Back to School 

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)      

No matter your age, we always think of September as back to school. Once again, Pilgrim Lutheran School opens its doors to welcome students and provide them with a quality education. Students will learn the basics that they need for the next stage of their education. It’s our hope and prayer that next spring we’ll send off another graduating class that is well equipped for the challenges that they will face after elementary school. Along with the basics, we’ll strive to remember the word of God that I quoted above: God wants us to pass his truth along to the next generation. Pilgrim Lutheran School stands ready to assist parents in that responsibility

It seems a good time to review some of the teaching of Scripture regarding that responsibility. A couple of points come to mind:

1. Passing God’s truth on to the next generation is the responsibility of parents. Schools are great, and I’m thankful for ours. But the biblical directive from Deuteronomy is directed at parents, not schools or professional teachers. Scripture especially lays this responsibility on fathers: Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. If you are a parent, don’t let our school rob you of the joy and blessing that is yours when you share your faith with the next generation.

2. Intellectual knowledge is great, but Christianity is really a relationship with Jesus. Sure, we pass along biblical truth by passing along facts. We want children to know the name of Ruth’s mother-in-law, and the books of the Bible in order. Some children do very well remembering those facts, others don’t. Are the quick ones somehow better off spiritually than the slow ones? Of course not! Jesus loves them all. He gave himself for all of us, no matter our age or test scores. Our baptism into him means that we have been adopted into the family of God. Let’s always let our children know that they are loved unconditionally by their parents and by their Lord.

Another school year! Another reminder to rejoice that our gracious Lord has entrusted us with a precious gift the next generation of his believers.

One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.

They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty and I will meditate on your wonderful works -Psalm 145:4-5