You submitted many helpful questions leading into tonight. Interestingly, the questions nearly all fell into one of three categories:
How do I decide where to go to college? How do I know if I'm choosing the right college? Is making a right decision any more than just having a right feeling about it? There is one big, overriding principle, which comes from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33 ESV).
Jesus is talking about worry and says to seek the kingdom of God first and his righteousness, and all of these things will be added to you. The first thing before you decide where to go to college is this – am I seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness? Do you seek God's kingdom in your life and the world first and foremost? Is your deepest motivation to say, "God, how can I get involved in what you're doing in the world?"?
This principle also means that you seek Jesus' righteousness, the righteousness that is in Jesus and that God gives to you. The biggest thing you need to consider when you think about college is Jesus' work in you and the way you should be living for him.
Though it may seem provocative, this principal of the kingdom and God's righteousness allows you to go wherever you want for college. College can become this agonizing, mysterious process of looking for God to give you signs as to where you should go. But if you're seeking the kingdom, then go to whatever college you want. It is ok to want to go to college and to attend where you want. Like Augustine, love god and do what you want. However, there is a qualifier. There are some sinful desires you shouldn't follow. For example, if you want to go to a particular college because it is a party school or a school with easy academics, then check your motives. But if you have good reasons, go where you want.
One person submitted a question and said they feel like the only option for them is a Christian school. What are some good reasons for attending a Christian school? What are some good reasons for attending a public school?
First, there are some really good things about going to a Christian college. This biggest reason is that you guys and girls are simply not done growing and maturing. You can have four formative years in college. Do you feel like you are growing and maturing a lot in high school? It will be double or triple that in college. During your formative college years, everything changes in your mind and your view of the world.
Paul tells the Corinthians that he wants them all to be steadfast and immovable, which defines maturity. Not many eighteen-year-old Christian kids are at that point of being steadfast and immovable. Four years of college can be a huge opportunity for growth. Attending a Christian university allows you to surround yourself with people who care for your soul. It may be one of the very few times in your life that it is alright to be selfish. You can think of it as being like boot camp more than the front lines. A Christian university can serve as the boot camp that prepares you for the frontlines of the rest of your life. It's a time of training to go out into a life of ministry.
You may also have many good reasons to go to a public, secular university:
The third concentrated area of questions was in the area of college life. What do I do once I get to college? How do I reach out at a Christian college to people who say that they are already Christians? It's easy to become cynical and hardened at a Christian school if you aren't keeping a personal devotional relationship with God. A lot of people get sarcastic and walk away from their faith at Christian universities. Those are probably the hardest people to reach during your college years.
If you are attending a secular school, you might be asking how you can keep your faith strong. Pick a good Christian ministry on campus, but more importantly, commit yourself to a good church. There are a lot of good campus groups. But I encourage you to find a church. Consider becoming a member of a church while at college. God's word, God's people, and God's sacraments are the context for Christian growth, whether you are at a public or Christian university.
