FCB Editorial - The Ten Commandments for the Christian Student

The Ten Commandments for the Christian Student

—Jack Sin, Pastor

Maranatha Bible-Presbyterian Church

63 Cranwell Road, Singapore 509851

Tel (65) 5458627, Fax (65) 5467422

2 Tm 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Below are some relevant, practical pointers for our students

1. Thou shalt Remember the Lord your God in Prayer every morning before going to school.

Get in tune with God before the concert of the day begins Let us be like our Lord Jesus and Psalmist and make our prayers unto heaven early in the morning! read Ps 5:3 – “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning! 0 LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up” and Mark 1-35 – “And in the morning rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed” and meditate on the scriptures first (Josh 1:8) A good beginning is 1/2 done Let prayer be the key that unlocks the day and the bolt that seems the worse at night before we sleep. Read the Word first before your textbook. Jer. 15:16 “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart; for I am called by thy name, 0 LORD God of hosts.” Get our priorities right first thing in the day. (Mart 6:21, 33)

2. Thou shalt Have No Other idols, distractions and obsession before God.

Do not be obsessed with sports, TV, leisure, games. pleasure, fame, computer or any idolizing activity that can rob you of your devotion to God and your precious time in studies (Ex 20:1-4). Exercise moderation in all things (Phil 4:5). Not even our studies should be placed before our love and devotion to God. Have less of sleep, TV, leisure and more discipline in honest hard work and heart work and spend quality time with God in QT daily as well

3. Thou shalt Remember and Practice the DIN principle.

This is a principle familiar with many FEBC students, called the Do It Now or Delay It Not principle (Eph 5:1617) Do not procrastinate in doing your homework till tomorrow but strive to finish all school work by the same day/week if possible Remember that procrastination is the thief of time and we have been robbed daily without knowing it Discipline and diligence is required here to achieve this! Success is 1% intelligence! 99% diligence; 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration Plough on tirelessly. Do not put off anything till tomorrow when you can do it today

4. Thou shalt Plan & Organize your Time Systematically.

Effective and fruitful studying is about proper planning and organization as well. We have to allocate time for different subjects and keep to it with diligence. Plan your work and work your plan If you are weaker in Mathematics or Science or language, give more time to these subjects and use the best time of the day for these subjects. Consistency should be the order of the day! (and not last minute work), redeeming the time always and walking circumspectly (Col 4:5) Practice makes perfect Do not give up easily, but press on and look up to Jesus always (Heb 12:1,2).

5. Thou shalt Pay Rapt Attention to the Teacher in Class.

The teacher is there to help you. Attentiveness in class is the key to good memory and clear understanding. Daydreaming or sleeping in the class or absenteeism from class is a liability and impedes proper learning Nothing beats listening intently and following what the teacher is trying to explain n class. This aids revision later and goes a long way in understanding later. Lazy and dreamy students rarely do well in their examinations later, and it is difficult to catch up later.

6. Thou shalt ask Questions when In Doubt.

It takes humility and interest to ask questions when you are unsure. Ignorance is not bliss, Do not let doubt and difficulty accumulate but clarify them and understand and you will find it clearer and easier to study the subject and do well. Do not keep silent or be afraid to ask the teacher; (Silence is not always synonymous with humility. It can be pride in disguise as well). Be humble to ask. Triumph in the classroom. Fight by winning over the difficulties that you face by asking good question that will improve/increase your knowledge and understanding Every question answered is a victory in the battlefield of learning for you.

7 Thou shalt Make Simple Notes and Highlight Important Points during the lesson I revision.

One effective way of fruitful studying is to make short notes and highlight n your textbook with different color) relevant and Important points emphasized by the teacher Look out for the golden phrase eg “This is important.” Do not forget this formula” or “remember this” by the teacher. Do this consistently throughout the whole semester and you will have 1/2 the battle won before the examination already. If possible read the lesson to be taught in advance to prepare for the class and revise it again after the class

8 Thou shalt Practice the Art of Memorizing Important Facts Regularly.

To remember things require a conscious effort. Very few of us will remember something (i.e. formulas) on hearing it the first time. It takes a consistent endeavor to put it on our memory bank. Daily, regular revision and recall are required. Just like memorizing a scripture verse (Ps 119 9-11). Use time savers like waiting for the bus, lunch time and other unproductive time for this. Have small cards or other devices to help you as well. Remember, to save’ up what you learned and your brain can be a 486 or a Pentium Ill depending on how you use it. Use mnemonics if necessary (i.e. 4Ds, acronyms, etc). Build up a good memory of facts and figures and be ready for the tests and examinations all the time

9 Thou shalt be Willing to Help Other Struggling Students.

You may be wondering how does this help you. By being able to explain to other students you crystallize your thoughts, and if you could teach and explain it to others you get it yourself by helping other students and the blessings return to you. Selfishness is a curse but altruism has its own intrinsic reward and blessings as well (Gal. 6:5). Make sure that you know it yourself first and then help others willingly. As Christians, we should not be selfish or “Kiasu” and hoard notes, books and resource materials from other students

10. Thou shalt Not Cheat Nor Copy in Test, Assessments and Examinations Nor Covet Your Friends Grades.

Those who copy their friends assignments instead of doing it themselves are losers in the end. Instead of gaining knowledge or the ability of problem solving, they forfeit and deprive themselves of this opportunity of learning and growing with each exercise. Do your own homework and tutorials assignments by yourself and God will! bless you and honor you when you maintain your integrity and honesty. Dishonesty never pays. Do not be disqualified like some athletes in the Sydney Olympics, by doping. Whatever you sow, you shall also reap (Gal 6:7,8). Have a persevering spirit and do not give up easily. Determination and gumption are required of successful students. Never give up easily and by Gods sufficient grace, you can make it. Remember 1 Cor 10:13 and God will preserve you. Study hard, be a good Christian witness and testimony and plough on for the Lord. Be content and do not complain, compare nor murmur with whatever grade God has given you and give thanks to Him always (I Thess. 5:18).

Conclusion

As a Christian, studying is not Just about passing examinations only. The ultimate examination in life is building up good skills, attitudes, knowledge, and to be able to apply them in real life one day. Traits Iike honesty, integrity, analytical ability, diligence perseverance, selflessness, Longsuffering, meekness, faith, good organization, writing and oral skills are important for work or relationships in life. Its not Intelligence only, but heart work and Gods mercies that are needed for academic success. Finally, let us run the race well and finish the course without disqualification. Paul in 1 Cor. 9:24-27 writes, ‘Know ye not that they which run in a race run alI but one receiveth the prize. So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible” and remember to give thanks to God when it is all over. We need to pray fervently and ask God for the spiritual guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead and help us on all these things (Gal. 5:22,23).

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