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When I say high school, what's the first thing that comes to mind?

Sara: Learning.

Ryan: Crowded hallways and trying to walk down them between classes.

Annie: The show Saved by the Bell.

Laura: My friends.

Danny: Being out of junior high, but not ready for college.

What do you love about school?

Danny: Just being with my friends, whether that's during after-school sports or in between classes.

Sara: I love the teachers. Especially my English teacher, Mrs. Gummerson. She involves the entire class with projects and makes learning fun.

Ryan: I like to be with my friends and socialize, especially during lunch. There's a core group that sits at my table, both Christians and non-Christians. We talk about everything from "What kind of car would you buy if you had this much money?" to "Where are you with God?" One time an atheist sat at our table and we got into an awesome conversation about what he believed and why. And we got to tell him what we believed and why.

Laura: I love our lunchtime conversations. There are only two Christians who sit at my lunch table, so we kind of come up with what topic we'd like to talk about, such as "What kind of person do you want to marry?" Those questions lead to some pretty good conversations.

So, what do you dread about school?

Sara: The long hours. Life for me is basically school, track, homework, a part-time job on the weekends and sleep.

Annie: I dread situations with non-Christians, especially inappropriate conversations that could come up—and how I can keep myself out of them. Sometimes a couple of guys at my lunch table start talking about things they know bother me, but they do it anyway. I usually just leave the table.

Laura: My friends know where I stand and that I'm a Christian and some of them have rejected me. They test me and try to wear me down, trying to get me to give in to whatever they're doing, like alcohol. I hate being rejected by these friends, but I know I'm in their life so they can know about Christ.

Ryan: I dread the temptations I face at school. I just walk down the halls and have people offer me things, like cigarettes, and invite me to parties. I just never know when they might hit me at a weak spot or when I'm feeling down.

Danny: There's just so much temptation. Every day when I walk home from school I pass a group of smokers. I like to walk home with my Christian friends, so I know I'll have support if I'm ever offered anything.

If I were to stand in your hallway during school, what would I see and hear?

Sara: You'd see a lot of different personalities and styles of clothes. And people making fun of other people, usually to show off.

Annie: By my locker I hear, "Do you want to go out and grab a cigarette?", "Will you ditch the next class with me?", "What happened Friday night at so-and-so's house?" or "He broke up with me." Lots of gossip.

What's everyone gossiping about?

Sara: Lots of stuff—things that could really hurt someone.

Danny: There's a lot being said that isn't even true, so you have to be careful who you believe.

Ryan: A lot of times gossip starts because someone's holding a grudge and they want to spread rumors throughout the school. Or other times you hear people bragging about sex. Like guys talking about who slept with the most girls over the weekend. They use it so they can feel better about themselves and their reputation.

What's a Christian supposed to do when they hear gossip?

Annie: You have to let it stop at your ears and not let it go any further. And if it's a really good piece of gossip, it's usually not true.

Ryan: One time, I heard that a friend had said some things about me. It would've been easy for me to start rumors about him. Instead, I called him up and asked him about the rumors I was hearing. He told me he'd never said anything like that. So if you go directly to the source it gets cleared up pretty fast.

How have you taken a stand for your faith at school?

Sara: Well, a lot of my friends have a problem with lying and I try to encourage them to tell the truth. I used to lie to my parents quite a bit, but I found that if you don't lie you save yourself from being caught in a big mess.

Laura: I was tired of being a hypocrite, so I started to live out my faith. Some of my friends have noticed the changes I've made and asked me about them. And at the lunch table we talk about all kinds of stuff, so I can bring up my faith there.

Danny: I try to be a gentleman and do what's right. I don't want to just say that Jesus is my Savior, but really live it.

Ryan: I think you can stand up for your faith in the little things, like wearing a Christian T-shirt. Also, my friends and I decided that we'd pray out loud as a group before we eat lunch. Other people see that, and sometimes ask about it.

What does it mean to be a true friend in high school?

Sara: Someone who stands up for you or helps you with your problems. And when you're down, it's someone who gets your spirits back up. It's not easy to be a true friend, because you really have to "be there" for someone.

Annie: I have a friend I've called countless times when I'm upset. Two weeks later I probably wouldn't remember what we talked about, but at the time it's the most important thing in the world. It's good to have someone who really listens to you.

Ryan: I have two friends that I'd drop everything to help them. At the heart of every friendship there needs to be willingness to sacrifice if you have to.

Danny: There are four or five people I'm really close to. I can talk to them about my problems. They'd help me if I was ever in trouble, and I'd do the same for them.

Laura: I've lost a lot of my so-called "true" friends because of my faith in Christ. I find it hard to really connect with them on all levels because we don't share the same beliefs. For a Christian, true friendship must be based on Christ.

Is high school something you've survived or enjoyed?

Sara: Both. You have to survive the workload and try to get really good grades to attend a good college. But you need to enjoy it at the same time. There has to be a balance between work and play.

Danny: There are a lot of fun things about high school, like sports and social things. And even some of the classes are fun. But then there are classes you just have to take to graduate.

Laura: I think high school should be a place where you give your best. Whether that's in class or witnessing to your non-Christian friends, taking every opportunity to bring God into a conversation.

Annie: I see high school as a big game of Survivor. Only the best—the most popular—come out on top, but those who are voted off, so to speak, can sometimes come out stronger than they started.

Ryan: I don't think high school should just be something to survive. I can't think of a better place where a large group of people your own age, with such a mix of personalities, could gather and spend eight hours a day, five days a week. It's an opportunity of a lifetime for Christian teens. If you're just trying to survive your classes, you're not going to see the opportunities God has placed in front of you to share his love with your friends.

Read more from 'Faith & Values'

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