In my previous post, I listed a few ways to make the most out of your time during school when so much is required.  Now for those of you who are graduating this semester, here are few ways to make the most of your time by informally continuing education after graduation.  But let me first dispel a common myth. 

It’s commonly held that after you graduate you’ll have all the time in the world to finally read all the things you’ve wanted.  Well, that’s partly true.  You can read whatever you want.  But most of us actually don’t have more time.  You will find a way to fill up your time.  It may be work, ministry, or a variety of things.  But for most of us, we will be equally busy as we were with school.  The difference is how we spend the time.

There is one more thing - continuing your education informally must be a matter of personal discipleship.  You’ve just spent countless hours, money, and effort earning a degree.  And if you don’t get a ministry position upon graduation but are in transition, you will be tempted to neglect your education and opportunity for further education.  So after two years of being out of school, here are a few things I do and would recommend.

• Periodically pick books that challenge your theological and reading levels.  While in school you don’t have much choice as to what you read.  The books may be long, short, easy, or hard.  But you have complete control when you’re out .  And it’s easy to read books that are not extremely difficult or challenging, albeit good.  So take the time to read something that requires you to really invest yourself, e.g. Religious Affections by Edwards, Paradise Lost by Milton, City of God (abridged or unabridged) by Augustine, Christ Our Righteousness by Seifrid.  The point is to pick something that stretches you.  You had to do it in school and now you have the time to take it in.
• Continue writing.  If you’re anything like me, you learn best when you either have to teach or write on any given subject.  As an elder, I get a number of opportunities to teach or research some theological matter.  But if you don’t have as many opportunities then continue writing.  For example, have someone you respect give you a topic to write a four page paper and then discuss it together.  You’ll find that you may enjoy it when you don’t have to be so worried about margins, formatting footnotes, etc.  (Do have some level of organization.)
• Continue studying the languages.  This has been my biggest regret since I graduated.  I have failed at keeping up on my languages.  Unfortunately, I’m not able to translate with any ease, so I would have to relearn it.  Thankfully, I gained the tools for studying them, so I could pick it up fairly easily.  Your Greek and Hebrew professors speak prophetically when they say that if you translate 3-5 verses a day, you will retain what you have learned. 

These are just a few disciplines I would recommend.  You may find something that works better for you.  Nonetheless, find some structure that will aid and challenge you.

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