Faith-Friendly Classrooms & Good News Club in Public Schools

Are you concerned that your child’s faith and values will be negatively impacted in a public school? You are not alone. However, the Bible encourages us not to see your child’s public school as a battlefield, but rather a garden where we can daily plant the seeds of love and truth—teaching discernment in your child’s life, while inspiring teachers to create faith-friendly classrooms. How do we do this? By leading by example, utilizing Good News Club® in public schools, and promoting the collective action of Christians in public schools all across the country.

Why Good News Club and Faith-Friendly Classrooms are Important

We want faith-friendly classrooms not only for the sake of our own children being able to express their faith freely, but also for the sake of the children who have yet to hear the Good News. Many children do not attend church and spend most of their time in school, so it’s important for them to hear God’s truth from their classmates at school, from faith-friendly curriculum or an after-school program like a Good News Club, or from teachers when explaining historical facts.

According to ChurchLeaders.com only 18% of Americans attend any denomination of Christian church. Polls show that religious practice increases with age, so we can assume the percentage of children attending church is even lower than 18%. In order to reach children where they are with the life changing truth of the Gospel, we must reach them in public schools. Your influence, and the influence of your Christian children is vital.

How Good News Club in Public Schools Can Help

Child Evangelism Fellowship, also known as CEF, has an after-school program called Good News Club® which meets in elementary schools and gives kids a fun, safe, faith-friendly environment to learn about Jesus and be cared for by its volunteers. Many of the children who attend do so because they have nowhere else to go, or because it’s a reliable place where they can experience the love of Jesus through their teachers or classmates.

While Good News Club in public schools may initially face obstacles because of misinformation or fear of legalities, once a club is established, teachers and administrators quickly come to love Good News Club because it reinforces the kind of good behavior and character principles they’ve tried so hard to instill in their students. God’s work in the heart cannot be denied or ignored, especially in the hearts of His little children.

Having Good News Club in Public Schools is Our Right

Even with the undeniable track record hosting a Good News Club in public schools has, there is still a lot of fear and misinformation out there. Many people still believe it’s illegal to talk about God in school, to pray, or to hold Bible clubs such as the Good News Club on school property. However, in Good News Club v Milford Central School District, the Supreme Court ruled that Bible clubs such as the Good News Club must be given the same access to school facilities accorded any other non-school-related outside group. A public school which allows use of its facilities to secular groups may not discriminate against religious groups simply because of point of view. Such discrimination is a violation of freedom of speech. This equal access ruling is true even of adult-initiated and adult-led activities. Permitting use of a school building does not violate the Establishment clause. The school itself is not establishing or endorsing a religion, it is merely allowing equal access for everyone, regardless of point of view or religion.

Good News Club Paves the Way for Others to Continue the Work

While Good News Club in public schools can often be the thing that opens the door to many other kinds of faith-friendly classrooms or clubs, CEF appreciates other organizations who are making their own positive impact in schools.

Moms In Prayer

For example, Moms In Prayer is an organization composed of a group of mothers who meet in public schools to pray for their own children, their children’s classmates, teachers, and school administrators. We are in a spiritual battle for the souls of our children and that battle must start with prayer.

Gateways to Better Education

Another wonderful organization is Gateways to Better Education. They are working to create a better future for children by keeping God in our schools. Gateways to Better Education “envisions public schools as places where students feel the freedom to express their faith, and where they gain an academic appreciation for the Bible and Christianity across the whole curriculum as it relates to history, culture, and values. This can be done legally and appropriately within existing constitutional boundaries and in keeping with current laws and state standards.”

At their website, gogateways.org, you can find many resources to help you as a parent be a gracious advocate for your student, for Christian teachers, and for administrators. At the core of their work is a friendly, relational style of advocacy, rather than a combative one.

Today’s youth are desperate for hope and for meaning in life, especially after the many discouraging events within the state of the world. We encourage you to see how God might use you to help your child’s school by clearing up confusion, hosting a Good News Club, and advocating for the light of the Gospel to shine in this place.