Kay Arthur, the influential Bible teacher, author, and co-founder of Precept Ministries International, died Tuesday morning at the age of 91.

According to the Christian Post, A pioneer in inductive Bible study, Arthur spent decades teaching Scripture to millions through books, radio, and the ministry she helped build alongside her late husband, Jack Arthur.

Her passing was announced by Precept Ministries on social media, describing her as their “beloved cofounder” and urging supporters to join in giving thanks for her lifelong devotion to Scripture and the message of salvation through Christ.

Born in 1933, Arthur came from a Christian home that moved often throughout her youth. She went on to graduate from nursing school and married Frank Thomas Goetz Jr., with whom she had two sons. The marriage, however, would end after six years as the couple faced deep personal challenges, including Goetz’s severe depression and Arthur’s moral failings, which she spoke of later in life with candor.

In a 2011 video testimony, Arthur recounted a moment of personal rebellion against God, expressing abandonment and spiritual disillusionment in response to her life’s pain. Despite her struggles, she became a committed Christian in 1963, a decision that transformed her life and defined her path forward in ministry and teaching.

Two years later, in 1965, she remarried. Her second husband, Jack Arthur, became her partner in international ministry work through much of the 1960s. The couple eventually returned to Tennessee following a significant illness that affected Kay’s health.

From Home Bible Study to Global Ministry

After their return, the Arthurs began hosting Bible studies in their Chattanooga-area home. What began in their living room would eventually evolve into Precept Ministries International, a global organization focused on helping people know God through Scripture.

Kay and Jack Arthur co-led Precept for decades until their son stepped into a leadership role in 2012. Kay Arthur remained an influential figure within the organization, known especially for her passionate and methodical teaching style that emphasized direct engagement with the biblical text.

Arthur’s approach to Bible study was widely known for its focus on careful observation, context, and inductive reasoning. Melissa Kruger, a Bible teacher and writer, described Arthur’s method as one that helped readers dissect Scripture with clarity and precision, saying that Arthur taught “precept upon precept.”

Acclaimed Speaker, Author, and Broadcaster

Throughout her career, Arthur authored approximately 100 books and Bible study workbooks. These resources have been used by individuals and churches around the world seeking a deeper understanding of Scripture. Her radio program, “Precepts for Life,” reached an estimated 75 million households, making her one of the most prominent voices in Christian teaching worldwide.

Recognition of her impact came not only through ministry growth but also through numerous honors. In 2011, she was inducted into the National Religious Broadcasters Hall of Fame. That same year, she was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by Tennessee Temple University.

In 2012, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Christian Women in Media Association, acknowledging her decades of leadership and instruction. Ten years later, on her 90th birthday in 2023, she was celebrated by the Museum of the Bible with their Pillar Award, commemorating her lasting imprint on Bible literacy and education.

A Life Centered on the Word of God

At the 2023 award ceremony, Arthur reflected humbly on her life’s devotion, saying she felt “totally inadequate,” but that her central passion had always been Scripture. “There’s one thing that’s my life,” she said, “and that’s the Word of God."

Her impact on others was evident through the outpouring of praise and gratitude following her death. Kruger shared how Arthur’s work shaped her approach to Christianity, teaching her not just how to read the Bible, but how to live it out. She remembered being reminded daily of her “identity in Christ: beloved.”

Precept Ministries offered words of appreciation as the organization faced its founder’s passing. They described her life as one of obedience and commitment to God’s call, emphasizing that her legacy continues in the ongoing mission to connect people to Scripture through personal study.

A Lasting Influence on Generations

“We are so grateful for Kay’s gifts and her obedience to God’s call on her life,” the ministry stated. “Her heart for God’s gospel is reflected in the mission of her ministry to this day.”

They also invited the broader Christian community to honor her life and continue her legacy of teaching. “She will be dearly missed,” they wrote, “but we rejoice knowing that she is whole and made new in the presence of her Maker.”

Arthur is survived by her children and the global community of Bible students and ministry leaders she mentored, directly and indirectly, over the years. Her legacy is expected to continue through the ongoing work of Precept and the study materials she leaves behind.