If you’re considering a Bible college, you’re choosing a narrow path. 

Considering a Bible school can feel like a mixture of “I know I’m different, let me be” and “it’s a real college I promise.”  

I remember feeling some sense of pride for choosing a “hard core” life for Jesus. 

I was so disappointed when what I found at my first Bible school was a sea of cynics and Pharisees. So many debates between Calvinists and Arminians. Too little vulnerability to discuss the hard parts of a life of faith. 

The good part of the story is, I eventually found a Bible college doing it right -- they exist! If you’re choosing a Bible school, you’re picking the narrow path. Now it’s time to make sure what makes it “hard” is not student debt

If you’re choosing a Bible college, you want to ensure your future is rooted in the Scriptures -- that God’s Word becomes the premier guiding factor of your life! 

So, don’t settle for less. If you want your higher education journey to be tied to your discipleship experience, here are some ways to ensure you'll find it.

A Rigorous Educational Experience. 

Often, we laud doctors and lawyers for their challenging educational accomplishments. Yet we allow ministers and missionaries to breeze through with a six-month intensive or a two year discipleship training. When Jesus asks for prayers for laborers, there is no proof in the text that he was asking for "more" of them. He asks for prayers for the ones representing God in the world, like sheep amidst wolves. Colleges that follow Jesus’ lead need not pretend representing God in the world is a simple task. Bible school should be hard! Look for schools that take academics seriously. God’s reputation is on the line, and you’re going to be the one carrying his name. 

A Healthy Community Life 

We all long for community. It's a slap in God's face to deny ourselves such beauty. Unfortunately, Bible colleges can breed cynics and Pharisees. Look at how students are turning out their senior year. 

Are they still believers? 

Did they get what they came for?

Are they equipped and passionate about God’s mission? 

Are they surrounded by friends, or mostly alone? 

Jesus says that the world will know his disciples by the love they have for one another. So look for it, and go where you see that love! It’s more important than any beautiful building or trendy coffee shop. 

Spirituality to Match the Academics

The rigorous academics that show proper fear of the Lord cannot stomp out the freedom to worship him. The spirituality of a campus community should be a balanced partner of academics. We're instructed to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Look for evidence of the kind of whole people who do that very thing. Psalm 19 says that the law of God refreshes the soul and that his commands give light to the eyes. Look for prayer, freedom in worship, and the Bible being a part of conversation outside of class. If the students and professors are radiant, it's a good sign.

Ministry Training

If Jesus came to serve and not be served, we should do the same. Colleges who require volunteer/ministry hours are getting things right. Many of them will give you a variety of environments in which to practice what you’re learning. It's time to ‘get your feet wet’ ministering in nursing homes, jails, after school programs, and language learning centers. These programs create habits for living a life of service. And, it'll keep you humble. The people you'll serve will be like undercover professors, helping you to consider all those who have to live in non-ideal scenarios. You'll have to consider the relevance of God's Word to their life. And you’ll likely mess up in your attempts to "do good." The benefit of a volunteer program is it keeps you going back -- you have to right your wrongs. And, you'll have facilitators who will hold you accountable for your mistakes.

Profs Who Inspire. 

Good professors will make or break your college experience. You are, after all, going to college for the classes. They better be enjoyable. When profs teach the Bible, you should see it move them and it should move you. They are a picture of your future. As Luke 6:40 says, “the student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.” That is the goal! If the professors you meet are living out a life in Christ that inspires imitation from their students -- you’ve not only found a good college, you’ve found a good step of faith. 

If you’re going to go to Bible school, you’re making an unpopular decision. Make sure you do it right. There are many good Bible schools out there, the above list will help you know if it’s a great one. You don’t have time to waste. The harvest is waiting!