In a time where the enemy is in full swing, pulling out his tricks to steer our youth from following and living a life for Christ, it is crucial that we encourage and empower them to be bold and stand strong in their faith. Bring Your Bible to School Day (October 3rd) is a day set aside to encourage them to stand up and stand out in leading the way for their generation.
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Bringing Your Bible to School Matters!
In this digital, social-media age that we now live, the enemy has launched a full-scale attack in hopes of turning these young minds on a course away from God. Each and every day, we see bits and pieces of our religious freedoms being chipped away and our kids can feel like they don’t have the right to be “openly Christian” for fear of being attacked or ridiculed.
Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” 2 Timothy 3:12 ESV
And while we, as adults, understand that being Christian means we will always be subjected to hate and bully tactics, kids may not fully understand this and, as a result, may not be so bold in standing up for their religious rights and freedoms.
But when they can stand as a united front, together with their fellow Christian students, they stand stronger. For one child to take on the enemy, well that may seem impossible. But when they band together as one united family, the enemy cannot so easily defeat them!
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 NIV
Bring Your Bible to School Day matters because it enables others to see just how many students do place Jesus Christ first in their lives.
Related: The Importance of Raising a Godly Generation of Youth
Is it legal to bring your Bible to school?
It is absolutely, without a doubt, completely legal for a student to bring their Bible to school and read from it. The Bible should be treated like all other printed books that a child may have in their possession at school. As long as the child is abiding by normal policies in regard to reading it (not reading it when they should be doing classwork, etc).
Many kids today, because of all the anti-Christian conversations in the media, think that they can’t have their Bible at school. This is just not the case! It is important that we educate our kids on the law as it pertains to their religious freedoms that are protected by the Constitution. In the same context, we should educate them that this applies to all religions. While we may not agree with other religions, the Constitution applies to all (recognized) religions.
I’ll be honest here – I’m so fortunate to be from the great State of Texas! I’m so glad that this really isn’t a scenario we deal with often because, for the most part, the schools in Texas have rarely attempted to impede this right. Where I live now, our churches are very engaged with and active with the students at most of our middle and high schools and the school administrators encourage it.
But I know this isn’t the case everywhere! There are so many places across the nation where the enemy has infiltrated our school systems. Because of this, we should encourage the kids in those places to be bold and stand strong in their faith and in defending their Constitutional rights!
You can read more specific information about protected activities here.
How Bring Your Bible to School Day Matters
The entire concept of Bring Your Bible to School Day matters in so many ways. Not only does it encourage and empower students to stand up boldly in their faith, it provides them a platform for defending their Constitutional right to worship freely. It provides an opportunity to show what Christian really is about – not what the media wants us to think. It helps these young minds grow stronger in their identity in Christ so they can lead as a Godly generation into adulthood.
1. Educates students on their Constitutional rights.
As I mentioned before, so many students think they aren’t allowed to bring their Bible to school. These kids will eventually grow up and become voters and law-makers. It is important that they understand the Constitution and the (true) laws governing our religious freedoms. Their education is the only way to protect it for future generations.
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 ESV
2. Enables Christian students to peacefully stand up for their Constitutional right.
So many Christian kids today feel like they have to hide their faith. The media and even Hollywood have taken to direct attacks on our youth for things in recent years. Being bold in your faith is getting harder and harder because social media is the worst bully ever imagined! Bring Your Bible to School Day enables students to stand up for their freedom in a way that is less likely to turn into a violent protest (like we see on TV). Simply bring your Bible to school and reading it during lunch or after you’ve finished your classwork – this is a passive display of faith, a way to quietly – but in your face – protest those who want to shut Jesus down!
3. Opportunity for kids to be bold in their faith.
Being bold means going against the norm. Standing out from the rest of the crowd. For adults, this might be a bit easier, but for kids facing daily peer pressure (and puberty hormones), it is not so easy! On Bring Your Bible to School Day, kids can be bold in their faith TOGETHER as one.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” Ephesians 6:11-13 ESV
4. Encourage others to be bold in their faith.
For those kids who may be struggling with their faith or maybe just aren’t as open with their faith as they maybe should be. On Bring Your Bible to School Day, they’ll see so many other students standing boldly in their faith. This could encourage them to do the same. Having a “wing-man” always gives us more courage than we think we have and for kids, this is especially true. And what better wing-man than a whole family of Christ-followers?
5. An opportunity to introduce another child to Jesus.
For kids who are raised in a Christ-centered home, they can easily take it for granted and think that all kids know “about” Jesus. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. By taking their Bible to school and reading it, they are setting themselves up for possible curiosity from other students. This could literally be the first time another student has ever even seen a real Bible.
6. Opportunity for educators (who are Christian) to engage with Christian students about God.
While students can openly talk about their faith to other students, teachers walk a fine line with being able to talk about God during their workday (with other students). On this one day, with so many students sitting around the cafeteria reading their Bibles, this provides a “safe” zone for teachers to be able to engage in “Jesus talk” with students without worrying so much about getting into trouble.
7. Opportunity for students to learn how to talk about faith in a civil way.
Unfortunately, the current state of politics in our nation has made it seem that the only way to discuss differences is through hate-filled speech and/or violence. For our youth, this is so disheartening because THIS is what they are learning as proper behavior! It is so important that kids learn that we are supposed to have differences but that we can and should discuss them in a civilized manner.
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Colossians 4:5-6 ESV
When kids bring their Bibles to school, they might encourage questions and curiosity from other kids. Yes, they may also bring hate-filled speech and attacks from kids who aren’t believers, but this gives them the opportunity to respond in love. They can show others that hate and bully tactics aren’t necessary (and use a Bible verse to back it up!).
8. Opportunity to see that there are more believers than some might think.
The world wants us to believe that Christianity is outdated and a dying religion. The truth is that Christianity is alive and well and growing! The media wants kids to think that everything BUT the Bible is cool. But when kids see so many other kids standing up and declaring their faith, it contradicts everything the world is pushing at them.
9. A reminder to live a life worthy of the gospel.
When you see a child carrying a Bible in their backpack or reading their Bible during lunch, it is subtle reminder to other Christians to live a life worthy of the grace we’ve been given in Christi. This is a huge part of the problem with society today – very little to remind us (visually) that Jesus died for us. Out of sight, out of mind. When we don’t have these visual reminders, we can easily lose sight of the entire purpose of our existence.
And kids – well they have the attention span equal to the blink of an eye! Without these subtle reminders beyond Sunday service, they can easily get drawn into the ways of the world. It’s kind of like when you speed through a neighborhood because you just aren’t paying attention to the speed limit. But as soon as you see some kids playing near the road or crossing in front of you, it is like “oh snap, I should slow down.” In that same manner, simply seeing the Bible throughout the day can serve as a subtle reminder to be more like Jesus.
10. Opportunity for Bible Study during the School Day
Having a Bible in your backpack can make for some much-needed Bible study during the school day. Whether during lunch or even after you’ve finished your classwork, taking in a few verses can offer wisdom and peace that is much needed for teens to navigate these school years.
One creative way to do this an entice the curiosity of others is to bring a Journaling Bible to school and color your favorite verse during the lunch hour! I mean, who doesn’t like to color? You might just start a new lunch-hour trend with your friends and get some non-believers learning the Bible in a fun and creative way!
Related: Best Bibles for Teen Girls
While the media likes to portray Christians as judgemental, discriminating against those who are different, anti-everything that isn’t Christian – we must remember this is a popular strategy of the enemy. When Christian students bring their Bibles to school, it gives them the opportunity to show the true meaning of being Christian which is to love others as Christ first loved us – unconditionally.
Other students (non-believers) need to see, first-hand, that Christian students aren’t bigots or anything like that. Yes, there are extreme groups among us – just like with anything else – but the fundamental root of Christianity is love for everyone. Just because we don’t agree with your choices or actions doesn’t mean we don’t love you and won’t treat you with the respect that all humans deserve.
Related: What Does Being Christian Really Mean?
12. Because Jesus Matters!
While everything mentioned above is definitely important, the most important reason that Bring Your Bible to School Day matters is that Jesus Matters! Jesus died for all of us to give us eternal life with Him in Heaven. We can never allow the world to encourage our kids to think differently.
Our kids will soon become adults – leaders of our nation. If we don’t encourage them now to be bold in their faith and defend their Constitutional right to worship freely, they can easily be swayed by the tactics of the enemy. These tactics are meant to turn us away from Christ and our youth are the perfect target for accomplishing this mission!
Bringing Your Bible to School Matters!!
It is now more important than ever that we teach our kids to be bold and strong in their faith. Raising a Godly generation means empowering them to stand up for their faith, for their religious freedoms. The Bring Your Bible to School Day movement is such a crucial step in helping them.
This day provides so many opportunities for sharing their faith with others and helping to change the stereotype of Christianity and bringing more youth to knowing Christ.
I would love to hear about ways your kids are being bold in their faith at school! Are they participating in the Bring Your Bible to School Day event?
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This reminder is so important! It can feel hard (for teens especially) to step out and bring their Bible to school, but remembering the impact it can have and the reminder that it can be done without fanfare (you don’t stand up and wave it around) helps teens remember it is a natural part of who they are as Christians.
This is so good! I actually still carry the Bible I was given to take to ‘ Bring your Bible to school day’ in high school. It’s in my car for easy access when I am out and about. (not that I don’t love my Blue Letter Bible app too)
We have to remember that we’re never more than a generation away from losing our freedom of religion. Teaching our youth active ways to guard that through ‘See You at the Pole’ events is critical!
And you are absolutely right, it is a great way to be available for anyone interested in learning about Jesus!
So true and I especially love this part: “But when they can stand as a united front, together with their fellow Christian students, they stand stronger. For one child to take on the enemy, well that may seem impossible. But when they band together as one united family, the enemy cannot so easily defeat them! Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 NIV
It is so important not only for the youngsters to unite, but also for us to support the next generation in rising up to share Christ in our dark world. Awesome and encouraging post. ❤
I didn’t realize kids were able to have a bring your bible to the school day. I suppose I just assumed it went against rules and regulations. So happy to hear it doesn’t. I agree with Donna so I’m going to quote her.
I also especially love this part: “But when they can stand as a united front, together with their fellow Christian students, they stand stronger. For one child to take on the Satan, well that may seem impossible. But when they band together as one united family, Satan cannot so easily defeat them! Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12
Amen and Amen! Great post
What a great reminder about the value of being open and bold about our faith. My kids are homeschooled and I almost forgot this still happens.? Thank you for sharing!
I hadn’t heard of Bring Your Bible to School Day until this year. However, we live in a wonderful community. Not only do they have See You At The Pole every year at the high school, every year the Gideons bring the 5th graders pocket sized New Testaments.
That is so great to hear Heather! I also live in a community that encourages students to go to church and all that. My church’s teen ministry is heavily involved with our local middle and high schools so this Bring Your Bible to School Day isn’t so much a big deal here. But in other areas of the nation, kids are often told they can’t have their Bibles at school.
It’s interesting to think about how times have changed with Bibles…I wonder how many kids use digital Bibles on their phones vs a paper Bible? I’d think that paper Bibles are still well-known enough to stand out! Thanks for sharing your encouraging words for students to be a light in the world.
I had a friend in a public school in Oregon who got their bible taken away!
Anyway, I just wanted to add that this is also a great day to bring bibles to school to pass out…I used to get them at the dollar store for my son because he wanted to give them to a few friends 🙂
Oh WOW Melissa! That is not only a terrible thing to have happen – it is quite illegal! I hope the parents got involved and set the school straight on the legal part.
I remember bringing my bible to school and being told I had to put it away and never bring it again… So glad things are changing!
There are so many things our kids have the freedom to do in school that they think are against the law. Our religious freedoms under the constitution really protect just about everything that STUDENTS might want to do at school in the name of Christ. They can lead prayer at school (even in very public settings like graduation!), they can start after school Bible study clubs, they can use presentations as opportunities to share their faith, and so much more!
For those of us who have chosen to put our kids in the public school system as parents, it is SO important that we be encouraging our kids to take advantage of these opportunities like Bring Your Bible to School Day. After-all, we’ve put them there to be a light in the darkness! Our family has found that SO many kids are very hungry for the Word of God, if someone will just gently introduce them to it. Our kids have had so much success bringing friends to church and then having them keep coming for good because they get saved and just fall in love with Jesus! It is AWESOME!!!!
I love the idea of students bringing their Bible to school! I always brought my Bible to school when I was in high school and college. It was such a great reminder to not engage in conversations or behavior that I would be embarrassed for Jesus to see, because he was riding along in my backpack with me. As I carried my Bible in my backpack, I was carrying Jesus in my heart.
This is just so good! I love how you included the aspect of educating teens on their rights to bring a Bible to school. It is so important to give them all the support possible as they stand against a tidal wave of opposition. Thank you for this great information.