Decision For Christ Counsel And Encouragement For Young People

Author : Todd M. Sorrell
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 346 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (17 download)

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Download or read book College, Cash, and Christianity written by Todd M. Sorrell and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page 346 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Scripture provides guiding principles for wise decision-making concerning the college choice and yields compelling reasons for Christian students to pursue a Christian college education. Many Christians seem to think that choosing a college has nothing to do with their Christianity, and they do not view the decision as a “heart” issue. The most common experience is divorced from spiritual considerations or in-depth pastoral input. Many Christian parents and students have conformed to the pattern of this world when making this decision and, even if they do afford a passing spiritual thought to the process, they tend to believe that the decision is spiritually “neutral.” They are wrong. Although the Bible does not have a chapter entitled “college choices,” it does have much to say about how to make that decision and is sufficient for the believer who desires to know God’s will for his life. The very act of making a decision in a godly way can honor God’s value system and lead to the wisest choice. Most importantly, believers are to do all things to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). There is no exception to that commandment for those choosing a college. Indeed, God’s desire is that this decision (like all decisions) be made through the lens of God’s written Word, which is a sufficient resource for believers to rely upon when making a school choice. While college should provide some level of vocational training and is not intended to be a Christian camp experience, it is a moral battlefield, with the prize being the long-term influence on a student’s mind, motivations, aspirations, and affections. For example, if one school experience is likely to result in spiritual growth and maturity, and another will not, the believer would do well to consider the selection in light of Scripture prior to making a final decision. With a few exceptions, the majority of Christians who consult Scripture for God’s values, His purpose in education, the impact of an overall college experience on one’s walk with the Lord, and divine guidance for selecting a lifelong occupation likely will conclude that a purposefully Christian college is the wisest choice during these important four years away from home. Biblical counsel in this regard has the potential to greatly impact the sanctification process of people who might not otherwise seek scriptural input. Specifically, this discussion has the potential to bring numerous people into the Word of God who might not be making the connection between the Bible and practical decisions. It might encourage those same people to start consulting Scripture in everyday decisions, thus aligning their lives with God’s plan. It might even encourage young people to start considering in advance how their school choice and career plans should be impacted by God’s plan for their lives. The need is great. Many families with children in western cultures grapple with the issue of college at some point. Sadly, there is very little practical, biblical advice written on how a Christian should choose a college and how to analyze the overall college experience. The world, on the other hand, offers a seemingly infinite supply of information and promotional materials on how to choose the “right” school. It is time to counsel believers as to the heart issues associated with such a decision and the fact that God wants to be involved in the process. Again, God’s glory is the goal, and His Word is sufficient to assist believers in fulfilling that goal.