By Lois Ann Glessner,
Bible Adventure Training and Curriculum Coordinator
I serve at a Bible Adventure program (a released time program that allows public school students to leave their classrooms for an hour a week for religious instruction) where I go to the school office meet my students to walk them to the nearby church where our program meets. One week as the students lined up at the office, *Janiece, a third grader pulled me close. She quietly asked, “Are you giving me the thing today”? She was motioning with her hands, but I didn’t know what “the thing” was, so I began to play 20 questions to find out.
With each of my guesses, she became more adamant, exclaiming, “Not that thing.” Finally, she clarified, “It tells you about God.” I suddenly realized what she meant. Relieved, I guessed, “a Bible?” “YES!” she responded with excitement.
I realized this student had never held a Bible. I learned later from her listener that she had never been in a church. Bible Adventure was the only “church” she knew. She had told her listener, “So this is what a church looks like on the inside.” My heart aches for students like this. Yes, she received a Bible and a few weeks later she received a greater gift when she began a relationship with Jesus.
Because of your love and gifts, children like Janiece are coming to know Christ. We’re thankful for your partnership. Please pray that more children will learn about and sign up to participate in Bible Adventure.
*Name has been changed.
To learn more about Released Time Programs, check out the links below.
https://www.adl.org/education/resources/tools-and-strategies/religion-in-public-schools/release-time
