Some kids truly get excited about back to school. They enjoy seeing their friends, learning, and having a new teacher. Other kids approach it with a bit of apprehension. They get nervous about what to expect or are not happy about giving up their summer freedom. No matter how your kiddos feel about back to school, the best thing we can do is prepare them with Bible verses fresh on their hearts and minds.
Incorporating Scripture into School Routine
I’m not sure how your family’s morning routine looks like during the school year. Some may have crazy schedules where everyone is up and leaving at different times. Some stay at home moms may have a routine that gathers everyone for breakfast or in the car. And, some like me, may homeschool and have your kids all day.
The beauty is that there are so many ways to incorporate these scriptures into your back to school routine. Here are few ideas….
- Read the verse in the morning during breakfast or in the car. Discuss and pray.
- Copy (or print the verse-FREE PRINTABLE BELOW) and put somewhere everyone can see and use it as a memory verse for the week. Review daily on the way to or from school or at dinner.
- Put the verse in your child’s lunch along with a little prayer or note of encouragement.
- Present the verse on Sunday night as the focus verse of the week. Challenge your kids to read it for themselves, memorize it , apply it to their school week, and/or have a debrief time on Friday night to see how the verse helped them.
18 Bible Verses for Back to School
I organized the scriptures by theme so the verses can be used in specific situations in need be. Otherwise, you can just go through them in order to cover their hearts and minds in the promises and truths of God’s word for their going back to school.
Remind them that God is with them.
1. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV
2. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Keep them from sin and temptation.
3. “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11 NIV
4. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41 NIV
Teach them to forgive others.
5. “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37 NIV
6. “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13 NIV
Remind them to respect their teachers and school leaders.
7. “Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.” Proverbs 20:11
8. “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5
Keep them from the lies of the enemy.
9. “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:11 NIV
10. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 NIV
Teach them to rely on prayer.
11. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
12. “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.” James 5:13 NIV
Remind them about good friends.
13. “The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Proverbs 12:26 NIV
14. “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:11 NIV
Keep them focused on the gospel.
15. “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15 NIV
16. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” Romans 1:16 NIV
Teach them about godly wisdom.
17. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7 NIV
18. “How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!” Proverbs 16:16 NIV
I hope your family finds these Bible verses encouraging as you start a new school year. Here is a link to download the free printable:
More Christian Resources for the School Year
The school year is long and sometimes we start out strong, but start to get tired as it wears on. Here are some resources that you can keep coming back to so you always have something to encourage and grow your family’s faith during the school year.
10 Resources for Praying over the School Year
Prayers for the Homeschool Mom