Some parents are well-prepared as the back-to-school season approaches, while others scramble to get those last-minute necessities.

Like many of you, I’m a busy mom doing my best to prepare my children for a successful school year. 

As the list of endless responsibilities pile up, have we considered how we will keep God first in one of the busiest times of the year?

While several practical tips help us navigate the school year, it is crucial to consider our spiritual well-being to ensure a Christ-centered back-to-school season.

How do we plan to keep our faith at the forefront during this hectic period?

Regardless of how long your to-do list is or how much time remains before your children’s first day, take a moment to breathe. You’ve got this! If your children have already started school, even better! You can jump right in.

 

 

Keeping Faith as a Top Priority

In times of chaos, we must not focus on the winds and waves but on the One who calms them. Neglecting our relationship with God is the worst thing we can do if we hope for strength and peace amidst the busyness.

In the morning, we worship! One of my favorite practices is to put on worship music as my kids get ready for school. I’ll brush my daughter’s hair as we sing our praises.

We pray on our way to drop her off. I usually go first, praying for her, her classmates, the school, and the staff. She then follows with her prayer. This daily practice models the power of prayer and integrates worship into our routine.

Schedule time for quick family devotionals or even a verse of the day.

I would suggest the Morning Affirmations for Kids plan from the YouVersion Bible app. Don’t run to the world’s affirmations but to our Creator’s. You can also check out the many other plans they offer on the app.

Challenge yourself and your children to think about a verse throughout the day and, in the evening, talk about it at the dinner table.

Let each person engage in what they took away from the verse.

 

 

Navigating Public School with Faith

For those of you sending your kids to public school, you know the spiritual warfare we face as the world pushes its agendas on our children. I once contemplated homeschooling my daughter, but an eye-opening experience changed my perspective.

One day last year, my daughter came home with a look of deep sadness etched on her face.

She dropped her backpack and walked over to me with a serious expression. I could tell something was really bothering her. I knelt down and gently asked, “Sweetie, what’s wrong?”

She hesitated for a moment, “Mommy, do you want to hear something really sad?” she asked, her voice unsteady. My heart sank as I braced myself for whatever was weighing so heavily on her little heart.

“Of course, honey. What happened?” I responded, trying to keep my voice calm and soothing.

She took a deep breath and said, “I asked my friend at school if she prays in the mornings. She said she never prays. I asked if she knew about God, and she said her parents never told her about God.” 

She paused, her eyes searching mine for understanding. “Isn’t that so sad, Mommy? She doesn’t know God.”

At that moment, I felt a rush of emotions—sadness for her friend, pride in my daughter’s compassion, and a deep sense of responsibility. I pulled her into a hug, feeling the weight of her sadness mingling with my own.

 I had been praying, asking God if I should homeschool her to protect her from the world’s influences. But here, right in front of me, was the answer I had been seeking.

As I held her, I realized that my role was not to shield her from the world but to equip her to be a light within it. She was exactly where God wanted her to be.

It wasn’t about keeping her away from school but about preparing her to share God’s love with others.

 

 

Equipping Our Children with the Truth:

The only way to combat the world’s lies is to engrain the truth into our children. Here are 4 basic truths we must remind our kids of daily.

1. You Are Who God Says You Are

Our children’s identity will be a battleground. 

Different people will try to get a say in your child’s identity. Your child’s emotions and craving for validation will try to dictate who they are. There are even evil agendas that will definitely try to influence your child’s identity.

Reminding them, “You are a child of God,” is crucial. He formed you and knew you before you were in your mother’s womb. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. He has a plan for your life, which is the best possible plan because He is a loving father.”

Instill in them that they are not who others say they are or who their own emotions try to sway them to be. They are who God says they are. As they navigate identity issues, they are to look at what God says about them.

Scriptures: 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Psalms 139:14-16 

In Jeremiah 1:5 God says, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I sanctified you;

For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

2. You Are Loved

Tell your kids you love them every day. multiple times a day. I am a firm believer that this cannot be said too much.

Remind them just as often that God loves them. God will not abandon them no matter what mistakes they make or whatever they may face.

You should also remind them that the way God loves us should be an example of how to love others. 

I understand the fear of the Lord is powerful and needed to express our attitudes toward God, but I believe we must frame it with the love that God Himself says truth is useless without.

Scriptures: 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Jeremiah 31:3 – The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.

We love because he first loved us. 1John 4:19

3. Stand Strong in Your Faith

Keep establishing the love our heavenly Father has for your children because this will need to be the firm foundation they stand on in the wake of persecution. 

Remind them that not everyone will agree with their light and love for Jesus, and many will oppose them. This should not cause them to shrink back in their faith. 

Also, this should not create resentment toward those who disagree. It should cause them to pray harder for those who don’t know God’s love for them and to show them who Jesus is by how they represent Him.

Scriptures:

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” John 15:18

“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” 2Timothy 3:12

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:44

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.” Matthew 5:10-12

4. You Are Called to Be the Salt and Light of the Earth

 

 

Encourage your children to go into their school to preserve and flavor it with integrity and the teachings of Jesus. 

Their integrity should influence others positively, and their light should shine in the darkness. 

They are representing Jesus, and it is important to do this well. It could be what draws someone in or pushes them away. 

Scriptures:

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. Matthew 5:13

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. Matthew 5:14-16

For a printable version of all the scriptures mentioned in this blog, click here to download.

How to Keep Faith at the Forefront

I am excited to see what this school year brings as we draw closer to Jesus.

Sometimes, we want to share the gospel with people in other places, but God has placed us in our schools, jobs, and neighborhoods for this reason.

I am not saying your child needs to go to school and try to convert people every day. However, your children should be your first ministry in which you teach them how to be disciples.

Teach them that the best way to reach “the nations,” AKA their school, is to have genuine relationships with others. They should be a good friend to all they encounter. 

As we navigate this back-to-school season, let’s remember to focus on our spiritual well-being.

We must be intentional with our relationship with Jesus. By integrating worship and prayer into our daily routines and equipping our children with foundational truths, we can ensure that our children will have a successful Christ-centered back-to-school season.