Concordia’s Bible study groups started the semester strong with a collaborative community event last Thurs., Jan. 11. The co- ed small group mixer welcomed students to join a close-knit community where they can be supported and bolstered in their faith.

Both the women’s and men’s ministries— Beloved and Battalion— were represented at the event, as well as the Athlete Bible Study (ABS), allowing for students to engage with the entirety of Concordia’s Bible study community. “[This mixer] is a time where we can all be in fellowship, where we can touch base and see each other after the winter break, and meet new people,” said Emma Johnson, senior Beloved Coordinator. “Having a crossover between the men and women’s ministry is just really special.”

“Maybe the best part of my week is getting together with my brothers in Christ, reading the Word and being in awe of the glorious gifts that God continue to give us, and knowing that we can be there for each other and pray for each other,” said Battalion Coordinator Noah Martini, sophomore. “We can continue in the rest of the week in that community and know that God is with us, and it’s this wonderful comfort that I get every time I’m in small group. At this mixer, the goal here is to introduce people to that kind of community.”

“Bible studies are a really great way to meet and hang out with people that you might not necessarily know... but who are like-minded in wanting to pursue a deeper relationship with Christ,” said Johnson. “I feel like it’s also a very safe space for anybody at any level of spiritual walk, whether you’re a new believer, or whether you have been in the faith since childhood.

“I feel very firmly that we try to establish a curriculum and dynamic that is very open and welcoming, that’s just a safe space to explore things that matter to you on a philosophical and personal level, but then also to be vulnerable about the things that you don’t know, or the things that sometimes are troubling in your life,” Johnson continued.

“I’m a Bible study leader because I felt God putting it on my heart to do it again this year,” said Haley Moses, senior. “It’s a great way to get people from across campus and across different disciplines
together to talk about a commonality between us, which is our faith in Jesus Christ. We have a good curriculum done by our abbey west women’s ministry leader and we can dig into the Word together.”

"I love being a Battalion leader because it gives me an opportunity to focus on people individually,” said Andrew Held, sophomore. “My small group is five, six guys so I’m able to speak with them in a very personal way, it’s a great way to build community. I want to be able to be intentional with a few people and really be able to pour into them.

Jonathan Dose, sophomore ABS Coordinator, described the particular mission of the athlete-oriented group. “Our goal with
Athlete Bible Study is to create a sense of belonging for athletes who might find their identity is only inside their sport.”

Dose, who is on the men’s swim and dive team, added, “When you’re in the pool or on the court, putting so much practice into your sport, you can find identity only in that, and it can become your idol, and you can put it above God. We want to create a hospitality at ABS, and grant athletes a sense of belonging and show them that their identity is in Christ.”

Whether you attend ABS meetings or join a weekly Bible study at a time that works for your schedule, the Bible study ministry leaders encourage you to participate in this active community of fellowship and faith. “Please join us!” said Martini. “I'd like everyone to receive life from God’s Word. Sometimes we miss out on engaging in Scripture with people in our culture and around our same age. At small group, we’re all gathering around having the Scripture in common, and that’s where we receive life.”

Look out for future ministry events, such as the Beloved Women’s Retreat in March. To connect with a Bible study, contact Emma Johnson at emma.johnson@eagles.cui.edu for women’s ministry, Noah Martini at noah.martini@eagles.cui.edu for men’s ministry, or Jonathan Dose at jonathan. dose@eagles.cui.edu for athletic ministry.

Tags: Clubs and Organizations , faith

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