Information Related to "Christian Through College"
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So
you'll be heading off to college or university. What an exciting time
in life! And yet it can also be a challenging time, especially if you
have grown up in a conservative Christian household.
High school probably had its challenges for your Christianity, as you faced pressures to go against your values in matters ranging from drugs to cheating on tests to dating practices. But while living at home, you likely had constant encouragement from your parents to stick with your values.
When you leave home to begin higher education, chances are you will
face even greater pressure to step outside the moral boundaries you grew
up with. After all, you'll be out on your own.
The rules of your home, though it may be just a small dorm room, will be your rules. And there will be plenty of pressures to "dump" your conservative Christian values and "spread your wings" a bit—be it in how much sleep to get or in issues of sex, alcohol and drug experimentation.
After all, you'll find there are young people who share your pursuit of higher education who have and perhaps are doing all kinds of things that go against your values—and they haven't died! They may even seem to be having a great time. It's quite likely your belief in God (and in His giving us absolute truth for our good) will be challenged often—both in the classroom by instructors and in the dorm and day-to-day life by fellow students.
How will you withstand these pressures? What can you do to "hold the line" in your moral values and be assured you have indeed based your life on solid, logical, valid and rewarding values by believing in God and His truth?
Vertical Thought has published several articles encouraging young people to plan for a successful future by first getting a good education (see "Planning for Life—Part 2" in the April–June 2001 issue, available online). We have also written a lot about higher education in general, and how Christian values are challenged in many colleges (see "Christian Values Under Attack!" and "How Correct Is Political Correctness?" in the July–September 2004 issue).
Related Information on UCG Sites:
Table of Contents that includes "Christian Through College"
Other Articles by Ken Treybig
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