I grew up listening to Country Gold on the radio. Every Saturday or most Saturdays, we would travel to Namaw’s house (Grandmother), about an hour away, to spend quality time with my mother’s family. Every Saturday, on the way home during those late nights, sitting in my mother’s dusty Dodge caravan, I would lay in the very back on the floorboards of the hatch and sing or listen to classic country with Rowdy Yates as the driver on the radio. Today, I know the end and out-of-country music radio and the gold classic, and I found my country roots there on the floorboards of a minivan for an hour. Today, I have studied and practiced how to sing properly as a worship student and music director; however, no matter how much I have studied and practiced, I cannot eliminate the country’s inflection in growing up and loving music. Country music is my bedrock and the formation I grew up with, good or bad. That is how spiritual formation starts, good or bad, with the theology fed to us early; just like with music today, I try to branch out and listen to unfamiliar music. I try to stay open to other genres of music. God calls us to develop a sound theology and relationship with the Creator.

I am currently studying at Liberty Seminary and realizing that I need to change how I learn in the digital age. Growing up in the ’80s and ’90s, learning was quite different. Schools have guided us heavily by using books and workbooks in person, but now, learning is more digital. As believers, we must develop a robust spiritual identity by looking to God’s word as our primary source of wisdom and knowledge. God has set up natural laws and communication methods since Genesis 1. My spiritual journey is evolving as I gain knowledge in this digital age. One thing stays constant: we cannot help to walk the Christian path alone. I am reading a book about how God works through creation and upholds laws, especially in a digital world. The book discusses the American idea of the lone ranger and pulling oneself up by the bootstraps. Throughout our spiritual journey, we need support and guidance from others. Especially as we move on to a new frontier of online and digital education and spiritual formation in this new frontier, I have discovered that my life must be essential to Grow in biblical ecology but also be flexible and improve in the understanding of Digital ecologies to move forward in this ever-progressing world into a digital age.

**Proverbs 27:17 (ESV)** as Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

From a biblical Ecology perspective, when we start to understand that directly from Genesis, God had laid out everything to work together to benefit each other, including us as human beings. We exist in the ecology of nature to help the people and the nature around us. We are not excluded from the environment around us. Gen. 1:26 guides us and directs our stewardship of the land around us. We care for the people, the living things, and the land around us as best we can. Another step is to promote a community of connectedness. It is so easy to try to be the lone ranger, but we are not an island, and apart from the local body, we are more prone to spiritual falling. We lift each other and guide others with positive reinforcement and biblical lessons to keep others on the right track. Proverbs gives us a great example in 27:17: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” How are we sharpening each other today? Then, we educate others about the importance of biblical ecology, and there is no better way than first to live it out. Then, we teach by using biblical Principles. If it doesn’t adhere to the word of God, then once again, it is not of what we live and are a part of God’s ecological design. We are not above it.

For creating a spiritual discipline for a digital outline, there are numerous ways where we can grow; however, here I will discuss ways that I would like to see growth in my own life. Start by creating an intentional online space where Christians can grow in discourse, like this blog page. One of my desires is to grow spiritually through others in a safe environment where others are engaged, supportive, and objective. Paul wrote four letters in the New Testament to uplift from a prison cell. Sometimes, we cannot be together, but that doesn’t mean we cannot see and be the cause of growth for others.

To develop a digital ecological discipline, I challenge myself and others to guide online learning, primarily through blogs. However, on social media, we are too inept at hitting the nuclear button when we disagree, which is not conducive to learning. Be objective and be willing to learn what others have to say, but be willing to research before rebuttal. Start an online bible study where you teach, and you learn concrete pivotal ideas in return. The teacher tends to know more than the student in preparation. Be willing to be open to objective, not harassing, comments. It’s about being able to see all sides; this is what makes and creates a digital community.

Finally, digital ecology wouldn’t be complete without building a community. As an online church, we must promote community-mindedness. It’s easy to be stuck either off the digital platform or encompassed by the digital age, but wherever you find yourself, it’s about community. Create a community where people can share views and be accepted for their opinions but also be open to being corrected lovingly, understanding that we are here on the same team.

Surviving and thriving in seminary, write a final gage to a real or imagined new seminary student to offer advice from the text that would help them.

Like directed from a Lego box from age 1-99, never stop learning. Edison once said that when you stop learning, you start dying. If you are continuing your walk with the Lord through seminary or School, here are a few suggestions I have garnered. You need to know that you are not alone in this endeavor. The teachers, students, and precedents that govern your classes have been in the same seat you are currently sitting in, and the stress you are experiencing makes you more durable. I challenge you to join this online or class community, too. They are experiencing the same things you are, so be open to that and share your experiences.

Another momentous challenge, particularly for me, is managing your time wisely. I have learned, starting seminary, that if you want to be successful, you have to learn how to plan. I am currently reading “Surviving and Thriving in Seminary.” When coming into your classes, it is vital to know what is coming up and the chief work you are about to take on. When understanding the major, minor, and reading assignments, you can figure out the heaviest hitter and start there slowly, working on it from the start[1]. It’s your education, no one else; take charge of it. “by the end of your first week of class, you should begin working on a major project[2].” I did not do that in the first seminary class. I plan on doing that for the rest of my schooling career. The chief reason is that I am prone to procrastinate, and I do not want to risk the opportunity to improve myself. Planning your time is essential when you plan to succeed in continued education.

If you continue to further your Christian education, you must make your family and continued ministry fit into this lifestyle. Your family should stay a priority. Do not play the God card; steward your study time well. If you say you will study during a specific time, stay dedicated to that time to keep your family apart from your daily routine and not wash them out. Remember that your family has their desires and follow God’s calling on their life just like you do.[3] You are not the center of the world; make sure you are listening to the needs of your spouse and children.

Finally, prepare yourself for your incredible decision to continue your education. This is a massive undertaking, and there are a lot of things that you must put on hold. If you are not prepared, you will face depression, anxiety, and the like. Be open to new ideas and be able to see different points of view. Be able to look critically at what you believe because those things will be challenged while you are growing in your faith.[4] Psalm 34:8 tells us to taste and see that the Lord is good, and Paul tells us to work out our faith with fear and trembling. The Bible calls us to see with our eyes and test these things to know that the Lord is good. Be objective if you study God's word, and be open to the fact that you will grow spiritually and educationally.

[1] Zacharias, Danny, and Benjamin K Forrest. Surviving and Thriving in Seminary: An Academic and Spiritual Handbook. Bellingham, Wa, Lexham Press, 2017, .64

[2] Ibid,. 81

[3] Ibid,. 52

[4] Ibid, .9

“Spiritual Formation In a Digital Age”