How did you hear your first Bible story? Was it on your mum, dad or a grandparents knee? Was it in Sunday school or maybe day school. For many reasons children today often don’t hear these stories. Children love stories, and so many children could miss out on the great classic stories from the Bible - Noah, Daniel and the life of Jesus could be closed chapters if youngsters don’t get an opportunity to engage with the Bible. Open The Book is a national storytelling project that began in Bedford in 1999. The main aim is "To enable children to hear the stories of the Bible in their primary school years." These stories are shared weekly by teams of local Christians, in exciting, fun, interactive ways using a variety of costumes, props and often involving the children themselves.

It is a three year rolling programme delivered at no charge to the schools. Here in Kendal teams made up of Christians from St George's, Holy Trinity, St Thomas', St Oswald's Burneside, the United Reform and the Methodist churches, have just completed their first year of Open The Book stories in three schools. In September they will continue with more stories and a new school is welcoming an Open The Book Team.

We pray that as the children watch and listen to the stories shared so enthusiastically by those who love God and his word, that they too will learn about God who loves them.

To find out more visit www.openthebook.net.

Helen Proudfoot, St Thomas Church

Christians in Education is the theme for Christian Viewpoint during September