Surviving and Thriving in Seminary

H. Daniel Zacharias (PhD, University of Aberdeen / Highland Theological College) is Assistant Professor of New Testament at Acadia Divinity College. He also serves as a faculty member with the North American Institute for Indigenous Theological Studies (NAIITS) and is an ordained Baptist minister. He has edited numerous books in the Studies in Scripture in Early Judaism and Christianity (SSEJC) series, written several articles for the Lexham Bible Dictionary, and is the author of Matthew's Presentation of the Son of David. He resides in Wolfville, Nova Scotia with his wife Maria and their four children.Benjamin K. Forrest (Ed.D., Liberty University) is Associate Professor of Christian Education and Department Chair at Liberty University School of Divinity. His research and teaching interests have focused on spiritual formation, biographical leadership, and family ministry. He is co-author (with Richard A. Holland) of Good Arguments: Making your Case in Writing and Public Speaking (Baker Academic, 2017) and co-editor of Biblical Foundations of Leadership: Exegesis for Everyday Leaders (Kregel, 2017), and a two volume history of preaching, A Legacy of Preaching: Historical and Theological Introductions (Zondervan, 2018). He resides in Lynchburg, Virginia with his wife Lerisa and their three children.

This is a very fine, well written book. It will help more seminarians start well, do well, and finish well. I will gladly and enthusiastically commend it to our students.--Daniel L. Akin, president, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (Wake Forest, NC)"Theological education ought to be a season of tremendous intellectual and spiritual growth for the students who undertake it. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Too many seminarians find themselves overwhelmed by classroom responsibilities, family commitments, and financial challenges. That is why every seminary student would be wise to read Surviving and Thriving in Seminary by Benjamin Forrest and Daniel Zacharias. As the title indicates, this book will be an essential tool for all pursuing theological education, and for all who desire to graduate and look back joyously on their season of ministry training."--Jason K. Allen, president, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Kansas City, MO)"Daniel Zacharias and Benjamin Forrest have written an immensely helpful book on how to prepare yourself when you're totally unprepared for seminary. If you're starting seminary, this book will give you a head start, and hopefully prevent you from turning your Christian life into a train wreck. This book covers everything you should know from prayer life to research skills to time management. I wish someone had told me this when I went to seminary."--Michael F. Bird, lecturer in theology, Ridley College (Melbourne, Australia)"Surviving in seminary is a worthy quest, but it is inconsequential compared to thriving in seminary. Zacharias and Forrest have written a book that I wish I had had the foresight to write. Every student headed to a seminary or divinity school ought to read this book carefully before undertaking the journey. Chapter two on preparing your heart and chapter 5 on managing your time" are 100 percent worth the price of the book. Read this book and then enjoy your seminary journey."--Paige Patterson, president, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Fort Worth, TX)"Surviving and Thriving in Seminary is essential reading for the next generation of seminary students. In this carefully designed book, Forrest and Zacharias, with much wisdom and pastoral guidance, have thoughtfully introduced their readers to the multiple aspects of theological education, including shaping minds, transforming lives, as well as forming men and women for ministry. The authors have presented students with a great gift, providing both current and prospective students, as well as their families, with a thorough overview of the realities, privileges, blessings, responsibilities, and challenges involved in pursuing seminary education. Forrest and Zacharias are to be congratulated on producing this extremely helpful and beneficial volume."--David S. Dockery, president, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Deerfield, IL)"Wise leaders know that the first person one must lead is oneself. The authors of Surviving and Thriving in Seminary offer godly wisdom and practical counsel in doing just that when it comes to preparing for and engaging the seminary experience. Out of their own life and educational experiences, the authors provide a fast-paced orientation that is inviting, direct and helpful. Overall, the message is clear. Take responsibility for your life as a student and here are some very practical tools to do so. Whether that responsibility is for your spiritual life, being sensitive to your friends or family's needs, or writing an excellent assignment, you will find some of the clearest guidelines and resources provided here. I strongly recommend the book to students as well as seminaries who want to prepare students well!"--Harry Gardner, president, Acadia Divinity College; dean of theology, Acadia University (Wolfville, NS)"A manual of practical and spiritual wisdom for every seminary student--and for those who are thinking about becoming one. Highly recommended!"--Timothy George, founding dean of Beeson Divinity School of Samford University (Birmingham, AL); general editor of the Reformation Commentary on Scripture"Attending seminary is an experience that is both challenging and rewarding. Daniel Zacharias and Benjamin Forrest have written this book to guide seminarians through those challenges and get the most out of their seminary experience. Whether you are a young seminarian who is able to devote all of your time to attending classes and studying or are struggling to keep your sanity while juggling the responsibilities of seminary, family, and job, you will find this book immensely helpful!"--Michael R. Licona, associate professor of theology, Houston Baptist University"This very helpful book fills a real void. Studying at seminary is a wonderful opportunity, but it is also a challenge. Prospective students can now draw on the wealth of practical advice offered by Forrest and Zacharias. It will enable them to make wise choices and get the most out of their seminary experience. The book is rooted in a North American context, but there is much on these pages that will also benefit students in other parts of the world. Highly recommended."--Peter J. Morden, vice principal, Spurgeon's College (London, England)"Surviving and Thriving in Seminary is pure gold. In it, Benjamin Forrest and Daniel Zacharias coach prospective and beginning seminary students on how to get the most out of their seminary experience. They show why seminary students--in all of their striving to learn--should work hard to realize the importance of oft-neglected realities such as the biblical languages, personal spiritual formation, healthy holistic lifestyles, financial planning, and caring for one's family. If you are a prospective or beginning seminary student, this little book might make all the difference for you."--Bruce Ashford, provost and professor of theology and culture, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (Wake Forest, NC)"Forrest and Zacharias thoughtfully integrate biblical wisdom with both their own experience as students and their observations as professors to provide seminarians with a wonderful guide on how to navigate theological education in a manner that optimizes its benefits. Compared to similar books on this topic, this one is especially valuable because of the attention given to family dynamics and its helpful suggestions on how to use contemporary tools for organizing one's life and learning."--Randal Roberts, president and professor of Christian spirituality, Western Seminary (Portland, OR)