Daily routines can provide students with opportunities to stay connected to their faith in simple and meaningful ways.
Bible study, prayer, chapel, Spiritual Life nights and discipleship groups can provide opportunities for spiritual growth while helping students stay connected with God throughout a full schedule.
Dr. Joe Slunaker, associate professor of Old Testament and director of the bachelor of applied theology program, said abiding in the Lord begins with recognizing that faith extends into every part of life.
“I think the first step in abiding in the Lord on a weekly level is recognizing that everything we are belongs to Him; all of our time belongs to Him, and all of our actions belong to Him, and if we can start there, we can do some really cool things that are comprehensive with our life,” Slunaker said.
Connection with God does not have to be limited to extended Bible study or designated prayer time. Smaller moments throughout the day can also create opportunities for reflection and worship.
“I have found in my life that short, simple prayers, short, simple, to-the-point Bible reading, short, simple, to-the-point worship, these are the kind of things that punctuate all manners of different points during the day, and that’s a good way to stay focused all day,” Slunaker said.
The idea of abiding in the Lord also appears in John 15, where Jesus describes himself as the vine and his followers as the branches.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing,” John 15:5 (ESV).
Staying connected with God involves bringing prayer into ordinary moments throughout the day.
Janelle Lancaster, sophomore psychology and philosophy double major, said she often talks to God while walking to class.
“I don’t really see many people when I go out to class that I know, so He becomes like my best friend. I’ll just be walking to my class going ‘Oh wow, I have to go to this class God; please give me memory so that I remember what I’m learning,’” Lancaster said.
Other students also use short prayers to remain intentional about their faith throughout the day.
Leah Pendleton, junior political science major, said prayer helps her remain aware of God’s presence in different parts of her routine.
“A way that I’m able to stay really close with the Lord and just seek His presence and abide in Him throughout the day is honestly with prayer. I do a bunch of mini prayers throughout the day where I will just invite Him into whatever I’m doing,” Pendleton said.
Pendleton also encouraged students to make use of brief periods of free time.
“Use the fifteen minutes before class if you get there to open up your Bible… Take advantage of the small moments,” Pendleton said.
Small moments of prayer, Scripture reading and reflection can give students opportunities to reconnect with their faith throughout a busy day. Rather than limiting spiritual growth to scheduled activities, everyday routines can also create space to remain aware of God’s presence.
