David Powlison's final book is now available at WTS Books
What Not To Say at the Beginning of a Worship Service by Tim Challies
4 Myths that Keep College Students from Joining a Church by Jim Davis
Yes, God Still Performs Miracles by Josh Buice
Rejecting Sinful Desires by John MacArthur
Never Do Ministry Alone by Michael Melton
Amillennialism with Dr. Sam Waldron by Covenant Podcast
Do Christians and Muslims Worship the Same God? by Sam Storms
Showing posts with label College. Show all posts
Showing posts with label College. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Thursday, August 27, 2015
5 Priorities for Christian College Students This Year
As college begins for college students all across our country, I am reminded about how overwhelming the experience was considering I was on my own and four hours away from home. I was ready for the challenges of the courses I was taking, which I underestimated, and also the opportunities God was going to give me. Looking back to my college years, I realized that my priorities, along with others, were mixed up. So I would like to offer a few priorities that Christian students, whether they attend a state or private college, need to have this coming year and for the rest of their time in college.
1. Keep God at the center of your life.
I am sure college students want to check out every organization when they get there as well as all the hangout places in their city, assuming they left their hometown. Also, I am sure college students are looking at their schedules wondering how to get to their classes and find out from others how the professor is. Regardless of the crazy schedules and the activities outside the classroom, Christian college students need to keep God as priority number one. Read the Bible, pray, memorize scripture, and grow in Christ. Also reading a good Christian book will help. I know with all the reading your have to do for class, who has time for extra reading. I know it may seem a little much for some of you, but it will be a benefit.
2. Plug into a church.
This Sunday is the first Sunday since the beginning of the college year and I challenge you to find a church and join it. If you live in the same city where you are a member and attend college, you are already ahead of some people. I challenge you to start this Sunday to look for a church the Holy Spirit is leading you not just to sit in the pew but also to serve. This may take a few weeks, but be prayerfully considering what church God will have you attend. Don't substitute the church with a parachurch organization such as the Baptist Student Ministries or Navigators, which are great organizations, but they are not the church.
3. Watch yourself.
College is where some Christian students will either yield to temptation or run away from it. Maintain purity in word, thought, and deed while in college. Yes, even you who attend a Christian college. You are not exempt. Guys, when you find a girlfriend, remember she is your sister in Christ. Girls, that guy is your brother in Christ. I strongly encourage that each of you have people that will hold you accountable during your college years. It could be an older saint, a fellow Christian student, or even a pastor at the church you are attending. I am not sure who said it, but there is an old saying, "Watch yourself before you wreck yourself."
4. Always be ready to give share Christ.
1 Peter 3:15 says, "always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." You are going to have students and maybe some professors that might as you why are you a Christian. Always be ready to make your case whether they accept it or not is not up to you. One of the biggest unhealthy teachings of evangelism is you are successful when someone responds to your witness. Jesus told us to proclaim the gospel to all of creation (Mark 16:15). Not once did he tell us that their response was up to us.
5. Remember the gospel.
College student you are going to fail. No, I am not talking about failing your class unless you don't study. I am referring to the fact you are not perfect. You might get angry at someone or even had a lustful thought. Yes, your sin will have consequences, but God is faithful and just and will forgive you of your sins (see 1 John 1:9). The gospel is the message you are to proclaim on your campus but also the message that keeps you going. Don't ever get tired of the gospel message just because you have heard it over and over again like you get tired of hearing some things in history. The gospel is not the beginning of the Christian Life, it is the message of the Christian life. That message that has passed on for generations is your message as well.
1. Keep God at the center of your life.
I am sure college students want to check out every organization when they get there as well as all the hangout places in their city, assuming they left their hometown. Also, I am sure college students are looking at their schedules wondering how to get to their classes and find out from others how the professor is. Regardless of the crazy schedules and the activities outside the classroom, Christian college students need to keep God as priority number one. Read the Bible, pray, memorize scripture, and grow in Christ. Also reading a good Christian book will help. I know with all the reading your have to do for class, who has time for extra reading. I know it may seem a little much for some of you, but it will be a benefit.
2. Plug into a church.
This Sunday is the first Sunday since the beginning of the college year and I challenge you to find a church and join it. If you live in the same city where you are a member and attend college, you are already ahead of some people. I challenge you to start this Sunday to look for a church the Holy Spirit is leading you not just to sit in the pew but also to serve. This may take a few weeks, but be prayerfully considering what church God will have you attend. Don't substitute the church with a parachurch organization such as the Baptist Student Ministries or Navigators, which are great organizations, but they are not the church.
3. Watch yourself.
College is where some Christian students will either yield to temptation or run away from it. Maintain purity in word, thought, and deed while in college. Yes, even you who attend a Christian college. You are not exempt. Guys, when you find a girlfriend, remember she is your sister in Christ. Girls, that guy is your brother in Christ. I strongly encourage that each of you have people that will hold you accountable during your college years. It could be an older saint, a fellow Christian student, or even a pastor at the church you are attending. I am not sure who said it, but there is an old saying, "Watch yourself before you wreck yourself."
4. Always be ready to give share Christ.
1 Peter 3:15 says, "always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." You are going to have students and maybe some professors that might as you why are you a Christian. Always be ready to make your case whether they accept it or not is not up to you. One of the biggest unhealthy teachings of evangelism is you are successful when someone responds to your witness. Jesus told us to proclaim the gospel to all of creation (Mark 16:15). Not once did he tell us that their response was up to us.
5. Remember the gospel.
College student you are going to fail. No, I am not talking about failing your class unless you don't study. I am referring to the fact you are not perfect. You might get angry at someone or even had a lustful thought. Yes, your sin will have consequences, but God is faithful and just and will forgive you of your sins (see 1 John 1:9). The gospel is the message you are to proclaim on your campus but also the message that keeps you going. Don't ever get tired of the gospel message just because you have heard it over and over again like you get tired of hearing some things in history. The gospel is not the beginning of the Christian Life, it is the message of the Christian life. That message that has passed on for generations is your message as well.
Friday, September 5, 2014
Around the Web-September 5, 2014
Like It or Not, You're A Theologian by Nate Carlson
Pizza Parlor Will Continue Church Bulletin Discount Despite FFRF Pressure, Bomb Threat
Dear College Students, Read These Books by Matt Smethurst
God Wants To Talk by J.A. Medders
Creeds and Confessions: Biblical and Beneficial by Daniel Hyde
Pizza Parlor Will Continue Church Bulletin Discount Despite FFRF Pressure, Bomb Threat
Dear College Students, Read These Books by Matt Smethurst
God Wants To Talk by J.A. Medders
Creeds and Confessions: Biblical and Beneficial by Daniel Hyde
Friday, August 29, 2014
Around The Web-August 29, 2014
Six Things Every Freshman Needs to Know by Sammy Rhodes
God Loves My Boring, Unimportant Neighborhood by Darren Carlson
Are You Worthy of Jesus? by John Piper
Eariler this week, David Platt was named president of the Internation Mission Board for the Southern Baptist Convention. Many, including me, are excited about this annoucement. J.D. Greear offers his take on what this signals about our future
Tim Keller on the Disappearing Umbrella Over Conservative Christians by Trevin Wax
4 Ways Pastors Lose Pulpits by Clint Archer
God Loves My Boring, Unimportant Neighborhood by Darren Carlson
Are You Worthy of Jesus? by John Piper
Eariler this week, David Platt was named president of the Internation Mission Board for the Southern Baptist Convention. Many, including me, are excited about this annoucement. J.D. Greear offers his take on what this signals about our future
Tim Keller on the Disappearing Umbrella Over Conservative Christians by Trevin Wax
4 Ways Pastors Lose Pulpits by Clint Archer
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Incoming Freshmen: Don't Forget The Church
As college starts this week, at least for us in Wichita Falls, I am reminded of my Freshman year going to a new city which means I would have to find a church to attend. Going to a Christian college, churches were all over campus getting students' attention as to why they should attend their church. Most of them served free food which is not a bad thing.
As students went from church to church, I was amazed by how many were going home to attend their church, which is not bad if you live close but you live far away, this a waste of gas, considering gas was not as high as it was when I attended college. That first Sunday, I attended Central Baptist Church and I believe God was leading me to join it. The next Sunday, I did under a watchmen program which was where I did not move my membership but I was part of the church. I have to say that was a mistake. If you are joining a church, you need to move your membership. Thankfully, I did move my membership from Champion Forest Baptist Church to Central which the leaders of the church asked me to do since I wanted the church to license me in the ministry.
Over the next few years, I was amazed at the number of Christian students in a Christian college who were not attending a church. They were letting the Baptist Student Ministries (BSM) take the place of the church which was very unbiblical. Not many moved their membership either and most of them were ministry students. My hope and prayer is that trend has ceased at East Texas Baptist University (ETBU).
If there is one thing I can write to the incoming Freshman, this would it: Don't forget the church. Christ died for the church and we are to be part of it. Just because you changed cities, it does not mean God has stopped his mission. We are be in community with other believers. If you are part of the BSM, that is great, but it is not a church. If your BSM tries to become a church and does not encourage church attendance whatsoever, get out.
I know many college towns have a lot of churches to choose from. My encouragement to you to take your time, attend a service, and pray. Ask the Lord where He would like for you to serve during your college years. Do not compare the church you attended to any other church in your city because you will not find one. Yes, the church you attend must teach in accord with sound doctrine and preach the Bible faithfully.
Whatever church God has called you to join, move your membership. Become part of a Sunday School class/Community group (depending on the context of the church) and be active in the ministry of the church. If you sing, join the choir or praise band (whatever the church has). If you are called to the ministry, talk with a church leader and see where you could be used to serve the body of Christ while getting your education. Also take your time in discern what church God is leading you too.
My prayer for you incoming Freshmen is to glorify God as you get your education and serve Him faithfully in the local church. My prayer is that you attend a church and not let the college world overwhelm you with the pressures of academics that will make you forget about the church and the fellowship you have with God.
As students went from church to church, I was amazed by how many were going home to attend their church, which is not bad if you live close but you live far away, this a waste of gas, considering gas was not as high as it was when I attended college. That first Sunday, I attended Central Baptist Church and I believe God was leading me to join it. The next Sunday, I did under a watchmen program which was where I did not move my membership but I was part of the church. I have to say that was a mistake. If you are joining a church, you need to move your membership. Thankfully, I did move my membership from Champion Forest Baptist Church to Central which the leaders of the church asked me to do since I wanted the church to license me in the ministry.
Over the next few years, I was amazed at the number of Christian students in a Christian college who were not attending a church. They were letting the Baptist Student Ministries (BSM) take the place of the church which was very unbiblical. Not many moved their membership either and most of them were ministry students. My hope and prayer is that trend has ceased at East Texas Baptist University (ETBU).
If there is one thing I can write to the incoming Freshman, this would it: Don't forget the church. Christ died for the church and we are to be part of it. Just because you changed cities, it does not mean God has stopped his mission. We are be in community with other believers. If you are part of the BSM, that is great, but it is not a church. If your BSM tries to become a church and does not encourage church attendance whatsoever, get out.
I know many college towns have a lot of churches to choose from. My encouragement to you to take your time, attend a service, and pray. Ask the Lord where He would like for you to serve during your college years. Do not compare the church you attended to any other church in your city because you will not find one. Yes, the church you attend must teach in accord with sound doctrine and preach the Bible faithfully.
Whatever church God has called you to join, move your membership. Become part of a Sunday School class/Community group (depending on the context of the church) and be active in the ministry of the church. If you sing, join the choir or praise band (whatever the church has). If you are called to the ministry, talk with a church leader and see where you could be used to serve the body of Christ while getting your education. Also take your time in discern what church God is leading you too.
My prayer for you incoming Freshmen is to glorify God as you get your education and serve Him faithfully in the local church. My prayer is that you attend a church and not let the college world overwhelm you with the pressures of academics that will make you forget about the church and the fellowship you have with God.
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