Weekly Email: January 20, 2025

I hope you had a great week! This week’s email contains some thoughts on creating rituals to help you in your online students, a webinar answering questions about relocating to Louisville to study, and a faculty devotional from Dr. Duane Garrett.

Student Tip: The Power of Rituals

Navigating the world of being an online student can feel like uncharted territory. Unlike your previous on-campus experience, where the rhythm of the day is set by the physical presence of classrooms and fellow students, online education lacks those tangible reminders. Remember the days of walking into a classroom, surrounded by other students, the sound of a bell marking the start of a lecture? That was a ritual, a routine that anchored your student life.

Also, consider the weekly gathering of the saints. It’s more than just a time of worship but it’s a moment to connect, reflect, and renew your committment to your daily walk with Christ. Similarly, as an online student, you need your own rituals, which can help serve as personal cues that signal it’s time to step into your role as a student

Create Your Own Rituals

Start by establishing a routine that is distinctly yours. This could be as simple as using a particular coffee mug reserved solely for study sessions. The act of sipping from this mug becomes a signal to your brain: time to focus. Or perhaps keep a special notebook dedicated to your coursework, a physical object that ties you to your online studies. You might also consider incorporating a prayer that you pray each time you sit sound to study.

Flexibility is Your Friend

Remember, the one of the great things of online learning is its flexibility. While having a dedicated study space is ideal, it’s not always feasible. If you find yourself studying in various locations, carry a small physical reminder with you such as that special notebook or a particular pen. These items can serve as portable reminders of your identity as a student.

I know that you’re not alone on this journey. If you’re unsure about how to create these rituals or need more ideas, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Program News: Making It Work Webinar

I often hear from online students who are considering moving to campus. Relocating can feel like a monumental decision, especially without a major life event like a job change prompting the move. For many of you, it’s not just about a new location but it’s about stepping away from your current ministry and community. The questions can feel endless: How will this work financially?We have family and other support in this community?Will I find a new church?How will I handle the logistics?

Every student’s situation is unique, but the challenges often follow familiar patterns. I frequently hear similar concerns from students, and our admissions staff has guided many through these very decisions. That’s why we are hosting the “Making It Work” webinar on January 22, which is designed to share real life stories of students who have successfully transitioned and provide answers to your questions.

While online learning is convenient and many times necessary, there’s something uniquely enriching about learning on campus. If you’ve ever wondered if this step might be right for you, I encourage you to attend the webinar.

Date: Tuesday, January 22
Time: 3:30 pm EST

Sign up today and take one step closer to clarity about moving to Louisville.

Faculty Devotional

This week’s faculty devotional is from Dr. Duane Garrett, John R. Sampey Professor of Old Testament Interpretation and Professor of Biblical Theology.

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping your word. I have sought you with all my heart; don’t let me wander from your commands. I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you. LORD, may you be blessed; teach me your statues. With my lips I proclaim all the judgments from your mouth. I rejoice in the way revealed by your decrees as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and think about your ways. I will delight in your statues; I will not forget your word” (Psalm 119:9–16, CSB).

This is the ב (beth) section of the psalm. This segment focuses on how devotion to the law helps a person avoid falling into sin. It begins by asking how a young man can remain pure, and it answers, “By living according to your word.” In the remaining verses, the psalmist describes how he committed himself to learning, pondering, and teaching the precepts of the law, and in so doing he provides an example for readers to follow. Even so, he knows that he needs God’s grace if he is to remain faithful and obedient: “Do not let me go astray from your commandments!” (v. 10). Mere knowledge of the law, even if one has a zeal to learn and obey, is not enough to overcome the evil within one’s heart.

That’s all for this week! Thanks for reading and check in next Monday. You can find an archive of each week’s email here.