4 Levels of Study at God’s University
In my childhood, I wondered about my cause in life. What was I born to do? My teen years brought reflection on career choices and a university to attend.
Because I was sure of one thing. I wanted go to college and graduate with a degree.
A field of study would help me become who I was meant to be in this world.
And I hoped to help others with my newfound purpose.
Lessons in the Classroom
So, entering East Tennessee State University at eighteen opened my eyes to all the possibilities.
By my sophomore year, I chose to study leadership communications (a lover of oratorical contests, this was a good fit). Also studying sociology, I settled into my coursework.
I thrived in communication courses like public speaking, debate (my husband discovered this soon in our marriage), and the art of persuasion and criticism (poor hubby).
A proud moment for my family when I walked across the stage in cap and gown for a bachelor’s degree.
Since graduation, I’ve held various jobs. Though some required my degree skills, others didn’t.
Here’s what I later realized. I came away from college with much more than lessons from the classroom.
You see, experiences, people, and God shaped me too.
And lessons in God’s classroom benefited me then and now. Even in ministry work, and as a speaker and writer. There’s always more learning and growing in life.
While studies and degrees play a part in shaping our lives, they were never meant to completely define us.
The pursuit of academic credentials is commendable. But they are temporary earthly accolades. This life quickly fades.
When we take our final breath, eternal things will matter most. #eternity #blog Click To Tweet
Therefore, I’m focusing on what will last past this life, what has eternal significance.
God’s University is eternally minded. It helps us become who He intended us to be in this world. It gives us a newfound purpose. And it develops our character. All these things will help us help others.
Here’s 4 levels of study for God’s University of eternal significance.
God’s University
(1.) Associate’s Level. An Associate of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God.
Jesus describes himself as the Bread of Life in John 6.
And while the main twelve disciples remained…
“After this a lot of his disciples left. They no longer wanted to be associated with him.” Peter said to Jesus, “You have the words of real life, eternal life. We’ve already committed ourselves, confident that you are the Holy One of God” (verses 66, 68b, MSG).
(2.) Bachelor’s Level. BA, graduate of the Blessed Assurance Program (Jesus is mine).
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins” (Romans 3:23-25, ESV).
“For everyone who calls on the name of he Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13, ESV).
Focus on what will last past this life, what has eternal significance. #eternal #life Click To TweetEternal Significance
(3.) Master’s Level. MA, graduate of the Master’s Advancement Program. Christ becomes greater, I become less.
John the Baptist testifies about Jesus. “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30, NIV).
(4.) PhD Level. A doctoral study in the existence of heaven and hell and the truth of eternity. A recruiting program for the university.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16-17, NIV).
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age'” (Matthew 28:18-20, NIV).
Are you enrolled in God’s University?
Featured image is my graduation.
Other images courtesy of Adobe Spark.
Sometimes I participate in these link-ups:
Lori Schumaker/#momentsofhope, Jaime Wiebel/#SittingAmongFriends, Crystal Twadell/Fresh Market Friday, Kelly Balarie/Purposeful Faith, Patricia Holbrook/Soaring With Him, Meghan Weyerbacher/TeaandtheWord, Lyli Dunbar/#FaithOnFire & Crystal Storms/Heart Encouragement.
© 2018 by Karen Friday, All rights reserved
What a great perspective! I hope that I will continue to study after God and pursue Him more and more!
Thank you, Emily. Because when we take our final breath, eternal things WILL matter most. May we stay enrolled in God’s coursework our whole earthly life!
I always enjoy and benefit from a fresh slant on truths we know. I agree with your remarks on college, because college is where I really began to hunger for God’s Word, even though I was reading it before. I loved that you focused on “what will last past this life, what has eternal significance. God’s university is eternally minded. It helps us become who He intended us to be in this world. It gives us a newfound purpose. And it develops our character. All these things will help us help others.” I love that God is continually forming and transforming us, so that we can shine His light brighter and be a beacon for Him to draw more people to Him. Thank you, Karen! Always a delight to read your posts!
Thanks for sharing your wonderful thoughts, Becky. You always add so much to the conversation. And so appreciate your encouragement. You bless me.
And glad to have you as a fellow classmate in God’s University. Jesus we know, “You have the words of real life, eternal life. We’ve already committed ourselves, confident that you are the Holy One of God.” (Jn. 6:68)
I love this. I am a student at heart. At this point in my life, studying the Word of God is truly the only studying I want to do. So I am loving the levels, the degrees…I am enrolling in homeschool.
The teacher is the Holy Spirit and I am ready!!
I love your comment, Linda. The Holy Spirit teaches us all truth and guides us in life helping us apply God’s Word to our circumstances. And, oh, that it would permeate our entire being and change our heart. May we be students not just with head knowledge but heart insight.
Karen, I love the idea of being enrolled in God’s University! It is certainly a place where learning never stops, and we are immersed in His Word more deeply every day. I don’t expect to graduate until I see Jesus face to face.
Blessings, my friend!
Amen, Martha! We will not complete this coursework until we step into eternity instead of across a stage. 🙂 I’m praying that enrollment in God’s University helps us as students of the Word and gives us eternal mindsets.
Thank you Karen
Life is live R&D – is it vital to always be learning – thank you for presenting this truth in a new way to me
Agreed, Bob. R&D in life is where we learn and where we apply spiritual principles in a practical way. Thanks!
Wow! What an interesting outlook on Spiritual growth. It is so true, our relationship with God and our faith are evolving progressively as we pass through the different levels of His university 🙂 Thank you for the article!
Hey Galina,
Thank you. May we continue to grow in our faith, not mere babies on milk, but desiring the meat of God’s Word, following His commands, and obeying the revealed truth. Blessings!
Hi Karen,
I love the way your mind thinks. I can so relate to you on many levels, except the public speaking/debate thing. Girl, when I got into apologetics, that is what a lot of the guys loved to do—debate. I am not cut out for that, but glad to hear that you can do that! Anyway, you are right in that in college, there are so many more lessons to learn than just your classes and grades. I love your degree levels in “God’s University” concept! Love, love, love that idea! I think could totally expand on that idea – good book potential. And yes, I am hoping to earn His PhD someday!
Bless you,
Lisa Q
Thanks, Lisa. We are not only Jesus girls but most likely kindred spirits on many levels. Because I think the same about your posts and look up to and respect your background and knowledge base. Your writing blesses me.
And about that debate thing. The debate team wasn’t my favorite thing in the communications department. It was public speaking (I started entering oratorical contests, writing and giving speeches in the fourth grade). I know exactly what you mean though about die hard debaters.That was often my experience too…guys who went for the jugular! Lol.
But how I long to stay a life-long student in God’s University, sit in His classroom, study His Word and teachings and let them change me at the core of who I am. Thanks for your comment!
Dear Karen, this post speaks loudly to the speaker who used to think her Masters degree would matter in His Kingdom. I am so thankful for His teaching and humbling, showing me what matters are the things you list here. Praying this post speaks to many. God bless you and your ministry. In Christ, Julie
Thank you sweet friend. I think your Masters degree is very commendable and honorable! Good for you. But, yes, agreed, this is better…
The Blessed Assurance Program (Jesus is mine). Hallelujah! Blessings, Julie!
Karen,
I’ve struggled inside, thinking that more degrees would somehow make me more “credible.” So, this post hits home and puts such a great spin on “higher education.”
The truth is, I’ll be a student in the Kingdom University as long as I live. And ya know what? I’m just fine with that!
Blessings, my friend!
Beckie,
I like that, “higher education.” And I get what you are saying. The enemy whispers to our hearts that we always need “more.” The problem lies in how the more is often related to earthly knowledge or storing up earthly things. So, I’m just fine with being a student at the Kingdom University too! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
God’s University is the best! The class text is superlative, without error, and inspired. It’s the most inspirational book ever written. The classmates are our sisters and brothers. The instructor literally knows EVERYTHING about the subject, and he’s a just and impartial evaluator of how we’re doing. In fact, he himself paid for all our missteps and bad decisions while we’re students here. The perks are eternal and cannot be lost, stolen, or taken away. I’ve been in the PhD program for a while. It’s the lifelong program, but I’m thrilled to be a student!
Amen, Melinda!
Hallelujah God’s University is everything you said and more! For He is everything we need and would ever want. It is a lifelong program. May we focus on what the Lord wants us to learn and not just ingest but digest the Word and lessons. May we never miss Jesus in the middle of it. For then, we would become like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. Gaining knowledge and adding to God’s commandments without that heart change.
I found this post refreshing. Studying God’s Word and practicing what we learn is life long, for sure. I attended a Bible college, well for 2 of 3 years before they closed their doors due to low enrollment, and even though most of our classes involved Bible study, I realized later that I have learned so much more in personal Bible study than I ever did at Bible college. Personal Bible study is essential.
Stephen, I 100% agree about personal Bible study. I made a statement in our women’s Bible Study at church the other night that there aren’t cliff notes for the Bible. Then low and behold I discovered there are. Several books written by scholar, Charles H. Patterson. When I did the “peek inside,” they are in depth commentaries on God’s Word. So I guess they serve a purpose for studying the Bible and would be beneficial in many ways.
I just wouldn’t want it to take the place of my own personal study, my own prayer in asking the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and insight to ME directly and personally. You know?!
This is a neat concept, Karen. I’ve never thought of my life with Jesus as a journey through degree programs. I like the analogy.
The cool thing is that we can each have different majors. We can go to different schools. We can intern and we can study abroad. They all count as credit in our program.
The key for me is that I can’t do it alone. I can’t get a degree without instructors. I can’t learn without someone taking time to teach me. Reading a book is ok, but it can never replace discussing that book with someone else and hearing how they got their degree.
As a side note, a skilled persuader and debater? Man. That’s brutal. My wife is self-taught and still destroys me.
So true, Chip, this cannot be done alone. We need the Lord’s help and we need others. Your comment made me think of one of may favorite quotes on spiritual friendships. “Real spiritual friendship is eagerly helping one another know, serve, love, and resemble God in deeper and deeper ways.” (Timothy Keller) That’s part of God’s lab class right there!
And “haha” about your thoughts on persuader and debater!
Where do I enroll? I absolutely loved this and wish we had something like this to help us. At this stage of life, I would pick a different study for my college life. I got a BBA in accounting and used it for many years. But now, as God calls me to write for Him, I wish I had studied in other areas. But I meet friends in college and it served God’s purpose at the time. Thanks for your great insights Karen.
Appreciate you sharing your thoughts, Yvonne. And your college days served their purpose in that season of life, and sounds like, for several seasons of life. The only reason God has us look back is to help us move forward. So the Lord does not waste anything. You’re just in a different place in life right now. God will shape you and equip you for His purposes “now.” I see it in your blog posts!
Yes. Thank God, I am enrolled. I love that you didn’t ask if we’ve graduated. You only asked if we are enrolled. It certainly is an ongoing process of learning and applying, isn’t it? I believe each of the portions of Scripture you shared is true, but the application must continue until we breathe our last. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and insights.
Yes, Anneliese, we are not graduates until the end of our life. Yet, enrollment itself brings the responsibility and accountability to do the work and homework, stay engaged with God as the instructor and all-knowing One, and as you mentioned, applying what we learn to our life. If we fail to allow Christ to really change our perspectives and worldview to a biblical worldview, we’ve missed it! For we have missed Jesus himself.
Do you think your husband was happy or disturbed about your communication gifts? 🙂
You are right; there are so many things shaping us in life.
I like the idea about God’s University.
PS: I agree with, Lisa; great potential for a book.
Happy weekend!
Edna
Hey Edna,
My husband and I are just opposite personalities when it comes to communication.
While so many things shape us in life, thankful that when we allow God to shape us the most as the potter at His wheel, that’s where we become the most beautiful version of our true self.
Thanks for commenting!
Hi Karen, I appreciate your deep thinking about matters of faith. This is a great analogy of our growth in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ over time, much like our steady academic and professional growth. Then your shift to the most important task, being a student of Jesus, was excellent. “Only what’s done for Christ will last.” Your updated version of that old quote echoes with the weight of eternity. God bless you!
Hey Melissa,
I like how you said it’s a steady growth in both academic and professional areas of life and how that relates to growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ. I pray we stay in the growing process for both grace and knowing Jesus more, for those are truly the best things to gain in life.
I love this. God’s University is one we all need to be lifelong students in, don’t we?!
It is, Donna! May we stay on God’s track, stay the course, and graduate with honors (because we honored Him) when He takes us home.
Hi Karen! This is good stuff! Your reflections give us lots to think about as it relates to our commitment to Christ. May we all continue to grow in His grace!
Hey Joy, I pray we never stunt our growth by dropping out of God’s University to pursue other things! Thank you!
What an interesting way to look at things, thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome, Kathleen. Appreciate you stopping by to comment. May we focus on what matters most…spiritual things.
Love this, Karen! And yes, I’m registered. 😉
Thanks, Kristi! Glad to have you as a fellow classmate in God’s University. We won’t complete His coursework until we step into eternity. May we be students of His classroom and Word as long as we have breath.
That’s awesome, Karen!
I love what you two are doing for Christ.
I find the reply-function a bit confusing on your website; I hope this goes where it’s supposed to go 🙂
Thanks, Edna. I talked to my tech guy (website designer) about the comment and reply button issue. We’re not sure what or when it happened. We think maybe a wordpress update or a plug in install or update messed with the feature. He is redoing and rewriting the program for it this week.
Ok, so I guess it’s not me having the problem 🙂