May 6, 2008

by Steve Mathewson

I’ve been working on a sermon series idea for the three-week window between the start of school and Labor Day. It’s a strategic time because everyone is back from summer vacation. Yet I don’t want to begin my fall sermon series until after Labor Day. Here is my plan . . .

I’m going to preach three messages around the theme of “Back to School Challenges.” These messages will be based on three issues which Jesus discusses in the Sermon on the Mount: sexual purity (Matthew 5:27-30), loving enemies (Matthew 5:43-48), and truthfulness (Matthew 5:33-37). Each issue is an ongoing challenge for Christ-followers, and the challenge is heightened for students, their parents, teachers, and staff as they go back to school.

Obviously, there are other issues or passages which might be more appropriate in your context. But if you’re wondering what to do between the start of school and Labor Day, you might consider a brief series helping your people live out their faith as they begin a new school year.