Kay Arthur: A Legacy of Faith,
Obedience, and the Word of God
Celebrating the life and legacy of Kay Arthur, co-founder of Precept Ministries, whose faithful obedience and passion for God's Word equipped millions to know Him deeply. Discover how her story continues to inspire leaders and shape the future of Bible study in the UK and beyond.
SUPPORT HER LEGACYKay Lee Arthur 1933 – 2025
A faithful servant. A life poured out. A legacy that lives on.
On 20th May 2025, Kay Arthur, beloved co-founder of Precept Ministries, passed peacefully into the presence of her Lord at the age of 91. While we grieve her passing, we do so with hope—knowing she now sees the One she faithfully served, face to face.
Kay’s life was marked not by the pursuit of platform or prestige, but by a profound devotion to God and His Word. She believed, with all her heart, that anyone—with a willing spirit and an open Bible—could come to know God personally. And she spent her life helping others do just that.
Humble Beginnings, Holy Obedience
The beginnings of Precept Ministries were simple—almost unremarkable in appearance. In a living room in Chattanooga, Kay opened the Scriptures with a small group of teenagers, not with grand ambition but with a burning desire to understand and teach the Word of God. That desire, rooted in obedience, gave rise to a global ministry.
Kay was a gifted teacher and communicator, yes—but what set her apart as truly extraordinary was her unwavering commitment to equip others to study the Bible for themselves. She didn’t seek to be the centre of attention. She sought to put God’s Word front and centre, empowering people to handle it with reverence, accuracy, and boldness.
“And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” —2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV)
This was Kay’s mission. And she fulfilled it well.
The Legacy Lives On
Though Kay’s earthly journey is complete, her ministry continues. Not as a monument, but as a movement. A living testimony of what God can do through someone who simply says, “Yes, Lord.”
Precept began because one woman and her husband (Jack Arthur) recognised the need in their own community for people to be taught how to rightly handle the Word of God. They didn’t wait for a formal invitation or a clear title. They saw the need—and they responded. Today, millions around the world have benefitted from that faithful response.
We believe the same opportunity lies before us. Now more than ever, the Church in our nation needs leaders who fear the Lord, who love His Word, and who will help others to know Him deeply so they can live differently.
You may not feel qualified. Neither did Kay. But God honours those who seek Him with a willing heart—and He uses them to bring light into dark places.
“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.”
—2 Chronicles 16:9a (ESV)
For Such a Time as This
Kay lived in a time when Biblical literacy was fading and truth was increasingly contested. Her response wasn’t to retreat, but to rise up—and teach others to stand firm on the unchanging Word of God. In our current cultural moment, with uncertainty within both the Church and the world around us, we are again in need of people like Kay—people willing to be set apart, to define paths rather than follow them, to lead others back to the truth.
There are many ways you can be equipped to lead Bible studies here in the UK—just as Kay did. Whether through:
> The Precept Training Pathway
> Precept Leader Academy
> One-off Training Days
…there are opportunities for you to be trained and supported as you step into leadership. We’ll share more about those below for anyone who wants to explore further.
But today, we pause to remember—and give thanks for—a life lived in full surrender to God. Kay Arthur was not only a teacher, author, and trailblazer—she was a faithful servant. Her life reminds us that transformation begins when one person chooses to trust God, study His Word, and invite others to do the same.
“…the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.” —Daniel 11:32b (ESV)
Let us honour Kay’s legacy not just with our words, but with our lives. This is not the end of the ministry she began—it is a continuation. A call. And a commission.
To learn how you can be equipped to lead others in studying the Word of God, or to give in memory of Kay Arthur to support the ongoing work of Precept UK, please see the donate button below.
Together, let us carry her legacy forward—for such a time as this.
Support the Legacy
Kay Arthur’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of God’s Word. By giving in her memory, you help continue the mission she so faithfully championed—equipping people to know God deeply and live differently through Scripture. Your support enables Precept UK to train leaders, develop resources, and reach more communities with life-changing Bible study.
Support the Mission