Being over 50 (barely!) means I’ve been out of high school for quite some time and I don’t always remember how tough those years can be on a young man/woman. This morning I had a conversation with one of our Form 4 boys and he was telling me of the “groups” in school (what we used to call, and maybe they still are, cliques). He said sometimes even if you are a good student you have to pretend otherwise because being a good student means you’ll be bullied. Some groups incite students to riot, strike, do damage to the school and break the rules so trying to stay focused on studies is difficult with all the commotion surrounding them.
He also said they have several devil worshipers at his school and the Christian Union (student led) prays for Gods wisdom of discernment and how to approach these boys. One such student told him he was sent to bring other boys into his “religion”, while others are there to hurt, even attempt to kill, other boys.
Our boys attend an all-boys school but girls are an issue too….not, however, what you might think. He was saying when the schools get together for competitions (sports, drama, etc.) the girls look up to the “bad boys”, the ones who riot and burn schools are men in their eyes. As young men they want the girls attention so in order to get that they burn schools.
What is a parent to do? The students are gone for three months at a time so they are out of a home environment where morality can be continually taught. I’m saying this from our situation where our kids are loved and could be guided on a daily basis but I know there are many students who do not have a loving home to be a part of. Those students learn from their peers and that is sad. The boys are not taught any self-discipline. As a matter of fact our boy said this is the main reason students who began secondary at a high level end up failing, they have no self-discipline to make informed decisions but instead make decisions based upon their emotions or the pressure from a group. Girls see the power of their bodies but are not taught how to be a Proverbs 31 woman and many do not have earthly fathers who love the Lord and respect their wife.
Boy does this generation need prayer, as we all do, for God’s intervention, wisdom, discernment and grace to guide them throughout their lives. Please pray for our young people as they attempt to love God on this battlefield of life.