#ccglobal

This photo is from our all night of prayer event this semester. Students stayed up all through the night from 10pm-6am to pray. 

Whether you are a recent high school graduate or a seasoned college student, as you prepare to attend Bible college you inevitably have a set of expectations that are influencing your Bible college daydreams.  Maybe you’ve thought, “I need a change” or “Bible college will give me direction.”  While Bible college might have the potential to meet these expectations, your hopes must be supported by an action plan in order for them to be fulfilled.  This will ensure that your time at Bible college is filled with purposeful, defining choices and not aimless just-getting-by motions.

Take a couple of minutes and ask yourself, “What do I think Bible college will be like?”  Are you expecting to find a student body that is close-knit like a family, or one that is disconnected?  Do you expect that this next season will be a spiritual incubator that will allow you to flourish as you discover all that God has for you right now, or more like a waiting room where you twiddle your thumbs before really starting your life?

Now take some time and ask yourself, “What do I want to get out of my time at Bible college?”  Perhaps you envision yourself devoting the majority of your time to studying on campus, delving into the riches of God’s Word nonstop.  Or maybe you desire to spend time exploring Southern California and its beauty with your soon-to-be new group of friends.  Possibly you’re even thinking about the opportunity to give or get a “ring by spring.”  (We know that the thought has crossed your mind!)

It’s valuable to take the time to evaluate what you want to walk away with at the end of your season at Bible college, because the reality is ultimately you get to choose the direction of your semester.  You will harvest what you plant, so choose now to cultivate seeds of discipline, diligence, time management, and whatever other ingredients are necessary for your recipe for success.  Here are some tips that we want to share with you to equip you for developing your action plan with intention:

Write down some practical, measurable goals for the semester.  Waking up early, spending some quiet time with the Lord daily, journaling, investing in friendships, not leaving writing papers until the night before, and practicing a musical instrument are all examples of goals that you may desire to accomplish over the course of the semester.

Write down specific steps to take that will help you reach each of your goals.  Do you want to invest in friendships?  Maybe you’ll choose to hang out in the coffee shop more often instead of in your dorm room.  Don’t want to procrastinate on papers?  Perhaps you need to develop the habit of doing your homework for the following week after class instead of waiting until the night before.  Evaluate yourself honestly and challenge yourself to grow in these areas that you have chosen.

Don’t get so caught up in your own plans that you forget to leave room for the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Take time to seek Him as you prepare your heart and your schedule.  Respond to His leading in your life and remember, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9 NKJV)  His ways are better than the best that you could devise for yourself, so follow them even as He edits your steps to align with His plans.

As you grow in your relationship with God and knowledge of His Word, you will be accomplishing the ultimate goal of Bible college.  All of the extras are good things, but be sure not to neglect the best thing in pursuit of those good things.  As you develop your college game plan, remember that you are set up for success through Christ, and “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.” (2 Peter 1:3)  Take time to enjoy Bible college and all that it has to offer, and treasure your upcoming journey with the Lord!