The Bible in Public Schools

April 2, 2008

During spring break at the end of March Hannah and I spent some time getting caught up on her English homeschooling. She goes to Russian school and so in some ways it is easier for her to read and write in Russian than in English even though English is her first spoken language. So on weekends, in the early mornings before school, and on school breaks we homeschool in English to practice reading and writing. She has begun reading through the Bible using a little Kenneth Taylor Bible called “My First Bible in Pictures.” Each page has a story in English and Russian and she enjoys reading both.

When Hannah returned to school after break, unknown to me, she tucked her little Bible in her bookbag. During break time, between classes, she decided to read her Bible at her desk. Her teacher came by and asked what she was doing. “I am practicing reading my Bible,” Hannah replied. The teacher praised her and told her she could read to the children during break time if she liked. Hannah went to the front of the class and read the Bible stories in Russian to anyone who wanted to listen during break time.

I don’t know that every school would allow a child to read the Bible out loud to other children. I am thankful for Hannah’s boldness and her desire to read more of God’s Word. I am grateful (and intrigued) by the openness of her teacher who is also the Vice-Principle of her school. I am wondering: is your child allowed to read her Bible to herself or others in your school?