4 Ways to Prepare Students for College

  It’s April now, and for high school seniors that means graduation is right around the corner. I can remember the traditions that other seniors passed down to us still today. Whether it would be our “senior prank,” which was always frowned upon by administration, or “senior skip day” which always happened to be on the opening day of baseball at the Royals stadium. A senior’s year is filled with lasts that many cling to: Homecoming, high school football, trying to make state in your events, Prom, and more.

As the day grows closer, even if there is some sadness, there is an anxiousness to step out into “the unknown.” There is a desire to run headlong into the big open world that God has created, and a good desire to experience it. For many, that journey will begin the corresponding Fall semester, in a classroom, on a college campus somewhere in the U.S. As they look forward to the experience, many parents and student pastors may be anxious for their students that are graduating, asking the questions like, “Will what I taught them stick?” Or, “Did I prepare them well?” Always wishing for more time to prepare them, to send them off well, to have greater confidence.

Let me tell you, there is still time to prepare your student. There is still time to equip them before they go off, only to come home with a bag full of dirty laundry and needing a home-cooked meal. From April to August, there is time to ready your student - and I’ve got 4 ways you can do that!

First, get them a “grown up” Bible.

This may seem silly, but hear this one out. Everyone remembers their first car – the taste of freedom. Mine was a ’99 Pontiac Sunfire that I got into more accidents with than I care to remember (the hood eventually had to be bolted and chained down because of those accidents). Now is the time to take your student out and get them a Bible not meant for teens – but for adults. Something that looks nice, has a bit of elegance to it. Adult study bibles are great, and Crossway’s are always high on my list. This will, at some level, stress the importance of the Scriptures but signify that they’re not a child anymore – they’re growing up.

Second, help them find a church prior to going.

This seems like an obvious one, but I insist that parents and pastors help their students look at churches. Teach them to examine the “we believe” pages. A lot can be learned by what is and is not publicly stated. Examine what their polity structure is like. Are they Elder ruled, congregationally elected? Do the deacons have an outsized authority? Do they have female pastors? In addition to examining what is public, listen to a few sermons online (one of the benefits of the internet age) and dissect it. I would even encourage calling (every young person gasped) the Senior Pastor and having a conversation about what you’ve heard and seen online.

A brief note of college ministries is needed here as well. Groups like Veritas, BSM, FCA (college), BSU, and others are often good ministries but are detached from the governance of a local church. Because of this reality, many college groups can be easily steered off course, have unqualified leaders, or simply not share the gospel appropriately - this is due to the fact that they have no church oversight. These ministries are not bad, but they are not the church. Young Christians require the wisdom of older saints, and without it they can easily go astray. So make sure they get plugged into a local church and prioritize it, even if they join a collegiate ministry.

Third, insist that they become members of the church they attend.

This one may seem scary for moms and dads – I get it. However, if they’re moving away and they are faithfully attending that church, they need to become a member there for the purposes of fellowship, discipleship, and even discipline. Becoming a church member of a church is a big deal, it helps solidify them in a gospel-centric community that will bolster them in times of need. No Christian is the church by themselves, and so every believer needs the church body! In becoming  a faithful member of a church in college, it will signal to the rest of the body that they take the church seriously, and they church, in turn, will take them more seriously.

Why not simply keep membership at their home church hundreds of miles away where parents attend? For that very reason - that church is hundreds of miles away. They are not ministering to your student day in and day out, but the local church where they attend college is. That church will be greatly blessed to have your student, and your student will be blessed by being a member in their new local church.

Fourth, and finally, Pray for them.

A brief story of encouragement. In the 300’s, one of the most famous theologians and pastors of history became a Christian – St. Augustine of Hippo. Augustine was raised in a divided home with a pagan father, and a Christian mother. During his early life, Augustine was quite the womanizer and lived a very sinful life. It was not until Augustine was in his early 30’s that he was saved (a great account I encourage many people read). Augustine though, in his book entitled Confessions, credits (in part) his mother and her prayers for his salvation. That she continually, though grieved by his (Augustine) sin, she prayed that God would save him – and in Christ’s good providence, he does at the age of 31.

Prayer is a mighty tool in the hands of God. As God ordains both the end and the means by which he accomplishes his will. This means, that your prayers do matter. The common hymn many sing is true:

O what peace we often forfeit,
  O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
  Everything to God in prayer!

                  Parents, as you love your students, as you care for their needs, and hope that they graduate on time from college, carry your students in prayer to God, and you will find rest for your souls as you plead for theirs.

                  Parents, grandparents, friends, youth pastors, there is still plenty of time to prepare your students as they get ready for college. The time you’ve given is not wasted, and they will carry what you’ve taught them throughout their lives. The lessons, the prayers, the time and habits you’ve helped build through Bible reading, church attendance, and study will stick with them, but don’t forget to seize these last few opportunities!