Important Biblical verses that shape school academic behavior

The key to having good grades is hard work, but Biblical discipline and prayers have a lot to do with it. However, without a good character, it’s merely academic gain. Character shapes the future of an individual. We want our kids to be competitive, but a positive character will always be better than high grades.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Forced priority – There’s a time for everything.
2. Probity – Right is right, wrong is wrong.
3. Promise keepers – Let your yes be yes, and no be no.
4. Be a cheerful giver – Give as one has decided in his heart.
5. Speak life! – Declare victory in your family.
6. Be a praying parent – They too will likely be prayerful.
7. Rest – God incorporated resting in all His creation.

1. Forced Priority

 Ecclesiastes 3
There’s a time for everything

Equally important with hard work is the right priority. We can work hard at something that’s not really important. Although the context of Ecclesiastes may be different, the principle is the same; there is a time to play, a time to sleep, and a time study.

Rules should be clear as early as age four to about twelve. In our home, weekdays are for studying – no exceptions. At this age, you have to force and teach the kind of priority that fits your child. When my kids were younger, I pressured them with time by being punctual.

School impact

When children as young as seven learn to be independent, they learn the value of responsibility. Procrastination is a bad habit that can be avoided if they have learned to value time.

2. Probity

Proverbs 12:22
The Lord detests lying but delights in trustworthiness.

Truth is truth, and a half-truth is dishonesty. It’s similar to “one multiplied by zero” is still zero. Probity is the quality of having strong moral principles, honesty, and decency. Never lie to anyone, especially to your kids.

Right is right; wrong is wrong

This happened to one of my children who refused to wear the proper uniform because others wore improper attire. The school failed to implement rules that should apply equally, resulting in a half-truth in the uniform policy. Truth became relative to him.

School impact

Children surrounded by people who always “speak the truth in love” will learn the value of honesty. It will be innate for them to hate cheating in an exam and will likely study to prepare for it. Teachers are mostly impressed with honest children and are often rewarded. Those who are dishonest are marked.

3. Promise Keeper

Matthew 5:37
Let your yes be yes and no be no.

Neuroscientists estimate that a child’s brain can store up to 2.5 petabytes. Thus, broken promises stored in their brains can have a lasting impact on their adult behavior. Parents must take extra care even on small promises they make.

What if you fail?

No parent is perfect but if you break a promise, the only thing to do is say sorry. Humility is not a weakness. If parents are genuinely honest, humble, and forgiving, their children will likely inherit these values.

School impact

A broken heart because of broken promises is excess baggage that can have lasting effects.  If a child brings this to school, he/she may subconsciously see classmates or teachers as untrustworthy.

4. Cheerful Giver

2 Corinthians 9:7
Give as one has decided in his heart.

When we expose our kids to helping the poor, it can drive them to study harder (NCBI). In fact, ‘volunteer work’ experience is now required in scholarship applications. The greatest commandment of Jesus is to “Love one another,” and the little good things we do to others are important for our children to see.

School impact

If kids are used to sharing, they become less materialistic. Thus, being fashionable or having the latest gadget would not be a priority. The true meaning of giving is by encouraging them to share what they were blessed with. Moreso, what impacts them are those we do naturally. Giving is not a show we need to put on, it should be a habit as well.

→ Children trained to help has better brain neural responses.

If kids are used to sharing, they become less materialistic.

5. Speak Life!

Proverbs 18:21
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

We all know that encouraging words are powerful. As Christians, we can turn these words as prayers and powerful declarations. Science recognizes that prayers may result in benefits that are due to divine intervention (NCBI). Likewise, studies confirm that positive words reduce depressive symptoms and play a significant role in shaping children’s motivation.

School impact

Not all prayers are the same. It differs on who the object of your prayer is. Scriptures is clear in telling us that Jesus is our intercessor alone (John 15:6). We should pray for everything (Philippians 4:6). When you declare words of life to them, you are covering them in prayer. Here are examples of what you can “declare” as they leave for school:

“Shalom! God bless you.”
“I declare victory and power for your game today.”
“The Lord be with you, blessings in your exam.”

6. Praying Parent

Philippians 4:6
Present your request to God.

The best gift you can give to your child is to pray every day for them. Many times, I myself is lost for words, distressed, or hopeless when my teens become defiant. It’s only through prayers that I am revived from my hopelessness.

Truth is, only God can change hearts, but we need to ask the Holy Spirit to move. Thankfully, we can do that through Jesus. Remember, Satan wants to destroy each family that loves God. Pray at all times.

School impact

When our kids see us pray, they too will likely be prayerful. Because we pray all the time, my kids too developed the habit of praying, especially when there’s an exam.

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7. Rest

Genesis 2:2
On the seventh day, God rested from creating.

God incorporated resting in all His creation. In fact, a study reveals that people who live for seven hours live longest. Finland is second in science, third in reading and sixth in math among nearly half a million students worldwide. One of their strategies is the ‘physical leisure’ they implement among young students.

School impact

If your child has enough sleep and physical activities, study and concentration will not be a problem. This combination helps release dopamine (happy hormone) in the brain, which makes the brain feel good.

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