A new school year brings excitement and busy schedules. It also provides your family with opportunities to meet new people and invest in the lives of teachers and students. Since many schools have diverse populations, it’s possible that the nations may be represented in your children’s classrooms. Do you view your local school as a potential harvest field? Here are two ways for your family to intentionally invest in the spiritual welfare of those who attend.
Prayer Walking
- Before the school year begins, go for a family prayer walk around your school building or playground.
- As you walk, pray aloud for teachers, for children who are new or from different cultures, and for families who are struggling with unemployment, divorce, or health issues.
- Pray for opportunities to share Jesus with children who will be in your classes or on your sports team.
- Ask God to keep your eyes open and hearts sensitive to His leading this school year. Who do you see that is ready to hear about the Savior of the World?
Welcoming the Nations
- Before the school year begins, start praying regularly for God to connect you with international classmates who do not know Jesus.
- Encourage your children to reach out and befriend students from different cultures or backgrounds in the lunchroom, on the playground, or in their class.
- As God directs your children to a new friend, invite this boy or girl, or their whole family, over for dinner. Make special welcome placemats for everyone with their name on them.
- Have ongoing discussions with your children about their new international friends. Include questions like these: How are your friends similar to you? How are they different? How can our family continue to demonstrate Jesus’ love to them?
- As a family, pray consistently for these new friends to come to know and follow Jesus.
Learn More
Check out this family activity on how our prayers impact the unreached.
Explore about school traditions in other cultures with this book: It’s Back to School We Go!: First Day Stories From Around the World