Test Prep

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

When do you study for a test? Do you start from the moment you are given new material, or wait until the last minute and try to cram all the information into your head at once? Either method could work, but what won’t work is waiting until you are in the midst of the test to try to learn the material.

I remember having to take an open book test once and everyone was so excited. Many of the students decided they didn’t have to study because they could just look up the information. However, when we got the test, I was thankful that I had already read and marked the chapters because it was easier and quicker to find the answers. Since there were a ton of questions to answer, it was possible to run out of time before completing the test. It pays to prepare.

The truth is that tests are always coming. Most of the ones we face in life are not given a letter grade. Sometimes it is pass or fail, and sometimes it is comportment or how we behaved. So, how do we prepare for life’s tests? I have found I get the best results from good study habits.

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Matthew 6:7

First, we have to actually study, which means reading the material, taking notes, and even memorizing verses. However, memorizing only takes you so far because memorizing is not the same as learning. Ever memorize information long enough to take a test and then promptly download the information afterwards? If you really want to pass life’s tests, you have to let the words seep into your soul so that when you find yourself in the midst of a test, the words will come back to you. We do this by meditating on the words and what they mean.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

James 1:22

Second, we need to do more than just meditate. James tells us that we have to do more than just listen or read the words; we have to do what the words say. When studying any topic, you learn by applying what you are reading. I can read a knitting pattern all day long, study the notes, and look at the pictures, but if I never pick up my knitting needles, the pattern is relatively useless.

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Philippians 4:9

We learn by practicing, knowing that we probably won’t always get it right, but we will get better. We can’t just do it one time and do it perfectly. We have to keep doing it on a consistent basis to maintain our skill level and even improve.  The end result is the peace of God in our lives even during the test.

With that in mind, you might want to get a jump start on studying because you never know when there might be a pop quiz on the horizon. I often find that God uses my daily Bible reading to prepare me for what is coming next. It’s not a pass or fail on a pop quiz that I worry about though. My goal is a “well done good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23). So don’t beat yourself up over a failure because learning from your mistakes is still learning, and God is looking for those with a willingness to learn. Are you ready?