Nearly every Christian teen going off to a secular university has a desire to share their faith and really make a difference for the cause of Christ. Many Christians walk into a classroom or a dorm room ready to change the world, one convert at a time. While the aim is good, this approach often leaves something to be desired.

Match a brash technique with a world that thinks Christians are people who can't think for themselves and you've got a recipe for disaster. Witnessing on a college campus is both an intellectual and social pursuit. Now is the time to think about how you will approach your college professors and fellow students, be an excellent witness, and keep your faith in tact.

1. Study up.

Expose yourself to different ways of seeing the world. Educate yourself on the basics of the philosophies/religions that you're up against. By understanding how other people think, you will be able to find common ground, hot spots of contention, and opportunities to show the difference between your faith and theirs. The more worldview savvy you become, the better equipped you are to speak intelligently to those who disagree with you. See 1 Peter 3:15.

It's equally important that you brush up on your Bible knowledge. Know what the Bible really says about things like drinking, sex, interacting with others, etc. This way you can be prepared to clear up misunderstandings people have about God and help people see the wisdom found in The Good Book.

For some good resources see the "helpful resources" list below.

2. Listen up.

There's more to speaking up than talking. According to Proverbs 18 "Speaking before listening is both stupid and rude," (The Message).  Listening is more than just waiting for someone else to stop talking before you interject your ideas. A person is more likely to respect you if they feel listened to and understood. In other words, if you really pay attention to what others are saying, you'll have more opportunities to share God's love with your friends and peers. Ask thoughtful questions. Think critically about their responses by asking yourself questions like: Why do they feel this way? Do they have a situation in their past that has soured them? Are they looking for truth? Be okay with occasional silence.