Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

It seems like only yesterday; I was starting school in the first grade. Younger than most of my classmates, along with no pre-school or kindergarten training, left me more than a little apprehensive. I was totally unprepared for the long days sitting in the hard wooden old-school one-armed desk, it would have been much better with my trusty stability ball. My nervousness, and fidgeting, were enhanced by my knee high navy-blue wool socks and navy-blue pleated wool skirt. Couple that with no air-conditioning, it felt like porcupines wrapped around my ankles. And the hot August days with high humidity turned my thick wavy blonde hair into a big ol” frizz-fest!

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

Most of us just wanted to feel normal, not looked upon as some kind of oddity. Normal was buying your lunch like the other kids, but no, I brown bagged it. By lunch time I was confident every classmate could smell my Braun Schweiger or buttered bologna sandwich slow roasting on the radiator in the sun. The apple, or banana, would be oozing in the wintertime, a purely delectable treat, not!

One of my greatest insecurities was my inability to read. Most of the other kids were experienced students, having been in kindergarten, and this was intimidating. And whether rain or snow I walked the two miles to grade school. Sometimes it could be frightening because the neighborhood dogs loved to chase the kids. On occasion the hounds had their day, leaving bite marks and a legacy that sticks with me to this day.

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

As students embark on a new season of learning, their education is greatly influenced by things other than reading, writing, and arithmetic. Some of these things are good, and some, well let’s just say, “it’s not your 1950’s schooling.” To be honest, it’s not even your 1990’s schooling. Schools, mirroring our culture, are being greatly influenced by people who are openly hostile to the Christian community. Many teachers feel threatened of reprisal for demonstrating their Christian beliefs. And students with family support systems lacking in stability, need the Christian teacher willing to compassionately nurture their soul.

Now, instead of being chased on the street by dogs, kids are being harassed by other kids acting like dogs, running and barking down the hallways. Obviously there are issues at home, but wouldn’t a good nurturing Christian come in handy in that situation? But our culture sees Christianity as the problem. Now before I get hate mail, not all education facilities hate God, but many school standards neglect or no longer abide by Biblical principles.

Continue to pray for these brave schoolteachers standing up for Christian values. Pray that they continue to figure out ways to show the love and wisdom of God. Without a strong family foundation built on Biblical truth, it is difficult to overcome the overwhelming pressure of a non-believing teacher. We must step into our role as a parent validating the biblical truth that there are not 70 genders but only two, a man and a woman. This is but one of many things we must affirm.

So, God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27

Charles Potter, founder of The First Humanist Society wrote:

“Education is thus a most powerful ally of humanism, and every American school is a school of humanism. What can a theistic Sunday School’s meeting for an hour once a week and teaching only a fraction of the children do to stem the tide of the five-day program of humanistic teaching?”

Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of the world, rather than from Christ. Colossians 2:8

How was America captured and placed into the bondage of empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense? We have embraced an idea that human intellectualism can be a replacement, or substitute, for the wisdom of God. Others want to play it both ways and make God an ala cart item. This is quicksand for the soul of America! So how do we escape?

God commands us to teach the next generation.

My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth…we will tell the next generation…to teach their children…even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Psalm 78:1,4-6

Parents, grandparents, and guardians, we have a BIG job to do. We must stop expecting someone else to teach our children about the Word of God. We must start investing all the time we have left on this earth to help them develop their God given gifts for the Kingdom. Talk to the children about Jesus, read the Word to them, help them memorize verses, and teach them the importance of placing God first in their lives. And be sure to give them the tools and resources to help them defend their Christian Faith.

Now, STOP apologizing for loving Jesus! Be wise, be bold!