By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
NEW IBERIA, La. (LBM) – At the beginning of the school year, Bible teacher Geran Maples challenged his eleventh-grade students at Highland Baptist Christian School to prayerfully consider if following Christ was worth everything.
The answer he got, based on Nik Ripken’s book “The Insanity of God”, not only surprised him but led the entire class of 27 members to start a weekly Bible study called Juniors for Jesus, led by the students. Subsequently, three of the juniors have surrendered their hearts to Christ.
“All of a sudden you have this grass roots movement of kids trying to add faith-based applications to their lives all the while saying they have sin in their own lives that they want to address,” Maples told the Baptist Message. “It started with the students really getting honest with the question Nik Ripken asked about, ‘If it’s all worth it?’ They have seen that they truly represent Christ in this world.
“Detentions have dropped, and other discipline issues have really lessened,” he added. “I credit all of this to the kids focusing on their walks with Christ.”
DISCIPLESHIP MOVEMENT
Since Juniors for Jesus began, a discipleship movement has grown throughout the school, with some of the juniors also holding Bible studies once a week at a local coffee shop, and some of the freshmen class starting a Bible study.
IN THEIR WORDS
Maples’ daughter, Skyler, said Juniors for Jesus has unified the junior class that the year before was divided.
“Starting Juniors for Jesus almost started a mini revival within our school,” she said. “Not only a personal revival starting within ourselves, willing to take that next step no matter what it took, but a revival within high school. People started noticing that the juniors weren’t hanging around the hallways during free time, but were going to religion class. Other people wanted to sit in and listen to these mini devotions we were having. We not only have grown as a class and have made a difference because we have put God first but to look back on where we started as a class makes the impact so much powerful.
“Juniors for Jesus started putting that fire into students that they maybe didn’t even know was possible,” she continued. “It makes a huge difference, listening to your peers rather than your Bible teacher every day. Getting to know each other on a spiritual level is what allowed that growth. Being able to do it comfortably in a Christ setting and being able to turn our struggles back to Scripture played a role in the relationships. There’s no doubt that Christ is moving in our class, in our high school and as a whole school.”
Sara Romero has been encouraged by how the Bible study has brought the entire class together and strengthened their walks with Christ.
“Each week almost every member of our class shows up and participates in discussion that is led by the students,” she said. “Every student that has had the courage to stand in front of the class has had wonderful, enchanting devotions that have been on topics that I think everyone would benefit from hearing. These devotions range from testimonies to topics of friendship, peer pressure and overcoming your fears.
“Since Juniors for Jesus has begun you can clearly see the changes it has had on many of my classmates,” she continued. “It has helped me to eliminate many of my friendships that weren’t glorifying God.
“I have found myself surrounded by people who not only want me to succeed, but I find that almost every conversation we have leads back to God without any of us even noticing,” Romero said. “We want to go to church together and none of us are ashamed to talk about God. I have also had the opportunity to mentor other people who want to start getting closer to God since I have spiritually changed.”\
“If I could tell people one thing,” she offered, “it would be, ‘Don’t be afraid to turn your life around for God. Don’t be afraid to make the changes that are needed to live for Christ. At times you may feel alone, but you will never be alone when you choose to follow God.”
Allene Martin has enjoyed forming new friendship with the class and growing closer to Christ with her classmates.
“Not only has there been visible growth in the junior class, but it has had an impact on other classes,” she said. “Many people have devoted their lives to Christ, so far, this year. There is no better feeling to me than seeing people finally accept Christ as Lord and Savior, and for this to happen because of our Bible study really makes a difference.
“Its biggest impact on my walk has been how it encouraged me to start opening my Bible more and praying more, even outside of school,” she continued. “Hearing the topics that I personally struggle with being talked about during the study helps to humble me and helps me to grow.
“If there is anything that I want to come from Juniors for Jesus is for it to grow to the rest of the high school to where every class is doing something of their own and that our legacy carries on. I am excited to continue this next year as seniors.”
Ethan Beaugh has been encouraged by the students who have given their lives to Christ through Juniors for Jesus.
“All of these students are examples demonstrating how God is able to move through people and affect the lives of others,” he said. “In this instance, influence or impact from people with spiritual experiences may help and support those who are struggling with the same or different obstacles. I know it’s not the easiest thing to share and talk about your problems to other people, but you’ll feel a sense of weight fall off your shoulders when you hear from other people’s experiences. Overall, it has been making a massive impact on those who have been members for Juniors for Jesus.
“The biggest impact I’ve seen in my walk with Christ would probably be my improved viewpoint or mindset,” he continued. “Prior to affirming my relationship with Christ, if you were to ask me where I would go after I die, I probably couldn’t give you an answer. I was unsure that my faith was strong enough to save me from Hell, which would build more doubt and inconsistency in my mind. But through devoted prayer, attending Sunday church and Wednesday youth, and reading a devotional, I’ve felt more confident and assured that God will take care of me even after death. God wants to build and improve you and He will, you just have to continue your obedience.
