As summer winds down and school supply aisles fill up, many of us are preparing for a new season.

But beyond backpacks and routines, what would it look like to prepare our hearts for a Christ-centered school year?

Some parents are well-prepared as the back-to-school season approaches, while others scramble to get those last-minute necessities.

Like many of you, I’m a busy mom doing my best to prepare my children for a successful school year.

As the list of endless responsibilities piles up, have we considered how we will keep God first in one of the busiest times of the year?

While several practical tips help us navigate the school year, it is crucial to consider our spiritual well-being to ensure a Christ-centered back-to-school season.

Regardless of how long your to-do list is or how much time remains before your children’s first day, take a moment to breathe.

You’ve got this!

And if your children have already started school, even better—you can jump right in!

Anchoring the Day in Jesus: Faith at Home

In times of chaos, we must not focus on the winds and waves but on the One who calms them.

Neglecting our relationship with God is the worst thing we can do if we hope for strength and peace amidst the busyness.

In the morning, we worship!

One of my favorite practices is to put on worship music as my kids get ready for school. I’ll brush my daughter’s hair as we sing our praises.

We pray on our way to drop her off. I usually go first, praying for her, her classmates, the school, and the staff. She then follows with her prayer.

This daily practice models the power of prayer and integrates worship into our routine.

Schedule time for quick family devotionals or even a verse of the day.

I would suggest the Morning Affirmations for Kids plan from the YouVersion Bible app.

Don’t run to the world’s affirmations but to our Creator’s.

You can also check out the many other plans the Bible app has to offer.

Challenge yourself and your children to think about a verse throughout the day and, in the evening, talk about it at the dinner table.

Let each person share what they took away from the verse.

Remember, instilling faith in your children starts with your own walk with God.

For tips on how to grow in faith in the midst of the chaos, check out my blog post: Seek God as a Busy Mom With These 7 Principles.

**Photo by Samantha Sophia on Unsplash**

Navigating Public School with Faith

For those of you sending your kids to public school, you know the spiritual warfare we face as the world pushes its agendas on our children.

I once contemplated homeschooling my daughter, but an eye-opening experience changed my perspective.

One day last year, my daughter came home with a look of deep sadness on her face.

She dropped her backpack and walked over to me with a serious expression. I knelt down and gently asked, “Sweetie, what’s wrong?”

She hesitated for a moment, then said, “Mommy, do you want to hear something really sad?” Her voice unsteady.

“Of course, honey. What happened?” I asked, trying to stay calm.

She took a deep breath. “I asked my friend at school if she prays in the mornings. She said she never prays. I asked if she knew about God, and she said her parents never told her about God.”

She paused, her eyes searching mine. “Isn’t that so sad, Mommy? She doesn’t know God.”

At that moment, I felt a rush of emotions. I felt sadness for her friend, pride in my daughter’s compassion, and a deep sense of responsibility. I pulled her into a hug, feeling the weight of her sadness mingling with my own.

I had been praying, asking God if I should homeschool her to protect her from the world’s influences. But right in front of me was the answer I had been seeking.

My role wasn’t to shield her from the world but to equip her to be a light within it.

She was exactly where God wanted her to be.

Equipping Our Children with the Truth

The only way to combat the world’s lies is to engrain the truth into our children.

Here are 4 foundational truths we must remind our kids of daily:

1. You Are Who God Says You Are

Our children’s identity will be a battleground.

People will try to define your child.

Their emotions and need for validation will try to define them.

Even agendas that don’t align with truth will try to shape who they are.

Remind them daily: “You are a child of God. He formed you, He knows you, and He has a good plan for your life.”

Scriptures:

Psalm 139:14-16 - “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;”
Jeremiah 1:5 - “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you;”
Jeremiah 29:11 - “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord…”

2. You Are Loved

Tell your kids you love them every day, multiple times a day. There is no such thing as too often.

More importantly, remind them that God loves them. No matter what they face or how they fall short, He will never leave them.

Let them know that His love also calls us to love others with kindness, grace, and truth.

Scriptures:

John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world”
Jeremiah 31:3 - “I have loved you with an everlasting love;”
1 John 4:19 - “We love because he first loved us.”

3. Stand Strong in Your Faith

The more they grasp God’s love, the more they’ll be able to stand when their faith is tested.

Not everyone will agree with them. But they don’t need to fear opposition. Teach them to pray for those who disagree, and to keep shining in love.

Scriptures:

John 15:18 - “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.”
2 Timothy 3:12 - “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,”
Matthew 5:44 - “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Matthew 5:10-12 - “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…”

4. You Are Called to Be Salt and Light

Encourage your children to go into their school ready to influence it for the better.

Their integrity, kindness, and joy should reflect Jesus in a way that others notice.

They don’t need to preach—just shine.

Scriptures:

Matthew 5:13 - “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?”
Matthew 5:14-16 - “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”

👉 Click here to download all the scriptures from this post in a printable format.

How to Keep Faith at the Forefront

I’m excited to see what this school year brings as we draw closer to Jesus.

Sometimes we want to share the gospel across the world, but forget that God has placed us right where we are for a reason.

I’m not saying your child needs to go to school and convert people every day. But your children are your first ministry, and your home is the first place they learn to be disciples.

Teach them that sharing God’s love starts with being a good friend, showing kindness, and staying anchored in truth.

As we navigate this back-to-school season, let’s stay rooted in our relationship with Jesus.

When we integrate worship, prayer, and God’s Word into our rhythms, we create a foundation that helps our families not just survive the school year but thrive in it.

May this season be more than just successful—may it be sacred.

A Christ-Centered Start: 4 Biblical Reminders for Back-to-School