4 Spiritual Challenges Every Christian Will Face in College (and How to Stand Strong)

Picture this: you’re a new recruit in the army and you’re preparing for a dangerous mission. Your commander warns you that most of the people sent before you didn’t make it. Wouldn’t you lean in and listen carefully to the instructions that followed?

Heading into college as a Christian can feel like that kind of mission. Studies suggest that perhaps 64% of students who grow up in the church walk away from their faith after high school. But if you know what challenges are ahead, you can prepare—and stand firm in Christ.

Here are four of the biggest spiritual challenges you’ll face in college, and how to meet them with wisdom and strength.

1. Challenging Ideas

College is a place where you’ll encounter new ideas, worldviews, and philosophies. Professors and classmates will raise hard questions—sometimes openly, sometimes subtly—that may cause you to question your faith.

This isn’t always a bad thing. Wrestling with tough questions can deepen your understanding. But if you don’t know why you believe in Jesus, those challenges can shake your confidence.

Tip: Take time to learn the basics of apologetics—that is, the reasons why we believe that Christianity is true. Explore topics like the reliability of the Bible, the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection, and how Christianity makes sense of the world. A good place to start is A Practical Guide to Culture by Brett Kunkle and John Stonestreet.

2. Your Social Circle

College friendships have the power to shape your future. As 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Bad company corrupts good character.”

The people you spend the most time with will influence the person you become. Surround yourself with believers who love Jesus and will challenge you to grow, while still building friendships with those who don’t know Christ—so you can be a light to them.

Tip: Get plugged into a campus ministry or a local church early. Ask yourself regularly: “Are my closest friends helping me follow Jesus, or pulling me away from Him?”

3. Temptations

For many students, college brings more freedom than ever before—and with freedom comes temptation. Parties, sex, alcohol, and drugs may be obvious. But success, money, sports, and relationships can also become idols if you let them take God’s place.

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 reminds us: “You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

Tip: Think ahead. What temptations are you likely to face? Decide now how you’ll respond. For example, instead of going to a party, you could invite some Christian friends to hang out and play some board games. Start building healthy habits before you’re in the moment of decision.

4. The Busyness of Life

Between classes, jobs, and friends, it’s easy for your schedule to get so full that your walk with God takes a backseat. Slowly, prayer and Bible reading can fade, leaving you spiritually dry.

Jesus reminds us in John 15:5: “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Tip: Guard time with God like you guard your GPA. Try starting each morning with 15 minutes of prayer and Scripture, or listen to an audio Bible while walking to class. Stay connected to Jesus, the true source of strength.

Final Encouragement

You won’t be perfect. At times you may stumble, feel distant from God, or struggle with doubts. That doesn’t mean you’ve failed—it means you need grace, just like the rest of us.

Do your best to prepare for these challenges, and remember: it’s not your grip on God that saves you—it’s His grip on you. As Romans 8:38–39 reminds us, nothing can separate us from His love in Christ Jesus.

Stay rooted, stay faithful, and know that wherever your college journey takes you, Christ goes with you. Thank you for reading, and God bless!