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Released-time Good News Clubs are Bible classes children may attend once a week during school hours. They are an excellent opportunity for children in the public schools to hear the Gospel and learn the truth from God's Word.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1952 in Zorach vs. Clauson that released-time religious instruction is constitutional. Today released-time religious instruction is still legal in all 50 states. There are basically three guidelines that must be followed:
- Classes must be held off school property.
- No public funds may be used to finance such programs.
- Students must have signed parental permission to attend.
Released-time Good News Clubs are a ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowship. CEF ® was founded in 1937 by Rev. J. Irvin Overholtzer, a man with a God-given vision for reaching boys and girls in need of the Savior. Today his vision lives on in over 150 countries where CEF serves.
Although CEF has many strong outreach ministries to children, Good News Clubs are especially important. We work in cooperation with public schools to supplement the children's education with biblical principles. Strong Bible teaching not only helps children grow spiritually, but also has a positive impact on their personal growth and home life, school performance, and decision-making skills.
What is taught in released-time Good News Clubs
Each week the teachers present an exciting Bible lesson using colorful materials from CEF Press ® . This action-packed time with the children also includes songs, Scripture memory, a missions story and review games or other activities focused on the lesson's theme.
As with all CEF ministries, the purpose of after-school Good News Clubs is to evangelize boys and girls with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and establish (disciple) them in the Word of God and in a local church for Christian living. To accomplish this goal, each club includes a clear presentation of the Gospel and an opportunity for children to trust Jesus as Savior. Each club also includes strong discipleship training to build character and strengthen moral and spiritual growth. All clubbers are encouraged to attend a local church.
Why do children need to learn biblical principles?
- Every day in America:
6 children commit suicide
13 children are homicide victims
14 children are killed by firearms
5,753 children are arrested
34 children die from accidents
1,329 babies are born to teenage mothers
367 children are arrested for drug abuse
17,297 public school students are suspended
- Children's Defense Fund
- " If a person does not accept Jesus Christ as Savior before the age of 14, the likelihood of ever doing so is slim."
- Barna Research
- A nationwide survey of more than 4,200 young people and adults provided the following statistics regarding the likelihood of various ages choosing Christ as Savior:
ages 5-13 -- 32%
ages 14-18 -- 4%
ages 19 or older -- 6%
Do the children miss valuable instruction time? The principal of each school chooses the hour which least conflicts with the children's educational time. It may be during their lunch hour or the last period of the day. While children attend club, they learn biblical principles that supplement their public school education. This is an opportunity they may not get anywhere else. How would these clubs work in my school? Released-time Good News Clubs would be an asset to your school and not add any cost or liability to the school district. Children who wish to participate would be dismissed for 30 minutes to an hour per week and walked (or if necessary bused) to a nearby location. At least one adult for every five to eight children would always be present. Will you help with CEF Released-time? Currently CEF has over 1,100 released-time clubs reaching more than 31,000 students in 37 states. Our vision is to take the Gospel to every school, whether through released-time Good News Clubs meeting off school grounds during classroom hours, or after-school Good News Clubs meeting on campus after classes have ended.
To achieve this goal we need many volunteers. If you would like to know more about how you can get involved in this exciting ministry, please contact us.
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