LifeWise Academy
Bible classes in more than 300 public schools in 12 states, with 35K students enrolled: SO FAR.
Lifewise Academy is a Christian nonprofit ministry that currently has Bible classes in more than 300 public schools in 12 states, with 35K students enrolled. CEO and founder Joel Penton says that Lifewise Academy's mission is to give Christian parents hope that the next generation can receive biblical instruction in school, so long as they work to make it happen.
And to think that I had about given up on finding any groups that are working to get “Faith” back into the public eye. And you are probably wondering if this is “legal”? I know I did as I began to read about LifeWise but have a look at this:
Many people think the doctrine of "separation of church and state" makes it illegal to teach the Bible to public school students during school hours. This, however, is actually false. In the video below, Jamie Kresge of Ashbrook Byrne Kresge brings clarity to a little-known practice that makes teaching the Bible to public school students during school hours 100% legal. If you want to begin teaching the Bible to your public-school students during school hours, go to Lifewise.org. Find your school and sign your list. It only takes 50 signatures to get started!
LifeWise Academy was founded in 2018 as a division of “Stand For Truth”, an event-based nonprofit ministry with a mission to reach public school students. The creation of LifeWise was inspired by a released time program in Van Wert, Ohio, which boasts a 95% participation rate among public elementary school students. Stand For Truth and the Van Wert released time program teamed up to create LifeWise Academy, launching the first two LifeWise programs in the fall of 2019. In September 2022, “Stand For Truth” was renamed as LifeWise, Inc.
Now the meat & potatoes: LifeWise is complementary to existing before and after-school programs. The primary distinctive feature of LifeWise is that it operates during the school day, thereby engaging the students who are most unlikely to attend before and after-school programs due to transportation, extracurricular and other issues. The program includes better academic performance, improvements in students' mental health and moral character development that has led to decreased disciplinary actions taken against kids who are enrolled. LifeWise has found that most public schools are willing, if not eager to adopt their programs. (So perhaps a visit to https://lifewise.org/interest is in order?)
The foundation for LifeWise curriculum is The Gospel Project (TGP), a Christ-centered, chronological Bible study program produced by Lifeway Christian Resources. Where other programs tell students Bible stories, TGP focuses on “God’s plan to rescue His people from sin through the life, death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ.” We draw from and build on the lessons and activities provided by TGP. Tied to each lesson is a specific character trait that, as we are changed by the gospel, becomes more evident in our lives. Over the course of 5 years (1st through 5th grades) the curriculum guides students through the entire Bible. (I actually think that a LOT of adults could benefit from this course, myself included!) Students begin in Genesis and that by the time they graduate out of 5th grade, they have learned the Bible through the Book of Revelation which is the final book of the New Testament.
It is a model that has led to rampant growth. Penton said LifeWise started with just two programs and in just four years, the ministry has introduced released time programs at 325 public schools across 12 states.
The process to begin a new LifeWise Academy involves a 10 step process. First, a local Steering Committee is established to coordinate program details with school officials. The committee will appoint a program director and board to lead the released time initiative with resources and coaching support from the LifeWise Support Center. Once your school approves the program, LifeWise leaders will recruit qualified and vetted teachers and volunteers to chaperon students to and from the Bible classes. Local churches must participate in a LifeWise launch and will often donate or rent their spaces for the program. Keep in mind that while LifeWise teachings are done during the school day they ARE done offsite from your school. I highly recommend that you follow this link to begin this process.
And what will you and your child (children?) get once all that has been accomplished? According to the LifeWise website:
LifeWise Academy is committed to the faithful, gospel-centered teaching of scripture. Rather than presenting the Bible as simply a book of morals or laws which the students should implement, we present the Bible and the gospel in terms of personal transformation. Each lesson is tied to the broader context of the gospel, the metanarrative of God’s unfolding plan of redemption - specifically that through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God has come to reconcile individuals by His grace and to renew the whole world by and for His glory. This is the gospel that saves and empowers true inward change. Out of this gospel, we will present and apply implicit and explicit character principles which the students can live out in their schools, families and communities.
Here you can find a “Sample Curriculum”. It’s a great read on its own and to the RFP crew shows a truly well put together program. We highly recommend that you take a few minutes to go through this “Sample Curriculum”.
For a quick “Demo” of Lifewise Academy; what they do and how they do it? Have a look here on YouTube: During School Hours - LifeWise Academy Demo
And the flip side to what appears to be a wonderful program to teach good, positive and moral values to kids?
Education Department warns against schools encouraging private prayer, other religious activity.
The Biden administration this week updated its guidance on prayer and other religious expression in public schools, warning school employees not to encourage or endorse such activity.
"Teachers, school administrators, and other school employees may not encourage or discourage private prayer or other religious activity," the Education Department writes in its new guidance, which adds that the U.S. Constitution permits school employees to engage in private prayer during the workday.
Our very own Department of Education pushing guidelines for schools to NOT embrace a program such as that offered by LifeWise Academy. Go Figure!
Be sure to let RFP know how you feel about all of this in the “Comments” section below. Remember that we ARE the Majority my friends and if we stand together, we can Restore First Principles!