The Scottish Bible Society is to send out copies of the BBC's 'The Passion' on DVD to more than 400 secondary schools in Scotland.

The BBC production was first aired over Easter 2008 and showed the story of the execution of Jesus Christ.

The Scottish Bible Society said it is sending out the DVDs to give students the chance to consider the final 12 hours in the life of Jesus Christ.

The DVD were sent out last week together with a teachers' pack designed by education professionals to meet the requirements of the Religious and Moral Education curriculum.

"The national guidelines for RME in Scottish schools provide a structure for pupils to explore questions concerning the meaning, value and purpose of life," Elaine Duncan, Chief Executive of the Scottish Bible Society.

"We hope that The Passion and the discussions which arise from watching it, will give Scottish teenagers and their teachers the opportunity to do exactly that by engaging with this chapter of Bible history.”

Dumbarton Academy, in West Dunbartonshire, was one of the secondary schools to receive The Passion DVD.

The academy's Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies teacher Alistair Goold, welcomed the Bible Society initiative.

"It will be a valuable resource in the future. I am trying to keep the teaching of Christianity as engaging as possible. Any recommendations would be most welcome!" he said.

The DVD giveaway is just one of the initiatives being undertaken by the Scottish Bible Society in 2009 to celebrate its bicentenary this year.