Spiritual Tips for Back to School

Submitted by
Rev. Gene Hall

After perusing through various blogs and websites I found practical advice for supporting our kids as they go back to school. A primary source of these aphorisms come from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Here they are (I tweaked them just a little):
If your child becomes nervous, find out what they are worried about, and help them problem solve ways to master the new situation. Albeit, I acknowledge it has become politically incorrect for staff to teach the holy scriptures at school, it is still permissible for parents to do so whenever they so desire. The good Lord provides an antidote for nervous pupils. He says: do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6).
Backpacks: Organize the backpack to use all of its compartments. I say leave some space in there for your kids to tote a bible to campus. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein. (Revelation 1:3)
Go through the backpack with your child weekly, and remove unneeded items to keep it light. I suggest parents be sure to check for gang affiliated items and/or contraband. If anything unholy is found, then sit down and have ‘the talk’ with that young person. Search the scriptures, for in them you have eternal life. (John 5:39).
Check on the school’s policy regarding food on the bus. I am convinced kids should also get nutrition from the word of the Lord. Spiritual manna will feed the body and soul. Who giveth food to all flesh: for His mercy endureth forever. (Psalm 136:25).
Bullying or cyberbullying is when one child picks on another child repeatedly. It can be physical, verbal or social. Before this happens teach your child to alert school officials to the problem and parents/guardians need to work with them on solutions. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. (1 Peter 3:12).
Develop a sleep routine. Insufficient sleep is associated with lower academic achievement in middle school, high school and college, as well as higher rates of absenteeism and tardiness. Mind you, I believe parents must be firm. Go ahead and tell Turnbull to shut down Twitter; Tatianna to close out Tik Tok; and Ivanka to get off Insta-gram, and go to bed so they can be peak performers the next day. In the first year of Belshazzar King of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed…(Daniel 7:1).
For general homework problems that cannot be worked out with the teacher, a tutor may be considered. To avail themselves to the best tutor since times memorial, I highly recommend students pray to the good Lord above. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him… (James 1:5).
Know its O.K. to ask for help (Rob Roenker, USA Today). Whether learning remotely or face to face, school is a challenge.
“Encourage your child to ask teachers and other school staff for assistance, whether the issue is simple or more in depth, like needing extra school supplies or mental health support.” Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not…Jeremiah 33:3.
Set small, manageable goals. Cody Strahan, a robotics teacher at Ramay Junior High in Fayetteville, Ark. says “to ease the transition, set micro-goals for the first few days back”. And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the Lord must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. (1 Chronicles 22: 5).
Prepare yourself to do some work (Skylar Anderson, Studyright.net). Some of the youth I have worked with see themselves as pretty boys and divas, and truly believe they are too cute to work. Well, my take on that is unless they already have their 40 acres and a mule or can pay a $500,000 reward for a lost dog of the highest pedigree, like Lady GaGa did not too long ago, then they too must prepare to do some school work. Then saith He unto his disciples, the harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few (Matthew 9:37).
I wholeheartedly agree with motivational speaker Zig Ziglar, who is posthumously honored for saying “it’s not where you start or even what happens to you along the way that’s important. What is important is that you persevered and never gave up on yourself”. I wish students all over the world a really groovy new school year.