It’s over! The school year is finally complete. No more waking up at 5:30 to cram for a quiz. No more papers to write. No more loud snoring by the person in the bunk next to you. Time to head home! There is nothing wrong with taking some time off. In fact, if we don’t take time for a rest, we can get sick, irritable, and be less effective for God.

But for a Bible college student, does summer mean four months of relaxation? Does it mean sleeping in every day, watching the Beverly Hillbillies, and playing Xbox? Not if you want to be successful in God’s eyes. We all need a break, but imagine working hard this summer, and coming back to Bible college with a deeper relationship with God! It is possible. It just takes W-O-R-K.

The Bible calls us Christians soldiers. We are not here on this earth for a holiday, we are here to serve the Lord. The Bible also calls us workmen. In 2 Timothy 2:15 the Bible says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Here are a few tips on how you can have a successful summer.

1. Study God’s Word

Imagine setting aside just one hour every day to study God’s Word. I’m not talking about just skimming a couple of chapters while you read emails, check Facebook, and text your friend. I am talking about concentrated study of the Bible. We often ready the Bible so we can check off our Bible reading schedule, but are we really concerned with studying the Bible so that God approves? Don’t just read the verses, study them. Find out what it means, how it applies to your life. How does the passage reveal God to you? If you are going to have a successful summer, get into God’s Word. Read it. Study it. Memorize it. It’s okay in summer to use an alarm clock!

2. Meditate on God’s Word

Most people don’t spend a lot of time in meditation.  I’m not talking about sitting legs crossed on the floor and humming to yourself.

Joshua 1:8 “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.“

God ties success to meditating on His Word. To thinking about it, to pondering it. And not just for a few minutes. For the whole day. Where would you be spiritually this September if you took off your headphones this summer, and meditated on God’s Word day and night? Just thinking about your Bible reading, thinking about the promises of God. Thinking about His love for you. The Bible is the most positive self help book there is! Meditate on it.

Psalms 1:2  “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”

3. Memorize God’s Word

God’s Word is spiritual food. You cannot grow as a Christian without spending time in God’s Word. Studying, meditating, and memorizing.

Psalms 119:11  “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

If you would memorize one verse every day this summer until the start of the new college year at the end of August you would memorize approximately 120 verses. Wow! Don’t you think that would help you to have a deeper walk with God?

Having a successful summer depends on what you do with God’s Word. Sleep all summer, relax, do your own thing. You can do that, but you will come to college in fall having wasted a golden opportunity. Why not have a successful summer. Get into your Bible. Study it. Meditate on it. Memorize it.