Bibles for children in NZ schools

It’s a very special kind of learning. Its God focused and Bible based.

Every week, around 32,500 primary school children in Years 5 – 6 (the old Standards 3 and 4) in state schools around the country participate in Christian Religious Education (CRE) classes. Formerly known as Bible in Schools, these once a week, thirty minute classes are run by Christian volunteers.

The Churches Education Commission, which oversees the work of Christian Religious Education (CRE), uses the Contemporary English Version (CEV) of the Bible for all of its curricula.

It’s this CEV Bible which will be used for the class sets.

The class sets of Bibles will consist of 20 illustrated CEV Bibles.

The occasional debate as to the place of Christian Religious Education (CRE) in schools is once again in full swing, this time in the Australian state of Victoria.

A young boy enjoys his CRE workbook. Learning about Jesus and the Bible is central to CRE teaching.

The Bible in Schools debate is not unknown in this country. In fact, from the early days of the colony it was one that dominated in sermons, letters to the editor and in parliament.

Kate Dominikovich, National Manager, CEC.

Through CRE classes children learn not only about God and the Bible, but also about many other aspects of life such as how to relate to others, self-esteem and forgiveness.

Children listen attentively as a CRE teacher and a helper read a Bible story to them.