NATHAN: The Bible is a collectionof books made up of 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New Testament. The full Bible has been translated into more than 500 languages. And with more than five billion copies sold it's the best selling non-fiction book of all time. We believe the Bible is God's word. It's full of stories that give guidance to us on how to live our lives. It's very important to learn the wisdom from the Bible. As Christian people we say that we believe that the Bible contains everything that we need to know for our salvation. But the Bible doesn't give us those things on a plate it's not always straight forward and we need to pick up some of the principles and some of the themes that are in the Bible stories and take them forward and see how they fit and how we would apply them in our own lives and in our own world.
NATHAN: There's a Bible to suit everyone. I've just started using a grown-up Bible but it takes a bit of getting used to. Looking through the Bible is very complicated. Psalms 86.19. I just don't get it.
Kirsty is 12 she uses the Bible on her phone. As a book the Bible is quite complicated to use but the phone is a lot easier. In church I use the paperback Bible because it's less of a distraction. 'Worship the Lord in the splendour of his holiness.' And her sister uses a special children's version.
How does God take care of you?
Er God takes care of us by looking after all of us in the whole world.
NATHAN: Lara who is 13 has two Bibles - one in English and one in Arabic.
LARA: The English Bible I read from the front to the back but with the Arabic Bible I read from the back to the front because in Arabic we write from right to left not from left to right.
NATHAN: My favourite story is God saves Daniel. Daniel was thrown into the lion's den but he prayed to God who protected him. It taught me that God hears our prayers.
REVD DAVID BAVERSTOCK: Stories are an incredibly powerful way of understanding ourselves and understanding the world. Stories can really help us to see things in a new light and they can often show us something that we could never understand from just facts and figures.
KIRSTY: I found the Bible wise because it teaches you lessons that you will keep for the rest of your life like Philippians 4.13 says 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.' And for me that teaches if you're in times of trouble or you just feel you need more strength. He will give you that.
Video summary
Three young Christians give us three different perspectives on what the Bible means in their lives and how they read it.
They each talk about how it gives them guidance and they also show how they use different versions of the bible: childrens versions, adult versions, books and online versions.
They tell us about stories they enjoy and parts they find difficult to understand.
The Christian Bible is described: made up of 66 books, two ‘Testaments’ (39 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New Testament).
It’s been translated into over 500 languages and over 5 billion copies have been sold: the best selling non-fiction book ever.
For Christians, it is God’s word, full of guidance and wisdom, containing everything you need to know about salvation, about being right with God.
This clip is from the series My Life, My Religion: Christianity.
Teacher Notes
Show pupils some children’s versions of the story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den – or read it with them from the book of Daniel.
Ask pupils to make a 6 or 8 frame for this narrative, using their literacy skills.
The point of the story seems to be about things like bravery, trust, wisdom and principle.
Discuss the possible meanings of the story. Ask pupils why they think it might be Nathan’s favourite story: can they suggest at least three reasons?
The discussion might include thinking about how the Bible gives Nathan ideas and guidance, and about how he chooses to live as a young Christian.
This topic will be relevant to teaching Religious Education at KS2 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and National 2 or 3 in Scotland.
Baptism. video
Young Christians and church leaders explain the baptism ceremony.
Christmas. video
In this short film for primary schools, 11-year-old Nathan tells us about the tradition of Christmas and all the things he does at this time of year.
Easter. video
Nathan, aged 11, and Lara, aged 13, tell us about Christian celebrations on Good Friday and Easter Day.
Holy Communion. video
Three young Christians explain the Holy Communion, an important ritual for Christians involving bread and wine.
Meet a young Christian boy. video
11 year old Nathan introduces his Christian faith, and his Anglican church.
Christian Prayer. video
Christian children tell us about the meaning of prayer.
What is Christianity? video
Nathan, aged 11, and Clara, aged 13, introduce the Christian religion.
Christian Worship. video
We see different types of Christians worship including a Cathedral choir and an Evangelical congregation.
