By Craig A. Shady
“The greatest thing since sliced bread.” It’s a comment we often make and, if you are in ministry, is something you’re always looking for. I don’t know about you, but I am often searching for the next ministry tool that is going to help make a bigger impact in my ministry, church, and community.
Over the last 15 years as a children’s minister, I have tried different programs, curriculum, and events to help spread the gospel message to the youth and children I’ve served. A program that has started in my community of Adams County, Ohio, is called LifeWise Academy. This program is amazing, and I strongly believe that if you are in ministry, you should consider serving in LifeWise and have your church support it financially, provide volunteers, and/or use your building as a host site.
LifeWise Academy is often recognized by its signature red bus that picks up students from school, but many people do not know what LifeWise Academy is or why it exists. It may sound hard to believe, but LifeWise provides Bible education to public school students during school hours.
Decades ago, around the time when the BIble and prayer were being removed from public education, a window of opportunity was opened. Very few people are aware that in 1952,the U.S. Supreme Court decision Zorach v. Clauson determined that teaching the Bible during the school day is constitutional and therefore legal in all 50 states under three conditions:
1. Off School Property – Program must be held off site of school premises.
2. Privately Funded – No government funds can be used for this program.
3. Parent Permitted – Parental permission is required for child’s participation.
For over 70 years, this opportunity, legally known as “released time religious instruction,” has remained almost completely unknown to the Christian church. Since 2019, LifeWise Academy has provided a replicable model for released time that can be implemented by any community nationwide. Released time programs give families the opportunity to choose Bible education for their public school students. Each week, tens of thousands of public school students across the nation legally attend LifeWise Bible classes during school hours.
In Ohio and many other states, parents have the legal right to enroll their children in a released time program like LifeWise Academy. Since the program is held off school property, is privately funded and requires parental permission, it can legally teach character education from a biblical worldview, provide Bible instruction, and offer students additional support. LifeWise also encourages families to get involved in a local church if they are not already attending. As an interdenominational program, LifeWise simply teaches the Bible and how we should live, without promoting specific denominational views.
For the past two years, I’ve served as a teacher for LifeWise Academy in Peebles, Ohio, as part of the Adams County Ohio Valley LifeWise program. During our first year, I taught second and third grade. This year, I teach second, third, and fourth grades. We’ve seen incredible growth at our Peebles location. I currently have 142 students enrolled and, because of the number of students, I teach six different classes each week, Monday through Thursday.
When we broke down our enrollment by grade, we found that 53% of fourth graders, 66% of third graders, and 68% of second graders are participating. A recent survey showed that nearly 60% of these students either never attend church or only attend occasionally. Through LifeWise, we are now reaching more students in our community than ever before.
Over the last two years, we have had amazing opportunities and stories of impact. This year, I was shocked to learn that about half of the third and fourth grade students had never heard the story of David and Goliath. I’ve been asked countless times, “Why does God love me?” and “Why would he send his Son to this earth for me?” Every week, students tell me that LifeWise day is their favorite day of the week. One third grade student said, “LifeWise is the place I go to be with God.” Other students have run up to me to share, “My family is going to church now,” “I was baptized on Sunday,” “I read out of the Bible for the first ever,” and “I have decided that I am going to follow Jesus and become a Christian.”
Many seeds are being planted because of this amazing program. It’s my prayer that you’ll consider bringing LifeWise Academy to your community. Yes, it takes money. Yes, it takes a lot of time and effort. But I believe you’ll find it’s worth every penny because it will transform your community.
Visit lifewise.org to learn how to start a program in your area or to get involved in one already operating in your community.
Craig Shady is the Family Life Minister at Peebles Church of Christ in Peebles, Ohio.
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