Education That Prepares Students for Life
Last Friday, BJU and BJU Seminary conferred degrees on 650 students, launching many of them into “life after college.” But as a Christian liberal arts university, we do more than prepare students for their job or next degree. We prepare students for a life of purpose.
Live to Worship
Living purposefully begins with worship. Everyone is a worshipper. The habits of our hearts draw our desires, attention and affections to something or someone. As Christians, that someone should be God. In fact, the greatest commandment is to love the Lord our God with our entire being (Matt. 22:37-38). We are to worship Him with our whole hearts because He is the only One who deserves our full devotion.
All of life — not just Sundays, though especially Sundays — should be lived in adoration of our God. We can worship Him even when we’re doing simple things like washing dishes or studying for classes because there’s no difference between sacred and secular. We should do all to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31).
Live to Work
It’s no surprise that education is meant to prepare students for work. But while many think about what work to do after college, it is more important to ask, “Who has God called me to be?”
Contrary to popular opinion, you can’t be anything you want to be. Rather, God has called you, His redeemed child, to be someone because he cares about you as an individual.
It’s important that a Christian or seminary education helps you understand how God has gifted you and how to develop and practically steward your gifts. However, learning about your identity in Christ is most important to understanding who God wants you to be because your work’s significance flows from that identity.
Live to Wage War
Christian education would not be complete without preparing students for spiritual warfare. Clearly, our culture is becoming more hostile toward the Gospel and Christian ethics and morals. There’s a real battle here. But while you do need to be ready for those battles, that’s not the warfare I’m talking about.
The most important battles we fight are within, not without.
Stress and pressure of getting a degree bring out self-centeredness, anxiety and fear. But these trials are part of the sanctification process. Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:10 that even though becoming more like Christ has its struggles, the reality of Christ’s resurrection affects us as we experience trials. Plus, those trials teach us to submit to Christ and walk by faith rather than pursue our own way.
Live to Gain Wealth
Christian education also prepares students for a life of wealth — but not the wealth the world offers. True wealth, Jesus explains in Luke 12, is found in a deep, rich relationship with Him, which is made possible through the Gospel. We brought nothing into this world and can take nothing out of it except for that relationship.
Jesus also tells us that true riches are found in Gospel-centered relationships we pursue and develop with those around us. What better place to invest in and influence others than at a Christian college or seminary?
Live with Wisdom
Loving God with your entire being, fulfilling God’s calling, walking by faith, and developing Gospel relationships are all achieved by pursuing a life of wisdom. Proverbs 17:16 says, “Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he has no sense?” The word “sense” means “core or motivation.” It refers to desires and motivations — what we’re willing to invest ourselves in. Learning and growing is more than showing up. It requires investment.
This is what BJU and BJU Seminary is all about. We provide a Christian education that prepares students for all of life.
Are you ready to invest in your education? Learn more about BJU and BJU Seminary and apply today!
As discussed by Gary Weier on The Steve Noble Show on May 12
