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Are You Ready For School? It is hard to believe, but summer vacation for school age children is over. How can June and July pass so quickly? It’s beyond my comprehension, but we are now in August. When I was going to school, we had most of August to enjoy, but now school starts the first of the month. Are you ready for school? Parents have been going to orientations, paying fees, and buying school supplies. Young people should have been getting ready by getting up earlier and completing any summer assignments. Are you really ready for school? As parents, are you ready to warn your children of the dangers of peer pressure? A lot of young people dress immodestly, use profanity, experiment with drugs, and engage in sexual activity due to peer pressure. Make sure you take the time to talk with your children. As they get older those temptations increase. I remember a radio commercial a number of years ago that made the point that the difference is great between the sixth and 7th grade. Be encouraging and comforting to your children when they are having problems with their friends. Students, are you ready to deal with classmates that may be doing the things listed above. Be careful of who you choose to be friends with. "Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits" (1 Corinthians 15.33). The NIV renders the passage, "Bad company corrupts good character." To combine the two translations, do not be deceived, bad friends will get you in trouble. The best way to deal with peer pressure is try and find classmates that are not doing those things. I know that may be hard. But be assured that just as you want to have good friends so will others just like you. There may be times you may just have to avoid situations. Joseph ran from Potiphar’s wife when she tempted him, Genesis 39.16-18. There may be other times when you will just have to be brave and stand your ground. Parents are you ready to help your children keep their priorities straight? Strangely enough this is one area where a lot of parents really miss the mark. Make sure your children know the most important thing is to serve God and go to heaven. God comes before school work, ballgames, and other extracurricular activities. Our job is to train up our children to be faithful to God, Ephesians 6.4. It would be a shame to have an "A" student in history or math, but to have an "F" in soul salvation. Young people, you are here to serve God. "Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all" (Ecclesiastes 12.13). That does not mean you can not have fun or do well in school. You will need to do your homework. But your soul is more important than any grade you will make at school. Seek first the kingdom of heaven and His righteousness, Matthew 6.33. Do not skip on your Bible Classes. Be here and be prepared. Parents are you ready to deal with any ungodly teachers or administration people you may come across? I know most teachers are good people, genuinely interested in helping their students. Christians that teach sometimes get upset when I make this point for I know they are doing their best to provide a good example to their classes. However, there are a few teachers in almost any school system that will try and undermine your authority as a parent and try to get your child to do things you do not approve of. If this happens, you need to talk with the teacher and administration. Your job is to protect your child. Students, you need to obey your teachers as long as they do not ask you to do something contrary to God’s word and/or your parents. Let your parents know if any teacher tries to get you to do something that is not right. Parents, are you ready to monitor what your children are learning? There will not be a class with the title "Situation Ethics", but they may be learning about situation ethics. They will have science classes that teach evolution. You need to be ready to talk with your children about creation and how some things are wrong no matter what the situation. Students, you will probably have to learn the "Theory of Evolution," but it is only a theory. Meaning science has not proven this to be a fact. The Bible says God created the heavens and the earth, man is made in His image, and God sustains the creation until now, Genesis 1. Your science teacher may or may not actually believe in evolution, but they will be required to teach it. Do your best to question what is taught and learn the difference between what is science and is so called science. Parents are you ready to deal with the stress a school year brings; the stress of homework, having to get clothes ready for the next day, parent/teacher meetings, and whatever else school throws at you? Remember to keep your priorities straight and be involved in your children’s education. Young people, are you ready to deal with getting up early, homework, school friends, and everything else that comes your way? Remember to trust in God, prayer each day, do your best, and read your Bible. The problems you face will not be unique to you. All young people have faced the very things you will be facing. There is noting new under the sun, Ecclesiastes 1.9. The Bible can help you overcome the obstacles you may face. The key is for parents to "listen" to your children and talk with them. Children go to your parents and talk to them when you are having trouble and "listen" to them. They want you to do well and be safe. Have a good year. —Dennis Tucker |