Back-to-school season is a big deal for families!

On top of the supply lists, there are new schedules to get used to, forms to fill out, and routines to get back into. Some kids are excited, and some are nervous. Some parents are counting down the days, and others are wondering how summer flew by.

In the middle of all the planning, I think there’s something really important we can help families remember. Our kids need truth to carry with them as they start the new school year! They need the Word of God in their hearts and coming out of their mouths.

As kidmin leaders, back-to-school gives us a really sweet opportunity to come alongside families. It’s not only about helping kids get ready academically or socially. It’s also a discipleship opportunity. We get to remind parents that this is a great time to help their kids pray, speak life, and agree with what God says about them.

Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” That is such a powerful truth, and it’s for our kids too! The words they hear and the words they speak shape what they believe, what they focus on, and how they respond when things feel hard.

Our kids hear a lot of words. They hear words from classmates, teachers, screens, friends, siblings, parents, coaches, and culture. While some of those words are encouraging, some are confusing. Some are painful. One of the best things we can do is help them recognize what is true and learn to speak it.

A child who knows how to say, “God is with me,” is carrying something powerful into a nervous first day. A child who can pray, “Lord, help me be kind and brave,” is learning to depend on God. A child who says, “I am loved by God,” has truth to stand on when they feel left out or unsure.

This doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes we make discipleship feel like it has to be a full-family devotional with journals, worship music, and perfectly behaved children sitting around the table. That sounds beautiful! But most families are trying to find the missing shoe, sign the permission slip, and get out the door on time.

So what if we helped parents see the power of small moments? A prayer before school matters. Speaking one verse over your child in the car matters. Having your child repeat a simple declaration while brushing their teeth matters. Asking, “What truth do you need to remember today?” matters.

Those little moments teach kids that God isn’t just part of Sunday. He’s with them on Monday morning. He is with them during the spelling test, at lunch, on the playground, in the classroom, and anywhere else they go!

I also think it’s important that we don’t only pray over kids. We should teach them to pray too. Of course, our prayers over them are powerful.

Parents covering their children in prayer matters deeply. But kids also need to know they can talk to God themselves. They can ask Him for help. They can thank Him. They can listen for His voice. They can speak His Word. That is not reserved only for adults.

Kids can walk with God in their everyday lives. They can carry His Spirit. They can pray for their friends. They can notice someone who feels alone. They can be bold in their faith. Sometimes they just need us to help give them the language.

That’s where parents and kidmin leaders can work together so beautifully. Resource your families with verses, short prayers, and simple declarations that help kids practice speaking life in a way they can understand and remember.

Parents need this too! A lot of parents are carrying concerns into the school year. They wonder if their child will be safe, make friends, keep up, be included, or make wise choices. When we give parents simple words to pray and speak over their kids, we’re helping them lead their families with faith.

Back-to-school is a natural time to do this because everyone is already thinking about a fresh start: new grade, new teacher, new rhythm, new opportunities.

Let’s help families start with truth. Encourage parents to pray over their kids. Give children words of faith they can actually remember. Remind them that their identity is not in their popularity, performance, or friend group. Help them carry God’s Word into the places we cannot go with them. The goal is kids who know Jesus, trust His Word, and learn to walk with Him wherever they go.

As families head back to school, let’s help kids remember what is true. Let’s teach them to pray. Let’s put life-giving words in their hearts and mouths. And let’s believe that God will meet them in every hallway, classroom, playground, and lunch table they walk into this year.

Alysia Gonzales serves as the Director of Family Ministries at Harvest Church, providing oversight and leadership for kids ministry across each campus through leader development, training, and Sunday service support. Her heart is to empower kids’ ministry leaders to lead with purpose and joy, and to raise up the next generation to impact the church and the world with the power and love of Jesus.