CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (May 20, 2025) — Kay Arthur, a globally respected Bible teacher, prolific author, and cofounder of the international Christian ministry Precept, passed away peacefully on Tuesday at the age of 91 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Her legacy of unwavering devotion to God’s Word and her transformative approach to Bible study has left a lasting imprint on millions around the world.
Arthur was the author of more than 100 books and Bible studies, and her work helped popularize the Precept Inductive Bible Study Method, a unique approach that empowers individuals to observe, interpret, and apply Scripture themselves. Her teachings, known for their clarity and deep theological insight, continue to shape Christian discipleship worldwide.
A dynamic communicator and warm-hearted leader, Arthur was celebrated for her passion for Scripture and her ability to connect with people from all walks of life. “When you know what God says, what He means, and how to put His truths into practice, you will be equipped for every circumstance of life,” she often said — a message that defined her ministry and personal walk with Christ.
Born Kay Lee on November 11, 1933, in Jackson, Michigan, she faced many personal trials early in life, including a painful divorce and season of brokenness. After earning her nursing degree from Case Western Reserve University and briefly practicing as a registered nurse, she experienced a life-changing conversion to Christianity at age 29. That spiritual transformation became the catalyst for a ministry that would touch every continent.
Arthur later attended Tennessee Temple University, where she met and married fellow missionary Jack Arthur. The couple married in 1965 and soon embarked on mission work in Mexico. Upon returning to Tennessee, they began leading Bible studies out of their Chattanooga home — gatherings that would eventually evolve into Precept Ministries International. Over the decades, Precept has grown to serve nearly 190 countries in more than 110 languages.
From 1999 to 2019, Arthur hosted Precepts for Life™, a syndicated teaching program that aired in over 30 countries and reached more than 75 million households. The program twice received the National Religious Broadcasters’ Best Television Teaching Program award.
Arthur’s commitment to equipping believers with the tools to study the Bible for themselves earned her numerous accolades, including four Gold Medallion Awards from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, a Lifetime Achievement Award and Hall of Fame induction from the National Religious Broadcasters, and honorary doctorates from Tennessee Temple University and Piedmont International University.
In 2020, Arthur was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Despite her declining health, she remained actively involved in ministry until her final days, offering guidance, encouragement, and support to the Precept team and global community.
Kay Arthur is survived by her sons Tom Goetz, Mark Goetz, and David Arthur (Margaret); grandchildren Meg Day (John), Joseph, Daniel, John (Whitney), Ryan, Alexandra, Jesse Callahan (Zach), Abigail Edens (Robert), and Ann Arthur; and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jack Arthur, who died in 2017.
As tributes pour in from ministry leaders, students, and followers around the world, Arthur is being remembered as a steadfast servant of God — a woman who lived her life to know Him and make Him known.