Gracie Tignor is a student at Liberty University pursuing a degree in Christian Leadership and Church Ministries with a cognate in Women’s Leadership. She has served as a Women’s Ministry Intern and a Student Ministry Intern at London Bridge Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, VA. She has a passion for seeing her generation and the next generation know Christ deeper and make Him known.
As graduation season approaches (or has already arrived), rising college freshmen in your church need encouragement in their faith. For many of these students, college will be the first time they experience total freedom and independence. The devil knows that those first few months of college present an opportunity to draw students away from their faith.
1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
This verse reminds believers to stay alert to the enemy’s schemes. One of the best ways to prepare students is to make them aware of those schemes and equip them with a plan to stand firm in their faith. When students have a plan in place, they are able to recognize and resist anything the devil is trying to use to pull them away from their faith.
Here is what the rising college freshmen in your church need to hear heading to their campuses:
1. Find a Local Church
Hebrews 10:25 calls believers to “not neglect meeting together.”
Encourage students to attend church the first Sunday at college. If they wait until they feel “settled,” it’s easy to push it off and church will never become a part of their routine. The longer they wait, the harder it will become to get involved. Most churches expect new people at the start of the school year, especially in college towns, so encourage the students that church will be ready.
Don’t just encourage them to find a church – help them find one. Sit down with them to research and make a list of Bible-believing churches in their college town. Check out church websites, watch recent sermons, and evaluate their beliefs and values.
If a student won’t have transportation, help them reach out to churches ahead of time. Many churches offer rides for college students or can connect them with someone who will.
2. Get involved in Christian Community
Who these students surround themselves with matters. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be deceived: bad company corrupts good morals.”
Whether it’s a church small group, a Bible study, or a campus ministry, students should get involved as soon as possible. Not only will this help the student grow spiritually, but it will also help the student find like-minded friends to have fun with and hold them accountable.
3. Begin (or Maintain) Spiritual Disciplines
James 4:7-8 says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
Encourage students to begin or continue spiritual disciplines as they enter this new season. Remind them that these practices aren’t the goal; closeness with God is the goal. Spiritual disciplines are simply the means.
Scripture reading and prayer are essential for a growing relationship with Jesus. Students need to hear this as a non-negotiable, and it’s more doable than they may think. Time spent getting ready or walking to class can become opportunities for prayer or listening to Scripture on their phones.
You can’t build your faith around your college life; you must build your college life around your faith. Rising college freshmen need to hear that. When these priorities are established early, students are far less likely to waver from them.
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