Who was Kay Arthur?

Kay Lee Arthur (1933—2025) was a prominent American Bible teacher, pioneering Christian broadcaster, prolific writer, and cofounder of Precept Ministries International. She published more than 100 books and Bible studies and won the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) Gold Medallion Book Award four times. Kay and her late husband, Jack Arthur, developed the inductive Bible study method of observing, interpreting, and applying the truth of Scripture. As host of Precepts for Life, a daily television, radio, and online program, she led millions of students worldwide through the Bible book-by-book, verse-by-verse, line-by-line, precept upon precept into a deeper contextual understanding of the Scriptures. Kay Arthur died on May 20, 2025, at age 91.

Kay Arthur was born on November 15, 1933, in Jackson, Mississippi. Her journey through life was marked by an intense dedication to her faith and a mission to educate others to explore the depths of truth in the Bible. Her early years were shaped by private struggles and a quest to understand life’s meaning. After earning her degree as a registered nurse at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, Kay married Tom Goetz. They had two children, Tom and Mark, but the marriage soon ended in divorce. Kay experienced a period of deep disappointment and spiritual turmoil that she later recognized as part of God’s preparing her for ministry. Through it, she came to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Before long, Kay attended Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga. There, she met Jack Arthur, a Tennessee Temple graduate and missionary. The couple married in 1965 and shared a ministry partnership for fifty-one years. Jack died from Alzheimer’s disease in 2017 at age 90. He and Kay had one son, David.

The Arthurs served as missionaries in Mexico for a season and then returned to Chattanooga, where Kay began leading Bible study groups at home. These small group studies eventually grew into a global ministry. In 1970, Jack and Kay Arthur founded Precept Ministries International to provide Bible study materials and training to individuals and groups worldwide. Through Precept Ministries, Kay developed the inductive Bible study method, which has been widely adopted and has helped countless individuals deepen their understanding of the Bible.

Kay Arthur wrote numerous books and Bible study guides. Her inductive works, which include studies on all 66 books of the Bible, have been translated into multiple languages and have reached audiences in nearly every place on the planet. Her most notable books include Lord, Teach Me to Pray in 28 Days; Lord, Teach Me to Study the Bible in 28 Days; How to Study Your Bible; and Israel, My Beloved. Kay’s writing is known for its clarity, depth, and practical applications, making complex biblical concepts accessible to readers of all levels.

A prominent figure in Christian broadcasting, Kay Arthur was one the first female Bible expositors on the radio. Her radio and TV program Precepts for Life aired from 1999 to 2019, teaching biblical principles and offering guidance for daily living to millions of people. The show was twice awarded Best Television Teaching Program by the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB). She also received the NRB’s Hall of Fame Award and Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition, Arthur was granted an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Tennessee Temple University and an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Piedmont International University.

Kay Arthur was driven in life by her commitment to making disciples and teaching God’s Word. She was also known for organizing regular tours to Israel, bringing hundreds of Christians to the Holy Land annually.

In 2020, Kay Arthur was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, but she remained in ministry, writing and speaking until she died in 2025. Her impact on biblical education and Christian development is undeniable. Moreover, Kay’s commitment to teaching and her passion for the Word of God inspired countless individuals to pursue a more intimate relationship with God. Her legacy is reflected in the lives of those who have been touched by her teachings and have grown in their faith as a result.