Like students everywhere, Seventh-day Adventist students who attend public schools face tremendous pressures, not the least of which is trying to maintain a vibrant Christian experience in a secular environment. Youth leaders can be of tremendous service to these students by creating a church atmosphere where they are welcomed and involved as full partners in the youth ministry program.
Understanding these students’ educational choices, and knowing the challenges they face, are great places to start.
Seven Reasons Why Some Choose Public School
- The distance to the nearest Adventist school.
- Religious differences between parents.
- Finances.
- Specific programs at the public school (which might mean sports, music, technology, special ed or honors).
- Personal freedom issues.
- Diversity.
- Wanting to witness to secular friends.
The Three Biggest Challenges
- Worldview. Who wrote the textbooks’? Who designed the curriculum plan? Who trained the teachers’? Was it people with a ‘ Christian worldview’? Or people with a secular worldview? Was it people who wanted the schooling to influence youth to be a better Christian? Or was Christianity not a part of the plan’?
- At-Risk Behaviors. Certain lifestyle practices, not only put people at risk for their health and physical well being, they also undermine the opportunity to be a productive citizen. At-risk behaviors include smoking, drinking, taking drugs, sexual promiscuity, and violence. While no one would deny the many good things about public education, nor fail to admit that every school has its share of these problems, we cannot ignore the fact that at-risk behaviors are much more prevalent in public school settings.
- Distancing. Failing to take responsibility for one’s own actions or beliefs, and giving the credit (or blame) for that responsibility to one’s parents or to the church.
In addition, many Adventists in public education feel their lack of knowledge in Bible backgrounds, in Adventist history and beliefs, and in the principles behind Adventist standards.
Seven Things You Can Do
- Talk About Worldview. Teach your youth to study their textbooks and listen to their teachers with a discriminating ear. (See 1 Thessalonians 5:21.) Help them understand the Christian worldview. Help them learn how to express disagreement without being disrespectful to their teachers.
- Discuss At-Risk Behavior. Know the facts about the risks involved. Express the importance of choosing friends carefully (Research identifies friends as one of the most important factors in determining who gets involved in at-risk behavior and who does not.)
- Penetrate Distancing. Examine the reasons behind our beliefs and actions. Be positive about the Christian lifestyle. Make heroes of Christian students who are open about their witness and who are making a difference on their campuses.
- Take extra Time for Study. Take your time with Bible study. Don’t talk in phrases only older Adventists can understand. Establish a small group for these kids where you can explore Adventist history and belief without it being embarrassing to anyone. (Walking on the Edge from the Hancock Center and AdventSource was created specifically for this purpose.)
- Establish Devotional Practices. Teach your youth how to study the Bible and how to pray. Stress the importance of a strong spiritual life to successfully meeting the challenges of a secular environment.
- Be Sure They're Involved. Keep them busy at church. Make them an important part of your youth ministry. Commit yourself to not letting these kids slip away unnoticed.
- Show Them How to Meet Criticism. Many of these kids feel like second-class citizens in their own church family, frequently having to endure criticism for their educational choices. Teach them how to meet critical church people in a Christlike manner.
Also see: Adventist education; AMICUS; Bible Study; Campus Advent; Climate Issues; Involvement; Spirituality.
From: ABZ’s of Adventist Youth Ministry
Permission to copy for use in the local congregation or group.
