October provides an opportunity for kids to stand firm and be courageous in their schools.
Bring Your Bible to School Day (BYB) is an annual celebration started by Focus on the Family. The idea behind the day is to empower kids to live out their faith in school. It’s quite simple, only requiring two steps: bring your Bible and share what it means to you.
Is this legal?
According to the BYB website, a student does not abandon their constitutional rights when they enter a public school. Students are allowed to share their beliefs about God and the Bible. They can read the Bible and discuss it during free time. Students can also invite other Christians to join them. As long as a child acts voluntarily and does not disturb classes, then most of the time she has constitutional rights to express her personal, faith-based viewpoint. She also has the religious freedom to pray or read the Bible—as long as these activities are done voluntarily, student-initiated, and not done in a way that interrupts the teaching.
If you still have concerns, refer to the legal memo provided on the BYB website.
Why is it important?
There are several reasons why this day is important. First, it emphasizes the Christian faith and its foundation, the Bible. Second, it offers your child a chance to solidify and defend their faith. They will learn to verify whether a statement is true by checking it in the Bible. The Bring Your Bible to School Day website provides possible questions that other students might ask and offers advice on how to handle skepticism. These questions could include: Is the Bible reliable? Or why is Jesus the only way to heaven? Third, the Bible tells us to “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). This day is an opportunity for kids to be brave and share their faith with those who are unchurched and unreached.
We missed it!
Don’t worry. Use this time to encourage your child to share their faith. Encourage him to take his Bible to a less intimidating place, such as church every Sunday. When a Scripture convicts or offers encouragement, suggest that your child highlight it or memorize it. When a difficult conversation about refuting the Bible or Jesus arises, ask questions to guide your child toward the truth, so they can confidently defend God’s infallible Word. Brainstorm other places where they could share their faith or bring their Bible, like on the school bus or before or after soccer practice. By next year, your child will have gained the confidence and courage to share their faith during the 2026 Bring Your Bible to School Day.
Sally Cressman is the author of “The Dance of Easter.” Sign up for her email list to receive “Lunch Box Note Cards” or connect with her on Instagram.
