Tuesday, 17 August 2010 13:04  |  Written by Elizabeth McDowall [a] and posted in Events

Next Sunday, or on one of the Sundays in September, something strange might happen at church. The "S" word might creep in - not "S" for sin, but "S" for school - 'cos ministers, youth workers and others will be holding Back to School with God services.

The services will be focussing on the brilliant story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (or Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah if you prefer!) in Daniel chapter 3 which tells how they refused to bow down to the statue of Nebuchadnezzar and ended up in a furnace!

We probably all know what happens - God is with them in the furnace, and rescues them from the flames. Nebuchadnezzar is stopped in his tracks and ends up worshipping God. The similarities with school are all there: don't you sometimes feel under pressure to conform? Do you fear sticking up for God and facing ridicule, or worse?

The good news is that Shadrach had pals - and they stuck together. You need Christians to stand with you when times get tough, and that's where your church famly comes in. Back to School with God is all about helping your church realise what is like to be under pressure at school, and commit to pray for you there.

Christian friends are a key way God uses to support and encourage us in our school environments. One of the reasons why ignite is so brilliant is that you get access to tons of Christian friends your own age who can do exactly that. Another great place to go is an SU group at school. An SU Group is simply a group of Christian pupils committing to meet together once a week in school to pray, read the Bible together and encourage one another. Do you support your school SU group - or could you and your friends get together to start one?

Remember the story had a positive outcome: the friends were helped by God, and others came to believe. Imagine if this came true in your school!

Is Back to School with God happening at YOUR church? Let me know what you thought of the service, what you enjoyed or didn't enjoy, and how it felt to be loved, supported and prayed for!

Find out more at www.suscotland.org.uk/pray.

 

About the author: Elizabeth is SU Scotland's Prayer Coordinator.