Into the Word

This week marks the 5th night of Bible study for the semester. Each week around 7 or 8 girls show up in the first floor lobby of Kellum Hall to study God's word together with us! It has seriously been a blast and the highlight of my week!

We are going through a Foundations study, which takes a look at what it means to be a Christian through different topics, such as making Christ the center of your life, memorizing scripture, finding our satisfaction in the Lord, our identity in Christ, and other disciplines like reading the Bible, praying, fellowship, and sharing the gospel with others. So far, the girls have really enjoyed the study and a core group of 7 girls continue to get time in God's word each week and then join us to discuss their findings.

These girls are an answer to prayer. I have so enjoyed getting time together with them over the past 5 weeks, both as a group and individually one-on-one. Last night we discussed our identity now that we are "in" Christ. We started the night by simply drawing a picture of ourselves along with all the things that we think define us. The pictures reflected friends, family, faith, hobbies, school pride, hopes, and desires. We shared why these things define us which led right into our study on identity. We focused most of our discussion on three passages of Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-5, Titus 3:3-7, and Colossians 1:21-23. In each of these passages we talked about how they each start off with the reality of what life was like apart from Christ, and then the good news comes at the end! Take a look at Titus 3:3-7:

"At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."

Wow. I remember what life was like apart from Christ, and I never want to return to those days. I don't want to be foolish, making mistakes, or disobedient, choosing to do wrong, or deceived, being led astray by others, or enslaved to sin as I once was. What freedom we have in Christ! And what a joy it was to discuss the hope that we have for eternal life with this group of girls! It was so great to hear the girls' thoughts on the fact that it was not anything that we have done to deserve forgiveness of sins but it is only by his great mercy.

My favorite thing to talk about with students is the gospel, and that was basically all we talked about last night! I am so thankful for our Bible study and what God is doing in each of these young woman's life. Pray for them! Pray that they would continue to grow in a love for God and for studying his word. These girls have been faithful to come out each week and share their discoveries; pray that the hunger and faithfulness grows deeper!

I had one girl share with me: "You all are so sweet. I am so thankful I found this group of girls I can relate to and share with." I am amazed at how well our group has meshed together, even though we are all very different. A couple of girls have checked out the study once, pray that they return. My heart is so for these young women, and I know God is doing a great work in their lives and will carry it on to completion (Philippians 1:6).

It has also been a blessing to live life among these girls. We get dinner together once a week, we've had fun eating fondue, painting our nails and watching a movie, and cheered on Florida State at a tailgate. I honestly have to ask myself sometimes, "Has God really blessed me this much that I get to invest in the lives of the next generation of leaders and laborers? How am I so fortunate to know these young women and share life with them, lead them in studying God's word, and helping them discover how to have a deeper and more personal relationship with the lover and creator of their souls?" Praise God. That's all I can say :)