A new grade. A new teacher. A new everything. For a lot of kids, the last week of summer comes with a stomachache that isn't really a stomachache. It's nerves. In this back-to-school bonus episode of Carpooling with Jesus, Pastor Justin gives kids honest permission to feel nervous, then hands them a simple, repeatable way to deal with it.
Anchored in Philippians 4:6-7 and the story of Joshua (who got the most nerve-racking first day in the Bible when God handed him Moses's job), this episode walks kids through naming their worries, handing each one to God with thanks, and walking in to find one friendly face. The promise of the verse is the whole point: when you give God the worry, He guards you with a peace that doesn't even make sense.
Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7 (CSB) | Supporting: Joshua 1:9
PARENT ACTION STEP
The night before the first day (or the night before anything new), sit with your kid and do step two together: have them name each worry out loud, and pray over each one by name, adding a thank-you. You're not just calming them for one morning. You're teaching them the lifelong pattern: name it, hand it to God, walk in with His peace.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR CHILD
1. What's one thing you're nervous about for this school year? Say it out loud.
2. What's one thing you're actually excited about?
3. Philippians 4:6-7 says to hand God your worries with a thank-you. Why do you think the thank-you part matters?
4. Joshua got a brand-new, scary job, and God told him, "I'm with you wherever you go." How does it help to know God is already in your new classroom?
5. What's the difference between being nervous and something actually being wrong?
6. Which step feels most doable: naming the worries, handing them to God, or finding one friendly face?
7. Who is someone else who might be nervous on the first day? What could you do to help them?
SIGNS TO WATCH FOR (PARENTS)
- Stomachaches, headaches, or trouble sleeping in the days before school with no medical cause.
- More clinginess, irritability, or meltdowns than usual as the start date gets close.
- Repeated what-if questions about the new teacher, class, or schedule.
- Avoiding talk about school altogether, or insisting they "don't care" about going back.
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