Spiritual Formation

Spiritual enrichment through Christian living at Olivet University is an opportunity for everyone – students, staff, faculty, and administration – to receive the power of the Holy Spirit and live moved and emboldened by Jesus Christ.

1. PERSONAL SPIRITUAL FORMATION

Olivet challenges every community member to live totally committed to Jesus Christ, in the image of the apostles and saints of the early church. Students honor Christ and express love for him by assuming his humility and attitude of self-sacrifice, revealed through a life of faithful service.

To this end, Olivet University actively seeks to cultivate the habit of continuous scriptural study and the practice of personal spiritual disciplines in our students.

DAILY “QUIET TIME”

Olivet encourages students to devote time each day to bible reading, “Quiet Time” meditation and prayer. However, this foundation of biblical knowledge should not be the end, but the start of deepening the relationship with the scriptures. Such a relationship requires reflection, especially in the forms of meditation and writing. Towards this end, the Olivet University community collectively engages in “Quiet Time” (QT) at the beginning of each day for the purpose of meditating on the scriptures.

PRAYER

Olivet University strongly encourages individual, daily prayer-time. “Set-time prayer” is prayer set for a scheduled time of day over a certain period of time. “Continuous prayer” is done spontaneously.

Olivet University Chapel is open for morning and evening prayers to the entire community.

Students who attend Olivet on-campus are required to attend Friday Prayer Meeting, which is recorded and broadcast internationally. Students abroad are encouraged to attend and participate at this and all broadcasted services live, or view the taped recordings.

FASTING

Fasting is abstaining from food for a time in order to master the cravings of the physical realm, thus opening ourselves to our spirituality. Fasting is more than a diet adjustment; it involves spiritual intensity and intercession. Fasting should always be accompanied with prayer, meditation, and scriptural study.

Anyone may fast voluntarily for a personal prayer topic or self-discipline; however students are strongly advised to counsel with the University Chaplain or Prayer Center Staff before deciding to fast.

EVANGELIZING

Olivet University desires to train disciples of Jesus Christ to serve as leaders in Christian mission and ministry. Thus, Olivet’s community members should not end at knowing God; rather, they must practice the teachings in the scriptures by actively seeking to make Him known to the world. To this end, Olivet University strongly encourages students to incorporate daily evangelism into their academic and personal routines.

LECTURE TRAINING

Anyone who wishes to preach and teach about the bible more effectively is welcome to contact the University Chaplain to request informal training with an Olivet Assembly USA pastor or ministry worker. Such training is viewed as an extension of evangelism, and is not eligible for course credit at Olivet.