Mike McDaniel

New Testament Christianity is designed to go with us wherever we go. If we are at home, we are guided by what it says about family life. If we go to work, we go by what it says about service and honesty. When we are at play, our activities are determined by its pattern of modesty and morality. The fall session of college is starting back and so are our public schools. What about at school? Will our Christianity go with us to school?

(2) WHEN YOU TAKE CHRISTIANITY TO SCHOOL, YOUR GRADES WILL IMPROVE.

Believe it or not, the Bible can help you get better grades! You ask, “How can that be?” Well, it can do it because obeying it will improve your attitude and study habits. Instead of saying, “I can’t, you’ll say, “I’ll try.” Paul taught this in Phillippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

One afternoon a 5-year-old girl named Faith, and her preschool brother, Alfred, were doing “homework.” Alfred had a habit of saying phrases like “I can’t” or “I don’t know how.” This particular afternoon, Faith responded with a Bible verse she had learned: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Alfred replied, “Then you do it.”

If you are a Christian at school, then instead of making half-hearted stabs at assignments, you will try to give it your best effort. The Bible says in Colossians 3:23, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest” (Ecc. 9:10).

(3) WHEN YOU TAKE CHRISTIANITY TO SCHOOL, YOUR TEACHERS WILL LIKE YOU BETTER.

Classrooms have become war zones in many schools. Teachers have to put up with things which prison wardens should not have to. When Christianity goes to school, teachers have fewer problems. For one thing, they don’t have to worry about cheating.

Madison Saratt taught mathematics for several years at Vanderbilt university. Before each exam he administered, he would say, “Today I am giving two examinations – one in trigonometry and the other in honesty. I hope you will pass them both. If you must fail one, fail trigonometry. There are many good people in the world who can’t pass trigonometry, but there are no good people who cannot pass the examination of honesty.”

The Bible tells the Christian to be honest. “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another” (Eph. 4:25). Morality in the classroom must be an important consideration for a Christian. Here is a time to prove the genuineness of your commitment to Jesus as Lord. Cheating involves more than looking over someone’s shoulder during a test. Turning in homework that has been copied, reporting outside reading that you did not actually do, submitting a term paper that someone else wrote, and changing answers on papers graded in class are all forms of classroom cheating. When Christians go to school, “cheat sheets” stay home. When Christians go to school, they must determine to be honest. This will not always be easy. Some classmates will not appreciate your honesty. But Jesus said in Matthew 5:11, “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” Dishonesty reflects unfavorably on Christ and His church, and it will severely hurt your influence. This is why we must provide things honest in the sight of all men (Rom. 12:17).

Also, if you take Christianity to school, teachers will like you better because, they will not have to deal with disrespect. Teachers deserve respect because they are trying to help students prepare for life and they are in positions of authority. We need to pray for those in authority (1 Tim. 2:2) and submit to them. Galatians 4:1-2 says, “Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.” When you take Christianity to school, your teachers will like you better.

(Continued next week)