Thursday, Oct. 3, is National “Bring Your Bible” to school day – which is aimed at encouraging students to celebrate their faith and religious freedom in America.
This year will mark its sixth year with an expected 500,000 students from across the United States partaking in the activity.
Throughout the day, children and teens will share their experiences via social media using the hashtag #BringYourBible.
Super Bowl champion Drew Brees is this year, promoting the Oct. 3 event sponsored by Focus on the Family. He is urging students to “live out” their faith, sharing one of his favorite verses, 2 Corinthians 5:7, which says, “for we live by faith, not by sight.”
“As a student in a public school, you have First Amendment rights to engage in voluntary, free speech conversations in a way that does not interfere with or substantially disrupt classroom time and academic instruction,” the website says, “That means you can voluntarily express your personal and religious beliefs to your classmates through verbal or written expressions, as long as you follow school policy and do not engage in these activities during classroom or instruction time.”
Organizers say bringing a Bible to public school is legal and participation in the faith-based event is voluntary and student-led.
“Navigating a racetrack at high speed may take courage, but in today’s world, it can take far more courage to be a student and publicly share and live out your faith in school,” said NASCAR’s J.J. Yeley in support of the event.
For the first time this year, Focus on the Family will challenge Bring Your Bible to School Day participants to put into practice the “Live It” portion of the event’s “Bring It. Share It. Live It.” motto. Students and their families will be equipped with monthly challenges – specific, tangible actions they can take to live out their faith at school and in the community throughout the year.
Students and families who sign up to participate in Bring Your Bible to School Day will automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for four to the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C.
Students can find more information, including the official video and stories from students and parents, at BringYourBible.org, where they can also sign up to participate and get free, downloadable guides. Elementary, teen, and pastor/parent versions are available.
