by Wayne Faison

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The Sunday before schools in the Suffolk area began, the Lord laid on my heart Matthew 5 as the scriptural foundation for my “Back to School” sermon at East End Baptist Church. This sermon reminded me how every fall, classrooms fill again with students ready to learn, grow, and discover what comes next.

Matthew 5:1–2 reminded me that Jesus also gathers his followers for school. He went up the mountainside, sat down, and began to teach. Jesus knew that following him meant more than making a decision; it meant becoming a lifelong learner. This is an important word for our churches and leaders today. In a rapidly changing world, we cannot simply rely on what we learned yesterday. We must continually return to the teachings of Jesus and allow him to shape who we are becoming.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus began with the Beatitudes, challenging his followers to cultivate attitudes of humility, mercy, purity, peacemaking, righteousness, and faithfulness. Then he taught them to be salt and light—people whose lives make a difference in the world around them.

He taught them that faith is more than knowing the rules. It is reconciliation instead of resentment, integrity instead of empty promises, grace instead of retaliation, and love even for our enemies. In other words, Jesus reminds us that class doesn’t really begin until the sermon is over.

For BGAV churches, pastors, and leaders, perhaps this is our “Back to School” season. We are being invited to learn again—not merely new strategies or new technologies, but the timeless ways of Jesus. We are called to become Christ-long learners who are continually listening, continually growing, continually adapting, and continually becoming more faithful witnesses to the gospel.

Our churches may look different tomorrow than they do today. But our teacher remains the same. So, BGAV, let’s go back to school—not backward, but deeper. Let’s learn as much as we can from Jesus. Class is in session!

Rev. Dr. Wayne Faison is BGAV’s executive director.

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