The bible seems like a very big book?

In a primary SU group that I visit weekly we have shared many bible stories, the children have been fascinated by the stories of Joseph, Moses, Jesus, and Paul. Their imaginations have been captured by them and, I believe, they have experienced the presence of God as they have listened to them and explored them together.

On Monday we sat down at a table and I gave each of them a copy of the whole bible. They were fascinated by the "fragile" pages (a P6 girls own words) and completely perplexed by all the numbers! Where was the page number? What were the big numbers? The little numbers? But with time and attention they managed to look up the story of the crossing of the red sea in Exodus and of Pentecost in the book of Acts. Words that they had been using verbally appeared on the page as a new language - resurrection (how do you pronounce that?).

It was a very precious time. What struck me most forcibly though was their real desire to read these stories for themselves, it was difficult, complicated and confusing - but they knew these stories, and had come to love them, and now they wanted to read them for themselves and discover more. They will have lots of chances to do that over the next few weeks.

Jen