“How did it go?”
It’s a question we’ve been asked many times since Oct. 5 – the day close to 500,000 students across the nation in all 50 states celebrated the fourth annual Bring Your Bible to School Day. Well, I’m proud to give you an update.
But first, let’s remember back to what was happening at the beginning of the month. Many people in the U.S. were worried were worried about family members in Mexico after the country’s two big earthquakes and in Puerto Rico after the catastrophic Hurricane Maria.
Not only that, but the entire nation was reeling from the shock and horror of the shooting in Las Vegas that killed 59 and injured 489 people.
In short, the nation was suffering and in need of a healing balm. The topics of conversations across the country’s schools were heavy as students grappled with their fears and questions.
And thanks to Bring Your Bible to School Day Christian students – most of them first-time participants to the event – were able to address those emotions and concerns with biblical truth and comfort.
Here’s one example: Ethan, a 15-year-old student in Colorado, was able to share his hopes for Bring Your Bible to School Day with his local newspaper. He told them how he prayed that Bring Your Bible to School Day participants would “be a light in a dark place and show love, compassion and kindness to people around them.”
The news article even highlighted how the “significance, relevancy and poignancy” of Bring Your Bible to School Day was heightened because it occurred in the midst of the nation struggling with several natural disasters and the tragic shooting in Las Vegas.
Michael
“Christian students rely on Jesus’ words in the Bible for comfort and hope, and through this event they’ll be able to share that with peers,” Candi Cushman, Focus’ education analyst and founder of the event, explained in the article.
Students even received unexpected encouragement in a video message from Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin, who assured students that “This is absolutely your right to do this, don’t let anybody tell you otherwise.”
This spirit of hope, courage and faith is reflected in the hundreds stories we have been receiving from students and their families. Here are more examples:
- From Matthew, age 17: “At my school, I see so many of my classmates acting and making choices like the Bible is just some random book. I was excited for the chance to share my faith and stand up for what I believe in. This, to me, was the least I can do for God.”
- From Sonja, age 15: “This Bring Your Bible to School Day event was my first time participating. It was amazing. … I brought my Bible to school and all day long I passed out [Bible] verse cards and read from my Bible. … It was so amazing to see my classmates with their Bibles! I have never felt the spirit moving through my school like that before. … I am so glad I heard about this life-changing event.”
- From Michael, age 9: “I brought my Bible to school and some of my friends asked me questions about it! I liked bringing my Bible to school so much that Ispent 10 [rewards “bucks” for kind behavior] to bring my Bible the next day for show-n-tell. One of my friends had lots of questions and I was able to share God’s Good News with her! I plan on asking her to church with me. Please pray for her!”
- From Michelle, a mom: “My 9-year-old son, Anthony, participated in Bring Your Bible to School Day in Texas. He was a little
Anthony
nervous about what people would think of him in reading his Bible and sharing Jesus, so we prayed together and studied a few Scriptures before he headed to school to help him through the day. He brought 60 [Bring Your Bible to School Day] bookmarks and cards to share with his classmates and teachers. When he came home from school, he was so excited and said there was nothing for him to be worried about because almost all his classmates wanted a bookmark and card. Out of 60 bookmarks he brought, he came back with 13 left.”
I hope you’ll join me in rejoicing thanking God for His faithfulness and the courage of these students and their families! Like Hebrews 10:23 says, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”
If you haven’t shared your Bring Your Bible to School Day story with us yet, please do so in the comments section below. Feel free to also use the comments section to leave the students who participated words of encouragement.
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