INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SYMPOSIUM REPORT PLYMOUTH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY.
Christian Student & Examinations
Transcript of 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