Certainly teachers have heard “every excuse in the book,” and then some! Along with the teachers, parents are in that same boat — no excuse surprises them anymore! But, here’s what I’d like you to consider. Are Christians writing a 
whole new volume of excuses?
It’s not just kids anymore, but adult Christians are finding “every excuse in the book” to justify their
conscious decision to avoid an assembly of the Lord’s church. Some are writing a whole new volume of “every excuse in the book” to rationalize their kids not participating in church youth group activities, to excuse their own lack of involvement in works of the church, to defend their defiance toward the efforts of the elders, to validate in their own minds putting just a few dollars into the contribution basket each Sunday, to legitimize mistreating fellows Christians, etc.
If teachers and parents have “heard it all,” how many excuses do you suppose God has heard? How many volumes could He fill with the excuses that we have offered, which we consider so convincing, so valid, so acceptable? God, please help me to stop making excuses!