This time of year, it can become tough for students to stay focused. Homework fatigue sets in just as spring weather beckons kids outdoors, and everyone is eager to escape those rigid school routines—including parents and teachers! So how can we help our tweens finish the school year strong?

Encourage them with these principles from Scripture.

Remember who you work for
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” (Colossians 3:23)

Ask your kids—Why do you go to school? To learn knowledge, discipline, and social skills? Sure. There are lots of benefits to an education, yet our motivation should be first and foremost to glorify God. As Christians, we work hard because it honors Him.

Resist distractions
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1)

Can you run a race with rope tied around your feet? Of course not! Temptations and distractions are like that rope. They’ll get us all tangled up until we can’t complete the race God told us to run. Tell your tween: School is your job. It’s the work God has given you to do at this stage in life. So don’t allow anything to hinder you from doing it well.

Persevere
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)

The Bible says a lot about the value of perseverance, or “pressing on” toward the goal God has in store for us. Perseverance builds our character and makes us more like Jesus. Even the Apostle Paul—the guy God chose to grow His church and write much of the New Testament—had to “press on” in His work, so remember you are in good company!

Rewards are coming
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

As the school year winds down and students get tired of hard work and expectations, the easy choice is to give up. But the right choice is to keep working hard, and God will reward us for that. Each school year is a chance to keep “doing good” as God grows you into the person He designed you to be!

Rely on God
“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

Ultimately, we can rely on God’s strength to help us finish the school year strong. God has a plan for each of us, and when we seek His help and obey His will for our lives—to work hard, resist distractions, and trust Him—He is the one who will make sure it all works out in the end.

So parents, let’s encourage our tweens: As you face these final weeks of school, do your best—and God will do the rest. Praise Him!