Vietnam Evangelical Covenant Church – “Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, ‘Be strong and courageous, for you will go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to give to their fathers, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance. The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.’” (Deuteronomy 31:7–8)
The first day of school is always a little nerve-racking, whether for a child starting first grade or a college freshman. It is also a good opportunity for parents to read God’s Word and pray with their children before school. Here are seven Bible verses for the first day of school. Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB).
7 Bible Verses for the First Day of School
1. Proverbs 1:7
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.”
– Proverbs 1:7 (BSB)
Nothing is more important for a student than knowing that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and it always will be. Students face many influences at school and are exposed to many philosophies and theories. They need to guard their minds by standing firm in God’s Word every day. Anyone can find wisdom and guidance there, because God speaks to us through it; don’t despise the wisdom and instruction that come from Scripture.
2. 1 Samuel 12:24
“Above all, fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.”
– 1 Samuel 12:24 (BSB)
At school we strive to achieve something, but we must also show with our lives that we fear God more than embarrassment. School is small enough that many people will notice we are Christians. If we just stop to think about all that God has done, and how good it is, we will be less afraid of what others think. A believer is on a journey to the kingdom of heaven, and that should help us realize we must fear God, not anyone or anything else.
3. Proverbs 15:5
“A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but he who heeds correction is prudent.”
– Proverbs 15:5 (BSB)
Solomon often did not follow his own advice; he married foreign women and turned to idols. That divided the kingdom, simply because Solomon did not follow the wise guidance of his father, King David. He heard his father’s counsel but did not truly listen. It cost him dearly, and Israel was never the same.
4. Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
– Joshua 1:9 (BSB)
I wish I had memorized this verse when I was young, because when I started high school I was small and skinny. Many kids feel that way when they start at a new school, move up to middle or high school, or even begin university. It can be daunting to go to school knowing no one, or only a few people. Think about this: God was with you last year, and He isn’t going anywhere this year, because He is “with you wherever you go.”
5. Philippians 4:6
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
– Philippians 4:6 (BSB)
Paul told the church in Philippi to stop worrying about everything, but to bring every worry to God in prayer with thanksgiving and present their needs to Him. A prayer full of thanksgiving brings a better attitude. Gratitude is a choice, so place all your worries about school (relationships, friends, grades, paperwork, homework) in God’s hands and thank Him. Do that, and “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
6. Proverbs 3:5–6
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
– Proverbs 3:5–6 (BSB)
Part of God’s definition of success is: “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil” (Proverbs 3:7). If you are wise in your own eyes, you are not acknowledging God, and that cannot make your paths straight. And if you and I trust in our own understanding rather than in God, it will not end well.
7. Psalm 56:3–4
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
– Psalm 56:3–4 (BSB)
The psalmist says “when I am afraid,” not “if I am afraid.” Strangely, that comforts me, knowing I am not the only one who feels afraid at times. I remember entering a new school, and a few years later a new university, and still knowing no one. It felt strange that most people in the class knew each other and I knew nobody. I decided to start making friends. After a while I had friends and felt I fit in better, but I had to take the first step.
Conclusion
Starting a new school year is hard. Graduation seems a long way off; even the semester seems to crawl by; but remember that God goes with you, and more than that, He lives in you. Before he died, Moses encouraged Joshua, who would become Israel’s next leader: “The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8). Do you and I really understand that we are never alone? Wherever we go, God goes with us… and sometimes He even goes ahead of us.
Preparing Your Child for the First Day of School
The night before school starts, parents can choose one of these verses, read it with their child and pray for their teachers and new friends. For older students, encourage them to write a verse on the first page of their notebook to remember that God is always with them.
You may also like: How to Help Youth Keep Serving God as Adults and 10 Tips for Christian Parents.
Prayer
Lord, go with students as they head to school. Give them wisdom, good friends and hearts that fear You throughout the new school year. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Article: Xuân Thành
Adapted from: WhatChristiansWantToKnow.com
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