We officially took God out of public schools years ago and the outcomes have been devastating. We can take solace; however, in the fact that there are tens of thousands of public educators who love Jesus Christ and serve as instruments of His love everyday in our schools! These servants are the hope for our future and will play an integral role in the transformation of America back to God!
We, at the twelve23 movement, know that we must do all that we can to help educators win on the front lines of their classrooms! Please pray for us as we prepare to launch a new initiative to help public educators beginning. I am really excited about this endeavor as I know it is going to make a significant impact in due time. You can help us by inviting educators to join the twelve23 movement.
In the meantime, let's get educated about education. I bet you didn't learn these facts in school!
"The New-England Primer" - The most used textbook in America until the twentieth century. The small book was used to teach reading and Bible lessons in our public schools. Though the book varied through the years, each lesson consistently included questions about the Bible and Ten Commandments. Many of the Founding Fathers and their children learned to read using "The New England Primer!"
Harvard University - The oldest "institution of higher education in the United States," was founded in 1636 and had a motto that stated, "Truth for Christ and the church."
Princeton University - The early founding statement in 1746 declared "Cursed is all learning that is contrary to the Cross of Christ."
Noah Webster - The"Father of Public Education" in America; publisher of America's first dictionary; and translator of the first Bible for American colonists. His dictionary in 1828 began with a dedication to God, praying that it would be useful for "the moral and religious elevation of character and the glory of my country." For decades, it also contained Webster's personal testimony of his conversion to Christ. He said:
"Education is useless without the Bible."
"The Bible was America's basic text book in all fields."
"In my view, the Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government ought to be instructed."
Governor Morris of Pennsylvania - Chairman of the committee that created the final wording of the U.S. Constitution. Morris stated:
"Religion is the only solid basis of good morals; therefore education should teach the precepts of religion, and the duties of man toward God."
George Washington - First President of the United States. He stated:
"You do well to wish to learn our arts and our ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. Congress will do everything they can to assist you in this wise intention."
"What students would learn in American schools above all is the religion of Jesus Christ."
[speech to the Delaware Indian Chiefs May 12, 1779]
Benjamin Rush- Signer of the Constitution and attendee of the Continental Congress. Rush declared:
"Let the children...be carefully instructed in the principles and obligations of the Christian religion. This is the most essential part of education."
"The great enemy of the salvation of man, in my opinion, never invented a more effectual means of extirpating [removing] Christianity from the world than by persuading mankind that it was improper to read the Bible at schools."
It seems that "the great enemy" is winning, but it is time for us to fight back! The primary way that you can fight back is by teaching your children the Bible and Ten Commandments. Don't depend on someone else to lead your children spiritually! You lead them. God has given you this responsibility! Absolutely nothing that you teach your children will be more important or useful for life than the Bible. Fulfill your responsibility in this area. Your children will one day be grateful and this nation will be better because of it! Also, pray and ask God to help you positively influence as many other children as you can. In a nation of absent parents, your love will go a long way. We need you in the fight! Lastly, pray for and encourage Christian teachers and school administrators to use their influence like never before. Pray that they would literally be the hands and feet of Christ to the millions of students across America. We can win this fight!
