Commentary

Week: September 15th - September 19th, 2025

9/15/25 - California Standards & The Gospel

The California Department of Education wants every sixth-grader in California’s public schools to know the Gospel.

The California Department of Education’s academic standards for sixth-grade Social Studies says this when it comes to learning about the Roman Empire and the birth of Christianity:

[Students are to] “Note the origins of Christianity in the Jewish Messianic prophecies, the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as described in the New Testament, and the contribution of St. Paul the Apostle to the definition and spread of Christian beliefs (e.g., belief in the Trinity, resurrection, salvation).”

What’s in your state’s academic standards? You can get our summary of your state’s academic standards showing where the Bible and Christianity can be taught at GoGateways.org/standards.

9/16/25 - Freedom to Do as I Ought

In America, freedom is a core value. The Declaration of Independence states that we are endowed by our “Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” But the Founders didn’t think that liberty means the right to do whatever you want to do. Instead, it means the right to do what you ought to do. As Ben Franklin said, “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.” 

From a civil standpoint, that is one reason why religion is so important to a society. It helps people govern their actions on something higher than their own self-interest.

Download your free copy of Faith of our Fathers: Family devotions from the words of America’s Founding Fathers. Visit GoGateways.org/download.

9/17/25 - Take a Step of Faith

This school year, think of the opportunities you’ll have to be a positive Christian witness to those you interact with in your children’s schools.

God put you right where you are for such as time as this. There are three steps I recommend you take: First, make a list of people you will interact with at school- teachers, administrators, staff, and other parents. Next, ask God to open doors to be an influence in their lives. Then, when God opens a door, take a step of faith with Him and minister to them. So often we only think about what our schools are doing for us. I challenge you to pray about what you can do to reflect Christ to the people in your schools.

You can be a gateway to better education for your school. For helpful reources visit our HOME PAGE.

9/18/25 - Why We Pledge “Under God”

Why is the phrase “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance so important? Thomas Jefferson and our other Founding Fathers understood that the government does not give us our freedom. Our freedom comes from God, and the government was established to protect that God-given freedom. In the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson wrote:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness..."

No president or congress or crowd gives us our rights. They come from God Himself and are unalienable. That is what is meant when we say “under God” in the Pledge.

You can be a gateway to better education for your students and children. For help, visit our SHOP to see our beautiful Pledge poster that explains each phrase of the Pledge.

9/19/25 - Liberties are a Gift from God

Thomas Jefferson believed that if a nation moves away from its belief in God, the freedom of its citizens will be in jeopardy.

Thomas Jefferson wrote about the importance of always remembering that our liberty comes from God. He wrote these words, which are now engraved on his memorial in Washington DC: “God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God “?

Jefferson’s words reflect what the Psalmist wrote: “Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all His benefits…”

The Founders wrote so much about God and government you could have family’s devotions connecting their words to Scripture. In fact, we’ve done it for you. Download our free family devotional, Faith of Our Fathers. Simply visit GoGateways.org/download.