5 Surprising Lessons I Learned In Bible College

Looking for a college can be tough. Colleges require testing scores, a high school diploma or GED, and cost a bunch of money. In today’s day and age it can be difficult getting a job without a college education. Colleges specialize in a variety of areas, including the Bible. Recently, I’ve graduated from a Bible college in the midwest, where I learned many life lessons. Some of these lessons were more surprising than others.

Utopian Community

Living life around others who would seem to believe the same as I do seemed to be the ideal setting for learning and practical application of the Bible. In some ways it was, but in others it effected my spiritual life. Some sinful habits effected my character, relationships and my coursework.

It surprised me that in this utopian community I, along with others, seemed to struggle more rather than less. This “ideal”community actually it was not. A word to the wise, have healthy boundaries between your school studies and your relationship with God.

The Gospel Matters

Although I was given opportunities to be involved in the surrounding area for outreach, sometimes it was easy to become cold to the gospel that I claim to believe. It’s this “Good News”that the world needs. Since, I was surrounded by the gospel in my college, I found myself desaturated because I turned the good news into a to do list.

People of the globe need the “good news”of saving salvation through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Since graduating, God has revived in me a passion to evangelize with anyone I meet on a personal level.

Chapel Isn’t a Substitute for Church

In most Bible colleges, you are credited for attendance in “chapel”. Most chapels are similar to any Sunday morning church service you would regularly attend–music and preaching. It took a little bit to understand that chapel and church are two different things completely, even though they appeared identical. It became important for me to be involved in the local church for fellowship under the name of Christ outside of an institution.

Christian School Does Not Mean Christian

Just because you go to a “Bible college” does not mean everyone there believes the Bible is God breathed (2 Timothy 3:16). It also doesn’t mean that everyone there is a Christian. Some are forced to attend a college based on their parents preferences, rather than personal beliefs.

Ring By Spring

I knew that I thought dating in college was doable, but what I didn’t know is that there is actually a thing called “ring by spring”associated with most Christian schools. Ring by spring is the premiss that you are in a stable dating relationship but looking to take it to the next level through engagement. Many woman and men at Bible colleges have this as a “sub-priority”when attending school. Getting married is something I hope for one day and recognize that many college students also pursue this dream.

These are just five of the surprising lessons I learned attending a Bible college. There are many other lessons I learned but these seemed to float to the surface.