Psalm 78
1 O my people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in parables,
I will utter hidden things, things from of old-
3 what we have heard and known,
what our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children;
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,
his power, and the wonders he has done.
5 He decreed statutes for Jacob
and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our forefathers
to teach their children,
6 so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
One of the amazing privileges of living in Australia is our public education system. Not simply that children have the opportunity to read, write and add but even more importantly children in our public schools are educated about the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord.
Week by week we have teams of Scripture teachers ascending on some of the local schools (both primary and high school) in the area. Each week they open the bible with these kids and help them to access the truth that will set them free.
Recently there has been a push to have ethics classes replace the current Scripture time slots or at least stand in opposition to them. Sadly there is a trial beginning this term in a number of schools around the state whereby parents and children had the choice to withdraw from their current Scripture classes and commence ethics lessons delivered by staff from their school.
Not surprisingly about half the numbers of Scripture children in these trial schools have been withdrawn. How devastating for the future of children in Australia if these ethics lessons are passed. This generation and following generations of children will live in even greater ignorance of their creator and saviour.
What can we do? How are we to respond to the changes in our local schools? Can I give you three suggestions…
1) PRAY - pray that these trials will not be successful. Pray that teachers and students are unsatisfied with the ethics lessons. Pray that God would continue to use Scripture in our schools to bring glory to his name.
2) WRITE - letters to our state government showing your opposition to the cancellation (or decrease) of Scripture teaching in schools. If you are a parent - write to the principals of the schools and areas supervisors showing your opposition to these changes.
3) TEACH - our time in schools teaching this generation about the good news about Jesus may indeed be limited. Why not give Scripture teaching a go! Make the most of the opportunities we have now…have no regrets!!!
My prayer is that these trials will not be successful. My prayer is that children would so love their Scripture classes that when given the option to change to ethics classes they choose Scripture. My prayer is that we would continue having the freedom to go into schools and teach of the praiseworthy deeds of our Lord. Won’t you pray that with me?
