The Department of Education and Training (SIE) provides resources for the education of children and young people from all Protestant denominations. The SIE's work is based on the conviction that offering Bible education to young people is an answer to God's call.

The SIE started within the context of the "Sunday School Committee", which was founded in Italy in 1878 and was inspired by similar initiatives abroad, especially in Great Britain and the United States of America. The Italian Committee was started in connection with the Waldensian Reformed churches and began to publish a magazine called "La scuola domenicale". Later on, in 1891, a new Committee was founded involving all denominations.

Sunday school for children and young people in Italian Protestant churches is mainly focused on Bible education. The programme suggests a series of about 100 Bible readings within six years, from both the Old and the New Testament. The OT series follows a chronological order, from the Creation and the life of the Patriarchs to the journey to the Promised Land and the story of the kings of Israel and so on. The NT series, on the other hand, is based on a thematic order. The approach is focussed mainly on either storytelling or reading and reflections according to the age-group. Christian festivals are given special attention, with additional materials and ideas. Currently the SIE's programme is used by about 2500 children and 800 adults (Sunday School teachers and parents) in Italy, not to mention about 1000 Italian-speaking children in Switzerland. Three booklets containing the SIE programme are available with games and activities suitable for three different age-groups (5-7; 8-10; 11-13 years): "Giocando con la Bibbia" (Playing with the Bible), "La Bibbia racconta" (The Bible tells a story) and "La Bibbia ci parla" (The Bible speaks to us).

The SIE also continues to publish a magazine ("La scuola domenicale"), which is issued three times a year and is mainly designed for Sunday School teachers, but can also be used by those who lead services or Bible study groups.

Moreover, the SIE provides material for teen-agers and young adults: "Called to Liberty", containing two biblical programmes on the Old and the New Testament, and "Growing in Faith", an introduction to Protestantism. Special features, songbooks and audiocassettes are also available. Since 1998 the SIE has developed a series of books for children and young people, which are jointly published by the Protestant house Claudiana and the Roman Catholic Elledici.

Contacts:
Servizio Istruzione e Educazione
Federazione delle chiese evangeliche in Italia
via Porro Lambertenghi, 28
20159 Milano
tel. 02/69.00.08.83
fax 02/60.73.09.22
e-mail: servizio istruzione educazione