The return to school can be a difficult time for both parents and children alike. While there can be a lot of excitement, the return to business can cause a lot of stress. Parents are shuttling their kids from activity to activity. Children are facing lots of pressures including pressure, the pressure to succeed, and trying to find their own identity. Thus, both parents and children can often use a little encouragement at this time of year. 

God offers us His encouragement all throughout scripture, but here are five verses that are especially relevant to providing encouragement for the school year. I encourage you to commit them to memory, so you can take them with you wherever you go. Memorizing these lines will make them truly part of you and give you their strength at all times. 

Everyone can benefit from all five of these verses, but I have tried to pick several verses which can provide special encouragement to parents and several which are particularly useful for children. Many of these verses may be somewhat unfamiliar, so I hope they also help you to come to know scripture in a new way. 

Two Verses Especially for Parents

Proverbs 22:6 

Train the young in the way they should go; even when old, they will not swerve from it.

When life gets hectic, it can be particularly important for parents to remember the importance of the work that they are doing in educating their children. The catechism notes that, “Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children.” (CCC 2223) The parent’s role is so important. Research shows that in the midst of all the peer pressure children face, the parents are still the primary influence. If we perform this duty well, our children will have life long dispositions which will draw them closer to God, closer to us, and closer all those they will love throughout their entire lives. 

1 Peter 5:2-3

Tend the flock of God in your midst, [overseeing] not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly. Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock.

This verse models the dispositions which parents should strive to embody while raising their children. In reference to parents, CCC 2223 continues, “They bear witness to this responsibility first by creating a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity, and disinterested service are the rule…By knowing how to acknowledge their own failings to their children, parents will be better able to guide and correct them…” We should always strive to raise our children in gentleness and humility. Even so, we don’t have to be perfect. In fact, we won’t be. By acknowledging our short-comings, to both ourselves and even our children, we can still provide a warm, loving, and effective environment for our children. 

Three Verses Especially for Children

Deuteronomy 31:8

It is the LORD who goes before you; he will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you. So do not fear or be dismayed.

Children will face many situations for which they will need courage. This verse reminds them that they are never alone. They have access to the ultimate source of strength and courage. 

Colossians 3:23-24

Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord and not for others, knowing that you will receive from the Lord the due payment of the inheritance;…

Children (and often even adults) can often feel overlooked. We can feel that our efforts are unrecognized and unappreciated. This can be so discouraging. However, the truth is that none of us are unrecognized or unappreciated. We are not called to work for the praise of others, but rather for the praise of the Lord. As Jesus says, our Father “who sees in secret” will repay us (Matthew 6:6).

Philippians 4:6-7

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

This is probably the most well-known of the verses on the list, but it speaks to such an important topic. There is so much anxiety in the modern world. This verse reminds us that our anxiety is unnecessary. Rather, the solution is to make our request known to God, and then confidently entrust ourselves to his loving hands. In fact, so great is the confidence that we should have in God, that we can give thanks before the prayer is even answered. 

I hope that these verses bring you strength and encouragement throughout this school year. May it be both fruitful and successful and draw you closer to the Lord.