29.9.15

Bring Your Bible to School Day: What You Can Share

by Sally Matheny




Did you know Thursday, October 8, 2015 is “Bring Your Bible to School Day”? 

Legally, your child can take his Bible to school any day—you may not have known that either.

Students have the freedom to take and read their Bibles, talk about their religious beliefs, pray, and ask others if they’d like to join them as long as the actions are voluntary, student-initiated, not disruptive, and take place during non-instructional time.

Focus on the Family initiated the first “Bring Your Bible to School Day” in October 2014. Approximately 8,000 students participated in the event. This year that number is expected to increase.

So, how can parents help their children prepare for this special day?


Share Enthusiasm

The enthusiasm may be your child's, or it may be yours. Either way, have an open conversation about the thoughts and feelings generating in your home about the “Bring Your Bible to School” event.

Is there apprehension about what actions are legal?

Share Knowledge

Schools cannot refer to “separation of Church and State” as a reason to forbid student religious expression. “Student speech is not the same thing as government, school-endorsed speech, i.e., the ‘state.’ 

Therefore, courts have made it clear that public schools cannot ban student speech simply because it happens to have a religious perspective.” (You can read more about that here and here).

Share Courage

The journey of a Christian is not an easy one. If it were, everyone would take it! As a Christian matures, he becomes well aware of the spiritual battles raging in this world. Thankfully, we have Christian brothers and sisters who encourage and pray for one another. If your child wants to take his Bible to school but fears persecution, pray for and with him. Remind him of David, Josiah, Esther, and Daniel.

I hope other students in your area model a strong and courageous faith. But if not, and your child still wants to take his Bible to school, or share his faith, then let him stand firm—even if it means standing alone.

Stand firm even if you stand alone.

"Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young. Set an example for the believers in what you say and in how you live. Also, set an example in how you love and in what you believe. Show the believers how to be pure. Until I come, spend your time reading Scripture out loud to one another. . .” 

1 Timothy 4:12-13 (NIRV)


Focus on the Family freely offers wonderful “Bring Your Bible to School Day” resources for you to use in your home, church, and community. It is my prayer that you will share your knowledge, courage, and enthusiasm for the event.



  “But my life means nothing to me. My only goal is to finish the race. 
I want to complete the work the Lord Jesus has given me. 
He wants me to tell others about the good news of God’s grace.” 
Acts 20:24

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