Here are 10 of the best devotionals for college students to navigate this challenging era and be closer to God.
College is a very stressful, confusing, hopeful, exciting time in your life.
With the many different changes and emotions that you are going through, you need something to keep you grounded and at peace. That is when I turn to God’s Word.
While I admit there were times that I didn’t make the time to have Bible study time each day in college; I did read devotionals daily.
I love devotionals for many reasons, they only take a short time to go through, they help you apply biblical principles to your life, and there are a variety of options to choose from.
You can choose a devotional based on a certain time length, a topic, and even.more. In today’s post I’m sharing some recommendations of devotionals for college students.
By the end, you should have a good idea of what book you may want to start a devotional routine with.
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What Are Devotionals?
A devotional is a reading about a topic related to the Word and Christian living. Most devotions are daily readings, some can be done twice a day, in the morning and in the evening.
There are devotions about topics like prayer and worship, gratitude, worry, love, and even about God Himself. Then you have devotions that are for a specific gender and/or age group.
While all devotionals are different, they all have some of the same characteristics:
- Short, but applicable: Devotions are great for the busy college student because they don’t take long to read and reflect on, although I do recommend not rushing through it.
- Simple format: Most all devotions are formatted about the same, with a few variations. You have daily reading, Bible verses that relate to it, questions to reflect on what you read, and a prayer to close your devotional out.
- Great to learn more about the Bible and how to apply it to your life: If you’re like me, sometimes the Bible can be difficult to fully grasp when you are studying it. That’s why I love devotions. The author has a way of giving me clarity through their short messages. By reading their perspective, I’m able to look at the verses with a fresh pair of eyes. Then I can more easily apply what I learned to my life.
10 Best Devotionals For College Students
1. Dear College Girl by Well-Watered Woman Co.
If you want to learn from someone who’s “been there,” this is the devotional for you.
In Dear College Girl you’ll find letters from women who have been where you are today.
These letters are meant to encourage you and give you wisdom straight from the Bible about many situations you may face in college.
Through each of the 31 days you’ll have space in the book/devotional to process what you read.
2. Jesus Calling by Sara Young
This was the first devotional that I ever read.
In Jesus Calling there is a short reading for every day of the year, along with about three Bible verses that relate to the topic of that day.
I’ve got many memories of being in awe of what I was reading.
I knew that it was exactly what I needed that day.
All of the other Sara Young devotionals I’ve read have been just as great as this one.
3. New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp
While the previous devotional can be read at any time of day, this one is meant to be read in the mornings.
New Morning Mercies promises to help you be “prepared to trust in God’s goodness, rely on his grace, and live for his glory each and every day.”
It’s a devotional that will get you through each morning of your year.
4. Embraced: 100 Devotions to Know God Is Holding You Close by Lysa TerKeurst
College can be an intense time. For most people it’s the first time out on their own.
In addition to that you’ve got the stress of classes and exams, and other college experiences.
With all of that, sometimes God can feel far away.
In the devotional Embraced, author and Bible teacher Lysa TerKeurst reminds us that God is actually close to us.
This is a 100-day devotional that will help you experience God’s love in ways you haven’t before.
5. 100 Days To Brave by Annie F. Downs
Another great 100-day devotional is 100 Days To Brave. It’s perfect for this time in your life as you are trying new things and discovering who you are.
By the end of this book you’ll have the confidence to face your fears, navigate difficult transitions, and more.
6. The Lipstick Gospel by Stephanie May Wilson
Are new to your faith and are just getting to know God? Or have you maybe lost sight of who God is? Then this devotional is for you.
In The Lipstick Gospel you’ll learn how to feel more connected to God, how to step into your God-given identity, and how to add more joy to your everyday life.
After 90 days your faith is sure to be stronger than ever.
7. Trusting God Day By Day by Joyce Meyer
It’s easy to put your trust in worldly things, but God wants you to put your trust in Him.
In Trusting God Day By Day you’ll learn to do just that throughout the year.
Each day you’ll start with a Bible verse, then a short message, ending with a question or statement for you to reflect on.
This format will help you easily be able to apply what you learn to your life.
8. Live On Purpose: 100 Devotions for Letting Go of Fear and Following God by Sadie Robertson
College is usually the time when you start discovering your purpose, which let’s face it – can be scary.
In this 100-day devotional you’ll learn to push past that fear and lean into the purpose God has for you.
After going through the Live On Purpose devotional, you’ll be ready to enthusiastically go for your purpose, living authentically everyday.
9. The One Year Salt and Light Devotional: 365 Inspirations to Equip and Encourage You to Live Out Your Calling in the World by Chris Tiegreen
During your time in college you are going to encounter a numerous amount of different people from different backgrounds.
In Matthew 5:13-16 Jesus calls us to be salt and light, in The One Year Salt and Light Devotional you’ll learn how to do just that by cultivating your faith so that it shines for others to see God through you.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
10. Fighting Words Devotional: 100 Days of Speaking Truth into the Darkness by Ellie Holcomb
When I was in college I went through some hard times. In these times I clung to God’s Word as much as I could.
I would have loved to have this devotional as a resource during that time.
In Fighting Words you’ll ponder the power of God’s promises while pushing back the lies that can set us back and consume us.
Whether you are going through a difficult time, or the busyness of life has you feeling weary, this devotional can help.
Why is it beneficial to use a devotional as a college woman?
A devotional is a great way to draw closer to God and focus on His Word. It encourages reflection on the things that matter most in life, such as our relationship with Him, family relationships, career goals, friendships and more.
Devotionals also help us remain focused on our spiritual growth as we navigate the busyness and challenges of college life.
They can provide comfort and guidance in times of difficulty and can help us strengthen our faith as we learn how to serve God with our whole heart.
Lastly, devotional readings are a great way to keep connected with God on a daily basis.
They can be used to center the day around Him, giving us the strength and wisdom needed to make it through. In a world filled with distractions, devotionals can be an anchor for our souls.
By using a devotional as a college woman, we can find hope and strength to live life in God’s will and glorify Him throughout our college experience.
Devotionals can also offer practical advice on how to navigate college life.
They can help us learn how to make wise decisions and live a God-honoring lifestyle. Reading devotional materials helps to develop our spiritual maturity as we learn how to apply Biblical principles in everyday living.
Devotionals are an excellent tool for developing spiritual discipline, which is important not only during college but also after graduation.
By using a devotional as a college woman in daily life, we can grow in our faith and develop the habits necessary to live life for God after college.
Doing daily devotions beginning in your college years or even high school can help young adults, and young women especially, develop fearless faith through the word of god.
College girls can often struggle with the pressures of social media and new exposures to things like drugs and alcohol – things that pull us away from our faith. Young people everywhere are exposed to these things more and more.
Overall, devotional books are an incredibly valuable resource for college women.
They provide comfort, guidance, and Biblical insight that can help us navigate college life with grace and strength.
They offer practical advice on how to make wise decisions and help us grow in our faith.
By using a devotional as a college woman, we can develop the spiritual maturity needed to make it through this season of life and honor God with our lives.
What are other ways to deepen your faith and relationship with god in college?
The good news is despite the challenge college presents, there are ways to spend time with God every single day.
Other ways to deepen your faith and relationship with God in college include:
1. Praying Regularly
Prayer is an effective way to stay connected with God and hear His voice. It helps us focus on what matters most, which is our relationship with Him.
By taking time each day for prayer, we can deepen our faith as we seek His face and direction.
This gives us quiet time with the holy spirit. You can follow up your daily devotional with prayer or make it part of your morning routine or evening routine.
2. Worship
Taking time to worship is another great way to stay connected with God and draw closer to Him.
Singing, dancing and playing instruments are all wonderful ways to express our love for Him.
It also helps us develop a deeper understanding of who He is and how much He loves us.
3. Bible Study
Reading and studying the Bible is an important part of developing a deeper faith.
Joining small groups that practice bible study weekly can deepen your faith tremendously.
If your campus doesn’t have one, invite your best friends to join your bible studies. Invite others to come and share their personal experiences throughout the school year. Be a leader.
Bible study provides us with God’s revealed truth and helps us understand His character and plans for our lives.
By taking time to read Scripture regularly, we can learn how to apply God’s Word in our daily lives and grow spiritually.
4. Serving
Serving others is a powerful way to deepen our faith and relationship with God.
Through serving, we can show the love of Jesus to those around us and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).
It also helps us learn how to live out our faith in practical ways and be more like Jesus.
5. Connecting with Other Believers
Surrounding ourselves with other believers can help us grow in our faith and provide support during difficult times.
Finding a community of like-minded people to share life with is essential for developing a deeper relationship with God. Connecting with a church, Christian student group or small group can be incredibly beneficial for staying connected to God and growing in faith.
Overall, there are many ways to stay connected with God and deepen our relationship with Him during college.
By taking time for prayer, worship, Bible study, serving and connecting with other believers we can learn more about who He is and make Him the foundation of our lives.
We can also develop the habits and spiritual disciplines needed to stay connected with God in our post-college life.
By taking these steps, we can experience a deeper faith and become more like Jesus as we seek to honor Him with our lives.
In Summary: Best Devotionals For College Students
Using a devotional is a great way to connect with God and Jesus and make faith part of your day.
The most important thing is that you spend a little time work on your faith daily. Personal devotions are one of the most helpful ways to work through important life issues.
As former college students, trust us when we say from personal experience that your devotional time will become one of the guiding practices of your college years.
These are 10 of the best college devotionals to deepen your relationship with the Lord through your college years.
What devotionals have you read? Or which ones will you be studying from this list? Let me know in the comments.
About the Author
Kelly graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations and a minor in Journalism. Even though it took her a little while to find her career path, she was always meant to be in Communications. She remembers writing poems and songs when she was a little girl and pitching to my parents the reasons why I should have a cell phone when I was a teenager. She currently has a blog (budding-joy.com) where she talks about her weight-loss journey, mental health and personal development. Her hope is to encourage and inspire readers and let them know they are not alone. Reading blog posts like that are what helped her in tough times and she wants to pay it forward. She loves dance fitness, listening to music, and creating layouts in her bullet journal. She's a big fan of planning, especially when cute notebooks and pens are involved. Her dream job has changed so much over the years; right now she'd love to co-own a dance studio.
Website: budding-joy.com