8/14/2019 Christian Student & Examinations

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8/14/2019 Christian Student & Examinations

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goal should be to glorify God. Paul says: whether you eat or drink or

whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Your studies should be used to glorify God, not to satisfy your own

desires, to please your parents or to get a well paying job. In Colossians

3:17 Paul says that Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all

in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through

him (Col. 3:17). This makes a very big distinction between a Christian

who knows God and seeks to live for Him and the non-Christian wholives only for herself or himself and seeks to use their education for their

own selfish ends. The first question in the Shorter Catechism of the

Westminster Assembly states that the chief end of man is to glorify God

and to enjoy Him forever. Is this your aim in your studies? Is this what

you seek after? In your actions do you seek to glorify Gods name? Dear

friend God has given you a body and a mind. May you use them for His

glory alone!

3. Problems a Christian Student FacesAs you seek to glorify God in your studies, what are some of the

problems that you may face? Christian students face the problem of

tiredness and laziness, failure to appreciate the usefulness of our studies,

time management, fear of exams, lack of success in studies and lack of

reward from your studies. Lets look at each of these in more detail.

(i) Tiredness and LazinessSomeone may say I just dont seem to be able to work, but when

exams come I panic. This is a real problem. Sometimes Christians dont

hand in their homework in time or dont hand in at all. Some feel bored

when it comes to studying certain subjects. Some Christian students find

some of their teachers boring.

How should you conduct yourself when found in such situations?

Firstly, seek the advice of an older and experienced Christian. They

have been where you are. They can offer valuable help.

Secondly, talk to your teacher or careers master. Be honest with them.

Tell him or her the difficulties you face. Tell them in a humble and wise

way that you find the subject they teach challenging, but think it is

important. Ask them for help so that you can develop interest in the

subject and perform better. Pray for your teacher.

2006 by Gabriel S Konayuma

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Thirdly, be a hard worker and glorify the Lord. Participate in class, do class

exercises and hand in your homework on time. Studies are a training of your

mind. They help you to develop thinking skills and planning. Use your study

time in a way that pleases the Lord.

(ii) A Failure to appreciate the usefulness of StudiesSometimes a Christian student whether it is worth going to school studying

unnecessary subjects instead of serving the Lord in full-time Christian minis-try. What does the Bible say on this issue? Nowhere, in any part of the Bible

are Christians urged to consider leaving their everyday tasks for full-time

work. You are not to seek the most spiritual jobs seek after the best gifts.

The best preparation for Gods service is to serve Him in what you have to do

right now. Studies are useful as they train your mind to be orderly, to use your

memory well and to collect and analyse information. Studies also help you

appreciate how God is the source of all knowledge.

(iii) Time ManagementSome students find managing time a problem. How do you allocate adequate

time to studies with other demands such as work at home, Church meetings,

extra-curricular school activities and so on? How do you manage your time?

Do you plan how you spend your time? You need to do so. Dont you

sometimes waste time in meaningless conversations, long TV or DVD

watching, or sitting through long committee meetings poorly chaired? John

White says when held hypnotically by TV, deliberately break your trance,

wash your face in cold water and get back to your books. Excellent advice!

You need to be hardworking and use time in a wise manner. Studies are

important. So are church meetings, extra-curricular activities etc. So plan how

you use each day. Know yourself. How well do you remember things you

study? Through self-study? Group discussions? Taking notes? Once you

know your study style then use it to your best advantage. You dont need to

study the whole day just because your friend does so. People differ. Besides

occasional breaks from study are useful to give you time to refresh and re-

flect.

(iv) Fear of ExamsFear of exams is natural. You ought to have a positive attitude to exams.

Exams are meant to test your ability in a certain subject and what work you

are best suited for. Work steadily from the time you are in grade eight or

grade ten till the day of the exams. Steady, thorough work and revision will

repay your efforts in the end. To reduce or eliminate your fear of exams, plan

your studies. If you are well prepared youll have little to fear. You also need

to eat well and rest enough. Dont go on unplanned fasts and highly reduced

2006 by Gabriel S Konayuma