Focus’s Bring Your Bible to School Day Breaks Records and Inspires Students Across the Country

Last week on October 3, Focus on the Family held an extraordinary event called Bring Your Bible to School Day (BYBTSD). The initiative began in 2014 with just 8,000 students participating. Six years later, 670,000 students participated last week by bringing their Bibles to school, the largest number since Focus began the initiative.

Focus President Jim Daly told The Daily Citizen, “I am thrilled that so many students participated in BYBTSD this year. Many students have shared their stories of courage with us and have reached out to share how their lives were touched. With 670,000 participants, Candi Cushman, our Director of Public Policy, Education Issues built on her previous success and reached a new BYBTSD milestone. Yet, we don’t do this just for the statistic. Each digit represents a student who was able to practice his or her faith and share God’s love with their friends. That’s what we really care about, and we can’t wait for next year.”

Len, a parent from Florida, shared the moving story of their son’s approach to BYBTSD. “Our son Sam, who is wheelchair bound and cannot speak, brought his Bible and handed out laminated Romans 10:9 verses on the tray of his wheelchair. Who needs words to evangelize? Teachers and bus drivers were all touched, and seeds planted.”

Franklin Graham, the president of Samaritan’s Purse and son of the late evangelist Billy Graham, tweeted out his support for BYBTSD. “Thankful that students have the freedom to bring their Bibles to school in the United States of America.”

CBN News created a great compilation of some students across the country taking their Bibles to school. According to one of their pictures, students and teachers at Riverside Academy in Reserve, LA encouraged their students to bring their Bibles, and over 40 took up the challenge.

In addition, the official twitter account of BYBTSD retweeted dozens of pictures of kids excited about bringing their Bibles to school.

New this year, every student that participated in BYBTSD was entered in a chance to win a trip to the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. The museum, which opened in 2017, cost over $400 million to build and is located just three blocks from the U.S. Capitol. It is the largest museum dedicated solely to the Bible and seeks to educate the public on the impact and importance of the Bible. The museum contains over 40,000 artifacts including fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

The fact that so many students took part in the event and cared enough about their faith to share their beliefs with their friends is extremely encouraging. These students not only brought their Bibles with them physically, but they brought the Word in their heart. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NIV) 

BYBTSD continues to grow and gives students the opportunity to share the love of Jesus. With students like these, the future of our country is bright.