Teaching the Bible During School Hours: It’s Legal, and LifeWise Academy Is Making it Happen

Pastor Joel Penton discovered not too long ago a well-hidden law in the United States that allows children to be dismissed for one-hour during school for religious education. The only three stipulations: it must be off school property, it must be privately funded, and the child must have a parent’s permission. Pastor Penton said, “No problem.” He is the founder and CEO of Lifewise Academy, a non-profit created to teach the Bible to children during school hours. In less than five years, Lifewise is now operating in more than 300 schools and eleven states. And the numbers are growing. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith, Penton talks about what atheists’ organizations don’t want you to know, that God’s Word can be a part of a child’s daytime education. Public Schools by law are secular, but we’re also a nation steeped in faith. So, in 1952 the Supreme Court ruled that public school students could be released during school hours to receive religious instruction as a means to providing that faith formation. Lifewise Academy is making it happen.