MINISTRY//Issues students face

Each week our Bible institute professors share solid Biblical teaching with nearly 200 online students. We asked several of those professors for examples of ways the Spirit has helped those students beyond those classes. This is what we learned:

Abortion

One of my students asked how she might counsel a friend who was forced to have an abortion. (Forced abortions, even late term abortions, happen regularly in China.)

Handicaps

A student asked if God could take away the physical handicaps he struggles with. I answered, “Sure, but perhaps, like Paul, God wants you to keep this. Perhaps he wants you to learn better what God told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Legalism

One of my students told me, “I’ve learned that I’m a legalist and I don’t want to be that any more. You’ve taught me how to be a happy Christian.” How I rejoiced to hear that. The foundation for so much of what we teach our students is a proper balance between law and gospel. I pray all my students discover the legalism in their understanding of Christianity.

Pastor support

I counsel a Chinese pastor one-on-one, once a week. I take for granted that I can go to other pastors for advice. But Chinese pastors don’t have that.

Family pressures

A number of my students have an unbelieving spouse or unbelieving parents. In a culture that puts a high value on family relationships, this makes it difficult for Christians to remain faithful to Jesus. We talk about handling family opposition quite often.

What you can do: The pastors and other church leaders in China are under the same pressures American church leaders face. But they have additional pressures as well. Pray for their growth in understanding the assurances of God’s grace.