Are the Gideons Allowed in a School Near You?

The function of the Gideons International is to witness and hand out Bibles worldwide. 100% of what you give them goes to buy Bibles. Their website says that they were founded in 1899, they serve as an extended missionary arm of the church, and they are the oldest association of Christian businessmen and professional men in the United States.

I can tell you that they often face a challenge right here in America.

As an FYI, my husband, Bob, is a member of the Gideons. I am not, however, a member of the Women’s Auxiliary. God has kept me working on other ministry efforts. I do pray for the Gideons. I whole-heartedly support them and the work that they do, and I want you to join me in praying for them too.

Depending on your age, you may remember receiving a little orange or red King James New Testament when you were in about the 5th or 6th grade or a green one when you were in college. You will find a Bible in many hotel rooms and hospitals as well. This is all due to your local Gideons.

They still do distributions in school systems that allow it. That is the sticking point. You see, not all school systems will let them offer their students a New Testament – God’s Word.

The argument often used for separation of church and state is false. At various times in history, Congress has supported the spread of Christianity. They’ve ordered thousands of Bibles for the inhabitants of America because we were running out. They’ve supported efforts to bring Jesus to the Native American Indians through land grants. They’ve even recommended the Aiken Bible for use in schools.

As the system has been removing God from our schools, they’ve been replacing Him and our Judeo-Christian beliefs with secular humanism. Something always fills a void. Over the years, the system has allowed for children to have abortions without the consent or knowledge of their parents, and they’ve put books on their students’ reading lists that promoted an alternative lifestyle.

In the absence of light there is darkness. In the absence of God, what is there? What do you think will fill that void?

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
John 8:12

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
John 3:19-20

I’m not picking on any one particular school system. I just want you to think about the last time a Gideon was at your local school. If it was recent, awesome! If not, just know that they did not quit visiting. Perhaps they just were not allowed in.

LIFE APPLICATION

Today’s challenge is to pray for the Gideon ministry and all of our missionaries around the world. Pray that the Gideons find open doors with your local school systems and open hearts as they do New Testament and Bible distributions. If your school system does not let them in, pray for change. Pray for God to show you how you can make that difference.