At Fishers High School, students are finding more than just academics and other activities; they are finding a place to grow in their faith. The Bible Study Club has become a space where students can come together, reflect and support one another through shared beliefs and religious conversations.
Unlike the other school clubs at FHS that revolve around world affairs or competitions, this group centers around the Lord, reflection and personal beliefs. It gives students a place to think more deeply about their values.
What the club focuses on is helping students take what they read in scripture and connect it to how they live their lives in and out of school. Junior and member/leader Shae Pullen says rather than just reading passages, the goal is to give students a deeper understanding and meaning to have faith involved in their lives.
“The main purpose is to provide students with information on how to apply faith into the school day and how they can be a disciple in their lives beyond school,” Pullen said.
The meetings consist of conversations between the students about not just the bible but about their personal lives too. This gives them the opportunity to connect and relate more to each other.
“We normally talk about anything we’re doing during the week, and transition into reading scripture,” Pullen said. “We tend to read the New Testament in the Gospels and then we debrief throughout the reading then close with prayer.”
The club is a flexible commitment. Attendance varies depending on the week, as members can prioritize their own schedules without falling behind in the group. Some meetings stay small and others grow as more students join in. Even with a small number of members, the group continues to stay consistent in its purpose and structure.
“We normally average between 2-5 people, but we’ve had a few weeks with over ten.” Pullen said.
All clubs at FHS require a staff sponsor to run regardless of the teacher’s participation during the meetings. While meetings are mostly very student-led, biology/chemistry teacher Jacob Kapitan sponsors the Bible Study club and he quietly observes during meetings.
“I don’t have a specific role during meetings,” Kapitan said. “Every once in a while, if students struggle with a name or ask a question, I’ll chime in.”
Being part of a faith-based club brings a sense of personal responsibility for its members, especially those who help lead it, like Shae Pullen. Staying responsible becomes something that influences not just meetings, but how they carry themselves outside of them as well.
“I think leading it [The Bible Study Club] holds more spiritual accountability for me,” Pullen said. “I think it’s harder to do things that would be seen as rebellion because everyone knows you as the leader or member of the club, I think that keeps me on track more than anything else.”
For Pullen, the club holds a deeper meaning for her than just a weekly gathering. It represents something that she felt personally.
“The club is an answered prayer from church camp for me,” Pullen said. “I prayed for opportunities to share what God has put on my heart as someone he’s called to ministry and the fact that anyone shows up is so amazing to me that people see that calling and choose to be a part of it.”
