The Bible and its reading among Maltese children

Abstract

This dissertation sets out to examine the use of the Bible among children and it entails a research among eight to twelve year old Maltese Catholic children, whose responses were collected through interviews. It examines the development of the children's concepts about the Bible and its content. An outline of the trend in Bible reading is presented by analysing whether the children read the real text or other versions, whether they prefer to read the Bible in Maltese or in English and whether they prefer illustrated Bibles. An analysis of the most popular Bible stories and the most common methods used in presenting the Bible to the children locally is also given. Whether the language used in Maltese Bible editions and children's Bible in Maltese is appropriate for children is also examined by inquiring whether the children understand the words or phrases used. Finally, proposals on how to promote the Bible among Maltese children especially in the Maltese language, are put forward.