Ninth, go for depth and breadth.
A student should have a general idea of what they want to specialize in when they go to Seminary. Whether it is exegesis, counseling, systematics, preaching, apologetics, or philosophy, a student should load up on the classes in their field of interest. To get even more tapered, the student should pick a specific topic they are interested in, and read everything on it, and then write a couple papers on this topic. By taking a “deep” look at one issue, a student will become aware of the amount of research available. This will teach a student to “follow the trails” in the books, to journals, and back into history. They will learn firsthand as the author of Ecclesiastes has said, “There is nothing new under the sun.”
But at the same time don’t just take classes one field. For example if one is interested in exegesis, don’t neglect to take classes in Church History. C.H. Spurgeon found it odd that “certain men who talk so much about what the Holy Spirit reveals to themselves, should think so little about what he has revealed to others.”
So get the most out of your Seminary education by becoming a generalist. That is what Pastor’s need to be. But if you can specialize on a topic, it will make you more appreciative and discerning of all those specialists who you will read when preparing your sermons.
[...] Go for depth and breadth. [...]
[...] Go for depth and breadth. [...]
[...] Go for depth and breadth. [...]