Terra Nueva, a tough neighbourhood in Guatemala City, faces challenges which include poverty and crime that stem from the nation's troubled history.

To address the lack of educational resources and combat gang culture, schools have adopted initiatives like 'Open the Book', a programme by the Bible Society UK.

In Mixco, where resources are scarce, 650 students share just a dozen computers.

The introduction of 'Open the Book' has been met with enthusiasm, with students actively participating in dramatised Bible stories using singing and dancing as learning tools.

One 11 year-old student, Justin, expressed appreciation for how Bible stories contribute to his education. "Bible stories help me to be smarter and to learn about God" he said.

Initial reluctance

Despite initial reluctance, teachers like Evelyn Divas, head teacher at El Mezquital Public School, have seen the positive impact of incorporating Bible study into the curriculum.

Divas was the only practising Christian teacher in the school.

"I was worried they'd all think I was there just to impose my beliefs on them" she said. "At first, everyone was hesitant of the project and it's hard for people to warm up to it."

Divas says people have accepted it, and the children enjoy it.

Beyond educational benefits, the programme also serves as a support system for students grappling with violence.

Alison Estefinea Gutierrez, 11, shared how the lessons helped her cope with the loss of family members to gang violence. "Reading the Bible helped me forgive, and I've become less aggressive" Alison said.

Glimmer of hope

In a country plagued by crime and socio-economic challenges, Bible study initiatives like 'Open the Book' offer a glimmer of hope.

However, systemic issues persist, with poverty and corruption exacerbating the cycle of violence.

Newly elected President Bernardo Arévalo has pledged to prioritise education to uplift disadvantaged communities.

"For a long time, we have not invested in the same way to bring development to all communities in the country. The future of the children is at stake in the schools, and the future of the country is at stake in the children's education" Arévalo stated.

However, addressing deep-rooted issues such as corruption and gang activity remains a formidable challenge.

Despite these obstacles, educators like Divas remain hopeful that programmes promoting positive values can make a lasting impact, nurturing a generation resilient to the lure of gang culture.

"I see this project as planting a seed … inviting them to live a life that is good. They may not even understand it right now, but I know they will someday."

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In addition, the Bible is key to your Christian growth, a primary way of connecting with God and it helps people live a Godly life, says Tak, who reads the Bible daily.

For him personally the Bible feeds his spirit and strenghtens his walk with God. "The Bible helps me know God and his ways," says Tak who is a supporter of Bible Month 2018.

Starting 1 July, Bible Month 2018, is a time to focus on the Bible and its centrality to your Christian faith/walk. BSNZ's key message is, the Bible really is good for life. The organisation has created a range of Good for Life tools, which help people engage with the Bible.

"The Bible is good not just for the tough times but for all of life," says BSNZ Programme Director Stephen Opie. "When you're lonely, broken or disappointed, the Bible should be there. And when you're joyful, content and at peace, the Bible should be there. The Bible needs to be in and through our day to day walk with God."

Bible Month tools include three compelling two-minute testimony videos of a Christian medical doctor, a young mum dealing with loss and a Kiwi soldier who served in Afghanistan. All three kiwis have been inspired to share about how the Bible has helped them in their lives.

In addition, there is an Essentials Bible Reading Challenge, sermon notes, wall posters and small group resources. Our latest publication, The Field Guide to the Bible already on its second-print run, helps young people make sense of what can sometimes be thought of as a complicated book.

For more information and to download free resources go to www.biblemonth.nz or just call us on 0800 424 253 for further details.

Supplied: The Bible Society

The gatherings are part of a programme devised by a Christian ministry in the Capitol.

Pence has been described as an "Evangelical Catholic".

"My Christian faith is at the very heart of who I am," he said last year during the run-up to the election.

Created for government officials at all levels, Ralph Drollinger who runs the ministry, says "God will bless the nation when its leaders turn to him in prayer".

"God judged Israel when His people worshipped other gods. Too often this betrayal was fostered by her spiritual leaders. … It stands to reason that spiritual leaders who minister to our government leaders are critically important to the health of the nation," he said.

"Whether or not they lead them in God's ways has huge repercussions relative to if or not God blesses a nation."

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• CBN News
• Knights Templar International
• Image: The Christian Post

"We love it," was the resounding comment from kids at the Hope Centre Lower Hutt (pictured), who recently trialled The Aetherlight: Chronicles of the Resistance.

The Bible Society is partnering with Scarlet City to help families and churches connect the story kids encounter in the world of Aethasia to the real story of the Bible.

By connecting game players to the big story of the Bible, The Aetherlight brings a significant opportunity to help pre-teens understand the Bible's relevance in their lives," said Stephen Opie, Bible Society Programme Director.

Scarlet City Studios is a small New Zealand-based gaming studio with a mission to take the Bible and re-tell it for a digital generation.

The game tells a tale paralleling the story of the Bible, reimagining the Bible story as a 'steampunk' allegory taking characters and stories from the Bible and putting a fresh face on them to connect with kids.

Episodes are released every few months (episode two, The Resistance Takes Flight was released in July this year).

The game comes with its own companion Bible, which has just been released in the USA and New Zealand.

The New Living Translation includes two unique codes to unlock exclusive game items.

The Aetherlight is available on PC and Macs, as well as Apple and Android mobile devices. Visit www.theaetherlight.com for full details or download the game from the app stores.

The Aetherlight companion Bible is also now available from Bible Society New Zealand at $24.99 email: orders@Biblesociety.org.nz or telephone 0800 424 253.

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The House of Sarah, part of the Anglican Diocese of Polynesia, is running workshops looking at how scripture can help end violence against women.

House of Sarah's gender specialist, Tupou Vere, says they've found the workshops a useful way to discuss difficult issues.

"We've found it's been extremely, extremely helpful in discussing violence against women because it involves everyone that comes to the Bible study."

She says the workshop engages youth, different age-groups, men and women, different ethnic groups.

All have a say in how they engage and how they interact with the scriptures.

Vere says the programme "gave us an opportunity to isolate or to define what is violence in a conversation, in a safe space, in a church, in a mixed audience, to actually talk about what is violence against women."

The House of Sarah also organises workshops for women to teach them basic knowledge and skills around topics such as: gender awareness, gender based and domestic violence, child abuse, rape, and sexual harassment. These women can then help more people in their community when these issues arise.

The workshops also teach UN Conventions on discrimination against women and children's rights.

In 2011 Awareness raising training workshops were held for AAW members in Archdeaconries and Episcopal units.

Training in gender issues for members of the men's fellowships and young people's groups in the Diocese was carried out with the focus of stopping violence in the family.

The House of Sarah was recently awarded a $30,000 grant from the United Nations to assist in the continuation of the courses throughout Fiji.

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• radionnz.co.nz
• Image: Facebook