How to Be a Light in Your School

At Pine Cove, it’s easy to live out your faith. You’re surrounded by worship songs, memory verse sessions before breakfast, and high fives at every turn. But when you head back to school, it doesn’t always feel the same. The cafeteria food isn’t nearly as good, and your classmates may not be belting “Glorious Day” down the hallways (though that would be pretty awesome).

So how do you take what God did in your heart this summer and shine His light in your school? Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” That means whether you’re in the dining hall at camp or the lunch line at school, God’s light can shine through you. Here are some simple ways to live it out.

1. Start With Prayer

Before you even step foot on campus, invite God into your day. Pray on the way to school for your teachers, your classmates, and anyone who might need encouragement. If you ride the bus, take a quiet moment with God. If you carpool, pray with your parents or siblings. It’s a small habit that can make a big difference!

2. Be Kind (Even When It’s Hard!)

School can be stressful, and people don’t always show kindness. That’s your opportunity to stand out! Hold the door. Offer to help someone who’s struggling with their books. Sit with the person who usually eats alone. Even a smile in the hallway can brighten someone’s entire day. You just never know when your small act of kindness could be the highlight of someone’s day, or even their whole week.

3. Share Truth in Simple Ways

You don’t have to preach a sermon at lunch to share God’s truth. Sometimes it’s as simple as writing an encouraging verse on a sticky note for a friend or reminding someone that they’re not alone. Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt.” This means we should allow the words we share with others to be encouraging, uplifting, and used to build up and show love to those around us. Ask God to show you moments where you can share His love naturally, whether it’s through words or actions.

4. Be Consistent

At camp, everyone is watching to see which cabin can be the loudest at flag or whose cabin memorized all of their memory verses. At school, people are watching too, but in different ways. If your classmates see you living out your faith day after day, it speaks louder than anything you could say. Integrity in your homework, honesty in group projects, or patience with your siblings at pick-up. It all matters.

5. Bring Joy Everywhere You Go

Think about that one counselor who had energy at 7:00 AM and never stopped jumping and smiling. You can be that person in your school! Joy is contagious, and people notice when you choose it even on hard days. Start a fun tradition with your friends, share a goofy joke in the hallway, or just be known as the person who makes others feel welcome. A little joy goes a long way.

The same God who worked powerfully in your life at camp is with you in every classroom, every cafeteria line, and every after-school practice. His light in you was never meant to stay at Pine Cove—it was meant to shine everywhere you go.

So here’s your challenge: pick one of these five ideas and live it out this week. See what God does through your light. And remember… Monday mornings might be tough, but they’re no match for the joy of Jesus.