Living in Nashville, Tennessee, Dr. John Juneman has been teaching Bible Survey with TPS for a decade.
Eliana: How did you discover and start with The Potter’s School? Did you teach anywhere before that?
Dr. Juneman: I am beginning my 11th year of teaching with TPS, but have also taught previously in a college setting as well as pastoral training. I still teach some college classes along with TPS, as well as some pastoral training overseas (along with traveling to preach across the U.S.). Mrs. Juneman was the one who heard about TPS and urged me to apply to teach with TPS. It happened to be God’s perfect timing for TPS and for me, and I am thankful to this day.
Eliana: Can you tell me about your family? Do you have any pets?
Dr. Juneman: What is my word limit on this question? My family are the treasures of my life. Mrs. Juneman and I have been married for 35 years. She works from home, and we were able to homeschool our two children all the way through school until they went to college. Our daughter has been married for 3 years and is a nurse. They had their first child–our first grandchild–a little over a year ago. My son just got married this past May, and he and his wife also now live near us in the Nashville area. He is a military guy, having served 4 years in the U.S. Coast Guard, and is now transitioning to the Tennessee National Guard. We get to all gather together regularly for food, fellowship, and game nights, especially Euro and strategy games! We have two pets: Dolly is a 12-year-old German Shepherd mix, and our spoiled cat is named Face (after the character on “The A-Team”).
Eliana: I know this is a hard question, but if you had to pick a favorite book of the Bible, what would it be and why?
Dr. Juneman: If I had to choose only one, I might pick 2 Timothy, because of the tone and situation of it. It is, essentially, Paul’s final words to Timothy. He is in the Mamertine Prison in Rome, awaiting execution, and knows it could happen any time. I picture it like a father with his hands on his son’s shoulders, looking him straight in the eye and with love saying, “Please hear me.” This whole heart of Jesus in the letter really moves me deeply and personally and makes me really want to take these things to heart in my own life. “This is what really matters: attend to the fire of your relationship with Jesus, and pass that torch along to others.” This is what I pray to do with my family and the students I am blessed to teach.
Eliana: What is one challenge and one rewarding aspect of teaching your specific subject?
Dr. Juneman: One of the greatest challenges with teaching Bible Survey is trying to cover the entire Bible in one school year. We have 32 class sessions (really 31 after we have an introductory class the first week) to introduce, survey, summarize, and convey the essence of 66 books of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. And we don’t want to simply convey information but we pray for students to know Jesus through the Word and for the class to be a life-transforming experience. One of the most rewarding and joyful aspects of teaching Bible Survey is seeing that happen. It’s why we do what we do–for young men and women to grow in Christ and to become students of the Word for a lifetime who will lead others in the same.
Eliana: Construct your dream ice cream sundae (flavors, syrups, toppings, the works!)
Dr. Juneman: Since I cannot eat regular ice cream due to a dairy allergy, any non-dairy ice cream at all is a pure pleasure to me! But I would sure not argue with some caramel and chopped nuts on top.
Eliana: Do you have any random or unique talents?
Dr. Juneman: I learned many unique skills with which to occupy myself on long bus rides for athletic events in high school. Included in these are the ability to bounce a ball or other object in the air by dropping it from my hand while extending my arm straight out and bouncing the object off the inside part of my arm where my elbow is. Amazing, right? I can also play various musical notes by making my cheek taut and striking that taut cheek with my index finger nail.
Eliana: If you could share one life lesson with the general TPS student community, what would it be?
Dr. Juneman: I would convey my “4 pillars for spiritual formation” that I share every year on the final day of class:
- Seek Jesus with all your heart.
- Respond to Him always, no matter what
- Walk in His Word
- Live the “open house” life–walking in the light and accountability.
I hope you learned something new today, and were encouraged by Dr. Juneman’s wisdom!
Photo Credit: Dr. Juneman (Dr. Juneman is in the back right of the photo)
This is amazing!!!! Dr. Juneman is the best 🙂
Nice to learn more about you, Dr. Juneman! I really appreciated your lectures at camp this year, they were very encouraging and informative.
I loved taking Bible Survey wth Dr. Juneman my freshman year! It’s so good to hear some updates from his life and read more about him. Great article, Eliana!
He came to visit me when I first moved to Nashville. He and his wife are fantastic!