Geneva College takes care to keep the sabbath.

Though this may seem like a small thing, I have been so encouraged and spiritually nourished by it. At my undergraduate college, another Christian institution, not working in some way on Sunday would put you behind. It was expected that you would go to church, but then many would regularly do lots of homework on Sunday, travel back from vacation for classes resuming Monday morning, or otherwise busy themselves. Rest — or even having lunch with a church family — felt nearly irresponsible because you were neglecting the things others expected you to do and “squandering” your time.

A friend of mine in undergrad was able to intentionally lay aside his homework each Sunday, preserving his rest time, but he may have been the only one on campus who regularly did.

Growing up in a Christian home, Sunday meant no work, no homework, two church services, and calm activities, but I participated in that out of rote expectation rather than valuing it.

At Geneva, Sunday’s rhythm intentionally looks different. Assignments are not due on Sunday. No athletics competition, practice, or travel takes place. No performances occur. The fitness center and library are closed. Campus is purposefully quiet. After school breaks, classes do not resume early Monday morning but instead begin Monday evening or Tuesday, allowing students to travel without compromising a day set aside for rest and worship. Even on trips — like choir or track and field spring break trips — groups find a place to worship together.

I’m thankful for the quiet rhythms throughout a Sunday. Many students will walk to a church service together and then share a meal in a family’s home or in the dining hall. People may linger in prayer or around the lunch table, sing worship, go on a hike, or fellowship richly in community homes — all of which can become natural and prioritized. Some students read (often outside on a blanket) on a Sunday afternoon. Many catch up on physical rest with a long nap or reconnect with loved ones on the phone. As the sun sets, games of sand volleyball or ultimate frisbee may appear as another form of recreation. Those hoping to continue the quiet may do something like paint with friends.

A classmate of mine at Geneva shares, “Growing up, I honestly didn’t think of the Sabbath as anything other than a day off of school to go to church. It was not until I started attending Geneva that I began to think through what the Sabbath truly is. While I’m not fully sure what my Sabbath beliefs are, I now approach it as a time designated to rest and service… it’s been both a challenge and an encouragement as I’ve become more aware of using the Sabbath as a time designated for the Lord.”

Not doing homework on Sunday may take away time for studies, but it gives students something more valuable: a practice that trains them to rely on the Lord, recognizing that He is in control. Geneva clearly communicates through its Sabbath rhythms that worship of the Lord is more important than anything else we can do, and that all our training is ultimately for Him.

At Geneva, Sabbath rest is one more way the College’s Christ-centered mission is lived out not just in classrooms and programs, but in the practices that shape students’ lives and spiritual formation every day.

Learn more about my top six reasons on how Geneva stands out in the world of Christian higher education.