Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Swansea University Houseparty
28th-30th October 2005

Seminar:

“Motivation for study”


What is motivation?
Motivation: “an inducement or an incentive; something that leads us to act in a certain way to achieve a goal.”

Why do I find it so hard to study?!!
It's boring & often seems pointless
Better, more interesting things to be doing
Would rather do something for God, e.g. witnessing to friends, serving church/CU
etc
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God’s design for humanity: Genesis 1v20-31

What sets people apart from animals?
We were made in God's image - we reflect something of God, He is a creative, thinking being, and so are we. We have the ability to learn and process and use information in a way animals can't.

What is God’s command to man, v28?
Fill the earth and subdue it - to subdue I need to learn how the earth works, as I'm doing in my degree, whatever that might look like! We were designed to work. Work is not, contrary to common belief, a result of the fall!! It is part of what we were made to do.

Great quote...
“A Christian who is convinced that this is God’s world, that all truth is God’s truth, and that he is called to serve God in his studies, will begin to experience in even the most difficult of subjects a sense of excitement as he discovers more of the complexity, unity and beauty of the manifold works of God.” Jonathan Lamb
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Christ’s design for His church

1) Remember who you are, v1-4
You are in Christ, you have died to self and been raised with Him. So all that you do in your life now, you do in Christ. The whole of your life is to be used to worship God!

2) Be true to your identity, v5-17
Because you are in Christ, sin is no longer fitting for you. Therefore get rid of sin, and put on things that are Christlike. [Note that study is not one of the sins we must put off!! It is not an unworthy occupation, so don't use that as an excuse to slack off!]

3) Show who you are and whose you are in the way you work, v22-24
Here Paul's talking to slaves, but he gives them a work ethic that we can apply to our studies. Work in a manner worthy of Christ. Your work is part of your worship to God, so do it well, even when nobody's watching over you! And by the way, your coursemates are watching you. Are you studying in a way that shows you have been raised with Christ, or are you discrediting the gospel by your behaviour in this area?

Note that academic work does not take second place to more “spiritual” work!

“I believe it is no more necessary to be faithful in preaching the gospel than in washing up dishes… It is not for us, in any case, to choose our work. And if God has chosen it for us, hadn’t we better go straight ahead and do it, without waiting for anything greater, better or ‘nobler’?” James Fraser, missionary to China

Our whole lives are to be occupied in worshipping God and bringing glory to Him. Therefore it is not acceptable to let my studies suffer because I'm so involved in church/CU - doing so is NOT holy, and even if other Christians are impressed by it and think you're really holy, it's rubbish! Don't neglect the very thing you came to university to do and thereby bring shame on the gospel.

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How to be a lazy, unproductive, good for nothing student: the example of the sluggard

In each of the following passages, what is the sluggard like? How can we be like this?

Proverbs 6v9-11

10v26

13v4

20v4

26v13-16

Laziness is sinful, makes us look ridiculous, and people will see us as unreliable and annoying!! We must not be like this - remember, we are in Christ now!
And now, how we should behave: the example of the ant!

Read Proverbs 6v6-8. What is it about the ant that makes her a good example for us to follow?
She works in the summer to store up food for the winter - we should be working consistently too. Just because you haven't got any deadlines or exams for a couple of months, doesn't mean you should slack off - work consistently, and you'll be best prepared for assessment.
Also, she works without anyone pressuring her to do it. At uni your parents aren't there to nag you, and your lecturers won't notice if you never hand anything in. But remember that you are not out to please people, but God. Therefore work hard, knowing that He sees you, and will be pleased with your faithfulness.

And in case you haven’t got the hint yet, a few more passages that tell us how we should behave…

Psalm 111v2
Study shouldn't be boring, we are studying the things God has made!
Titus 2v9,10
You discredit the gospel by slacking off - you make it attractive by working well.
2 Thessalonians 3v10-12
Every one of us should earn our keep.
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Practical pointers for studying well

1) Make sure you have a good environment to study in – temperature, lighting, noise levels, space, comfort
2) Keep focussed on the purpose of study
3) List and do tasks according to priorities
4) Break tasks down into manageable bits
5) If you’re really struggling with something, speak to your tutor
6) Be realistic in the targets you set for yourself
7) Give yourself rewards for studying
8) Study with coursemates
9) Take breaks when you need them – they’ll help you to concentrate
10) Keep Sunday special, use it for worship and rest – we were not made to function without it!
11) Plan activities outside of work during the week, eg. sports
12) Watch your diet – limit sugar, caffeine and junk food!
13) Get 7-9 hours sleep every day
14) If there are real issues preventing you from studying (ie. illness or circumstances), speak to your tutor.

Recommended reading:

First and foremost, you need to be daily reading your Bible, praying that God will show you more of Himself and keep your eyes fixed on Him.

Then make sure you read the texts your tutors recommend – they’ll help you to understand the course better, and enjoy it more.

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