Enrol your child in SRE: you won’t regret it

Let me take you back to a memory from my childhood. It’s not something I think about every day, but it sticks with me. I remember sitting in my school classroom, my legs crossed, as the teacher opened the Bible. I was one of the kids who didn’t hear about God or Jesus at home. But, for that half hour once a week, I was part of a group that listened to stories from the Bible. I didn’t realise it back then, but those moments were the foundation of my faith development. SRE was the only place I was hearing about God’s love, his promises, and what Jesus had done for me.

Fast forward to today. I’m a parent, just like you, raising my own children with the same desire to point them towards Jesus. But I also know how busy life can get. Between school, after-school activities, and everything in between, it’s easy to let my children’s faith development sometimes fall lower on the list of priorities than I would like to admit. 

That’s why I’m so thankful for Special Religious Education (SRE) classes at school. Let me share four reasons why Christian SRE can make all the difference in your child’s spiritual journey—and why I believe it’s worth enrolling your kids.

1. A peer environment

As I mentioned, I was one of those kids who didn’t hear about God outside of SRE. My parents didn’t talk much about Jesus at home. If not for my friend inviting me to her Sunday School, I would never have visited a church in my life! But once a week, SRE offered a chance for me to learn from the Bible and connect with kids who were learning the same things. It was a small but powerful way to build a foundation.

Your child might not be in the same situation as I was. They might hear about God at church or at home, but for many kids, SRE is the only time they hear Bible stories during the week. Whether it's about David and Goliath, the Good Samaritan, or Jesus calming the storm, these lessons can spark curiosity and questions. In a group setting, they also get to connect with other kids, and that peer influence can help deepen their understanding of and excitement about God’s word.

But in order to have a peer environment, students need peers! Imagine if the parents of the ten  church-going kids in my grade decided not to enrol their children in my SRE class! How lonely would I have been! This is especially important in high school SRE, where students might feel social pressures not to attend—but it’s an opportunity for your child to make a public stand as a Christian by being in the class.

2. Building moral foundations

We all want our kids to grow up with a strong sense of right and wrong, to know the value of kindness, honesty, and respect. But in a world where values can often be confusing, the principles taught in SRE are clear. These classes don’t just teach Bible stories—they help your children understand how those stories apply to everyday life. Whether it’s learning to forgive, showing compassion to others, or standing up for what’s right, SRE is an opportunity for kids to learn timeless moral lessons that will guide them throughout their lives.

Teaching such lessons in a school environment is so powerful. For church-going students, it helps them realise that what is taught at home and what is taught at church has relevance in all aspects of life. For those who don’t go to church, they can begin to see that the ethical underpinnings of the school’s values stem from God’s word. 

For example, at my son’s school, they have a positive behaviours framework of being safe, respectful and responsible learners—values which find their core in the ‘greatest commandment’ that Jesus teaches (Matthew 22:33–40). In high school, as their experiences and world views are broadening, it’s helpful for students to see where the origins of our laws, our culture, our history, and even our schooling systems have come from—God’s word!

3. A safe place to ask questions

I’ll be honest with you: growing up, I didn’t always understand everything I heard in SRE. But the great thing about those classes was that they encouraged questions. I had a safe space to explore big ideas! I very distinctly remember asking my Year 5 teacher if I had to remember to ask for forgiveness for every single sin in order for God to forgive me! I wanted forgiveness, I wanted to be right with God, but I didn’t understand that Christ died for sins once for all (2 Peter 3:18)! For kids who are starting to ask those deep questions about life and faith, SRE provides a great place to discover answers.

These early conversations can be transformative for their spiritual journey, helping them form a personal understanding of who God is and why he matters. As parents, we can continue those conversations at home, but the SRE teacher’s guidance is often the spark that ignites those discussions.

My sons surprised me with one question the other day while we were walking our dog. One son has looking at the Exodus in SRE. He asked: ‘What’s the difference between the Exodus and the Exile?’ It was a lovely opportunity to chat through the unfolding story of God’s word in the Old Testament—and one that we wouldn’t have had without SRE!

4. Consistency and routine

We all know how easy it is for the routine to get chaotic. Schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and the endless list of things that need to be done can make it hard to prioritise spiritual growth. But SRE offers a regular rhythm—one that’s easy for you as a parent to keep track of. It’s a built-in time each week when your child gets to step out of the busy flow of life and connect with God.

For busy families, consistency is key. SRE is one of those simple commitments that can have a long-lasting impact. Plus, it’s a great way for your kids to develop a habit of engaging with their faith that sticks with them throughout their lives.

A step toward building your child’s faith

As a fellow parent, I understand how tough it can be to manage everything. But enrolling your child in SRE is a small commitment that can make a big impact. It’s not about adding more stress or to-dos to your plate; it’s about making sure that your child has the opportunity to hear about God, form a foundation of faith, and grow in character. And let’s face it—how often do we get an easy opportunity to help our kids grow spiritually?

If you’re unsure about where to start, I encourage you to ask your child’s school about the SRE classes available. If they aren’t offered yet, you might want to speak with the principal or reach out to your local church to see if there’s an opportunity to get involved.

In the end, every little step counts, and enrolling your child in SRE is a great place to start. Make that commitment today and give your child the gift of a faith that lasts a lifetime.

Action points:

•    Find out when SRE is offered at your children’s high school and/or primary school.
•    Ask your school or local church about the possibility of starting SRE if it’s not yet available. Or reach out to info@christiansre.com.au for support.
•    Check the enrolment link which is accessed here to make sure your child is enrolled in SRE.
•    Pray for your child’s spiritual journey and consider how you can support what they are learning in SRE.
•    Consider how you might contribute to SRE. Could you give your time as a teacher or helper? Could you give your support by checking-in with a teacher? Could you give financially to an SRE Board or organisation?

Let’s work together to help our kids grow up with a solid foundation in God’s love and truth. You don’t have to do it all—SRE is here to help!

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Before training for ministry, Jenn taught courses in English Literature, History and Cultural Studies at universities in Australia and China. Jenn's ministry passion and experience is in SRE. She lives and serves in the South of Sydney with her husband and two children.

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