A College Student’s Guide to Daily Devotionals

College Advice, On-Campus Living, Spiritual Growth, Student Life

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"Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." - Jeremiah 33:3 ESV

As a Christian student seeking to grow in your faith, your personal relationship with the Lord is an integral part of your college experience and future success. Although you have many other obligations during this time, making time for daily devotionals is a priority you can achieve with good time management and dedication.

How Devotionals Lead to Spiritual Growth

Spending time studying and praying daily is not about going through the motions. Your daily devotionals can truly transform your relationship with God.

What Are Devotionals?

Devotional time is reserved for contemplative study and connection to God. Whether you pray, listen to worship music, read the Bible, or study other materials, He desires a relationship with you. You can develop your own plan for devotional time or follow a Bible study or devotional guide that helps you focus on growth during the year.

How do Devotionals Connect Us with God?

Making space for consistent prayer, meditation, and Bible study is one of the best ways to strengthen and enjoy your relationship with God. When we only turn to Him during times of need or despair, we are missing the great joy of knowing God through all phases of life. Daily devotionals are a way to deepen your understanding of God's glory in your own life and notice His presence. Christian author and founder of Desiring God shares six benefits of daily devotionals, including a deeper understanding of the Bible, spiritual strength training, and cultivating delight in the Lord. By integrating devotionals into our daily lives, we commit to inviting God into every step we take.

Time Management for Spiritual Growth

College is a busy time, and most students have competing obligations. Between classes, homework, part-time jobs, church, and spending time with friends and family, you might feel like it's difficult to find time for daily devotionals. However, with some simple time management, you can make space for this essential part of your spiritual well-being.

Making Personal Goals

Without taking the time to plan and give energy to your intentions, you'll ultimately struggle. The first step in making time for devotionals is to solidify your goals in your relationship with the Lord.

How much time would you ideally like to set aside for devotionals?
Is there an aspect of God's truth that you need to focus on? This might be a personal conviction, good works, faith through servant leadership, or even a deeper understanding of the Bible. Ask the Lord to show you truths you need to meditate on.
What do you want your environment and actions to look like during devotionals? This practice shouldn't be hasty or done on the move from one place to another. Consider how you can set the stage for a dedicated devotional time and space. How can you enhance this time to be something you enjoy and look forward to?

Collecting Resources

"Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed." - Proverbs 15:22 ESV

Your guide to devotionals isn't an individual path. To make your plan work, you will need resources, guidance, and support from the community.

Download a daily devotional app. Especially when you're stressed and overwhelmed, having a pre-built schedule and reminders on your phone makes it easy to stick to your goals. You can also check out the Top 9 Christian Apps for Busy College Students to determine which devotional app is best for you.
Speak with other members of your community about their experience with devotionals. Bible study groups, church, classes, and your family are good places to seek advice. Ask for their stories of transformation through devotionals to use as inspiration.
Find or start a group to hold each other accountable. This can be done online through messages or in person. For a starting point, check the spiritual student organizations at DBU.

Your Devotional Plan in Action

After you've put time and work into a plan, it's time to take action.

Choose a time of day that you can reliably commit to devotionals. Consider the rest of your schedule and other obligations.
Set up your space. Whether you're in your dorm room or in a quiet corner of the library, make sure you limit distractions.
Block out your devotional time in a calendar. You can do this on paper or through your app.
Tell your friends about your devotional plan. They can keep you accountable, and you'll be an inspiring force for their own connection with God.
Don't skip more than one day in a row. Life happens, including serious illness or unforeseen events, so don't be distressed if you miss one day. Offer the prayer you can in the moment, even if it's not in line with your study plan. If you find yourself in a season of struggling to pray, turn a Psalm into your prayer. However, missing more than one day in a row can start a pattern. Ask the Lord to help you be consistent and remind you of how He longs to spend time with you each day.

Prioritizing time management for devotionals may seem like one more item on a long list, but establishing a rhythm of enjoying a quiet time with God and diving deeper into His word is foundational for a life well-lived.