Every year, August and September start a new school year. A new school year can bring new opportunities for Lutheran churches and schools to reach their families. For many families, the change in seasons and the beginning of a new school year bring a renewed sense of ambition to start new routines and new things. I always want to build on this renewed desire to begin new things in a new school year.
Backpack Blessing in Worship
One of my favorite ways of doing this was through a back-to-school backpack blessing. After the chaos and nonroutine pace of the summer, families are often eager to settle into new routines, including making worship a regular part of their week. This is a great opportunity to do something that includes kids and families and the new change of the season. Having the backpack blessing as a part of the normal Sunday services helps to encourage families to come to church, as well as helps kids look forward to the Divine Service. There are many ways this can be done, but tying the blessing into a back-to-school themed children’s message or a special blessing from the pastor are my favorite ways. A sample blessing a pastor or other called church worker can give may look like this:
Dear child of God, may Jesus, who has washed you in Baptism and made you His own, go before you into this school year. As you learn, play, grow, and serve others, may He keep you firm in the faith, joyful in His forgiveness, and confident in His promises. May the Holy Spirit lead you to listen to God’s Word, trust in Jesus in all things, and live your life reflecting Jesus in all you do. May God—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—bless you and keep you in His everlasting peace. Amen.
Another thing I have enjoyed doing for the kids during our backpack blessing is handing out a backpack tag. Since I was at churches that also had schools attached, we usually used the yearly school verse. This is a simple, fun way that kids get to bring the Word of God with them to school and other places. I have even seen kids who take extra tags to share with their friends and spark conversations about God’s Word.
Blessing in the Home
Every year, in addition to the backpack tag, I also like to include a special blessing for parents to say over their kids. This encourages parents in their endeavor to help guide and shape their kids’ faith. Some years I have just sent home a simple blessing, and other years in addition to the blessing, I have also sent home a devotional for parents to do with their kids. Sometimes it has been a one-time devotion or a packet with a series of back-to-school devotions to encourage parents to restart family devotions with their kids.
Here are two suggestions of blessings you could give to parents to do with their kids:
Blessing 1:
[Child’s name], remember that you are God’s child. You are greatly loved by Him! Remember to trust in Him in all things and that God’s plans for us are better than what we could even imagine!
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!
Blessing 2:
My dear child, may God guard your heart and mind in Jesus, keep you safe, and help you use the gifts He has given you to serve others with love. May His Holy Spirit keep you focused in His Word, comfort you when you are afraid, and remind you that nothing can separate you from the love of God. The Lord bless you and keep you always!
Back-to-school time can be very challenging for both parents and students. Reminding parents they can rely on God and His Word and faithfulness can be game-changing.
Blessing at School
Our Lutheran schools are also instrumental when it comes to a good back-to-school foundation for our students. I always like to remember that statistically a very large percentage of the families that utilize our Lutheran school are either unchurched or underchurched. The Lutheran Witness noted in the August 2024 issue that 80 percent of students used to come from your congregation—now 80 percent come from the community. With that said, as Lutheran educators, we have a significant responsibility to also equip our students with the comfort that can only be found through God’s love. A special back-to-school blessing can also be done on the first day of school in the classroom or used during opening chapel. Here is an example:
May the Lord bless you as you begin this new school year. Remember that you are redeemed by Jesus and dearly loved by your heavenly Father. May He give you patience to grow and learn new things, courage to do what is right, and kindness toward your classmates and teachers. Always remember to trust that God is with you and will strengthen you. The Lord bless your work, keep you in His care, and fill you with the peace of Christ.
No matter what your church or school decides to do to encourage families for a new school year, remember this: For young families, the new school year is monumental. A new school year could include new friends, new teachers, or even a new school. A new year can also bring new routines for families and new academic or social challenges. Whatever your ministry does, remember that the ultimate goal is to turn the nervousness, the worry, and the stress over to Jesus—the one who can overcome all things!
Help families carry Christ’s Word beyond the first day of school. Family Time makes it easy to build lasting devotional habits with 98 Bible stories and devotions.
