by Sally Matheny
Did you know Thursday, October 8, 2015 is “Bring Your
Bible to School Day”?
Legally, your child can take his Bible to school any day—you may not have known that
either.
Students have the freedom to take and read their
Bibles, talk about their religious beliefs, pray, and ask others if they’d like
to join them as long as the actions are voluntary, student-initiated, not
disruptive, and take place during non-instructional time.
Focus on the Family initiated the first “Bring Your
Bible to School Day” in October 2014. Approximately 8,000 students participated
in the event. This year that number is expected to increase.
So, how can parents help their children prepare for
this special day?
Share
Enthusiasm
The enthusiasm may be your child's, or it may be yours.
Either way, have an open conversation about the thoughts and feelings generating
in your home about the “Bring Your Bible to School” event.
Is there apprehension about what actions are legal?
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Knowledge
Schools cannot refer to “separation of Church and State”
as a reason to forbid student religious expression. “Student speech is not the
same thing as government, school-endorsed speech, i.e., the ‘state.’
Therefore,
courts have made it clear that public schools cannot ban student speech simply
because it happens to have a religious perspective.” (You can read more about
that here
and here).
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Courage
The journey of a Christian is not an easy one. If it
were, everyone would take it! As a Christian matures, he becomes well aware of
the spiritual battles raging in this world. Thankfully, we have Christian
brothers and sisters who encourage and pray for one another. If your child
wants to take his Bible to school but fears persecution, pray for and with him.
Remind him of David, Josiah,
Esther, and Daniel.
I hope other students in your area model a strong
and courageous faith. But if not, and your child still wants to take his Bible to
school, or share his faith, then let him stand firm—even if it means standing
alone.
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| Stand firm even if you stand alone. |
"Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young. Set an example for the believers in what you say and in how you live. Also, set an example in how you love and in what you believe. Show the believers how to be pure. Until I come, spend your time reading Scripture out loud to one another. . .”
1 Timothy 4:12-13 (NIRV)
Focus on the Family freely offers wonderful “Bring Your Bible
to School Day” resources for you to use in your home, church, and
community. It is my prayer that you will share your knowledge, courage, and
enthusiasm for the event.
“But my life means nothing
to me. My only goal is to finish the race.
I want to complete the work the Lord Jesus has given me.
He wants me to tell others about the good news of God’s grace.”
I want to complete the work the Lord Jesus has given me.
He wants me to tell others about the good news of God’s grace.”
Acts 20:24
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