Exit Strategy: 5 Things you need to do before you leave home

This is it! You are finally headed off to college or into the “real world.” You have probably been preparing for this moment for years. You have worked really hard on your homework, research, GPA, applications, room assignments, class selection, and so much else. Consider yourself triumphant! One aspect you may not have thought about as much, though, is preparing yourself spiritually. That’s where this article, the last in our summer series on preparing to leave the nest, comes into play. Let us help you as you make plans and take action to go deeper in your relationship with God.  

If you are headed to a secular university, you need to understand all the struggles you will face and be willing and ready to stand strong. If you’re going to a Christian college, hopefully the environment will not be as worldly, however, there are still going to be all types of existing bad influences and pressures. If you’re going into the military or the workforce, it’s time for a reality check about the things you’re going to face. Never fear, though! There are things you can do to set yourself up for success.

1. Prepare your testimony.
Wherever you are—secular university, Christian college, or out in the “real world”—you will come in contact with people who are searching for Jesus. Be equipped to witness to them when the time is right and the Holy Spirit leads you. To prepare your testimony remember these three points:
1. Before
2. When
3. After 

First, talk about who you were and how your life was before you accepted Jesus as your Savior. Next, tell how Christ came into your life and saved you. Finally, talk about who you have become in Christ and what your life is like now. Those three are the backbone of a testimony. You can add more to make it personal and relatable, such as sharing significant points and spiritual milestones in your life where you could see God’s hand.

2. Set your standards.
Before you ever leave home is the best time to draw your line in the sand. If you wait until you are in the moment and confronted face-to-face with temptation, it will be much harder to make the right decision.  Make the firm choice to live out your life for God everywhere you go. You will be challenged with all types of temptation. Decide now how you will respond in a Christlike way when faced with drinking, smoking, drugs, dating, sex, pornography, cheating, gossiping, rule-breaking, and anything else that could compromise your beliefs.

3. Find someone to hold you accountable.
Whether it is an accountability partner, a mentor, or a friend, ask someone to help hold you to those standards. It is best to have a person you can meet with face-to-face. If you are planning on retaining an accountability relationship with someone long-distance, arrange a set time to talk on the phone. Once a week or every other week is a good period of time to schedule conversations. Choose someone you completely trust and with whom you can be honest.

4. Research local churches and on-campus religious groups.
Get involved early with the right people. Most of the people who made huge mistakes in college or during young adulthood blame it on the fact that they fell into the wrong crowd.
Find a nearby church with a college or young adult ministry. If you’re going into the military, talk to your recruiter and/or get in touch with a chaplain. Church is not only a great place to nurture your ­relationship with God but will also help you make friends. Plus, you can take your lost friends to church with you in the future. If you’re going to college, also keep in mind that the large majority of
colleges have Christian groups that meet on campus. Campus Crusade for Christ, Baptist Campus Ministries, and Christian fraternities/sororities are just a few examples.

5. Have a Bible study guide and journal ready.
No matter where you’re going or what you’re doing, a big change in your life has an effect on every relationship in your life, including your relationship with Christ. That’s why it’s so important to invest in that relationship even as everything around you is changing. Have a Bible study guide or book already with you and ready to go when you get to school, basic training, or your new town or job. If you don’t plan ahead for this, it may be difficult to carve out the time—and find the cash—once you get to college or your new situation.

And, yes, I know you’ve probably heard all about the benefits of journaling. But really, it cannot be understated. Journaling can be a vital part of your relationship with Christ and can be especially helpful when you’re in a new stage of life and feeling a little ill-equipped, lonely, or confused. If you don’t know what to write when you journal, here are some ideas: prayers, thoughts, quiet time revelations, notes from sermons or lessons, quotes, song lyrics, dreams, and goals.
Keeping track of your spiritual growth will remind you of God’s faithfulness in hard times. You might be overwhelmed with homework, books to read for class, stress and expectations of your job, or all of your new friends and experiences. The most important thing to remember is that even when life is crazy and insanely busy, you always need to make time to read your Bible and pray.