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Before They Go to School... Have This Conversation

As kids are headed back to school, my hearts go out to them. Life for them is full of possibilities, dreams and a bright future, yet they are young. In the midst of wanting to experience school to the fullest and make the most of every opportunity to grow, try, succeed, fail, and live, it's easy to be pulled in one direction and another. As a new Christian in early high school, I had to decide whether or not I would go to a party or hang out with a certain crowd. It was easy to get caught up in friend "drama" and difficult to speak out my faith. [...]

We don't want our young people getting through school by simply "going with the flow", so here is a great WORD from Lysa TerKeurst of Proverbs 31 Ministries that you as a parent can encourage your kids to know and live...

Pre-decide.

"Decide today who you want to be. In this moment of togetherness, surrounded by family, and saturated in love - decide.

Decide what your answer will be when the talk turns ugly and the laughter turns mean against that girl who desperately needs you to be her friend.

Decide what your answer will be when someone invites you to the cool party full of drinks and drugs.

Decide what your answer will be when the boy says it's no big deal to stay the night.

Decide what your answer will be when "friends" laugh at your Christian views and challenge you to lighten up.

Pre-decide.

Decide today who you are going to turn to if you do get into trouble. Remember the people at this table. Remember who truly has your best interests at heart. Remember who you are.

Pre-decide.

Decide today to turn around any mistakes from your past by asking for God's forgiveness and walking in His grace.

Decide today to ignore the enemy who wants to trick you and trip you and take you out.

Pre-decide. And only say yes to the decisions that lead you in the direction of becoming more like Christ. This is the Best Yes.

Yes, pre-decide.

And then we go around the table and tell what we are pre-deciding this year. And my heart feels less of that ache.

I'm not so foolish to think this will act as a bad choice immunization. We are all susceptible. But it is a way to infuse their heart with a memory of a pre-decision.

And with that the plates are cleared, the cookies are nothing more than crumbs, and it's time to go.

Here are some great Bible verses to pray for our kids as they head off to school this year:

? Galatians 1:10"Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." (NIV)

? Romans 12:2"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." (NIV)

? Joshua 24:15"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve ... but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." (NIV)

? Proverbs 29:25"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe." (NIV)

So, along with these Scripture verses, I whisper a few last words that are a "best yes" for them as they pack up to go ...

Go where wisdom gathers, not where wisdom scatters.

Make decisions today that will still be good tomorrow.

And (insert voice cracking and tears welling up), remember how much I love you.

Dear Lord, You are so good. Thank you for entrusting these people to me. I pray You'll guide my family in Your way as we enter a new school year. In Jesus' Name, Amen."

Adapted by Care Baldwin from the original article on Proverbs31.org

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