Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Jan/83

Contributor - Heino Blaauw

Title - The Value of a Bible College Education

Topic - Education

In order to explain the value of a Bible College education, I wish to take you on an imaginary tour through the school which I attended and graduated from. I will stop at various points along our tour to indicate the different benefits that a Bible College offers. I trust that you will find this excursion interesting and worth while.

As we pass through the front doors and onto the main floor of the school, we happen to run into one of my favourite professors, Dr. Smith, who immediately stops and asks me to introduce you to him, as he has not seen you around before. After the introduction, Dr. Smith tells us about a great volleyball game going on in the gym which we should check out. Caring men, like Dr. Smith, are a key part of a Bible College, something which perhaps sets it quite apart from other scholastic institutions. The teachers and staff are people of God who are there to serve you; it is a privilege to associate with and learn from them.

So off we go to the gymnasium. The volleyball game going on is an exciting competition between two residence dorms. Most Bible Colleges stress that it is important for their students to have physical exercise, so they provide opportunities to participate in many sports and other forms of recreation.

After the volleyball game ends, we move on upstairs into the school lounge. Here we are confronted by clusters of students sitting about, chatting and sipping coffee. An obvious significant value of a Bible College education is the chance it provides for interacting and making friends with fellow Christians. The social life of a Bible College is certainly one of its most vital aspects. As you look about the lounge you notice posters announcing upcoming events, such as special dinners, films, music concerts and so forth. The conversations going on vary: one group of students are debating some point of theology; there is another guy pleading with a girl to type a paper for him; two girls are asking each other if they have a date for Saturday night; and then there is Brian and Jane sitting in the comer of the room - with no doubt as to who they will be going out with this weekend. Yes, there are many benefits to attending the Bible College.

Before leaving the lounge we meet Mike, the school president. A Bible College presents many opportunities to develop leadership skills. In the school itself there are a host of committees which you can join to become involved in school activities. Also, most Bible Colleges require as part of their curriculum that you do some Christian service, such as teaching a Sunday School class, leading a church young peoples, group, visiting senior citizens, conducting a choir, leading a Bible study and so forth.

The next couple of spots we pass are classrooms. The course being taught in the one room is Methods of Bible Study and in the other, Practice Teaching. These courses might represent the two basic areas of education at a Bible College. The one area primarily involves Christian understanding and includes courses such as theology, philosophy, church history, English and, of course, in-depth stud of books of the Bible. The other area of study is the practical one, in which you learn how to share your understanding. Bible Colleges offer courses such as public speaking, personal evangelism, mission work and group leadership, preaching and teaching. The Bible College education helps you to understand God's Word and the Christian faith for your own growth and also trains you to explain your faith to others. And, if you so desire, it prepares you to enter a full-time Christian ministry as a career.

After visiting the classrooms, we walk into the school library where we observe students hard at work, researching and writing assignments. You might wonder what value there is in this strenuous mental exercise, but, most assuredly, it develops within you the important qualities of organization and discipline.

The final stop on our tour is the school chapel. Here the students gather every day to worship God and this place points us to the highest value of a Bible College education. The Bible College, above all else, is a place where you can grow in your understanding and worship of God. Through your courses, through the chapel services, through your fellowship with friends, through so many ways, you are able to strengthen your faith in and love for God. This is the greatest benefit of a Bible College education, and is there a better desire in life?

In summary, a Bible College education meets your needs as a whole person physically: in the sports and exercise programs it offers; socially: in allowing you to meet other Christians and establish meaningful friendships; and spiritually: through teaching you a deeper understanding of God and His Word.

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