Stay Spiritually Strong While Getting Additional Education

1-2. (a) If you choose to get additional education, what do you need to keep doing? (b) What does it mean to “go on walking orderly in this same course”? (Philippians 3:16)

SOME of Jehovah’s servants have decided to get additional education that goes beyond the basic schooling that is mandated by the state. They may feel that such education could help them to find work that will support them in their service to Jehovah. If you have decided to get additional education, how can you make sure that you will remain close to Jehovah? (Jas. 4:8a) No doubt you faced tests of faith during your previous years in school. Now you will need to “go on walking orderly in this same course”​—that is, to continue serving Jehovah faithfully, just as you have already.​—Read Philippians 3:16.

² The Greek verb used in the phrase rendered “walking orderly in this same course” was often used in a military sense to describe the unified marching of soldiers. If you decide to get additional education, you will need to keep “marching forward” in Jehovah’s service, neither standing still nor retreating. This article will discuss four Bible principles that will help you. These principles are not new to you. You applied them in the past, and you will need to continue applying them while receiving additional education and well after you complete your schooling.

MAINTAIN A HEALTHY SPIRITUAL ROUTINE

3. As you are getting additional education, what challenge might you face with regard to your daily routine?

³ The challenge. Additional education might place new demands on you that will affect your daily routine. Because you naturally want to do well in your schooling, you could begin to treat your service to Jehovah as of lesser importance. You could even start to neglect Christian meetings, participation in the ministry, personal Bible study, and prayer.​—Rev. 2:4.

4. What can help you to have “plenty to do in the work of the Lord”? (1 Corinthians 15:58)

⁴ Read 1 Corinthians 15:58. Just as a bicycle stays upright when it is in motion, you will stay upright spiritually if you are in motion, having “plenty to do in the work of the Lord,” in Jehovah’s service. This is not simply a matter of spending some time in theocratic activities. It is a matter of your priorities. View yourself as a servant of Jehovah first and as a school student second. (Matt. 22:37) A young sister named Samantha says, “I promised myself that if my education were ever to interfere with my service to Jehovah, I would quit school.”

5. What can you do to stay active in Jehovah’s service?

⁵ What you can do before you begin your additional education. Have your priorities clearly in focus. Ask yourself, ‘What plan do I have in place to stay regular in my meeting attendance, ministry, and personal study?’ (Josh. 1:8; Matt. 28:19, 20; Heb. 10:25) Also, think back: How did you keep your priorities in focus during your previous years in school? If you feel that you could have handled things better, what adjustments can you make now? Be determined to stay active in Jehovah’s service as you get additional education. Give adequate attention to your education​—but not at the expense of your worship.a​—Matt. 6:24.

6. What can you consider while making a self-examination? (See also picture.)

⁶ As you get your additional education, regularly make a self-examination, perhaps every month or so. Ask yourself, ‘Are my priorities still in focus?’ Be alert to warning signs​—for example, a habit of skipping meetings or arriving late, of thinking about your school assignments while the meeting is in progress, or of attending meetings only virtually. Note, too, whether your habit of prayer and Bible reading begins to slack off or whether your ministry becomes superficial​—a mere chore that you want to finish as quickly as possible. If you see such traits developing, act quickly. Do not let your education keep you from giving priority to Jehovah’s service.

“GUARD YOUR THINKING ABILITIES”

7. As you are getting additional education, what challenges might you face with regard to your thinking?

⁷ The challenge. Depending on the courses you take, your additional education might expose you to the world’s “philosophy and empty deception,” including atheism and evolution. (Col. 2:8) It could also promote a spirit of self-reliance. One young brother recalls: “We weren’t just taught a skill; we were taught a way of thinking, one that often wasn’t in harmony with Jehovah’s thinking. For example, we were taught that our success in life depended on ourselves. This kind of thinking left Jehovah out of the equation. It made it more difficult for me to rely on him.”

8. Why is it important to “guard your thinking abilities”? (Proverbs 5:1, 2)

⁸ Read Proverbs 5:1, 2. The Bible warns you to “guard your thinking abilities.” To guard something implies that it is under threat of attack. That is certainly true with regard to your thinking abilities. (1 Pet. 5:8) The world’s spirit can undermine your faith with regard to morals, the origin of life, or even the existence of God. People may present their view as “higher” thinking, but it is actually lower thinking. In fact, it is “foolishness with God.”​—1 Cor. 3:18-20.

9. What can you do to guard your thinking abilities?

⁹ What you can do before you begin your additional education. To guard your thinking abilities, make sure your Bible-based convictions are strong before you begin your additional education. Ask yourself such questions as: ‘Why do I believe in God? How do I know that the Bible is his Word? What convinces me that the Bible’s moral standards are superior to those of the world?’ Also, think back: No doubt you were exposed to the world’s thinking during your previous years in school. Was your faith weakened by the confidence that some had in the evolution theory? Were you easily tempted by the unclean lifestyle of your fellow students? If you feel that you could have done better in the past, how can you strengthen your convictions now? Be determined to guard your thinking abilities as you get additional education.​—2 Tim. 2:16-18.b

10. How can you continue to protect your thinking abilities?

¹⁰ As you get additional education, keep making a regular self-examination. Ask yourself: ‘Am I being influenced by the ungodly lifestyles of those around me? Can I see through the world’s empty philosophies? Am I fully convinced that only God’s Kingdom can solve mankind’s problems?’ To guard your thinking abilities, continue to be a good student of God’s Word. Bible study and meditation will help you to strengthen your conviction that you have the truth.​—1 Tim. 4:15.

MANAGE YOUR TIME WISELY

11. As you are getting additional education, what challenge might you face with regard to your use of time?

¹¹ The challenge. Additional education may place heavy demands on your time, especially when you are studying for exams or when you have a tight deadline to complete a project. If you do not manage your time wisely, you could suffer from undue stress and even set yourself up for burnout. That is why it is vital for you to take care of your physical and emotional health.

12. What activities will you need to include as you make “the best use of your time”? (Ephesians 5:15, 16)

¹² Read Ephesians 5:15, 16. It can be difficult to make “the best use of your time.” You need balance. For example, even more than giving attention to your classes, you need to have time for wholesome association with fellow believers and family members. (Ps. 133:1; Prov. 18:1) Your spiritual needs are the top priority. (Matt. 6:33) You might also have family responsibilities and a job to care for. In addition, you need to take care of your health by getting adequate rest and moderate exercise. (Eccl. 4:6; 1 Tim. 4:8) All of this requires good time management.

13. What can you do in order to make the best use of your time?

¹³ What you can do before you begin your additional education. The Bible says that planning leads to success. (Prov. 21:5) With that in mind, have a realistic schedule in place before you begin your additional education. To help you do that, think back: How well did you manage your time during your previous years in school? If you feel that you could have done better in the past, what adjustments can you make now? Be determined to control your time rather than allow time to control you.c

14. What questions might help you to examine yourself?

¹⁴ As you get additional education, regularly make a self-examination. Ask yourself: ‘Is my schedule allowing me to get sufficient rest and exercise? Do I still have some time to associate with fellow believers? Can I complete my homework on time? If not, is it because I have too much to do or is it because I procrastinate? Would others, including family members, agree with my assessment?’ Whether you need to adjust your schedule or simply develop better self-discipline, act quickly. You might even talk to others who have good time-management skills.​—Prov. 11:14.

KEEP “WALKING WITH THE WISE”

15. As you are getting additional education, what challenge might you face?

¹⁵ The challenge. As you get additional education, your fellow students might try to include you in their social life. You might be tempted to join them. After all, you have a lot in common with them, especially if much of your time is spent with them in class. You might even feel that you have more in common with your classmates than you do with some of your fellow believers. However, you need to be cautious. Although you share a classroom with your fellow students, you do not share their values. And the more time you spend with them, the more their thinking can affect you. (1 Cor. 15:33) Michael, who completed a four-year electrical apprenticeship, found that to be true. He says, “I spent more than 40 hours a week with coworkers whose view of the opposite sex, choice of music, and use of vulgar language started to affect my thinking.”

16. What does “walking with the wise” mean? (Proverbs 13:20)

¹⁶ Read Proverbs 13:20. The Bible warns us about the dangers of harmful association. On the other hand, “the one walking with the wise will become wise.” The lesson is clear: We are influenced by those we choose to spend time with, either for good or for bad. Maintain friendships with those who have your best interests at heart​—those who, like you, wholeheartedly serve Jehovah.​—Ps. 101:6, 7; 119:63.

17. What can you do to avoid harmful association?

¹⁷ What you can do before you begin your additional education. Decide which limits to set with regard to your association. A Witness named Trenton says: “I’m cordial with my fellow students, but I don’t spend time with them after school. I view them as my classmates, not as my close friends.” What limits will you set? To help answer that question, think back: What limits did you set during your previous years in school? If you feel that you could have done better in the past, what adjustments can you make now? Be determined to keep “walking with the wise” and to keep avoiding company with those who do not love Jehovah.d

18. What self-examination would be beneficial? (See also picture.)

¹⁸ At regular intervals, make a self-examination. Ask yourself: ‘Am I getting too close to my classmates? Are their habits, their speech, and their attitudes beginning to affect my speech and thinking? Would Jehovah agree with my personal assessment?’ (Ps. 1:1) If you detect negative changes in yourself, act quickly. Make sure that your best friendships are among those who love Jehovah the way you do. Also, don’t hesitate to witness to your classmates. You are in a unique position to help them learn about the truth.

BE PREPARED

19. How can you prepare yourself to overcome spiritual challenges as you get additional education? Illustrate.

¹⁹ A wise hiker prepares himself before he sets foot on the trail. Although he cannot predict every challenge that he will face, he is in shape, he is properly dressed, and he has a goal​—he knows where he is headed. You can take a similar approach as you get additional education. Keep strong in the faith, wear “the complete suit of armor from God,” and have a goal​—not to achieve what the world considers “success,” but to bring glory to Jehovah in everything you do.​—Eph. 6:11-13; 1 Cor. 9:26, 27; 10:31.

20. How can you “keep testing whether you are in the faith”?

²⁰ The Bible urges us: “Keep testing whether you are in the faith; keep proving what you yourselves are.” (2 Cor. 13:5) You can do that as you get additional education. Regularly examine yourself in the areas discussed in this article. Are you maintaining a healthy spiritual routine? Are you guarding your thinking from the so-called wisdom of this world? Are you managing your time wisely? Are you cultivating friendships among fellow Christians while avoiding harmful association? Those are questions that you need to ask yourself whether you are at school, in the workforce, or anywhere else. Be determined to stay strong in the faith in whatever circumstance you face. You can be certain that Jehovah will bless your efforts to do so.​—Prov. 3:5, 6.