Schools in Session!

At that time the disciples came to Jesus saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven?” He called a child, had him stand among them, and said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn around and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven! …” But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a huge millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the open sea. Matthew 18:1-3,6 NET

“Walking through the hallways at our middle school, I saw a new substitute teacher standing outside his classroom with his forehead against a locker. I heard him mutter, “How did you get yourself into this?” Knowing he was assigned to a difficult class, I tried to offer moral support. “Are you okay?” I asked. “Can I help?” He lifted his head and replied, “I’ll be fine as soon as I get this kid out of his locker.” –Readers Digest June 2021

School is in session! Oh, the joys of a new school year – little ones navigating their first year at school, parents crying as their babies head off to college, homeschoolers adjusting to their rhythm of learning, and most likely, some teachers helping middle schoolers get out of lockers. School, that unique journey of life filled with good and not-so-good memories is all part of growing up.

Proverbs lay a foundation for parents on their responsibility for equipping their children for the future. “Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray.” (22:6) Included in equipping children are teachers, administrators, cafeteria workers, janitors, and bus drivers – all helping parents to help their children.

There are lots of major issues facing our children in school today but one that is growing is violence. Since 2018 there have been 119 school shootings in the United States with 27 already in 2022. According to one expert on the violence he writes, “You study these things for so long and then you throw the rule book out. No one really knows why we’ve got the trends and violence we’re seeing right now. But I think at the same time, we’re coming to the same sorts of conclusions. It’s a combination of the pandemic; a lack of trust in our institutions, particularly law enforcement; the presence of guns; the toxic, divisive, contentious times we live in. They’re all interacting together.” –James A. Densley

I am sure the conclusions are based on some good solid data. However, I do think as followers of Jesus we can help paint a brighter future for our children. It is a future based upon a God who loves our children because they are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” –Psalm 139:13-16 and a future based upon a God that knows love so profoundly that “he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” –John 3:16

Based on the above verse in Matthew, Jesus makes it clear he is deeply concerned about our children.  He is concerned about their health, knowledge, and physical needs but especially their spiritual life. Jesus made it pretty clear how he feels about children if you, the adult, are a stumbling block in their lives.  Jesus’ disciples thought position and power were important until Jesus kept pointing them back to children to learn from them.

Parents can make a difference even in small actions.  One great example is Shreveport’s Southwood High School which saw a rash of violence last year resulting in 23 students being arrested. Parents knew something had to change so 40 dads stepped up and formed “Dads on Duty”. This group of dads took shifts at the school. No one had degrees in school counseling or criminal justice but they loved their children. Michael LaFitte said, “We’re dads. We decided the best people who can take care of our kids are who? Are us.” It was not a fancy program but was simply a presence that encouraged kids and maintained a positive learning environment. Result: No Violence.

Children are always important to Jesus. He got upset with his disciples when they tried to prevent parents from bringing their children to him “in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray.” The disciples thought they were guarding their master’s time and spoke sternly to the parents and told them to go away. No, that’s not the way it works! “Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” And he laid his hands on them and went on his way.” –Matthew 19:13-15

Prayer can impact our children. No day should go by that our children and teachers are not covered by prayer.  According to one survey on teacher satisfaction, 74% of respondents to a survey were dissatisfied with the job. This is up from 41% in 2020. My heart breaks over some of the articles I read as I prepared for this week’s blog post. Yet I am not in despair but more challenged to pray for our children, teachers, and political leaders. I was convicted as I wrote this that I didn’t know the names of my grandchildren’s teachers.  I do now and have made a prayer card to pray for them regularly. It is a simple thing, but, in the simple things, God makes the difference.

Pray as you pass a school, for the safety of the children and staff inside

Pray for our children who are confronted with choices daily, to be wise of heart

Pray for teachers’ wisdom, boldness, endurance, creativity, encouragement, health, joy

Pray for school staff as they protect and provide for our children

Pray for political leaders to govern wisely and with a heart toward God

Pray that the damage from the previous two years of Covid could be healed

Our culture is looking for answers. Will we, the followers of Jesus help them find the answer? John Stott said it well, “Thus the followers of Jesus are to be different—different from both the nominal church and the secular world, different from both the religious and the irreligious. The Sermon on the Mount is the most complete delineation anywhere in the New Testament of the Christian counter-culture. Here is a Christian value-system, ethical standard, religious devotion, attitude to money, ambition, life-style and network of relationships—all of which are totally at variance with those of the non-Christian world. And this Christian counter-culture is the life of the kingdom of God, a fully human life indeed but lived out under the divine rule.”

Lord, as the world grows darker, let us grow brighter for the sake of others. We pray for our children, teachers, parents, schools, and leaders to seek you first for the answers to the problems of violence, hatred, and division. You are the Giver of Life, the Restorer of Hope, and the Redeemer of Souls.

God is Great!