It’s hard to believe that summer is almost over for many students. With the opening of Shenandoah County Schools in less than two weeks, time is short for that last vacation.
As a parent of three graduates from our county schools and as one myself, I’m very grateful for the teachers, administrators, and support staff that cooperate to teach our children. Theirs is tiring and thankless work that benefits not only our youngsters but our entire community.
Although public education first started in the US so children could read the Bible, many restrictions have come along since to prevent public schools from teaching children about their Creator or His saving Son. Thankfully students still have the freedom to read their own Bibles, but teachers are prohibited from teaching from them and from leading prayers.
C.S. Lewis once said that, “Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil.” Affirming that same sentiment, Billy Graham quoted Teddy Roosevelt in saying, “When you educate a man in mind and not in morals, you educate a menace to society.”
Humans are multifaceted with minds, souls, and bodies all interconnected. Any attempt to improve one aspect without the others is incomplete and ill-founded. While parents have the primary responsibility for education in all areas, much of that has been delegated to schools which often leaves the soul sorely neglected. Colossians 2:3 reminds us also that all treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Jesus so omitting Him handicaps learners from the very beginning.
Thankfully all second, third, and fourth graders in Shenandoah County can receive Christian education from the Bible. Through Weekday Religious Education, also known as Bible Break, students can be legally released for 45 minutes each week to learn about the God who loves them, created them for a purpose, and who sent His Son to die that they might live forever.
No student can participate in Bible Break without signed parental permission and all these non-denominational classes are held off school property at the Strasburg Presbyterian Church, The Yellow Barn, and Redemption Hill Church of the Nazarene. Through this, elementary students can grow spiritually as well as intellectually.
Since Bible Break occurs during block time, core instruction is not affected. Second graders will learn Old Testament stories including the Ten Commandments and about Christmas and Easter. Third graders will study more Old Testament stories as well as Jesus’ life and ministry while fourth graders will learn about Jesus’ teachings, the early church, and Holy Week.
These Bible lessons reinforce geography, history, reading, language, performing arts, and character instruction students receive in school. Students also learn to pray and sing songs that help them remember God’s love and care. As children hear about God’s good plans for them, many problems of self-esteem, emptiness, and sadness can be reduced or eliminated.
Last year’s participants expressed appreciation and enthusiasm for these classes and are eager for them to restart this fall and our experienced energetic teachers are as well! Since this is an opt-in program, parents must register their children by going to www.weekdayreligiouseducation.com and clicking on Sign Up or by calling 540-459-3661.
Even if you don’t have an elementary student, you can share this opportunity with others. In addition, funds are needed to pay teachers and bus drivers, purchase materials, and provide diesel fuel. Tax deductible contributions can be made to SCWREA and mailed to PO Box 634, Woodstock, VA 22664.
In an age where bullying and suicides have increased, students need to know how much God loves them and that He has good plans for their lives. They need adults who can pray for and with them. Please encourage parents to enroll their children now and be praying for God’s blessings on Bible Break and on each child in our community that they might grow to be not clever devils, but godly men and women.
Blessings, George