Take Jesus to College | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: Take Jesus to College | Previous Challenge Entry
By Janna Kampen
06/12/07
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TAKE JESUS TO COLLEGE

Take Jesus to college. College is an exciting adventure - a lot of work and a lot of fun. College is a challenge. College students can get busy and side tracked from their faith, but now is the time to keep your relationship with God strong. Here are some keys to doing just that:

PRAY
Many people think prayer has to be scheduled, but prayer can be done any time – walking from class to class, waiting for a lecture, in the cafeteria food line, before you study. “Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1Thess. 5:16-17)

One of my favorite times to pray is before I get out of bed. I give my day to God. This sets the tone for the day and puts my focus on Him and off the concerns of my world. “In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” (Psalm 5:3) I end the day in prayer as well, lying in bed and talking with my Jesus – thoughts about the day, thanking Him, praising Him. We need to spend time with people to maintain relationship and the same is true about our relationship with God.

GET CONNECTED WITH CHRISTIANS ON CAMPUS.
Check with the student union office or on-line to connect with a Christian organization such as Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Campus Life, or Campus Crusade for Christ. They have group fellowship time, Bible studies, and opportunities for outreach. These believers face the same challenges as you. One of Satan’s ways to get believers away from faith is to isolate them. We need each other. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

GET CONNECTED WITH A LOCAL CHURCH
Your campus group is great, but you need to be connected with a local church. Ask your pastor if there is a church they can recommend in your college town and do an internet search. Take time before you arrive to find a church or two or three you would like to visit. Don’t be afraid to ask for mission and doctrinal statements. Prayerfully consider and find a church home so you don’t spend all year church hopping. When you do choose a church, find a place to be plugged in - helping in the nursery, assisting with youth group, teaching Sunday school, serving communion – the possibilities are endless. Ask if there is an older Christian who would mentor you. Some churches in college towns have families that “adopt” a college student.

READ YOUR BIBLE.
All the reading you’re assigned in classes can be overwhelming, but don’t let that stop you from reading and studying your Bible. Pick up a devotion book, read a Psalm each evening, or attend a small group Bible study or Sunday school class. Just reading a evening can set your heart on Him. God’s word is one of the main avenues he uses to talk to believers. We need to listen. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

DECIDE ON CONVICTIONS BEFORE YOU GET THERE.
Know what your convictions are and how you will deal with tough situations before you are stuck in the middle of them. Sexual purity – how far are you willing to go before marriage? Alcohol – what are you going to do if you’re at a party where alcohol is being served? Drugs –what will you do when you’re falling asleep studying and someone offers you a “great way to stay awake”? “Now flee from youthful lusts, an pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” (2 Tim 2:22)

We need our friends and our family. We need our Lord. We are concerned with our food and clothes and finances. We need to be concerned with our spiritual health. Be intentional in your walk with the Lord and take Jesus to college.
(Scripture references are all New International Version)

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