Luke the Book was a Millennium year joint initiative by the Bible Society of Northern Ireland and Scripture Union Northern Ireland to offer a gift of a special edition of Luke’s Gospel to every child in Senior Primary and Junior Secondary School in Northern Ireland. The entire publication is in full colour to the highest standards of production with a strong graphical format. The book is eighty pages in length, was designed with young people in mind. The emphasis throughout was to engage new readers in to stories, life and words of Jesus. The readers are guided through Luke’s gospel by the friendly cartoon character ‘Digger’ who explains unfamiliar concepts and ideas.

The statistics and impact of this exciting project are staggering:

• of the 1,220 schools in Northern Ireland, 920 requested and are using
• 50,000 copies were distributed.
• every type of school is using it, Controlled, Integrated, Maintained and Special Schools.
• the take up covered all denominations Catholic and Protestant.
• it was accompanied by a Teachers manual & resources.
• it formed part of school assemblies (cartoon character ‘Digger’ was used for younger age groups.)

SAMPLE RESPONSES from NI

• ‘School Around the Corner’ visited a school running with LTB. The teacher helped the children prepare a rap from LTB, which went out on air to thousands.
• LTB received very favourable comments from Head teachers, class teachers, parents and children
• Children in one school were so eager to do LTB that it was used as an incentive to get their maths lessons finished.
• One nine year old wrote to say he had found it so easy to read and understand
• A 13 year old wrote to say how it was the best present he had ever received.

It is no exaggeration to say that this initiative affected the lives of thousands of young people.

Following the success of this project the National Bible Society of Ireland and Scripture Union in the Republic of Ireland have decided in partnership to initiate a similar project for schools in the Republic of Ireland. We have received some seed funding, have formed a working group and have part-time staff support. We have the advantage of not having to develop the concept and graphic design and set up printing costs.

• We propose to use the existing publication and modify/adapt the introductory inside pages and the endorsement back page to our context and culture.
• We propose to offer ‘Luke the Book’ through the schools to children
irrespective of their background, faith commitment or understanding.
• There is also the suggestion of having a CD ROM version.
• The National Bible Society of Ireland and Scripture Union will meet the cost of production and distribution, and there will be no cost to the children or schools to which the gospel is offered. However, if interested third parties wish to contribute this of course would be most welcome.
• We propose to link with RE curriculum and commence with cycle of Luke’s gospel in Autumn 2003. We will also provide Teachers manuals as a complimentary resource. We see this as primarily a Christian educational resource for use in school
• Target area Republic of Ireland
• Target age group ROI 3rd to 6th class Primary Schools

We have received a favourable response from the main Christian churches and particularly from the Catholic Diocesan Educational Advisers and the Church of Ireland Board of Education. This is a very ambitious project reaching a potential 255,000 senior primary school students and 10,500 teachers.

• The estimated total cost is in the region of €300,000.
• This is an investment of about €1 per child.

It is our sincere hope and prayer that God will provide this necessary resource so that as thousands of young people engage in reading and reflecting on this gospel they will encounter in a powerful and personal way the Lord Jesus Christ. In essence we see this as impacting the young generation of this nation with the gospel of Christ.

How can you help:
• by giving whatever financial support you can
• by acting as an area co-ordinator

YOUR PRAYER SUPPORT IS VITAL

If you require more information please contact Judy Wilkinson at
The National Bible Society of Ireland, Tel: (01) 677 3272,
E-mail: nbsi@natbibsoc.iol.ie
or Jim Donnan at Scripture Union, Tel: (01) 280 2300