The school year is fast approaching, and with it an abrupt change in schedule for students of all ages. Getting into the swing of the new academic season can be challenging and overwhelming at times. For some students, the change is exciting, but for others, each new semester brings its own unwelcome anxieties. School can be a safe haven where children and teens connect with friends and feel encouraged to express their personalities, interests, and beliefs. On the other hand, school is also a place where those beliefs, especially beliefs about God, can be challenged or even reprimanded.
The good news is that Jesus faced challenges just like these during His ministry on earth. Looking at the way He responded can give us encouragement and guidance as we navigate this new season. As believers, there are small things we can focus on to help keep our eyes on Jesus and continue to grow in relationship with Him. Even as we acknowledge that it is God who gives us faith to begin with, we can recognize that He wants us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior” (2 Peter 3:18). So, whether this is for you, or your student, here are two simple things that you can do to pursue spiritual maturity and grow in your faith in Jesus this school year.
1. Pray before, after, and always
It has been said that as long as there are exams in school, there will be prayer. I know as a former student how easy it is to pray for wisdom before a difficult test or assignment. There is of course nothing wrong with this, however, how often do I forget to thank God after receiving the result?
When Jesus prayed to His Father in heaven, He continually approached God with an attitude of thankfulness. One simple habit that we as Christians can practice is to remember our prayers, and to continually look for God’s answer. Then, when we recognize it, we should thank Him, giving God the glory He deserves for providing for our needs. The reality is that there are so many things to be thankful for.
🌅 Thanking God each day even for something small, such as a beautiful sunrise on the way to school, can help shape our minds to experience joy and bring us closer to our Creator.
2. Don’t make the Bible homework
Building a habit of reading the Bible can be difficult for Christians of all ages. Those who are in school are constantly bombarded with reading assignments, textbooks, and other required media consumption. In such a state, it is easy to think of things like daily devotions as simply another homework assignment. While it is not wrong at all to approach the Bible with the intention of learning something every day, it can become an unnecessarily tedious approach at times.
David wrote in Psalm 19:7 “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.” For David, and for us today, the Word of God is not just for our study but also for our refreshment. It is okay to dwell in God’s Word simply to spend time with Him. Jesus often went away from His disciples just to spend time with the Father.
🙌 We do not need to worry about always getting something out of our devotions or making them a learning exercise. We can be encouraged that God delights in spending time with His children and no time in His Word is ever wasted.
There are of course many other ways to pursue Jesus in our everyday lives but I hope these two ideas can be encouraging to you or your student this year.
Colossians 2:6-7 “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
– Jeremiah Bang (Youth Director)