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Student Missionaries

Many students dread going back to school. Let the homework, study nights, tough teachers, and the boredom begin. However, there are some students in this great universe who are actually excited about the new school year. Maybe you are excited about beginning freshman year, maybe you get to drive a new car to school, or maybe it is the last year you get to walk the halls.

Even still, some kids somewhere are looking forward to school in a whole new way. There are some kids out there that view this as an opportunity to be on mission. Their focus is not the homework, the tests, or the anxiety. No. Their focus is on those students who are lost, not physically, though some students may need help finding the restroom. Their focus is on those who have no hope.

Now more than ever students need to see that they are missionaries at their schools. Even in the Bible Belt our schools are becoming more secular and detached from the Bible. It is at this moment that students can see what kind of shape our society is in spiritually.

How to Become Student Missionaries

I know the feeling. It’s hard to wake up in the morning and feel like you are walking into the battle field, but that is exactly where we are entering. So why would we leave unprepared? Starting your morning with a focus on The Lord will help you be focused on The Lord throughout the day. Maybe you have time for a full length devotional each morning, or maybe you don’t. There are some things that you can do while you are in the process of getting ready for the day. One simple step is focusing on Him through prayer. Prayer helps us start our day voicing our weaknesses to God and asking Him for strength. Maybe you can place key scriptures written on note cards around the house, and you can read them as you get ready. Whatever it may be, start your morning devoted to God.

While at school, keep in mind that not everyone you talk to is a Christian. Just because they say they are, or because they go to church, does not mean that their hearts are devoted to God. Many people say they are, but their hearts are far from a relationship with Jesus (Matthew 15:8).

Build relationships with those who are quiet. Everyone wants to hang out with the popular people. Try walking over to the kid sitting by himself, and just chat. There are many different questions that you can ask to get a conversation rolling.

Avoid fighting at all cost. Throwing a punch because someone broke in line on chicken day is sad (trust me, it happened). Many times people are told to hit back when someone hits you first. I am all for self-defense when someone is trying to murder you or your family. However, hitting just because someone is mad at you is unbiblical. Matthew 5:39 even tells us to allow someone to hit you again if someone hits you. Meaningless fights only hurt the spread of the Gospel; they do not spread the Gospel faster.

At the end of the day, our goal is to love people and share the Gospel with them. Doing these things will not make homework more enjoyable, but they will keep us focused on being missionaries while spending the day at school. Doing things that are not typical could lead to people asking why we are different than everyone else. It is when this happens that we get to share our hope in a God who saves.

Parents and Adults

So what can you do to help? Let’s teach those around us by the example of our lives. Whether you have children of your own or you spend time around the younger generation, always remember that you are setting some kind of example. Let it be an example of love. Let us serve the people around us in a way that points people to Jesus.

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