Being a student at Ethnos360 Bible Institute was an incredible experience for me.

During my two years, I grew in my knowledge of the Bible and my relationship with the Lord. The Lord also grew me in knowing how to live in community. Here at Ethnos360 Bible Institute we have students from various backgrounds and walks of life. Some are local students, and some grew up overseas. Some come hoping to have a better biblical foundation before pursuing a career, and others come as a first step in missionary training. Recently, I got the chance to sit down with two current students and ask how their Bible college experience is going. The two students I interviewed are Paige and Micah. Paige is from the West coast and just a month into her first year. Micah is in his second year and grew up as a missionary kid in Paraguay.

Interview with Current Students

Football game with a classmate and an intern.

What does your average day look like?

Paige: I wake up, go down to breakfast, visit with friends. Make sure I’m doing what I can for dormmates if they’re feeling sick or anything. Go down to chapel because that’s where my classroom is. Go through classes, work through the homework if I have a spare minute.  Go to chapel. Go back to class. Go to lunch. I’m in block A so I get the early lunch which is very nice. Half of my friends are in block B so I will visit with my friends in block A, eat with them and visit with my friends in block B as well. And then I go to English which is in the elective slot. My afternoons vary. Usually, I try to do homework, but like today I ran and got my car from the shop. Or I will help others if they need to do their CM or something. CM is community ministry–a way that we all serve on campus and serve each other just by doing cleaning that’s been designated. My CM is doing the front lobby. So I sweep and mop and vacuum and such. Just keep everything tidy because we’re all living together, and we all deserve to have a clean space so we can best focus on Him and not the dirtiness.  In the evenings we’ll do dinner and then sometimes there’s sports. Volleyball.

Micah: I would describe my day as very structured. I do bus driving before and after school which takes up a lot of time. So I wake up around 5:30, go to work at 6. I will be there until 9. 9 to 12:30 is classes. Lunchtime is kinda a time to relax a little. Catch my breath, visit, catch up with people. I’ll try to go to the gym after lunch and then right from there I go back to work again. And then from work, I usually come back to dinner. If I have dischcrew then it’s dishcrew. Maybe some sports in the evening if I don’t have homework. Otherwise, a lot of my evenings will be taken up with homework and chatting with friends.

Homework with friends.

What’s your favorite dining hall meal?

Paige: Biscuits and gravy. We have it every Wednesday and it’s my favorite.

Micah: I would have to say pizza night. I love pizza.

Anything else? Advice for people if they come to Ethnos360 Bible Institute?

Micah: Get sleep.

Paige: Matt Zowada (a teacher) talked about that in chapel today. He basically just said get sleep and create a routine. You have a lot more freedom than you think for your schedules. You have to set the routine for yourself, and you have to be stricter about it than you think. It’s easy to let college life get to you and you can just watch a movie or go to the beach. But you need to make sure you have boundaries and if you need to do homework you do homework and take time to process it.

Intrigued? Come visit Ethnos360 Bible Institute!

Does our Bible college interest you? Are you craving solid Biblical teaching and intentional community? Come to a campus visit and see if Ethnos360 Bible Institute could be the right fit for you! On a visit, you’ll arrive on a Thursday afternoon and be greeted by your host, a current student. You’ll get to take a tour, visit staff in their homes, sit in classes, eat in the dining hall, stay in the dorms, and play sports in the gym. A glimpse of the whole Bible college in 24 hours. Request an information packet below!

How To Become A Missionary? A Firm Foundation

Are you a believer who has a desire to learn more about missions? Many questions arise for someone who is looking to be a missionary, but we can and should rely on God`s word to give us the answers to many of the questions we face.

Questions such as:

1. “How do I become a Missionary?”
2. “What does life on the mission field look like?”
3. “In what capacity can I serve?”
4. “What are some needs that could be met through the skillsets that the Lord has given me?”
5. “Where do I start when it comes to being involved in missions?”
6. “What does it mean to be a missionary?”
7. “What is the Mission of the Church?”

1. The mission of the church is to bring glory to God (^“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, ¹² so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. ¹³ In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴ who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:11-14).
2. The mission of the Church is to make disciples. (“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20).

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells a parable of the man who builds his house on a rock and compares him to a man who builds his house on the sand. The house built on the rock withstood the storm whereas the house built on the sand collapsed. Which man would you want to be?

“And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:26-27

Jesus said that the man who built his house on the rock was wise and the man who built his house on the sand He called foolish. Jesus was making the point that the only lasting foundation for life is adhering to His word and abiding in Him.

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” Matthew 7:24-25

Adhering to God`s word will give you a solid foundation that will withstand the storms and trials of life. God has given us His word as a guide, and we can respond to any situation that arises because we have His promises to stand upon. 1 Corinthians 3:11 says, “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

How To Become A Missionary? Studying And Understanding God`s Word Is A Crucial Step

A deep understanding of God`s Word is crucial in a life of ministry. Although the Lord can use a university degree or training in a specific trade… that`s not the most important aspect of ministry, the foundation of ministry is your relationship with the Lord through an understanding of His word.

Picture this: You receive a letter from someone who loves and cares for you more than anyone in the world… do you pick a piece of the letter and throw the rest of the letter out or do you read it all the way through? Most would choose to carefully read all of it with the intent to understand it well. Our Creator wants us to know Him, so He wrote a letter to us. We should never neglect to study God`s word from start to finish so that we can understand the big picture. The Bible is God`s love letter to us and He intended for us to read it from beginning to end. As we read Scripture and journey through the biblical narrative, we begin to understand God`s mission and are better equipped to become a part of it.

The first step to becoming a missionary is to know God`s word which holds the key to eternal life. Throughout Scripture, we see that God reveals who He is. His goodness and faithfulness are very evident as well as His other characteristics. His Word is true, and we can trust Him over our feelings. It makes sense that we want to deeply know God`s love letter to us before going and telling others about who God is. Walking with the Lord is important when it comes to ministry. Christ and His word are essential when it comes to a life of ministry and missions. From start to finish, God`s word reveals who He is and how we can trust Him and His perfect plan. As we study God`s word and watch His story unfold, we have a better understanding of what God`s mission is and how we best fit into His plan.

John 6:66-69 “After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God”

Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Isaiah 40:8: “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”

James 1:22 “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

Psalm 119:130, “The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.”

Psalm 18:30, “This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.”

Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and Earth will pass away but my words will not pass away.”

How To Become a Missionary: Filled with the Knowledge of the Glory of the Lord!

Scripture tells us, “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” Habakkuk 2:14. The Lord desires to have a relationship with people and He wants us to tell others about how great He is! It`s truly a joy and a privilege that the Lord has asked us to join Him in making His name known among the nations!

Next Steps: Come To Ethnos360 Bible Institute!

At Ethnos 360 Bible Institute, we desire to be a part of God`s plan to bring the Gospel to all people. The first step in training with Ethnos360 is two years of chronological Bible teaching. You won`t regret spending two years of your life going through Scripture deepening your relationship with the Lord and starting new relationships with other believers! At EBI, we value having a firm foundation in understanding the Bible and building solid relationships with those around us. Sign up for a Campus Visit weekend today and get a glimpse of what campus life is like!

John Huss And The Reformation Era

The Reformations that took place throughout the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries changed the course of history. God brought men to the forefront of the world stage to proclaim the truth with boldness and sincerity. Many times, the courage displayed by the reformers cost them their lives. When any church moves away from God`s word as its primary authority, it leads them down a road of certain destruction. The primary cause of the Reformations derives from a return to the authority of Scripture, with the theological groundwork laid by men like John Wycliffe and John Huss; it began even before Martin Luther stepped onto the scene in Germany. Wycliffe and Huss should be remembered because they made sacrifices for the sake of the truth. Many stories from history tell us of men and women who stood up for the authority of God`s Word. When one thinks of the Reformation period, many automatically turn their minds to Martin Luther. Although Luther played a crucial role in the Reformation, many came before him who held the same views when it came to the authority of the Bible.

Who Was John Huss?

John Huss is an important figure to recognize simply because he stood up for the authoritative word of God and fought against the heresies that were certainly evident within Catholicism. He was a Czech reformer in Bohemia.

John Huss: His Educational Background

When he reached the proper age, his mother enrolled him at the University in Prague. He received a Bachelor of Arts in 1393, a Bachelor of Theology in 1394, and a Master of Arts in 1396. Two years after he received his Master of Arts, he began giving lectures at the University and taught at the Church. Early on in his studies, he was an ardent believer in the Papacy and the Roman Catholic Church. (Wylie, p. 140) The Chapel of Bethlehem was established to lead a reforming movement intended to stand against the immorality of the laity and the clergy, and Huss was appointed to preach there in 1402 (Wylie, History of Protestantism, p. 140).

John Huss: His Encounter With Wycliffe

While he was preaching there, he engaged in a deeper study of Scripture. Huss encountered the works of John Wycliffe while in Bohemia. In 1383, Queen Anne of Bohemia married King Richard II of England (Shelly, p. 240). Wycliffe`s writings were brought over by the two nations’ union ten years after Huss’s birth. “By this time he had become acquainted with the theological works of Wycliffe, which he earnestly studied, and learned to admire the piety of their author, and to be not wholly opposed to the scheme of reform he had promulgated.” (Wylie, p. 141). Huss became one of the most famous preachers in Prague after preaching at the Chapel of Bethlehem. William Durant writes about Huss saying, “Many figures high in the court were among his listeners, and Queen Sophia made him her chaplain (Durant, History of Civilization, 162). In 1404, Huss had Wycliffe`s writings in Prague (Wylie, History of Protestantism, p. 142). He saw that Wycliffe had denied the hierarchical authority of the church and advocated simply teaching from the word of God. Huss had reached the point where he realized that the Bible should be recognized as the supreme authority, even over the papacy. When he came to that realization, and whether he liked it or not, he was at war with one of the most powerful institutions of the Medieval era. Huss continued to study Wycliffe and his writings even after the administrative clergy of the cathedral had prohibited Wycliffe`s work from the University of Prague. The clergy, “Submitted to the university masters forty-five excerpts from the writings of Wycliffe, and asked should these doctrines be barred from the university (Durant, p. 162).” Most of the masters declared that the professors at the university should neither adhere to Wycliffe`s teachings nor defend them (Durant, p. 164). Huss and a few others disagreed with the verdict and went on teaching.

John Huss: His Complaints

Eventually, Huss was excommunicated by the Archbishop of Prague. Huss agitated the matter when he attacked the sale of indulgences. The Pope had issued a special indulgence to raise funds for his quest against the region of Naples. Huss adamantly condemned the action of the Pope; he called him out for selling indulgences to make money for his agenda. In 1409, after further use of Wycliffe`s works, Huss and his associates disregarded the archbishop`s commands. After the archbishop complained to the Pope, he issued an interdict upon the city of Prague. By order of the Pope, “The Archbishop of Prague ordered all writings of Wycliffe that could be found in Bohemia to be surrendered to him; 200 manuscripts were brought to him; he burned them in the courtyard of his palace.” (Durant, p. 164). When Huss was summoned to appear in the papal court by Pope John XXIII, Huss refused to appear at the court in Rome. During Huss`s period of exile in southern Bohemia, he further studied Wycliffe and wrote, On the Church (Shelley, p. 240). In his work, he asserted that “A pope, `through ignorance and love of money can make many mistakes, and that to rebel against an erring pope is to obey Christ.’” (Galli, p. 271) The Council of Constance was approaching quickly, and Huss would agree to appear; little did he know that he would soon face death for what he believed. Huss wanted a chance to present his views in front of the authorities. He “Had hopes of presenting his views to the assembled authorities, but upon his arrival, he found himself instead a victim of the Inquisition.” (Shelley, p. 240).

John Huss: His Last Breath

The way of the Inquisition was adopted from ancient Roman law and aimed to investigate cases of persons suspected of heresy (Holder, p. 205). Huss was arrested and ordered to renounce his faith or be burned as a heretic. Like Luther, Huss was even willing to conform to the teaching of the Church if they could only show him that there was a scriptural basis for their theology. He refused to recant and held fast to the teaching of Scripture. Later, he was imprisoned in Constance for eight months and during this period he wrote letters that speak to his steadfast faithfulness to the cause of Christ. On July 6, 1415, both Wycliffe and Huss were condemned at the cathedral of Constance. The council ordered that Huss`s writings be burned. Durant writes, “The council condemned both Wycliffe and Huss, ordered Huss`s writings be burned, and delivered him to the secular arm.” (Durant, p. 166).  Huss sang songs of praise as he was engulfed in the flames that took his life.

Electives Taught at Ethnos360 Bible Institute

Here at Ethnos 360 Bible Institute, we offer electives every semester in addition to two years of chronological Bible study. One of these electives is called, “The Rise and Fall of Denominations.” This course will take you through Church History. In just a few weeks, you will get a bird’s eye view of events such as the Reformation Era. This class includes stories of major historical figures like John Huss and Martin Luther. Sign up for a Campus Visit Weekend and request your free information packet today!

References:

Durant, Will. The Story of Civilization: The Reformation. Simon and Schuster.

Galli, Mark, and Ted Olsen. 131 Christians Everyone Should Know. Nashville, TN: Broadman &
Holman, 2000.

Holder, R. Ward. Crisis and Renewal: the Era of the Reformations. Louisville, KY: Westminster. John Knox Press, 2009.

Shelley, Bruce L. Church History in Plain Language. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2013.

Wylie, J. A. The History of Protestantism. Vol. 1, Pella, IA: Inheritance Publications, 2018.

God Loves A Cheerful Giver

The well-known hymn, All The Way My Savior Leads Me, was written in 1874 by a woman named Fanny Crosby (Then Sings My Soul; Pg. 197). When Fanny was just six weeks old, she became blind. Her parents noticed that there was an infection in her eyes and they relied upon a man who claimed to be a physician to draw the infection out of her eyes. The man placed a hot poultice on her eyes, which left white scars and caused permanent damage. She was blind for the rest of her life, but she realized that the Lord could use her, despite her disability. She became the author of many beloved hymns. All The Way My Savior Leads Me was prompted by a specific event that happened in 1874. She realized that she didn’t have enough money to pay her rent and decided to bring her worries before the Lord. As she finished talking to the Lord about her situation, she heard a knock on the door, she opened it, and the person standing on the other side of the door gave her a ten-dollar bill. It was exactly the amount that she needed. That night, Fanny began to write:

“All the way my Savior leads me–
What have I to ask besides?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my guide?
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.”

Give Sacrificially

One person with a giving heart changed Crosby`s life and the Lord used her thankful heart to write a hymn that many still enjoy and sing today. Our lives should be characterized by giving: giving of our time, talent, and treasure in service of the Lord who is worthy. Jesus came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. Investing in others comes at a cost to us, but it is a privilege to give our lives in service of the King. When we give what we have, we are giving what already belongs to Him. As believers, we should give sacrificially, willfully, and cheerfully because it reflects our heavenly Father`s gracious character. James Baker teaches several of our classes here at Ethnos360 Bible Institute and comments on the topic of giving, saying, “It is really a privilege to be able to give our lives in service to the Lord Jesus who gave all for us.”

“Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” -Matthew 20:28.

God gets the glory when we give and help meet the needs of others because we are seen as lights shining in a dark world (Matt. 5.16). How much more should we be willing to serve and meet others’ needs when we realize that God has met our greatest need by giving us His only Son, Jesus (2 Cor. 9.12-15)? We reflect the character of our heavenly Father when we give because Christ gave His life for us.

“In all things, I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.”– Acts 20.35.

Give Willfully

As believers, we should give out of love for the Lord. I often must examine my heart before I give. I want to make sure that I am giving, not to make myself look good, but because I love the Lord and I desire to make Him look good. My heart should be to give because I have experienced the grace and mercy of God; He has given me the greatest gift. Jesus says in Matthew 6.1-3, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”

Give Cheerfully

I know that every good and perfect gift comes from His hand, so everything that I have belongs to the Lord. Anything that I give already belongs to Him. Therefore, I should give with joy knowing that I get to imitate the character of my heavenly Father because He is a generous giver (2 Corinthians 9.6-7; Ephesians 5.1; James1.17). God loves a cheerful giver.

“He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” -Romans 8.32

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” -2 Corinthians 9.7

At Ethnos360 Bible Institute, we desire to study God`s Word accurately and apply it to our lives. We want our hearts and desires to be aligned with His will, and we know His will by studying His word. Ethnos360 Bible Institute offers two years of chronological Bible teaching. Want to know how you can learn more about the Bible? Request your free information packet today!

Reference: Morgan, Robert J. Then Sings My Soul: 150 of the World’s Greatest Hymn Stories. 2004. Bowker. 

Campus Visit Weekend: The Value Of A Biblical Foundation

After four long years of taking classes at the University, I received my B.A. in History. I had the opportunity to be a part of one of the best History programs in the country and I was taught by professors for whom I had the utmost respect. Needless to say, I enjoyed having the opportunity to grow in my understanding of History through a biblical worldview. Although I am grateful for the degree that I received a few years ago, the degree that I am most grateful for is my Bible school degree. Deciding to spend two years of my life thoroughly studying God`s Word was one of the best decisions that I have ever made. I truly treasure the time that my teachers spent investing in me and the time that I got to spend growing in my knowledge and understanding of God`s Word. God has chosen to communicate with us through His word and He wants us to read it with careful consideration and intentionality. The Bible is a gift and guide for life.

Campus Visit Weekend: What Makes The Bible School Unique?

Studying the Bible is far more valuable than any other degree you can earn. At Ethnos360 Bible Institute, you will have the opportunity to study the whole Bible for two years. From Genesis to Revelation, you will see God`s plan of redemption unfold, His heart for all people, and how we fit into His plan. Having a biblical foundation is vital in any stage of life. There are eternal benefits to taking God`s word seriously and desiring to know Him by carefully studying His word. At EBI, you`ll get to study God`s Word alongside others who love the Lord.

The community at EBI is unlike any other community you will find in a typical college setting. All the students go through the same classes, which gives you time to get to know your classmates well. Since students have the opportunity to study God`s word together, this cultivates deeper long-lasting friendships.

Campus Visit Weekend: What To Expect!

When you sign up for a Campus weekend Visit, you will get to experience a glimpse of what it`s like to be a student at EBI. You`ll have a current EBI student who will be your host and you can go to that person with any questions you may have. They`ll be happy to show you where you need to go! You can expect to sit in on Bible classes of your choice and you`ll be able to interact with students and teachers. You`ll have the opportunity to check out the gym where intramural sports teams play in tournaments throughout the year. Other events usually take place over the weekends, such as open mic nights and game nights. These are also fun ways to connect with people and get to know them.

Campus Visit Weekend Testimonies:

“I liked the Christian atmosphere of the campus. Everyone was friendly. I liked the Old Testament History because it dove deep into books that are often overlooked. I came for the visit and would definitely recommend it!”

-Asher.

“I liked the setup of everything, it was nice to have a floor for the girls and I liked the classroom setup too. The classes were interesting and I appreciated the discussion and interaction with the teachers. I came in December and would recommend it.”

-Renata

“So I was so thankful for the chance to go visit the school and meet the staff. I loved that the school is just focused on teaching the Bible and not on other classes. I loved the layout of the building and the location in the city because it gives a chance for students to find jobs. For as far as I`m concerned the food was amazing and I would highly recommend it to others.”

-David

“I had already enrolled to Ethnos360 Bible institute so in December I went to visit the campus to get a feel of the layout and get a few questions answered. I really enjoyed sitting in on the classes especially the evangelism class. I am really glad I went so I know what to expect when I go next fall.”

-Natalie

Campus Visit Weekend: Sign Up Today!

At Ethnos 360 Bible Institute, we desire to be a part of God`s plan to bring the Gospel to all people. The first step in training with Ethnos360 is two years of chronological Bible teaching. At EBI, we value having a firm foundation in understanding the Bible and building solid relationships with those around us. You won`t regret coming to EBI for a Campus Visit weekend! Sign up today!

Transitions

Life is full of transitions. For a lot of people, change is hard. Anyone who knows me knows that my family is a big part of my life and whenever someone gets married or moves away there are always lots of tears, both happy and sad ones. I love watching my family grow, but I also miss being together all the time. These are bittersweet moments. It was hard moving fourteen hours away from my family, but I was excited to make new friendships and grow in my understanding of God`s Word. The Bible education and the friendships that I`ve had the privilege to build at Ethnos360 Bible Institute are priceless. I`ve learned and seen that apart from Christ I can do nothing and that, as believers, we need each other.

Dorm Life

Moving into a college dorm with new people, from different backgrounds, can be a little intimidating, but having the right perspective is important when going into any new environment or stage of life. Philippians 4:11 says, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” As a believer, true joy comes from the Lord, not our circumstances. We can be sure of the promises that He has made to us no matter what stage of life we find ourselves in.

Managing a new class schedule, new friendships, and maybe working a job is challenging. The Bible gives us lots of advice on how we should relate to those around us. Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” First John 3:18 says, “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” God has given believers each other for encouragement and fellowship, so go into each semester excited about what the Lord is going to teach you through the study of His word. Abiding in Jesus, is vital in every stage of life and in building relationships with those around us.

Abiding

The word Abide is used one hundred and twenty times in the New Testament. “Other English terms used to translate this word are equally significant— ‘remain, dwell, continue, tarry, endure’ (Matt. 10:11; Luke 19:5; Acts 9:43; 27:31; I Cor. 13:13; 2 Tim. 2:13) (Lewis Sperry Chafer, p. 3).” True joy and happiness are found in walking with Jesus. Your relationship with Him will affect how you relate to those around you. It`s important to study God`s word so that we can grow in our relationship with Him. In the context of this passage, “Abiding in Christ is not a matter of maintaining union with Christ, but of maintaining communion with Him (Chafer, p. 4).”

In John 15:4-5 Jesus says, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. ⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Advice From EBI Students

I asked former EBI students some questions about how they managed their social life, school schedules, and job schedules during their time at EBI. Grace is currently an intern at EBI and I asked her, “What do you do to help manage the social aspect of college life with class schedules and job schedules?”  She said, “I’ve found that I manage the social aspect with my other schedules by combining them. I prioritize tasks or schedules and find which ones I can do while hanging out with people, and which ones result in higher consequences if I don’t complete them (ex: work). For me, this also looked like spending more time with people one day, and more on homework the next day.  I’m not perfect at it by any means, but when I realize I’ve been unbalanced, I give myself space for grace and I put a plan in place to change the trajectory of my daily choices regarding time management.” I also asked her “What advice would you give an upcoming freshman about managing relationships, class schedules, homework, and job schedules?” She said, “I would advise upcoming freshmen to monopolize times of social interaction such as meals, breaks between classes, and even brushing your teeth with your roomies. There are often many small chunks of free time that, if recognized, can become the most beneficial or best part of your day!”

I asked Michael what he does to balance classes, work, and friendships and he said, “I usually designate specific times throughout the day to work on assignments. For me I usually work on assignments between 2pm-4pm and 7-10pm on homework. Regarding the social aspects of college, I try to hang out with friends or teachers during times I don’t have scheduled times for homework. However, if I don’t have a lot of homework, I usually use that time for working out, reading, or socializing.” The advice Michael said he would give is, “I came here to know God better, thus studying the Bible is paramount. That doesn’t mean I neglect hanging out with friends. Making a schedule is a good start to juggle friends, homework, work, and CM’s. Sometimes when friends want to hangout, a hard decision needs to be made, am I being faithful to why I came here to know God better or spend time playing games. It takes time figuring out the college life, so don’t stress if it takes a few weeks to get used to everything. “

I asked Bree the same questions regarding life at EBI and she responded to the first question by saying, “Figuring out my priorities was super helpful. Once I knew my priorities, setting aside time to make sure those things got done lessened the stress and allowed me to enjoy the time I had with other people.” The advice she would give to incoming EBI students is, “Try to make a schedule. This will help you make sure you are blocking out time for what needs to get done while also making sure to leave time for spontaneous moments. Plan ahead by looking at the syllabus so that the big projects don’t sneak up on you.” As you step into this new phase of life, remember to prioritize studying the Bible and being intentional in building relationships that will last.

At Ethnos 360 Bible Institute, we desire to be a part of God`s plan to bring the Gospel to all people. The first step in training with Ethnos360 is two years of chronological Bible teaching. At EBI, we value having a firm foundation in understanding the Bible and building solid relationships with those around us.