Shining Forth in Your Schools

By Trisha Bridges Smith

It is that time of year again when schools are opening their doors, teachers are tacking up the welcome signs, parents are shopping for backpacks and notebooks, and students are savoring those last few days of sleeping in. The beginning of school is  around the corner and for many, it has already begun.

School. For some it is a word of dread. For others it is excitement and anticipation at seeing friends again. For Christians it is…. Wait. For Christians? What does school have to do with Christians?

YOU can make a difference in your school this year. You can shine forth, shine for Jesus, and let others know that you are not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ that brings salvation to all.

“I can’t do that! I am too scared!!!”

“They’ll laugh at me!”

“I wouldn’t know how to even BEGIN shining for Christ in my school…..”

So how do you do it? How do you make a difference in your school, shining as a light amidst the darkness?

1. Join a Christian group on campus – There are many schools who already have Christian groups established on their campuses. Look for them. North High School, in Bakersfield, California has a few groups. Phileo is a Christian community service club they established long ago. The Bible Club meets every week for Bible study and fellowship, oftentimes meeting outside in the middle of the quad so that people can join them. Many other schools offer Fellowship of Christian Athletes on their campus. College campuses usually offer InterVarsity and other groups. Ask your principal what groups are available and who is in charge of them. Seek them out.
2. Start a Christian Group on campus – Find out what groups are available first. If you find there isn’t a group, then pray about starting one. Go! Campus can help you get started. Teens4Jesus also offers some information on the site to help you get your group started. There are guidelines to follow, as well as some laws, so talk to your school administration before you get started. But you need to know that no one can stop you from forming a group on campus. If they try to tell you that you cannot then you need to let them know there are laws.
3. Pray – See You at the Pole is coming up September 18^th. Share that with others. Let them know you will be meeting, what time, etc. But that doesn’t have to be the only prayer you do. You can meet each football game, dance, rally, etc. right before it begins. Let people know what time you are meeting outside the event and where, and then gather and pray over the event. People will see you praying and will wonder what is going on and will join you many times. Don’t hide who you are.
4. Clothes and Bibles — Carry your Bible, plaster bumper stickers or patches about Christ and salvation all over your notebooks and backpacks, wear t-shirts that proclaim the Gospel or at least spark some interest in possibly discussing what it means, wear WWJD bracelets, FROG bracelets, crosses, nails, whatever it takes to make it known that you are different. Be a freak for Jesus. You don’t have to run around with a crown of thorns on your head to get them to notice you, but a simple bracelet or necklace might spark a conversation. Be prepared to share.
5. Talk – Share Jesus with others. Let your conversations be flavored with Christian speech. Don’t hide your love for the Lord. But don’t force it on others either, making them uncomfortable. If the opportunity arises (and you will be surprised how many times it will) let them know about Jesus. For example, the other day I (Trisha) was talking with a secretary and the nurse at my school, and the subject of my education (college) came up. I mentioned that I had registered for all of my classes each semester with no problems with availability, and mentioned that it was God’s will that I get through quickly. I did not push it any further or go into witnessing, but through that they could have asked questions. And through that comment they now know I am a Christian.
6. Invitations – Invite people to church. Invite them to prayer sessions or club meetings. Invite them to Christian concerts in your area. Invite them to youth group events. There are tons of ways to get them involved. But they won’t go if you don’t invite them. Just inviting them often opens the door for discussion and possibly witnessing. Step out of your comfort zone and approach someone and invite them.
7. Tracts — Many people don’t like this approach as it is uncomfortable for them, but you can use tracts in many different ways. You can leave them on your desk after class so that the next person who comes to class will find it, you can pass them out, you can leave them on the bench outside, etc. People who are truly interested will read through them.
8. Be creative – These are just a few ideas of how you can shine forth. An intern youth pastor at Valley Baptist Church in Bakersfield, CA. once preached to his entire school. He ran for a student body office position knowing fully well that he had the opportunity to get up in front of the entire school and give a speech for five minutes. He didn’t care if he won the election or not, but he DID want to use that five minutes to share the Gospel with his school. And he did. He was told he was not allowed to make any more speeches again, no more running for office, nothing, but he did get the chance to stand up in front of the school and share. He used his imagination and he shone forth for Jesus on his campus.

Good luck to each of you. This is a new year and there are souls to be touched, lives to be changed. Go forth and be a light on your campuses. Shine forth for Jesus this year.

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