Podcast Summary: "Bringing Good News to Kids in Public School"

Focus on the Family with Jim Daly – September 29, 2025
Guest: Corey Pennypacker, CEO of Bible to School
Key Theme: Empowering Christians to legally and effectively introduce public school children to the gospel

Overview

In this episode, Jim Daly and John Fuller welcome Corey Pennypacker, CEO of Bible to School, to shed light on an often misunderstood but powerful opportunity: legally bringing the message of Christ to children in public schools during the school day. The discussion centers on "release time" programs, the immense spiritual need among children, and practical steps for Christian parents and community members to engage both their kids and local schools with biblical truth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Legal Framework: Bringing Bible Classes to Public Schools

• Release Time Programs Explained
  "It's called a release time court rulings. It's federal court rulings that say you can release... kids from school, public school for a religious class of their choice.”—Corey (03:29)

  • All 50 states have the legal provision for release time religious instruction, provided three conditions are met:
    • Classes are off-site
    • Parental permission is obtained
    • No taxpayer money is used
  • The Supreme Court upheld this practice in 1952.
  • Many people, including school administrators, are unaware it’s legal.

• Why Isn’t Every School Doing This?
  "I think it's... people don't know about it.”—Corey (04:40)

  • The primary hurdle is lack of awareness.
  • Advocacy and education are needed for broader adoption.

2. How Bible to School Works: Structure and Impact

• Program Practicalities

  • Focus: Elementary grades 2–5 (the “4-14 window” when spiritual formation is most effective—10:07)
  • Duration: One hour per week (09:50)
  • Location: Local church within walking/driving distance; children are escorted off school property
  • Activities: Large group teaching, hands-on learning (VBS style), small group spiritual questions, and worship time (08:09)

• Unique Approach

  • Key differentiator: “Think about it” questions during small group time, nurturing spiritual curiosity and relationships.
  • Many students (50-60%) have no prior church experience or knowledge.

3. Changing Lives: Student and Family Transformation

• Memorable Student Stories

  • Gabriel’s Salvation: "I've always wanted to know how to get to heaven, but no one's ever told me.”—Gabriel, 3rd grade (07:04)

  • Johnny’s Family Impact:
    Johnny tells his mom (who is struggling), "Mom, we need to go to church. We need Jesus." This leads to the whole family finding faith. (17:20)

  • Girl with the Notebook:
    She takes notes to explain who God is to her dad who doesn't know Him. (15:14) "My dad doesn't know who God is and I want to be able to tell him."—Corey (15:35)

  • Colson’s Leadership:
    Colson, after his Bible to School experience, creates a Bible hour at his middle school. "I realized I can live my faith all week long."—Colson (26:02)

• On-Ramp to Church Attendance

  • 15%–18% of Bible to School parents start attending church after their children participate. (15:49)
  • The program reaches unchurched families and offers a route into Christian community.

4. Responding to Cultural and Parental Concerns

• Impact on Children’s Wellbeing

  • Reference to Dartmouth’s “Hardwired to Connect” study: children are wired for spiritual and social connection, improving stress and anxiety levels (10:56)
  • Spiritual resilience is a valuable antidote to modern cultural and personal challenges.

• Christian Parent’s Role

  • Corey emphasizes preparation over protection:
    “Preparation is protection... get them involved in Bible to School, get them involved in youth group and get them involved in church.” (19:30, 01:23)

  • Public schools remain the primary educational setting (87% of Christian parents), so engagement with children and schools is vital.

5. Overcoming Opposition and Legal Concerns

• Most pushback arises from ignorance of the law, not ideological opposition. (12:37)
• Bible to School helps local teams “stay in your legal lane” and provides resources to address concerns.

6. How to Get Involved: Practical Steps and Resources

• Starting a Program

  • Website: BibleToSchool.com
  • 4-step process supported by membership toolbox: templates, curriculum, live coaching, and community tools (22:50)
  • Focus on building a local volunteer team, securing a church venue, and organizing transportation if necessary.

• Benefits to Churches and Pastors

  • Drives community engagement and church attendance by making the church a visible, supportive presence in children’s and families’ lives. (24:18)

• Encouragement for Christians Everywhere

  • “Your story could have fit in Truth Rising as someone who was busy... And yet you said, no, I'm going to engage these seconds and to fifth graders and show them the gospel.”—Jim (22:05)
  • Emphasis on ordinary Christians making extraordinary impact by volunteering and starting programs.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Children’s Openness:
  "There was something special between children and the Lord... they tell the truth. You're fat, you're skinny... kids just say the straightforward things." —Jim Daly (01:48)

• On the State of Faith Among Kids:
  "Every week in Bible to School, kids say, 'Who's God? I've never heard of him.' Or they think Jesus is a swear word." —Corey (07:12)

• On Parental Impact:
  "They want to know about God. They want to tell everybody they know about God. They bring their friends." —Corey (15:36)

• On Church and School Partnership:
  "When a church partners with a local school, people pay attention and they really make a difference in the community." —Corey (24:44)

• On Living Faith Publicly:
  "I realized I can live my faith all week long." —Colson, former student (26:02)

• Final Encouragement:
  "Don't take the bait of being comfortable by being silent." —Jim Daly (26:36)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Legal Framework for Release Time: 03:29–05:15
• Why This Age Group? (The 4-14 Window): 10:07–11:40
• Gabriel’s Story: 06:07–07:06
• Program Structure: 08:09–09:50
• Family Impact Stories: 15:03–18:01
• Parental Preparation: 19:16–20:35
• How to Start a Program: 22:50–24:05
• Colson’s Middle School Bible Hour: 25:40–26:19
• Challenge to Listeners: 26:18–27:30

Takeaway

This episode offers a compelling vision for Christian involvement in public schools—legally, relationally, and transformationally. By leveraging well-established rights and simple acts of volunteerism, ordinary believers can bring hope, change lives, and turn the tide for families and communities in need of biblical truth.

To get started: Visit BibleToSchool.com for guidance, resources, and support—or encourage your church to partner with a local school.

For further inspiration:
Check out the documentary Truth Rising and its companion study at focusonthefamily.com.

“You could be on the front lines of watching kids lives change, and their families' lives change. It's a beautiful thing.”—Corey Pennypacker (27:04)