Tracy Domingo
Assistant Living Editor
The dust is finally settling from the mayhem of getting settled into the new school year, and by now students should be more or less accustomed to their daily schedules. However, aside from class, jobs and studying there is one more thing many Pepperdine students are penciling into their busy schedules: Bible studies.
Being a Christian university, worship services such as Care Group on Wednesday nights and University Ministries on Tuesday nights are tremendously popular. But many go beyond these planned services and further pursue their spiritual life by meeting in small, medium or large groups to worship, pray and delve into the teachings of scripture.
Senior Brad Kuske, who attends a Bible study once a week entitled “Men’s C-Block Bible Study,” (C-Block is a part of the Lovernich apartments) said Bible studies are the key to personal growth.
“Bible studies give you a more personal community rather than just going to church and taking whatever you can get from that,” Kuske said. “God says Ôwhen three or more come together I am in your midst.’ Bible studies allow you to just come together in fellowship with each other and God.”
A Bible study can take the form of whatever its members wish to accomplish. Many students come together just to talk about what is going on in each other’s lives or to pray over a particular problem in their lives. Some have specific books or devotionals they read and discuss and some just come together to sing and worship.
At “Men’s C-Block Bible Study,” members participate in a little bit of everything.
“We just come and we do a lot of worship and just talk about everything that is going on,” Kuske said. “It’s good because we can just hold each other accountable and encourage one another. Then, we do some more singing, but we don’t sing very well.”
The Campus Ministry office is very active and adamant in getting students involved and plugged into a Bible study that fits different individuals’ needs, wants and schedules. The office organizes two kinds of weekly Bible studies throughout the year, including large groups run by the Ministry Team and smaller, more tailored groups called Discipleship Circles. In addition, the office employs 15 interns and each intern leads or co-leads a Bible study every week.
Campus Ministry intern Elli Graham co-leads a Bible study, “Seeking Awe,” every Monday night at 9:30 p.m. in her apartment.
“I think people need a more intimate setting to voice their doubts and struggles and Bible studies are a really great place for that,” Graham said.
As newcomers to Pepperdine, freshmen are initially more apt to join Bible studies and worship groups in order to meet people on campus and get more involved. However, this year, the Campus Ministry office hopes to include more upperclassmen and encourage them to join a campus Bible study.
“We are really just trying to reach out to the upperclassmen in addition to all the new, excited freshmen,” Graham said. “We are trying to figure out better ways to get the whole campus involved, which can be difficult at times.”
Another Bible study opportunity takes place every Thursday at 7 p.m. at Christopher and Theresa Parkening’s home.
While the Campus Ministry office fosters many Bible study opportunities, anyone with a Bible, time and a friend can start their own. However, if students are looking for a more structured approach, every Spiritual Life Advisor leads Bible studies at least once a week and countless small groups are already established through Care Group and University Ministries. Those interested in joining a Bible study through Campus Ministry can contact ext. 4504 for more information.
09-15-2004