By attending a Christian youth group, some 30 young people are learning how to apply Bible lessons to their everyday lives.

The children, aged six through 11, meet at the Calvary Gospel Chapel, off Middle Road, Southampton for the Word of Life Olympian Club every Friday from 7 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.

During the meeting, the youngsters are exposed to a variety of activities aimed at strengthening their relationships with God and helping them to become productive members of society.

The weekly session opens with the children reciting various Christian pledges as well as the Olympian song and motto -- "I press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ'' (Philippians 3:14).

The group then raise their voices in song before beginning the week's Bible lesson and corresponding scripture verses.

After the lesson, the children split up into smaller groups for "briefing time'' with their coaches.

This time gives the children a chance to review the lesson and brainstorm ways to apply its morals to their daily lives.

Then the entire group reassembles for games and snacks.

Four young Olympians who were interviewed by The Royal Gazette explained why they enjoyed spending their Friday nights at the club.

"I love to sing songs to God,'' six-year-old Nathaniel Perry said. "My favourite ones are `Jesus Loves Me' and `Zally the Camel'. I also like to learn new verses.'' And seven-year-old Stephen Lightbourne explained: "I enjoy briefing time because we can answer questions about the Bible. I answer all the questions and get them all right so I feel good. I like to play games because it is exciting.'' Twin brothers, Markez and Martel Laws, 11, agreed that the Bible lessons were what they enjoyed most.

"Our best story was Daniel and the Lion's Den,'' the brothers said in unison.

"It taught us to pray to God for help when we're in trouble.'' To become a member of the Olympian Club, a child must go to three consecutive meetings, bring in a visitor, recite the Christian pledges and learn the Olympian motto and song.

As the children continue to attend regular meetings, they are able to record their progress on an Olympian Training Guide.

The guide is comprised of three levels -- Challenger, Conqueror and Champion -- which each consist of bronze, silver and gold sub-sections.

In order to pass through the ranks, the children must meet the increasingly difficult requirements of each sub-section.

These include reading Christian books, bringing in visitors, learning scripture verses, taking part in Christian service projects and faithfully attending church, Sunday School and Club.

There are a lot of Christian services which the children can choose to take part in, including baking cookies for the elderly and carolling at Christmas.

When a child completes the level requirements, he or she is given a memory review quiz before being rewarded with honourary certificates, patches and medals.

"By reading Christian books and taking part in Christian services, the children learn about God and morals at a very young age,'' explained Olympian coach Mary Samuels.

"It gives them the opportunity to be of service to somebody else. Even at the age of six, children learn the advantages of community service.

"The services get the children to look beyond themselves and into the community.

"This ability stays with them through their teenage years and beyond. I truly believe that it takes a whole community to raise a child.''