Why One Year of Bible College?

Why I Recommend One Year of Bible College

Dr. Paul Chappell

It’s a conversation I’ve had many times:

High Schooler: I don’t know what I should do when I finish high school. Maybe I should go to trade school or university.

Me: Have you considered attending a year of Bible college?

High Schooler: I don’t feel “called to ministry.” Wouldn’t that be like a waste of a year and of money?

Me: No, and here’s why.

(Actually, you can switch out several components of the conversation above—a parent talking about their child, a student who actually does know what she wants to do, or a student trying to discern if maybe he is called to ministry. But even with some of these variables, I often still recommend one year of Bible college for the same reasons.)

It helps a young person set a life’s direction. Most 18–20 year olds haven’t settled on their life’s career yet. And very often, the ones who think they have often change their minds.

Taking one year after high school to attend Bible college puts them in a position where they are making themselves available for God to tap them for ministry. Bible college is an environment where students are surrounded by godly mentors, challenged with daily Bible preaching and teaching, and immersed in ministry opportunities. It all lends itself toward an awareness of the needs of the harvest while at the same time having a sensitive heart to God’s call.

But let’s say God doesn’t call a particular young person to ministry in that year of Bible college. (And God doesn’t call everyone to serve in a full-time ministry capacity.) Was that year a waste? No, because…

It helps a young person build a solid foundation. In just one year of Bible college, a young person attends about thirty-six credit hours of classes, many of them specifically in Bible. (AtWest Coast Baptist College, a few of these classes are also in general subjects which, in some cases, can be transferred to liberal arts schools.)

These classes cover doctrinal truths, principles of Bible study, learning how to defend the faith, and a biblical philosophy of ministry—giving students a rich and solid foundation for building their lives, families, and personal ministry in the local church, regardless of what secular field they may enter.

It helps a young person develop lasting friendships. Bible college is a great place to develop friendships of a lifetime. Regardless of where someone may go to serve or what secular field they may go into later, the time they have spent with other students in ministry, over textbooks, in class, on college activities, in prayer, or making memories all serve to build lasting relationships that become lifelong blessings.

Of course, there is also the possibility of dating and marriage. A person often meets the person they will marry within those first few years out of high school. What better place to meet someone than where there are hundreds of others with a heart for God and a commitment to live for Him?

I could add other reasons: Bible college is a great place to develop spiritual and personal disciplines. It can be an ideal place to grow in personal maturity and adult independence. It’s a wonderful time to experience personal fruitfulness while being mentored in the types of local church ministry a church leader or church member will engage in throughout their lives.

If you are a high school student, the parent of a high school student, or know a high school student seeking God’s will for their future, I would encourage you to consider the one year Bible program at West Coast Baptist College.

Who Are You

Who are you? I’m not talking about your name, your earthly identity, what your friends might call you or even what appears on your driver’s license or school ID card. I’m talking about the REALyou – the person that only God truly knows – the you that you may not even realize is really you! Deep, huh? Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”  In Psalm 139, King David wrote, “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.” In verse 23, David goes on to say, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts”. He just admitted something amazing – by that prayer, he basically said, “God, I don’t know me like you know me.”

We all use mirrors to help us get ready in the morning. Have you ever left the house thinking you looked a certain way, but when you looked in a mirror at your destination you noticed a hair (or several) out of place, food in your teeth or some other surprise flaw in your appearance? I sure have! How did we notice these things? A mirror or some “kind” soul showed us the truth.

You see, we don’t know ourselves as well as we think we do so we need a mirror – something or someone – to show us the truth. Many times God has used His Word, circumstances, people and other things to help me see problems or areas of concern in my own heart.  A. W. Tozer wrote about 7 rules for self discovery, and I’ve phrased them as questions for you below. If you will ask God to help you see the “real” you (as David did in Psalm 139) and answer these questions honestly, you may be surprised by who you really are and what you really love – I was!

1. What do you want most?
2. What do you think about most?
3. How do you use your money?
4. What do you do with your free time?
5. Who do you enjoy spending time with?
6. Who and what do you admire?
7. What do you laugh at or find humorous?

If you answered honestly, you now have an accurate assessment of who you really are and where your heart and affections truly lie. May we all make the necessary changes in our lives so we can be sure that God is pleased with who and what we love.

“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” –Revelation 2:4

So… Who are you? Really?

Why I Love My Church

     Church has been something that I remember for my whole life. My family did not begin attending church until I was five, but not many people remember much let alone anything that happened to them before the age of five. Regardless, most of my memories as a child revolve around what happened at church. I was in a home where church was not an option. It was never up to me if I wanted to go to church. My family was at church for everything; and yes, I mean EVERYTHING! Some people grow up and resent the fact that they were "forced" to go to church. Because of this, they drop out of church when they are old enough to make their own decisions. I, on the other hand, grew to enjoy church because I had a mom and dad who did not just say church was important; they showed by their life that church was important. Now as a 28 year old man, I have reflected over my life and I can honestly say that I love church. Church has meant much to me and church has helped me in my life. Why then do I love church? More importantly, why then do I love MY church? Let me give several reasons:

1) I Love My Church because of the heritage of our church
2) I Love My Church because the music of our church feeds the soul and spirit before the body
3) I Love My Church because the Word of God is proclaimed in its proper contextual manner
4) I Love My Church because of the fellowship I have with God's people
5) I Love My Church because it is the place I get to serve God
6) I Love My Church because of my Pastor
7) I Love My Church because people are encouraged and edified
8) I Love My Church because people get saved during church
9) I Love My Church because God put me here

No church is perfect; but, in my opinion, my church is close. I hope that you learn to love your church as well.