Daniel: The Original Scholarship Kid
There is a lot of different opinions about higher education in recent years. There is a lot of different opinions on the value of a college education as well as concerns about the cost of education. And most recently, there are a variety of opinions on the role of the government in higher education.
But look what I found in my Bible! The first full-ride government sponsored scholarship program! If it was a news story, maybe it would read like this: Nebuchadnezzar University offers full ride to foreign students in a 3-year accelerated degree program. The admissions committee chooses the first cohort of students based on their prior learning and competencies and openly admits that preference was given to students with perfect complexions.
Students report to campus and in the first week of classes complain about the cafeteria food and insist that a vegetarian option be provided. Some students negotiate with the dean of the college and set up a research experiment to prove that the administration is clueless when it comes to understanding what is best for student learning. The local accreditor reviews the results and based on outcomes, sides with the students in the appropriate path forward.
Please forgive my attempt at higher education humor and allow me to find a redeeming observation from the first chapter of Daniel. As educators, we pride ourselves in creating curriculum and environments that we believe produce the best outcomes. We think we know the what and the how of education, and we resist the exception. It is simply more efficient to run students through our system. It is cost effective and keeps us in compliance with our regulators.
But the problem is that not all students are the same nor do they respond the same to our plan. And then throw in the possibility that God chooses to intervene in our plans and in the students’ plans to create a path even for one or a handful of unique individuals that He has chosen to use in world altering future events. How do you plan for God's interventions?
In the opening chapter of Daniel’s story, we read that God gave Daniel and his friends learning and skill in literature and wisdom. You can learn literature from a book and a lecture, but to develop wisdom one must include the classroom experience and other activities such as prayer and application. Yes, I can argue the educator’s side of how we provide all this and more. The point I want to stress is that God is also involved in the student's life.
If an institution wants to develop the whole person, then the college administration, staff, and professors must also pray and practice what they teach. Amazing things can happen when the college or university aligns herself with the things of God. Then amazing things can happen in the life of the student.
I'm not throwing in the towel and giving up on higher education. But there can and should be a significant change in a student’s life when those who teach and lead also practice the spiritual disciplines that truly shape our hearts and minds. I'm reminding myself and you that God always has a bigger thing going on than we realize. Any institution that centers itself in God’s truth can make a huge impact on both its students and even the world.
Father, today we pray for students who are attending colleges and universities around the country. We ask that you open their minds to you and to the teachings of your word that they might experience your guidance in all they think about and learn. Raise up godly men and women to teach and mentor students that they might see what maturity in Christ is and what it can lead to in bringing wholeness and life to every community. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Daniel 1:1-21 ESV
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