It’s almost time to go back to school! No matter how you feel after reading that sentence, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s August. Over the years, I’ve seen mixed reactions from students and parents as they head back to school. From students you will almost always hear disappointment, especially as they get older. You will hear a few students say they’re genuinely excited, but I often find that they’re almost all excited. No matter what they tell me, I can always see that first day excitement from almost every student. From parents, I often hear reflection on the memories they made over the summer with their family. Many parents aren’t ready for the summer break to be over. On the other hand, I have heard some parents who are exhausted from the summer schedule. They’re ready to get back into the routine of the school year.
The truth of the matter is, our feelings don’t change the facts. Each new school year brings many opportunities and challenges. Students and parents, you need to hear this: if you’re attending a public school, you’re being thrown into the public square. The worldviews of our culture will find you. How will you respond? God’s Word provides us with encouragement and a clear outline for how we must respond as believers. Let’s look at two passages for students and two passages for parents to address this.
For Students
Philippians 4:6-7
[6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
[7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (ESV)
The “public square” which is our school system presents challenges. As a teacher, I’ve had my own students respond to me with statements like “Jesus never existed,” or “I hate it when teachers share anything about their personal lives” after sharing my faith. You will interact with people who are opponents of Jesus Christ and his followers. In the few verses just quoted, Paul tells his readers in Philippi that they don’t need to be anxious about anything because we have a God who wants to hear our requests in prayer. In Jesus, He blesses us with unexplainable peace, and He guards our hearts and minds. Share your faith boldly and don’t be troubled when resistance comes. Resistance will come, but we serve a God who is greater than it! We’re indwelt by God’s Spirit who guides us through it! Pray to God that he continues to guard your heart and mind, giving you peace. Pray for your classmates who oppose the Gospel. There is no human opposition that can’t be overcome by God’s grace. God can soften even the hardest of human hearts.
Matthew 5:13–16
[13] “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
[14] “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. [16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (ESV)
The God who guards and protects you calls you to be salt and light. In modern times, we think of salt as something that just adds flavor to our food. In ancient times, before freezers and refrigerators, it was also one of the main ways perishable food was preserved. It kept the food from rotting quickly. I don’t want to harp on the negative, but we live in a culture that seems to be rotting. As believers, we’re called to preserve and enhance the culture, to the glory of God alone!
Regardless of how social you are, you likely feel like an outsider at school as a believer. Let me encourage you. You’re supposed to feel this way! This world is not our home. Don’t let that discourage you. Every time you stand out in this way, it’s an opportunity to point your classmates and teachers to Christ. As we think about your “saltiness” pointing others to Christ, that brings us to the light metaphor.
In verses 14-16 of Matthew 5, Jesus explains what it means to be “the light of the world” very clearly. The faith God has graciously blessed us with should not be hidden. The Gospel we know is not something to be selfishly held onto. That would be like a city on a hill being hidden or a lamp being put under a basket. That is not what you do with light. The light you have is the message of the Gospel and the teaching of God’s Word. Let the way you live spark conversations that lead to Jesus. Boldly tell of the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior. Tell your classmates that He is ruling and reigning now and forever! If they’re “light sensitive” and don’t respond well, that’s not on you. Continue to pray for them and proclaim Christ, but you’re simply called to be the light. You will never be able to control the reactions to the light.
For Parents
Proverbs 22:6
[6] Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it. (ESV)
As we read the Proverbs, we should think, “What principle is being taught here?” Don’t view this Proverb as a fool-proof plan; view it as a clear teaching on what your responsibility is as a parent. It’s common sense, but the household a child grows up in will have a great impact on who they become as an adult. If you are reading this, I would say you are more than likely a Christian. Do you want your child to grow up and have the same beliefs? Do you want to be a part of generations of Christ followers? I’m assuming your answer is “yes” to both of these questions. The good news is that God clearly outlines what your responsibility is in His
Word. You're called to train up your children in the way they should go. We know that God brings the increase, but your role as a laborer in his Kingdom begins first and foremost in your home. If you’re relying on our culture to teach your child what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, that clearly won’t work. As I stated earlier, our school system provides many opportunities that are often overlooked. But, if you are relying on our public school system to teach your child what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, that clearly won’t work. Now, let’s think about the church. Believe me, we are doing all in our power to intentionally disciple your kids. But (this is important!), that does not clear you of the responsibility to do the same! You have the Word of God and many great resources at your fingertips. You have the Holy Spirit guiding you. You have a church staff who is here to support you in it all. As a parent, be a faithful leader and teacher in your home. I can’t overstate the importance.
Deuteronomy 6:4–9
[4] “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. [5] You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. [6] And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. [7] You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. [8] You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between our eyes. [9] You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (ESV)
Moses had just reminded the Israelites of the Law. In verses 4 and 5, he reminded them of the greatest commandment. He reminded the Israelites of the Word of the Lord and all that He had done for them. As parents, we need to take notice that verses 7,8, and 9 come next. After reading about the Proverb in the previous section, you may have a few questions in your mind: “How do I train my kids?” God, through the words of Moses, answers these questions. Quite simply, you train your children with the Bible. There are great resources we would love to point you to, but they are all centered around the Word of God. You really don’t need to look anywhere else (2 Timothy 3:16). We’re also told in verse 7 that teaching our children God’s word should be a constant part of our daily lives. Moses is essentially saying you should teach the statues of the Lord, or the Word of God, to your children all the time. Verses 8 and 9 continue to show that Scripture should saturate your own life and your entire household. Thinking practically, be sure to make time in your daily routine for family devotions and worship. From experience, I will tell you that there will be many times where you fail in this endeavor. Don’t let that stop you from trying! God calls us to strive for faithfulness with all of our being. As you progress in making praying together, reading the Bible together, and family worship a part of your daily routine, you will see something beautiful. You’ll see your entire family becoming more Christ-like. You’ll see the Word of God begin to saturate every moment. You’ll see your own kids becoming lights in a dark world. It takes effort from everyone, but the sacrifices you make will have eternal value!
As we begin the 2024-2025 school year, I’m praying for you all. I know God is doing great things in this community, and I’m sure he will continue to. I pray that these encouragements from Scripture can play a part in shaping your school year and entire life.
2 Corinthians 13:14
[14] The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy spirit be you all. (ESV)
To God be the Glory,
Trevor Gleadle
Jr. & Sr. High Minister
