When we launched “Bring Your Bible to School Day” last year as a way to empower and encourage public school students from kindergarten to college to express their faith freely, we had no idea God was going to do so much with the event in such a little time.
An estimated 8,000 students celebrated their religious freedom and shared God’s hope in the program’s inaugural year. Tomorrow, we’re expecting an estimated 100,000 to participate!
Students all across the nation have already signed up to take part in “Bring Your Bible to School Day.” On our Facebook page, we’re reading story after story of excited students getting ready to stand unashamed for their faith. They’re creating flyers, proudly announcing their participation at their school, and praying God will provide them with opportunities for good conversations with their friends.
As I shared earlier, students have a legal right to bring their Bibles to school and read it during their free time. Some educators might not be aware of this right. In some cases, we’ve heard of administrators attempting to impose a “cultural censorship” of sorts that make students feel like their faith is unwelcome in public schools. Whatever the case, too many students feel a quiet pressure to hide their faith – an integral part of who they are – while they’re in school.
One mom’s comments on our Facebook page showed us just how real this sense of censorship is – and how much our country needs “Bring Your Bible to School Day.” Her child and other students were prevented from passing out Bring Your Bible invitations. But the mom successfully used Focus on the Family-recommended resources and the school district reversed course, allowing the invitations to be distributed.
It’s a good thing, too – those kids were thrilled with the prospect of participating in “Bring Your Bible to School Day.” As the mom shared with us, “You should have seen the excitement on the playground! Kids were saying things like, ‘Oh, I have a Bible I can bring!’” Not only that, but children participating in the event were offering to share their Bibles with interested students who didn’t have one.
Meanwhile, we are hearing from students excited about the big event, including Georgia middle-school student Lexie, who is one of about 30 students in her Christian club at school participating in the event.
And that’s what “Bring Your Bible to School Day” is all about. This is about students who have a very real faith and love for Jesus and who care about their classmates. In their hearts is a desire to live out their faith boldly, yet many have felt like they need to hide their faith.
Here at Focus on the Family, we believe the Bible should be celebrated, not banned or shunned. The students and families we represent are passionate about the fact it’s God’s message of hope and love for humanity. And “Bring Your Bible to School Day” is one way we’re empowering students to get out there and celebrate their religious freedom and faith.
There’s still time for students to sign up for tomorrow’s event. If you’re an adult who knows a young person in school, please encourage them to visit us at www.bringyourbible.org and to consider signing up for this student-led event. At our webpage, they’ll find everything they need to lead the event at their school: conversations cards, t-shirt and sticker designs, and tips to get started. They can also watch videos and be encouraged by other students who are living boldly for Jesus Christ.
One of the simplest and quickest ways that participating students and families can join the national movement tomorrow is to post on their social media outlets “selfies” with their Bible or doing other Bring Your Bible school activities using our official #BringYourBible hashtag.
Please pray for the tens of thousands of students who will participate in tomorrow’s event. Pray God will lead them into productive conversations with their friends, and that He will use their willing hearts to make an impression on everyone they interact with.
Will your son or daughter be participating tomorrow? Are you a student? I would love to hear from you.
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