There is this assumption going around that if you are a Christian attending a Christian school, your walk with Christ is extremely easy and you won't know how to be a "real Christian" in the "real world" until you graduate from said Christian school. This is because some people assume that...
1. Those who attend Christian schools live in a bubble.
While this one is partially true, it is not completely. I will admit that when you attend a Christian school, you are less likely to see “worldly things” non-stop all around you, but it by no means equals living in a “perfect little Christian bubble.” People still do drugs at Christian schools. People drink, party, and sleep around. It may not be as much or as public, but it does still happen. So please stop saying those of us who go to a Christian school have no idea what it is like to live in the “real world.” We may not experience it to the same degree as someone who is going to school at a public university but it does still happen.
2. Going to a Christian school does not allow you to fulfill God’s command telling us to go out unto the world and make disciples.
This is false. This is totally and completely false. Christian schools can be just as much of a mission field as other schools. And sometimes it can actually be harder to witness to people when you go to a Christian school. This is because you might forget that just because you attend a Christian school, it does not necessarily mean that everyone is either a Christian or believes in God. It can be hard to witness at a Christian school because the evidence of people needing Christ is not always as obvious as it is at public universities. It is also hard because usually even the people in need of Christ will not act like they are in need of Christ. They may have grown up in a church-going family and know exactly how to make it look like they are walking with the Lord. That is why we believers need to be so genuine when we talk to people. Be sincere and get deep. Just because someone knows 50 Bible verses and all the Bible stories from Sunday school, does not mean they do not need your help in reaching a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Everywhere you go should be your mission field and a Christian school is no exception.
3. It is easy to be a Christian at a Christian school.
This is such a fallacy. Yeah it may be easier to have people holding you accountable at a Christian school, and you have more Christian resources available if you want them, but being a Christian at a Christian school is not easy.
Here’s why: When you attend a Christian school, it is so easy get lazy in your faith and just go through the motions in your walk with Jesus. At a public school, you are surrounded by worldly things. It is so easy to see how evident it is that not only does the world need Jesus, but you do too. When you are not surrounded by people who are following Jesus and encouraging your faith, the only way to remain in your faith is to be active in pursuing Jesus. At a Christian school though, you can feel “Christian” even if you are not the one making an effort. Your faith can be handed to you. You don’t have to pray on your own because you have prayer groups. You don’t have to memorize verses because your professors read one to you each day. You don’t have to have quiet time because your school makes you go to a chapel. At Christian schools, it is so easy to be a Christian on the outside. It is practically handed to you the second you get on campus. But to be real with your faith, to be genuine, to be active in pursuing Christ yourself, you have to want more of Jesus than what your school offers you.
If you are content with the amount of “Jesus” you are getting just from attending a Christian school, then you should reevaluate whether or not your faith is actually your own. Just like your parents' faith is not good enough to get you to heaven, neither is your school’s. Be careful about getting lazy in your faith and allowing your school to spoon feed you. The purpose of attending a Christian school is to grow in your faith, but you have to be the one taking the reins and wanting to go deeper in your walk with Christ.
Whether you go to a Christian school or public school, you will face challenges in your faith. Both types of schools present their own unique challenges that you will face. No matter what kind of school you go to though, just be active in pursuing Jesus and be living for Him because you can't go wrong if you are living for Christ and trying to be like Him.
