BACK TO SCHOOL
My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
Ecclesiastes 12:12

It is a mixture of feelings and emotions by child and adult alike. Teachers gain new students, students gain new friends and classmates. A new year means new possibilities filled with potential and opportunity. What will the new year bring? For parents, there will be tears or cheers as their children leave for another season of life. Each year that passes is a reminder that it won’t be long before they are grown and on their own.
A few Sundays ago, I shared with the church some of my own anxieties going back to school as a child. Both on the second day of 1st grade and 4th grade I had butterflies so bad they flew right out of my mouth and on the desk! Being a teachers kid, I saw first hand the vital role that a good, caring, and loving teacher plays in a student’s life. They need more than learning, especially these days. A teacher who is a follower of Jesus Christ may not be able to “evangelize” his/her classroom, but they can certainly be a light. They are able to display and model Christlikeness through attitude and action. A teacher that loves their students makes a difference.
To students, I say realize how influential you can be on your fellow classmates and how much they can influence you. As you learn, make sure that you are setting aside time daily to spend studying the Holy Bible. Consider it your own personal survival guide as you grow towards adulthood.
To all Christians, remember what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. We are all his students. Each day we need to be diligent in becoming educated in holiness and righteousness. There are many ways to accomplish this. 1. You need to belong to a community of faith. Jesus, then and now, teaches through community. This goes beyond regular church attendance. The goal is to learn together through developing relationship. 2. Open the Bible daily! I remember my first year of college how tempting it was to try to see how much I could learn without opening a book. Bad idea.
3. God loves genuine seekers. Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7). Never stop seeking Jesus.