15 Bible Verses for School: Confidence, Trust, and Courage
“I’m sad summer is over. Can you read me some Bible verses for school tomorrow?” our seven-year-old asked as we opened his storybook Bible to read before bed.
It was the eve of the first day of school, and first grade felt daunting. He was flooded with a mix of emotions: sadness that summer was ending, excitement about seeing his friends, and uncertainty about what the year would hold.
I’d already talked with his teenage sister and pre-teen brother about their feelings, and it seemed everyone had the same apprehensions.
Hiding God’s Word in our hearts is a helpful way to navigate any new situation, and this extends to school. Today, we’ll explore a list of Bible verses for school. Whether it’s the start of a new school year, or you simply need encouragement to keep pressing forward, here are some helpful insights.
15 Bible Verses for School
God’s Word speaks into the emotions most students when going to school. Here are his words.
Bible Verses for School
1. Proverbs 11:14, ESV
Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
School introduces students to a variety of instructors, people who can provide guidance and wisdom for both academics and life. One of the greatest gifts of school is the exposure to different teachers and mentors.
Each of these people offer lessons, including how to deal with different personalities in leadership. These lessons aren’t always easily learned, but they are invaluable for life.
2. Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
When going to school feels uncertain, this is a powerful truth to claim.
As we trust in God, he guides us and makes the way clear before us.
We can rest in this.
3. Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
God’s plans for his children are good, but this doesn’t mean he will always guide us without hardships.
Challenges are God’s primary vessels for helping us grow in maturity. Remember this when school feels difficult. Difficulties aren’t a sign that God has abandoned us; they are an indication that he is helping us grow.
4. James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Part of going to school includes growing in wisdom.
When we ask God to help us become wise, he answers this prayer.
5. Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
It’s important to remember that God always calls us to undertake the work of our hands for him, not to please other people.
When we go to school and do our best to glorify God by working hard, we find peace as well as fulfillment.
Bible Verses for School Anxiety
6. Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Do you feel anxious about school?
Remember that God is always with you. You are never alone.
He promises to give you strength and uphold you. This is a good verse to memorize and speak to yourself when you feel anxious or worried.
7. Joshua 1:9
Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
My favorite promise in the Bible is the promise that God is always with me.
No matter what happens, he upholds his children.
8. Romans 8:38-39
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Our family has three core values: Live from the identity of God’s love; always be kind; work hard.
Romans 8:38-39 tells us that nothing can ever take God’s love away from us. This is an anchor when school feels hard. We don’t need to perform perfectly, be liked by everyone, or succeed by worldly standards because our identities are anchored in God’s love for us.
9. Deuteronomy 31:8
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.
A close friend often reminds me, “God is already there.”
This is very reassuring when going into school. I remind my kids that no matter what they face each day, God is already there.
10. Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
We are also called to let God’s light shine through us.
As I pray over our kids each morning, I pray that God’s love and light will shine through them onto others.
11. Psalm 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Again, when the Lord is our light, we don’t need to fear other people or new situations.
12. 2 Timothy 1:7
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
This is another powerful verse to memorize and speak in fearful, worried moments.
God gives his children a spirit of power, love, and self-control. We can walk into any situation with confidence because the Spirit of the Living God abides in us.
13. John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Before he ascended into heaven, Jesus promised peace to his followers.
He wants us to walk in this peace today as well. When we cast our cares on him, finding reasons to thank him, he fills us with the peace that surpasses understanding (see Philippians 4:6-7).
14. Isaiah 41:13
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
At times, I have imagined God holding my hand as I’ve walked into challenging situations.
This is a helpful image for the challenges of school.
15. Matthew 6:34
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
It’s easy to worry about tomorrow. Meanwhile, Jesus’ words remind us to stay focused on today and not worry about tomorrow.
Our kids are all navigating the school year with God’s help. It hasn’t been a perfect journey, but they are learning along the way. May we remember this: Challenges are always God’s invitations to grow in maturity and grow closer to him.
May we remember this: Challenges are always God's invitations to grow in maturity and grow closer to him. #faith #trust Share on XCalling All Parents (and Grandparents)!
As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love. You can find all three books here or read more below.
Attention All Boy Moms (and Dads)!
God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world. I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven! You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord. Find this life-changing devotional book here.
Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter
Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.
Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.
These Books Are Free on Kindle Unlimited: God Wants to Heal, Restore, and Refresh You
God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone. He also wants to help you establish a rhythm of meeting with him daily as you trust him with the hard parts of your life. Click here to explore two books that will guide you: Be Still and Trust and Lean Into Grace. They are free on the Kindle Unlimited program and for sale in print.
Download Your Free Devotional Here
Set Free: Let God Do What You Cannot explores ten realms in which most of us need God to work in our lives and bring deliverance. We’ll talk about finding freedom from fear, worry, insecurity, bad habits, emotional pain, and more. This short online devotional will bless you as you let God accomplish what you’ve been unable to achieve through willpower. Get your download for free with promo code GRACE or for a donation of 3.99 right here.
I also offer a library of free online devotional eBooks for free. I invite you to explore the collection right here!
