The key way to find the answer to a very broad question, is to break it down. In order to come to a conclusion, we broke down our driving question into 15 auxiliary questions that we though covered all of the bases.
1. What impact does the church has on people in the long run?
We all know that attending church will not get you into heaven, which also means that not attending will not send you to hell. However the community that a church provides can be essential to your growth as a Christian. Churches provide a positive community of people who are willing to help you through trivial times and to help guide you in your faith. Because these years are so essential in developing your character and personality as well as morals and beliefs, it is important to provide yourself with a church community. Churches consistently impact church-goers in a positive way.
2, What are some ways to motivate yourself to go to church regularly?
Finding a church that you enjoy going to is a big way to motivate yourself. By putting yourself in a positive Christian community you end up actually wanting to go instead of feeling obligated. It can also be helpful to find people to actually hold you accountable. Just try your hardest to make the Lord a priority in your life. If something is important, you will not just sit back and forget about it.
3. What impact can bible studies have on people in the long run?
The Bible is the most reliable source we have as Christians, so taking the time to sit down and discuss the different messages and teachings of the bible can be very beneficial to anyone. Through his word, we get to meet God himself, and it can deepen our relationship with him. The more we study the bible, the stronger our faith can become. Studying in a group can also give new perspectives to the messages you are learning.
4. How can you learn to share your faith with others?
Faith can be shared through behavior and word of mouth. First, lead by example and act how you would think the Lord would act. People are more likely to respect you if you are not a hypocrite. Faith can also be shared by you sharing the word of God to those who may not believe. We can tell them about the Bible and the Lord, or we can just pray for them to be shown his glory. Let Christ shine through you, and don't be afraid to be bold and to please him through everything you do.
5. What is the correlation between keeping your faith and who you surround yourself with? For example, does surrounding yourself with non-believers usually result in a weakening in faith, or does it not really impact you all that much?
The people we surround ourselves will affect how we see the world. We can hang out with a non-believer, and they will not make us believe any less. They can definitely tempt you to do bad things, and they can maybe make you feel discouraged about your faith. However, if you surround yourself with too many Christians, you lack experience in the real world and don't completely understand what happens in the real world. It is important to have a balance of both believers and non-believers.
6. What typical trials can we expect to face in college/after college? How can we prepare ourselves for those trials?
Every temptation will be at your fingertips, no matter the college. Drugs, alcohol, sex, homosexuality, dishonest, vanity, etc. There will be nobody to stop you. It is important to go into college knowing who you are as a person and what you believe. It is important to know what your limitations are and to set boundaries. When you go off to college, it is important to stick to those boundaries. But understanding who you are, and who you want to be will help you to resist temptation. We can also ask for help from God, because he knows how tempting it is!
7. What are ways to keep yourself continually accountable?
Set up a bible study or community groups. Meet with friends and mentors, and make sure to set goals that you want to meet. Let these friends and mentors hold you accountable and make sure you are doing what you've committed yourself to. If you clear your Sunday mornings and find a great church, it won't be hard to get out of bed and go! Surround yourself with Christians who will point out your faults and who will hold you accountable to your personal standards.
8. What are some ways to study the bible that interest you and others you know?
Bible studies that are unique and personalized can help to interest and grab the attention of those with busier schedules and wandering minds. Find a part of the bible that interests you and really dig into that subject, era, person, etc. Then when you are finished and you've learned all you possibly can, find something else that you like, and dig in.
9. What do studies say about people loosing their faith in college, workforce, army, etc.?
Currently, about 62% of people that enter college with a faith commitment, leave without it.
About 50% of Christians that enter Christian colleges, come out of college without religious affiliations.
Why is this?
There is an increase in pressure from peers, along with the increasing peer pressure and freedom of a life away from parents, all causing people to act in ways they normally wouldn't. This can lead to sin and ultimately they will slowly loose their faith.
10. What are ways you can seek out ministries on your campus or in your community?
Depending on the college, they may have resources for you. If you are attending a Christian University or College, they will likely have services or chapels at least once a week. If not, the guidance counselors will have plenty of resources. At a public university, you might have to dig a little deeper. Look up what churches are in your area, and then find one that has qualities that you like. Make sure that you are surrounding yourself with good Christian influences. Many schools will also have bible study groups, and if not, why not start one.
11. What are some things you currently struggle with? How do you think those things will affect you in college? How can you prepare for this mentally, emotionally and religiously?
Everyone deals with personal struggle and many people handle it differently. One article read during this project spoke about how if you take a jar and have to fill it with big, medium, and little rocks, you would put the big in first, followed by the medium, followed by the small. That way they would all fit. This is the same in life, you must put your biggest things first, your medium things second, and you smallest things last. This is an interesting way of thinking that you could carry with you throughout college and it could help you to prepare to deal with adversity when it comes you way.
12. What kinds of things have helped you grow close to the Lord in high school? Chapel? Service Opportunities? How can you seek out those things in college and beyond?
Attending church services, chapel services, and youth groups are a few things that can impact a high schooler's faith. Surrounding yourself with other Christians who lift you up and better you is very important. You can also seek out Christian communities in college even if you do not go to a Christian college.
13. What can a mentor do for you? How can you choose a good mentor? What ghouls you look for in a mentor?
A mentor can be very beneficial in helping you along your journey with Christ. They can answer your questions, calm your nerves, and provide great advice. When looking for a mentor, you should be keen on finding someone strong and unmoving in their faith. You also need someone who is a good teacher, someone who can really connect to you and give you knowledge and wisdom. Mentors can really make a difference in your early life, and are worth seeking out, even in college.
14. What are some ways to socialize in a way that would please the Lord? How can you avoid falling into bad habits and sinful behavior?
Avoid sinful behaviors. These are inevitable and they will be everywhere, but it is important to know what is a sinful behavior and how to avoid it. Don't drink, don't do drugs, don't have sex, etc. There are many other activities to be done besides those. It is also important to socialize with other Christians. They will likely have the same morals and values as you and it will be easier to have fun while doing what's right.
15. How can you keep touch and build relationships with people who do influence you well?
It is important to build relationship with fellow Christians as they are the few who will always back you up with faith, something that is important going into such a hostile world. Good ways to retain these relationships is to hold meetings to do activities every now and then. Keep in touch using texting, social media, etc. to share your lives with each other. Lastly, make sure you return the favor and always be there for your friend/mentor and try to influence them in a positive way.
1. What impact does the church has on people in the long run?
We all know that attending church will not get you into heaven, which also means that not attending will not send you to hell. However the community that a church provides can be essential to your growth as a Christian. Churches provide a positive community of people who are willing to help you through trivial times and to help guide you in your faith. Because these years are so essential in developing your character and personality as well as morals and beliefs, it is important to provide yourself with a church community. Churches consistently impact church-goers in a positive way.
2, What are some ways to motivate yourself to go to church regularly?
Finding a church that you enjoy going to is a big way to motivate yourself. By putting yourself in a positive Christian community you end up actually wanting to go instead of feeling obligated. It can also be helpful to find people to actually hold you accountable. Just try your hardest to make the Lord a priority in your life. If something is important, you will not just sit back and forget about it.
3. What impact can bible studies have on people in the long run?
The Bible is the most reliable source we have as Christians, so taking the time to sit down and discuss the different messages and teachings of the bible can be very beneficial to anyone. Through his word, we get to meet God himself, and it can deepen our relationship with him. The more we study the bible, the stronger our faith can become. Studying in a group can also give new perspectives to the messages you are learning.
4. How can you learn to share your faith with others?
Faith can be shared through behavior and word of mouth. First, lead by example and act how you would think the Lord would act. People are more likely to respect you if you are not a hypocrite. Faith can also be shared by you sharing the word of God to those who may not believe. We can tell them about the Bible and the Lord, or we can just pray for them to be shown his glory. Let Christ shine through you, and don't be afraid to be bold and to please him through everything you do.
5. What is the correlation between keeping your faith and who you surround yourself with? For example, does surrounding yourself with non-believers usually result in a weakening in faith, or does it not really impact you all that much?
The people we surround ourselves will affect how we see the world. We can hang out with a non-believer, and they will not make us believe any less. They can definitely tempt you to do bad things, and they can maybe make you feel discouraged about your faith. However, if you surround yourself with too many Christians, you lack experience in the real world and don't completely understand what happens in the real world. It is important to have a balance of both believers and non-believers.
6. What typical trials can we expect to face in college/after college? How can we prepare ourselves for those trials?
Every temptation will be at your fingertips, no matter the college. Drugs, alcohol, sex, homosexuality, dishonest, vanity, etc. There will be nobody to stop you. It is important to go into college knowing who you are as a person and what you believe. It is important to know what your limitations are and to set boundaries. When you go off to college, it is important to stick to those boundaries. But understanding who you are, and who you want to be will help you to resist temptation. We can also ask for help from God, because he knows how tempting it is!
7. What are ways to keep yourself continually accountable?
Set up a bible study or community groups. Meet with friends and mentors, and make sure to set goals that you want to meet. Let these friends and mentors hold you accountable and make sure you are doing what you've committed yourself to. If you clear your Sunday mornings and find a great church, it won't be hard to get out of bed and go! Surround yourself with Christians who will point out your faults and who will hold you accountable to your personal standards.
8. What are some ways to study the bible that interest you and others you know?
Bible studies that are unique and personalized can help to interest and grab the attention of those with busier schedules and wandering minds. Find a part of the bible that interests you and really dig into that subject, era, person, etc. Then when you are finished and you've learned all you possibly can, find something else that you like, and dig in.
9. What do studies say about people loosing their faith in college, workforce, army, etc.?
Currently, about 62% of people that enter college with a faith commitment, leave without it.
About 50% of Christians that enter Christian colleges, come out of college without religious affiliations.
Why is this?
There is an increase in pressure from peers, along with the increasing peer pressure and freedom of a life away from parents, all causing people to act in ways they normally wouldn't. This can lead to sin and ultimately they will slowly loose their faith.
10. What are ways you can seek out ministries on your campus or in your community?
Depending on the college, they may have resources for you. If you are attending a Christian University or College, they will likely have services or chapels at least once a week. If not, the guidance counselors will have plenty of resources. At a public university, you might have to dig a little deeper. Look up what churches are in your area, and then find one that has qualities that you like. Make sure that you are surrounding yourself with good Christian influences. Many schools will also have bible study groups, and if not, why not start one.
11. What are some things you currently struggle with? How do you think those things will affect you in college? How can you prepare for this mentally, emotionally and religiously?
Everyone deals with personal struggle and many people handle it differently. One article read during this project spoke about how if you take a jar and have to fill it with big, medium, and little rocks, you would put the big in first, followed by the medium, followed by the small. That way they would all fit. This is the same in life, you must put your biggest things first, your medium things second, and you smallest things last. This is an interesting way of thinking that you could carry with you throughout college and it could help you to prepare to deal with adversity when it comes you way.
12. What kinds of things have helped you grow close to the Lord in high school? Chapel? Service Opportunities? How can you seek out those things in college and beyond?
Attending church services, chapel services, and youth groups are a few things that can impact a high schooler's faith. Surrounding yourself with other Christians who lift you up and better you is very important. You can also seek out Christian communities in college even if you do not go to a Christian college.
13. What can a mentor do for you? How can you choose a good mentor? What ghouls you look for in a mentor?
A mentor can be very beneficial in helping you along your journey with Christ. They can answer your questions, calm your nerves, and provide great advice. When looking for a mentor, you should be keen on finding someone strong and unmoving in their faith. You also need someone who is a good teacher, someone who can really connect to you and give you knowledge and wisdom. Mentors can really make a difference in your early life, and are worth seeking out, even in college.
14. What are some ways to socialize in a way that would please the Lord? How can you avoid falling into bad habits and sinful behavior?
Avoid sinful behaviors. These are inevitable and they will be everywhere, but it is important to know what is a sinful behavior and how to avoid it. Don't drink, don't do drugs, don't have sex, etc. There are many other activities to be done besides those. It is also important to socialize with other Christians. They will likely have the same morals and values as you and it will be easier to have fun while doing what's right.
15. How can you keep touch and build relationships with people who do influence you well?
It is important to build relationship with fellow Christians as they are the few who will always back you up with faith, something that is important going into such a hostile world. Good ways to retain these relationships is to hold meetings to do activities every now and then. Keep in touch using texting, social media, etc. to share your lives with each other. Lastly, make sure you return the favor and always be there for your friend/mentor and try to influence them in a positive way.