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You don’t have to move away from Jesus just because you moved away from home.
By Madison Kerth — Written on Jan 04, 2020
Going away to college can be fun, but it can also be one of the hardest times in your budding adult life. There's the Christian dating scene, learning what it means to be a single adult and homesickness.
What does the Bible say about growing closer to God for college students when hard times hit and your faith feels weak?
After graduation, everyone looks forward to pursuing their academic goals, meeting new people, and experiencing more independence, but as fun as college can be, when hard times hit, especially when you're away from home for the first time, it can rock your faith in God as a Christian.
Most people pray or reach out to God or a Bible verse as a source of encouragement. However, there are times when your friendships, dating and financial stressors like student loans or debt feel like it's all too much.
Why do college students go through hard times? College is a time for monumental changes for students. Not only are you leaving your high school, your family, and your life long friends, but you are also undergoing massive changes in your personal life.
For most, this is the first time you are going to be living on your own. There are tons of opportunities for growth and tons of opportunities for failure for college students who study out of state.
In college, as a college student, you'll grow into your adult personality. You learn more about yourself than you ever thought you were capable of learning. With each year, you become more refined, trying new things and meeting new people.
Some of the friends you make in college will continue to be stable connections throughout the rest of your life. It’s an exciting thought. But for new things to come into your life, old things must leave.
One of the first things to come up short in a Christian woman’s life who is off to college, when she is in the process of a life change, is her faith and belief in God. It’s easy to fall off the worship wagon when you are feeling overwhelmed and uncertain.
Scientific American references data collected from the CIRP Freshman Survey stating, “The number of college students with no religious affiliation has tripled in the last 30 years, from 10 percent in 1986 to 31 percent in 2016.”
As you learn more about yourself and others, it can be tempting to abandon your faith. But in these times of confusion and change, turning to God will help you more than hinder you.
Spirituality is very stigmatized in the collegiate environment. With so many different students from different backgrounds, it would be impossible to only be surrounded by likeminded individuals. But just because your roommate doesn’t believe in God or go to church regularly doesn’t mean you have to abandon your views.
Here's how Bible study can help college students grow closer to God when hard times hit.
1. Christian college students can grow their faith in God with an individual Bible study.
Right when you wake up, the easiest thing to do is to roll over and grab your phone. Instead of jumping straight on the Instagram app, try downloading a Bible study tool. There are tons of apps that are geared toward keeping Christ in your life in an easily digestible way.
Work through a piece of scripture and think about how the Lord’s words can help you better fulfill your daily responsibilities. By the time you are finished, you will be awake, refreshed, and ready to take on anything life throws at you, all before you even brushed your teeth!
2. Christian college students can listen to worship music while studying to encourage their faith in God.
Whichever side you end up on in the Spotify vs. Apple Music debate, do a few easy searches to find a Christian music playlist or station. Anytime you are walking to campus, chilling in your dorm room, or hitting the books in the library, hit play!
With worship music in the background of your normal tasks, you will subconsciously feel supported and lifted through the Lord. Before you know it, you’ll be humming the melodies of some of those songs unintentionally! It can be a little reminder that God is always with you.
3. Find a local church where other college students are praying for one another.
Whether you are a student in a big city or a small town, there is a church for you. College students are notorious for having busy schedules that are far from consistent. Luckily, churches in the areas of these campuses have turned into that.
There are tons of congregations that meet at nights during the week in addition to the regularly scheduled weekend services. Search around and talk to other believers to see where you can fit a weekly commitment.
4. Join a college church group to be around other Christians who read the Bible together.
Connect groups are the easiest way to walk in faith with others who are going through the same struggles and challenges as you.
Whether it is facilitated by your church or your school, find a group of students who also want to do Bible study together and keep up their faith walk and relationship with God.
Usually, church groups meet for an hour once a week to do a quick Bible study, maybe go over some notes from the weekend’s service, and talk about how God can help you through anything you are struggling with.
Bonus: it’s also a great way to make new friends if you are new to campus or looking to expand your circle!
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Madison Kerth is a writer who covers astrology, pop culture and relationship topics.