Today’s Leader of Faith
FRANCIS NATHAN PELOUBET
Home Call : 27 March 1920
Theologian, Christian Educator , Author, Sunday-School Advocate.
Francis Nathan Peloubet (1831–1920) was an American Congregational minister and religious writer, best known for his work Peloubet’s Select Notes on the International Sunday School Lessons. This was a widely used resource for Bible study and Sunday school teachers, providing detailed explanations and applications of biblical texts. He was a leading voice in promoting and shaping the Sunday school movement. His methodical and insightful approach made Bible study more accessible and practical for laypeople. His pastoral ministry spanned 26 years, during which he served in multiple pulpits. He took a brief break from his ministry to serve with the Civil War Commission, which provided aid to soldiers during the American Civil War.
Peloubet was born on December 2, 1831, in New York City and raised in New Jersey. He attended Williams College in Massachusetts, where he completed his undergraduate studies. After teaching for a year, he pursued theological training at Bangor Theological Seminary in Maine, earning his Bachelor of Divinity degree. Initially, he considered becoming a missionary to India and even studied the Tamil language for several months. However, he ultimately chose to serve as a Congregational minister in the United States instead of working in foreign missions.
Peloubet’s impact on Sunday school education was profound. Recognizing the importance of structured Bible study, he began writing quarterly Sunday school lessons around 1872. His dedication led to the publication of the first volume of Select Notes on the International Sabbath School Lessons in 1875. The series reached a circulation of over 150,000, making it one of the most influential Bible study tools of its time. By 1920, he had published 44 volumes of Select Notes, making it a cornerstone of Sunday school curriculum. He also compiled and edited Bible study resources, including a Sunday school hymnal and A revision of William Smith’s Bible Dictionary.
Peloubet passed away in 1920 at the age of 88. He had spent his later years continuing his work in Christian education and Sunday school ministry. By the time of his passing, he had left an immense legacy through his Select Notes on the International Sabbath School Lessons, which remained influential for decades.