with her once. Well, I was seated next to her at her table at a Christian Writers Conference. (Now, I was just a guest of a close friend who wrote for Harvest House.)
She sat next to me and I told her how much I loved her outfit, we laughed and talked a few minutes before I knew it was her! When I saw her name tag, I nearly fainted!
She was just so precious, and so gracious. I can't say enough good things about this sister in Christ!!
Thanks for this awesome mock interview!!
Blessings to you♥
(sorry this was so long!)
I knew about her from my childhood and college churches but haven't heard much about her since. I think I will check out some of her books...thanks for sharing all of this!
Kay Arthur is one of my favorite people! I have seen her twice and talked to her each time! She is a true blessing from God! I have gone to one precepts training and hope to go to more, and teach people the word the Precepts way! She is a true gem!
I have that Bible you pictured; I love it. I didn't know about her background, thanks for sharing her great testimony!
DebD: Interesting thoughts, and thanks for stopping by. As an author, Kay Arthur is relatively new to me... maybe it's a function of location. She's down south and we're waaayyy up north in the PNW.
Susan: You're so privileged to have met Kay Arthur in person. You get around, lady! (You must have about 100 books by Arthur, then? PTL for her healing ministry in your life.)
Funny that you noticed Kay's outfit. She's a very well put together lady, and always looks so attractive in her photos. She's ageless. As I was writing this post, I was intrigued to learn she had studied modeling--which explains a lot! She reminds me of my own mother in many ways... who also was a model/actress (but sadly, not a believer.)
Don't worry, I like long comments. I like to respond in kind. :~D
Faith: Must be a function of location, since you've known of Kay Arthur since childhood. That's great! She's relatively new to me.
A Stone Gatherer: Amen. I'm looking forward to reading more of Kay's books. I see them in the (secular) stores quite frequently.
Jennifer: Cool! What do you like about this particular Bible version? The amazon.com reviews are quite impressive. I'm tempted to buy one for myself... :~D
Well, I have the extreme blessing of living near her campus for Precept ministries and currently I am taking her class on the Beatitudes.
I have attended taping sessions and conferences and she is truly gracious. Though I never have officially met her. So many people are always talking to her and etc I just pray for her. I know one day in heaven I will get to just sit and ponder things with her. That would be a great joy! :)
I LOVE the inductive study method and because of her introduction to it my Bible study has never been the same. I have made it through my entire Bible inductively and boy did my love and passion grow so much for the Lord through it.
Great mock interview e-mom!
Love ya!
Angela
I was in her Revelation Bible Study many many years ago - it was the first in depth study I have ever done. Then I lead a group of teen girls through Lord heal my hurts but to be honest I haven't done too much with her but I think this has peaked my interest again. I would love to do another inductive study in another book of the Bible.
Thanks for the interview - I knew some of her history but it is always refreshing to here where God brings another from.
Thanks e-mom
Love her books, especially when I read her personal testimony (can't remember which book).. I was blessed so much from it. God uses women no matter where they've been.
Love the interview!
It's amazing how people's lives can just be turned around like that!
Angela: An unbelievable story. Thanks for sharing... Wow. Won't it be great to meet wonderful souls like Kay Arthur in heaven?
I have made it through my entire Bible inductively and boy did my love and passion grow so much for the Lord through it. Wow, again. That's fabulous.
Love you back!
Living Beyond: I'm really surprised you know of Kay Arthur. Did you hear of her books/studies in Europe? Or in North America? I became acquainted with her through blogging... so that's fairly recently.
Please let me know if you dig into another of her books or studies. (Maybe you could blog a book review?) Hugs!
Amydeanne: Amen to this: God uses women no matter where they've been. There's hope for all of us! :~D
Buffy: Yes, isn't it?
Kay Arthur is my absolute favorite author and Bible teacher. I had the pleasure of meeting her several years ago at Precept's Women's Conference.
Love love love Kay Arthur!! I did my first Precept study when I was about 15, and I have been doing them ever since.
I went to several conferences and things at Precept Ministries and have gotten to briefly meet her several times and she was so precious!!!!
Great mock interview (and a very fun idea)
As an Aussie I had never consciously heard of her before ...yet the name if not totally unfamiliar.
Certainly I have not read any of her books......so someone else to locate.
Elizabeth Elliot is a long time favorite and I have heard Beth Moore spoken of a lot but never read any of her studies and/or books.
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