tonight’s talk is titled…

www.unitybydesign.org

Simple Advice from a Christian Professor to Christian Students

Dr. Brad C Meyer

Agenda

1. Take it to the bank2. Live like a Missourian3. Play the field4. Live the tension

Bonus: Top 7 ways to irritate a professorDouble Bonus: A sluggard limerick

My family

My Family

Introduction

• Some good verses to know about school:

Beyond this, my son, be warned, the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.”

Eccl. 12:12

“Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.”

Acts 4:13

• Moses was “educated in all the learning of the Egyptians”

Acts 7:22

Some Biblical men who did go to school:

• Moses was “educated in all the learning of the Egyptians”

• Moses was “educated in all the learning of the Egyptians”

• But what made Moses great was not his education, but his humility.

• Daniel and his three friends Dan 1:3-5Then the king (of Babylon) ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.

• What did this training buy Daniel?

• What did this training buy Daniel? Daniel worked hard in studying and – it gave Daniel a place in the King’s service and

access to the King himself.

• What did this training buy Daniel? Daniel worked hard in studying and – it gave Daniel a place in the King’s service and

access to the King himself. – God used that position of Daniel’s to humble

Kings, to lead the King to issue an edict that all should tremble before the God of Daniel.

• But also notice, when Daniel interpreted dreams for the king, it was not based on his studying, but on God’s revelation to him.

• But also notice, when Daniel interpreted dreams for the king, it was not based on his studying, but on God’s revelation to him.

• Notice Daniel did the academics, but he also cultivated his relationship with God. It wasn’t one or the other, it was both.

• Paul Acts 22:3• “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but

brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today.”

• What did Paul’s education buy him?

• What did Paul’s education buy him?

• God made use of this education when he revealed to Paul his plan for the ages, that was brought about in Christ.

“Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.” Eph 3:8-9

1. Take it to the bank

1. Take it to the bank

• not to cash it, but to put it in storage for later

Go to the ant, O sluggard,Observe her ways and be wise,Which, having no chief,Officer or ruler,Prepares her food in the summerAnd gathers her provision in the harvest.Prov 6:6-8

• Invest during your college years, you will never have a similar period the rest of your life!

• Invest during your college years, you will never have a similar period the rest of your life!– pay attention to your studies and learn a field that

you can leverage in the future

• Invest during your college years, you will never have a similar period the rest of your life!– pay attention to your studies and learn a field that

you can leverage in the future– learn the Scriptures

• you will never have the same opportunities again!

– professors with knowledge and thinking skills they can pass on to you

• you will never have the same opportunities again!

– professors with knowledge and thinking skills they can pass on to you

– freedom from many of life’s responsibilities

• Paul once said,• “Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as

unwise men, but as wise, making the most of the opportunity, for the days are evil.” Eph 5:15.

• you will never have the same opportunities again!

– professors with knowledge and thinking skills they can pass on to you

– freedom from many of life’s responsibilities– extensive engagement with others of your age

who are still shaping their views about this world, God, and their reason for living

2. Live like a Missourian

2. Live like a Missourian

Professors

• What do professors want?

• What do professors want? – they want you to think

• What do professors want? – they want you to think– they want you to think critically

Critical thinking

• professors want you to think critically• identify your assumptions, question them• trace your logical carefully• have a solid reason for what you believe

• Email forward:– The Bible talks about various kinds of giant people

in the past, this is evidence of it!! Found in Saudi Arabia.

• Email forward:– The Bible talks about various kinds of giant people

in the past, this is evidence of it!! Found in Saudi Arabia.

• Email forward:– The Bible talks about various kinds of giant people

in the past, this is evidence of it!! Found in Saudi Arabia.

– www.snopes.com

• Email forward:– The Bible talks about various kinds of giant people

in the past, this is evidence of it!! Found in Saudi Arabia.

• Reality: the pictures were created as part of an archeological hoax competition.

• We often fail to question things that fit our worldview or that represent evidence that we hope will some day be uncovered.

• Professors want you to think carefully about what you hear.

Critical thinking

• professors want you to think critically• identify your assumptions, question them• trace your logical carefully• have a solid reason for what you believe

• many believe that Christianity is just one more religion that is based on superstition and myth

Critical thinking

• professors want you to think critically• identify your assumptions, question them• trace your logical carefully• have a solid reason for what you believe

• many believe that Christianity is just one more religion that is based on superstition and myth

• but you should also have the opportunity to question naturalism, atheism, evolution.

• Top 7 ways to irritate a professor

• Top 7 ways to irritate a professor7. don’t read the assigned material

• Top 7 ways to irritate a professor7. don’t read the assigned material6. walk-in late to class, talking on your phone

• Top 7 ways to irritate a professor7. don’t read the assigned material6. walk-in late to class, talking on your phone5. have 3 grandmothers die in the same semester

• Top 7 ways to irritate a professor7. don’t read the assigned material6. walk-in late to class, talking on your phone5. have 3 grandmothers die in the same semester4. about five minutes before class ends, start packing up your books

• Top 7 ways to irritate a professor7. don’t read the assigned material6. walk-in late to class, talking on your phone5. have 3 grandmothers die in the same semester4. about five minutes before class ends, start packing up your books3. walk out in the middle of class for a few minutes.

• Top 7 ways to irritate a professor7. don’t read the assigned material6. walk-in late to class, talking on your phone5. have 3 grandmothers die in the same semester4. about five minutes before class ends, start packing up your books3. walk out in the middle of class for a few minutes. 2. quietly hold your phone just under the desk and send text messages during class.

• Top 7 ways to irritate a professor7. don’t read the assigned material6. walk-in late to class, talking on your phone5. have 3 grandmothers die in the same semester4. about five minutes before class ends, start packing up your books3. walk out in the middle of class for a few minutes. 2. quietly hold your phone just under the desk and send text messages during class. 1. right after the professor says something, ask a question that makes it obvious that you did not listen to what was just said.

• Develop a little edge of being skeptical, a propensity to seek out confirming or discrediting evidence

• Acts 17:11• Matt 7:15-23

3. Play the field

3. Play the field

• Invest in learning who you are.

• I pray that you will know the hope of His calling. Eph 1:17-18

• Phil 1:9 I pray that your love may abound in real knowledge and all discernment

• I say to each of you not to think more highly of yourself than he ought, but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith…we have many members in one body and all do not have the same function.

Romans 12: 3-5

• In college I did

• In college I did– sharing the gospel cold turkey

• In college I did– sharing the gospel cold turkey– writing tracts

• In college I did– sharing the gospel cold turkey– writing tracts– played guitar for small group

• In college I did– sharing the gospel cold turkey– writing tracts– played guitar for small group– led a small group

• In college I did– sharing the gospel cold turkey– writing tracts– played guitar for small group– led a small group– delivered our group’s newspaper, Today’s Student

• In college I did– sharing the gospel cold turkey– writing tracts– played guitar for small group– led a small group– delivered our group’s newspaper, Today’s Student– did some counseling

• In college I did– sharing the gospel cold turkey– writing tracts– played guitar for small group– led a small group– delivered our group’s newspaper, Today’s Student– did some counseling – started a Creationist student organization

• In college I did– sharing the gospel cold turkey– writing tracts– played guitar for small group– led a small group– delivered our group’s newspaper, Today’s Student– did some counseling– started a Creationist student organization– setup chairs, cleaned, served food, prayed…

• It is only by serving that you learn what God made you to be!

• In college you have great opportunities to try many things are learn what God made you to do.

• church = “called out ones”

• We sometimes think that because our primary calling is as members of God’s called out group, the church, that our job becomes occupation instead of vocation.

• occupation = something I spend time at• vocation = calling

• classical vocation– law– medicine– ministry– teachingblacksmith, baker, shoemaker these were not callings. Martin Luther challenged this thought.

Whatever you do, do it with all your heart, as for the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. Col 3:23-24

Also…

• Our society desperately needs Christians in media (journalism), law and politics, education, and the sciences.

Also…

• Our society desperately needs Christians in media (journalism), law and politics, education, and the sciences. Christian pharmacists are nice too.

Also…

• Our society desperately needs Christians in media (journalism), law and politics, education, and the sciences. Christian pharmacists are nice too.

• These areas are shaping people’s thinking every day. We need Christians in those areas. We can hold Bible studies and have Sunday services and provide 2 or 3 hours of input each week. Education and media offer 10 times that much input each week for most Westerners.

• By the way, who pays for those unrighteous shows that populate our TV screen?

• We need Christians in charge of businesses too!

4. Live the tension:

The tension:• College is the

best time to learn thinking skills and tools for a profession

The tension:• College is the

best time to learn thinking skills and tools for a profession

• College is the best time to reach people for the Gospel

• You cannot serve two masters

• You cannot serve two masters, but you can serve one master who gives you two responsibilities.

2 Cor 1:8-10For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren,

of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength so that we despaired even of life; indeed we had the sentence of death within ourselves, in order that we should not trust in ourselves, but rather in God who raises the dead.. and he will yet deliver us.

2 Cor 12:15 I will most gladly spend and be expended for

your souls.

I fell so far short of this, but it was my target.

My point is this, if you find yourself wrapped up in this tension, and you feel like you are running ragged, don’t give up, and don’t conclude that you must be doing something wrong.

It would be silly to say, “God, I will run to the ends of the earth for you, but don’t ask me to give up my sleep or a meal for some minor service to a believer here in college…”

• Phil 2:25-30• Epaphroditus – risked his life, i.e., probably his

health, to serve. His love for others caused him to sacrifice.

• Should we be wise?• Should we get enough sleep?

• You can say no to some activities and you are not sinning.

• But there are times when God will ask you to pour yourself out for others and that is beautiful in his sight!

• Do you want a sure fire principle, that will always provide a simple answer to what you should do in a given circumstance: Should you hang out with the group, should you stay home and study, should you put the extra time into the assignment to really make it shine, should you keep it confined so you can spend more time in the word?

• There ain’t one!

• There ain’t one!

• God wants you to wrestle with Him and learn to live in love. Love is not mechanical, it’s alive.

Review

1. Take it to the bank2. Live like a Missourian3. Play the field4. Live the tension