Discipleship in the Academic Environment
TEACHER
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Lesson 9
BASIC BIBLICAL TEXT
Daniel 1.1-9
GOLDEN TEXT
“Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.”
Acts 7.22
OBJECTIVES
To recognize the value of reason on the construction of a person;
To understand that faith and reason are no opposite forces, but elements that act in their respective áreas in the human experience;
To be conscious in order to be a reference of faith in Christ and na instrument of evenagelization in the academic environment;
INTRODUCTION
Nowadays, the numbers of believers from all ages are rising. Enrolled in colleges and schools, looking for knowledge and development for the job market.
With this in mind, it is urgent for christians to take a clear position in the academic environment. �
1. THE BIG MISSIONARY FIELD ON THE ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT
1.1. Throwing the nets
The number of people enrolled in hiher education rose up to over 8 million students in 2018, of which 24,3% study long distance.
Christ’s Church cannot be indiferente to this universe. In a preventive way, it needs to create programs of protection for their members not to deviate. It also needs to evangelize, for it is urgent to take the Word to this dry field.
1.2. Occupation of key positions in the nation
One more importante factor to be considered is that people in those institutions generally get the main representative positions in the country in economics, education, entertainment, communication, government and academic research.
2. THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION AND THE ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT
The Reformers, in general were men of faith, but also literate and valued the search for knowledge and Science.
2.1. Scholastic: the dialogue between faith and reason
Between the ninth and thirteenth century of the Chrsitian Era, Europe went through importante reformations. Men rose theological debates in mosques as well as in universities at the time. The way of thinking of those historical characters got known as Scholastics.
The emphasis of this though was in the use of reason to comprehend faith. Therefore, reason was used to prove doctrines taught by the Church in an harmonic act between faith and reason.
2.2. The Reformation and the big universities
The big reformers, such as John Knox, John Wycliff, Martin Luther, John Calvin, were Always involved in academic activities. Their influence was decisive in the foundation of various prestiged universities in Europe and in the U.S.
Luther wished that all Christians were well prepared and capable to execute all of societies’tasks. Ignorance was seen by reformers as na obstacle to serve the Lord, so it needed to overcome.
3. DISCIPLESHIP EXERTED IN THE ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT
In 2018, was implanted at UFRRJ the Group ofReseach in Christian Culture, Philosophy and Contemporarity (GFICON). This official group has as its main motivation to integrate christian students in order to prepare them intelectually to the academic struggles they might come through with a Christian cosmovision.
3.1. Strategies to be successful evangelizing in the academic environment
3.1.1. Investing in your own spiritual life
A good strategy to evangelize in the academic environment is to prioritize your own spiritual life. Everyone who attends na academic environment should, in the first place, take care of its own devotional routine.
3.1.2. Identify christians in the university
Another interesting strategy is to reach out for other christians among the students. After that, a group can be created between those. The next step is to invite the Other students to participate in weekly meetings on campus, or outside of it.
There, some can pray for others, the group can praise the Lord and share a message of faith and edification for others.
3.1.3. Create a relationship network
Christians should articulate themselves for meetings between students to study together and strenghten their faith.
3.2. State their positions and declare faith in Christ
No one should be silenced by those who don’t believe in Christ. On the contrary, a Christian should be a voice that claims, stabilishing a position in discussions, as well as in any given opportunity.
A faithful Christian shouldn’t forget of its condition of salt and light in a perishing world.
CONCLUSION
The Bible stimulates the seek for knowledge. The preparation is proportional to the servisse to God and the neighbor. Therefore, Christians should always study, but never forget Paul’s words: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1Co 10.31
May God bless your life!
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