In order to be part of an Open the Book team you have to be safely recruited by your church.
However, what happens when a Storyteller moves to a different church?
Does the new church have to ‘safely recruit’ that Storyteller? Do they need another DBS? Can they send a letter of recommendation?
Answer: Yes the new church does need to safely recruit you, and they can send a letter of recommendation.
Do Storytellers need to tell us when they’ve moved church to update their records?
Answer: Yes, if you have moved church or joined a new team recently, please do get in touch so we can make sure your records are correct.
From an OtB perspective, how long does the safe recruitment last?
Answer: Safe recruitment is done by the church or organisation so it’s their choice when they renew your DBS, etc.
What happens if a church refuses to do your safe recruitment?
Answer: Do get in touch with us to discuss this. In effect you are missionaries from your sending church and you must be safely recruited.
If a Storyteller were to trip at school and hurt themselves, are they covered by the school, church or OtB’s public liability insurance? Who is responsible?
Answer: Storytellers are covered by the Bible Society PLI. They may also be covered by the school and or church, but our cover does also cover them.
Here’s a nice little piece about the privilege of being involved in Open the Book from the recent Bath and Wells Diocese newsletter
We’ve created a form to make the collection of your thoughts easier and to gather insight and tips to help other teams with stories they are yet to deliver. You can find it in the members area, via this link or via the QR code.
We’re very excited that there are new stories to share this Christmas with brand new tops and tails. Bob Hartman’s ‘SHHHHH!’, ‘SHOUT!’ and ‘HUSH!’ can be found in the members area of our website. They can be used as an alternative to those in The Storytelling Bible. We hope you enjoy them!
Yesterday morning, having been asked if we could do an OtB story about the importance of truthfulness, I decided we would use the new story ‘Breakfast By the Sea’ from The Storytelling Bible. It’s the story of Peter and the disciples having breakfast with Jesus after his resurrection. The Headteacher absolutely loved it.
I explained that we hadn't wanted to use the new book until September and that this story may come up again when we are following the suggested pattern of stories, but she had no problem with this because she said the importance of truthfulness is among the best values we can sow into the lives of young children.
On a beautiful summer’s morning the train arrived at New Mills Newtown train station and I was met with blue skies and majestic views of the Peak District, including the famous Kinder Scout.
I had come to deliver in-person training at Revive Church, a beautifully refurbished chapel where John Wesley himself preached. It was a joy to meet local teams and others who had travelled there.
We shared OtB highlights from the year, before moving on to discuss why we do what we do. Then I mimed one of our new stories, ‘Treasure and Pearl’, with one Storyteller reading the story out and another the assembly script. We discussed how we can deliver OtB in a variety of ways, and what you can do with just a few pieces of material.
After lunch, Storytellers got into groups and presented one of the new stories: ‘Jonah’ or ‘Calling Disciples’. The Storytellers brought out Bob Hartman’s sense of humour and were inventive with the props. The power of the stories really came through.
I had the most wonderful day, and I hope the Storytellers enjoyed themselves too. Thank you to New Mills, Revive Church and all the teams. OtB storytelling is safe in your hands!
The Good News Bible – Children's Rainbow Edition in now available. It’s the best full-text Bible for children and would make a perfect Christmas gift for the children you know.
We are pleased to offer our full members a 15 per cent discount on the Good News Bible – Children’s Rainbow Edition and a 20 per cent discount on the Good News Bible – Family Edition. Get your discount codes in the members’ area now!
We’ve made something special for you and the families in your church or community.
The Family Advent Box will make for a FAB Christmas season in the home. It’s packed with ideas and everything a family needs for interactive, memory-making, fun which is suitable for all ages. Families will learn more about Christmas and each other, while engaging in some easy and inexpensive activities that will build the festive spirit in the home.
Whether it’s before or after the evening meal, or another time that works better for them, families can choose a time to get together each day. And wherever they are on their journey with Jesus, the Bible or church – this box is for everyone. There are plenty of opportunities to question, discuss and explore.
Find out more and order the box
There are only 1,000 available and once they’re gone, they’re gone! Order now to avoid disappointment.
Sponsor a team overseas to grow Open the Book.
Sponsorship is an opportunity for you to bring the transformative joy of the Bible into schools beyond this country. With a donation of £200, you or your team or church can sponsor an Open the Book project overseas. You’ll be fully funding the work of one team for a year, enabling them to visit schools across their country with Open the Book’s proven programme of engaging Bible storytelling.
Read the Bible 
Processing...