College is a time of life that unfortunately changes many men and women. Kids out of high school get excited about being out of mom and dad’s house, and going to live away in a dorm to finally be free. They anticipate new friendships and activities, and may even have good intentions of staying faithful to God. However, if they don’t surround themselves with Christian friends, many stray away from their faith. How can students be faithful to God while in college? The main point is simple. Keep doing the things that have made you stronger in the Lord each day. What things?
Be Intentional With The Word
Only true knowledge and wisdom is found in the Bible. College students get bombarded with many things that contradict the Bible while in class. It is a must that they return to real truth, the Bible, daily. In John 17:17 Jesus says, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth.” When we are reading the Bible we receive truth and are sanctified. Sanctified is defined as “to set apart to a sacred purpose” in the Merriam-Webster online dictionary. Holding fast to God’s Word keeps us set apart because when we saturate our minds with God’s Word, we naturally will want to follow it because we have made it a priority in our lives. Not only does the Word do this, but it also gives us ammunition against the schemes of Satan. When you read about Jesus being tempted in the wilderness, you will find that every single time Satan tempted Jesus, Jesus fired Scripture right back at him. Ephesians 6:17b describes the Word as a weapon, “And the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Meditating on the Word will keep any college Christian on the right track. “For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Keep A Daily Prayer Life
It is so important that students make time every single day to pray to God. I don’t mean a quick prayer while driving to class. I mean a time set aside where they are alone in their room with no distractions. “How He Loves” by David Crowder starts off with the line “He is jealous for me.” Amen! He is! When you are spending time with Him in prayer you are telling God, “I love You! I need to hear Your voice.” Here are 3 verses from James to encourage us all to stay in prayer:
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“He yearns jealously over the Spirit that He has made to dwell in us.” (James 4:5)
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“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8a)
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“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.” (James 4:10)
Prayer also keeps us “others minded”. If we aren’t making time for God, we naturally gravitate to pleasing our own desires. However, God speaks to us in prayer. He puts people in our minds to pray for. Parents, pray for your children in college. Students, pray for your unbelieving friends, that they may find true joy in the Lord. For your Christian friends at school, think like this: “I thank God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all, making my prayer with joy.” (Philippians 1:3-4) Prayer will bring a refreshing sensation over you, even in the darkest times of school. God is seeking you always, so give Him your undivided attention through prayer each and every day!
Intentional Local Missions
As believers, we are supposed to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the hurting world. Students, find things you can do for God’s glory on your campus and the town your school is in. Some things to check out are: soup kitchens, nursing homes, orphanages, hospitals, homeless shelters and the elderly in your community. There are many things that you can do to be Jesus to your community. When you are serving God, you will stay on the faithful, straight and narrow path. Casting Crowns’ song “If we Are The Body” always puts this back into perspective for me. The chorus to the song says, “But if we are the body, why aren’t His arms reaching? Why aren’t His hands healing? Why aren’t His words teaching? And if we are the body, why aren’t His feet going? Why is His love not showing them there is a way? There is a way!” Men and women in college, be the body of Christ and show his love to everyone you can! Many times the reward is far greater for the ones who give then the ones who receive. You will feel an overwhelming sensation of joy when you serve others.
Sing Sing Sing!
Men and women in college, take time to praise God through song! Sing to Him while the radio is playing! Sing in the shower! Write a love song to God! If Jesus is truly in your heart, then joy is there too! Even if you think your voice isn’t the best, God does! He wants to hear your voice singing to Him. He wants to hear you desperately, so much, that He sings for you! “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty One who will save; He will REJOICE OVER YOU with GLADNESS; He will quiet you by His love. He will EXULT OVER YOU with LOUD SINGING!” (Zephaniah 3:17) He knows you and loves you desperately! He rejoices over you! He sings over you! What a better response than to sing right back to Him! Worshipping God through song is a wonderful way to be connected with God and to remain faithful while going to school. So give it all you got!
Make Christian Friends
God made us a family for a reason. Find some brothers and sisters in Christ that can hold you accountable. Get involved in a Bible study and enjoy some deep conversations about the Bible. Spend time with your friends and really get to know them. Pray with them and for them. Serve with them. Jesus promised that He is with us when we agree together and ask together in His name. “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in Heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them.” (Matthew 18:19-20) You will remain faithful when you remain friends with Christian brothers and sisters.
Conclusion
College can be a tough time to stay faithful, but if you are intentional, you will do just fine. Make time to read your Bible. Make time for prayer. Make time to serve others. Make time to sing praises to God. Spend time with fellow Christians. All of these things will help you stay the course and finish the race well! God bless you all in college as you live a life worthy of the calling!
Take a look at this other article for college kids:
“Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” Youtube “If we are the body” by Casting Crowns
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