A Bible study program for children is gaining popularity in Manitoban public schools.

Discovery Time is a Bible-based class taught weekly in public schools from October until the end of the school year. "It is run by volunteers who see the need for children to know about God's amazing love for them," says Sophronia, a mother who will be launching the program in her child's school on January 16, 2020. 

The volunteers are equipped and trained by Child Evangelism Fellowship of Manitoba. Sophronia says, "There are many testimonies of how children's lives have been impacted and changed for better as a result."

Discovery Time has been running in Manitoba, since 1971. Since it was created, many schools with Kindergarten to grade eight classes in Manitoba have implemented their programming. There are 44 schools in Manitoba with the program, and the number of schools involved is continuing to increase.

A Manitoba School Act bylaw supports the inclusion of this program at these schools. 

MANITOBA SCHOOL ACT

Petition for Instruction in Religion

80(2) If a petition requesting that religious instruction be given in a school is presented to the School Board and is signed by:

  1. (a)the parents or guardians of at least 10 children attending the school having one or two classrooms; or
  2. (b)the parents or guardians of at least 25 children attending the school having three or more classrooms;

the School Board shall pass a by-law authorizing instruction in religion in compliance with the petition.

CEF describes Discovery Time as a way to "teach and apply God’s Word in a simple and interesting way."

Sophronia says, "the children really enjoy these fun interactive Bible lessons, memory verses, games and learning how it can be easily applied to their lives." Laura Lawrence Director of Discovery Time at CEF claims there are some schools with Discovery Time classes hosting over 200 children each week.

Her child attends Van Belleghem, which in January 2020 will have Discovery Time offered Thursdays during the lunch hour of 11:15 - 12:10 p.m. "The students will eat during their regular lunchtime, and join Discovery Time class during recess, in a different classroom for 20 - 30 minutes approximately," Sophronia says.

"It opened my eyes when I found out you can have this kind of opportunity where you can have Bible study in public schools," Sophronia says. She hopes it will inspire others to start this program in their own schools.

If you have any questions contact Laura Lawrence at  llawrence@cefmanitoba.org or 204-663-3300.