Bringing the Bible Back to Public School—Legally: How Bible2School Is Helping Churches Reach Kids During School Hours

Pauline Rivera
Aug 11
3 min read

Updated: Aug 12

Can public school children really receive Bible instruction during the school day? It sounds impossible—but thanks to a little-known law called release time, ministries like Bible2School are doing exactly that. And as Kori Pennypacker, CEO of Bible2School, explained on the WISE & Otherwise podcast, it’s not just legal—it’s life-changing.

What Is Release Time?

Release time allows students in public schools to be excused for religious instruction during school hours, as long as three conditions are met:

It takes place off school property.
Parents provide written permission.
No public funds are used.

This law, upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court since 1952, gives churches and Christian organizations an open door to disciple students who might never otherwise set foot in a church. In fact, Bible2School reports that over half of their participants don’t attend church at all.

A Program That Meets Kids Where They Are

Bible2School runs once a week for about an hour—including transportation time. Most programs take place during lunch or recess, with students walking or riding buses to a nearby church, business, or nonprofit space.

What happens during that hour is part VBS, part mentorship, and part Bible study. Kids eat lunch, hear Bible stories, engage in small group discussion, and participate in hands-on activities designed to reinforce the lesson—like climbing inside a life-sized replica of Jonah’s whale or testing how "blubber gloves" insulate from cold water.

The goal isn’t just to teach stories, but to apply biblical truth to real-life situations: forgiveness, second chances, purpose, and faith.

More Than Curriculum—It’s Community

What makes Bible2School unique isn’t just the legal model—it’s the relational one. Each child is placed in a small group led by trained volunteers who pray with them, listen to their stories, and build trust over time. For many kids, these mentors are the first Christians they’ve ever had a personal relationship with.

These relationships often ripple beyond the children themselves. Surveys have shown that 18% of families with children in Bible2School eventually begin attending a local church.

Starting a Bible2School Program: What It Takes

Launching a Bible2School program is designed to be accessible, even for small or mid-sized churches. The ministry provides a four-step roadmap and access to their online toolbox with over 400 resources. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

A Champion – A committed leader who can rally a team and move the vision forward
A Pastor – To connect with churches and mobilize volunteers
A Parent – Preferably one with children in the target school
A Business Leader – To help fundraise and provide local credibility
A Networker – Someone who knows the community and opens doors

Together, this Community Team lays the groundwork—approaching schools, organizing volunteers, and securing locations. Programs often run in churches, but creative alternatives like community centers, business offices, or even movie theaters have worked.

Startup costs begin around $3,000, with ongoing support at approximately $1,500/year. Scholarships and church partnerships can offset much of this, and the long-term investment is minimal compared to the impact.

Preparing Kids to Stand Strong

Bible2School isn’t about pulling kids out of public school—it’s about equipping them to live boldly for Christ in it. As Kori shared, too many Christian parents feel helpless watching their children face cultural confusion, spiritual silence, or even opposition in school. But with the right tools and community support, parents don’t have to retreat—they can prepare.

Through mentorship, biblical literacy, and Christ-centered relationships, Bible2School helps children discover their identity in Christ—right in the middle of the school day.

Want to Bring Bible2School to Your Community?

If you’re a parent, pastor, or community leader in Kansas (or beyond) and this opportunity stirred something in you, now is the time to act. Bible2School offers an exploratory video call, brainstorming support, and all the tools you’ll need to launch successfully.

📍 Learn More & Get Started 🌐 bible2school.com 📧 info@bible2school.com This blog post was generated from the following episode of the WISE and Otherwise Podcast with Dalena Wallace. Find more at: