Archive for the 'Faith' Category

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Lessons From A Night of Sushi

Published on November 18, 2011 by Chris Bean in Campus Ministry and Faith.

During our Journey 2:8 bible study/fellowship on Thursday nights we’ve been discussing simplicity as spiritual discipline and topic for discipleship.

Occasionally, we like to incorporate some great food with our conversations together and the idea of “make your own sushi” occurred to me as a simple kind of food to launch us into this study of simplicity.

So we had a great time rolling up sticky rice in sheets of nori (seaweed) with slices of cucumber, raw fish, & wasabi. One of the first lessons for me, however, was making a distinction between simple and easy. Sure, sushi is a pretty simple food as a concept, but preparing and rolling the ingredients (not to mention FINDING all the right ingredients) proved to be quite challenging.

As we studied Matthew 6 that first week and chewed on the implications of trusting God with our basic needs and “seeking first” the Kingdom, we learned a similar lesson. Following Christ can be a simple concept but quite a challenging proposition in terms of daily practice.

On the second week of this study, we learned a few more lessons from Luke 18:18-25 (the rich young ruler) and Luke 10:38-42 (the story of Mary & Martha).

  • The rich young ruler had grown so attached to material things, that the simplicity of Jesus’ call became too sacrificial
  • The “one thing” which was lacking became the “everything” that was missing
  • For Martha, distractions and obligations became the “main thing” instead of prioritizing the “one thing” which was all important.
  • There’s often a big difference between “serving” Jesus and actually sitting at the feet of Jesus

The complexity and chaos of our lives truly demands a counter-cultural pursuit of simplicity. That has implications for the way we spend our time, our money, and our lives.

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Move-In Week at UC

Published on September 16, 2011 by Chris Bean in Campus Ministry, Church, discipleship and Faith.

This video clip from News 5 in Cincinnati gives a little taste of what move-in week is like at UC but it doesn’t really capture the gravity of what’s happening in a college student’s life as they pack up a dorm room’s worth of belongings and start their new life on a college or university campus.

As I had lunch with one young freshman girl and her parents, I was reminded of all the little questions and concerns that parents have in the process. And for many parents who have raised their children in a particular faith environment, one of their greatest concerns is whether their student’s faith will grow or be dismantled during these all-important course-setting years of campus life.

I often try to encourage parents. There’s a healthy and natural process that most college students go through which usually involves deconstructing the faith & value system they were raised with in order to reconstruct the faith and worldview which they can own from this point forward.

That’s why I believe my calling is so significant…to come alongside of college students and walk with them through this process. It’s not my intention to prevent students from asking the tough questions or even laying down their faith for a time. I’m sure it can unnerve parents a little to hear me say that (which is why I usually don’t say it quite like that), but in the long run, the journey towards a fully integrated life and faith is just as important as the destination.

That’s what I’m doing whether I disciple students one-one-one or facilitate a similar experience in community (Journey 2.8). If I can help a student engage that process and plug into a healthy faith community (church) during their years at UC, I believe they will actually be transformed by Christ and prepared to transform the world.

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Tips for College Students

Published on September 12, 2011 by Chris Bean in Campus Ministry, Church, discipleship, Faith and Prayer.

I stumbled across this list of tips as I was reading up on college ministry stuff. The original article is here.

1.  Location, Location, Location…Serious about getting work done? Find a good location. Use the libraries, study rooms, or empty classrooms. (Or perhaps the Edge Houseif you’re in Cincinnati!)2.  Make It a Habit: Do Coursework Every DayCramming is not conducive to understanding and retaining large amounts of information. Time on your courses each day is the best way to learn. Use the time between classes to stay on top of readings.

3. Help Exists! Seek It Out and Improve Your Grades

Whether you’re an ‘A’ student or a ‘D’ student, you can strengthen your skills. Get to know your professors and tutorial assistants. Use study guides and help centres. If you’re struggling academically, ask your professor what resources might be available from campus/student services.

4.   Write It Down

Use a day planner or wall calendar. Plan time for coursework. Plan ahead for assignments and exam periods.

5.  Get Energized – Eat, Exercise, Sleep

Fatigue and stress weaken memory and comprehension. Eat properly, exercise regularly, and get adequate sleep.

You can find the rest of the list here.

Of course, as a campus minister/pastor/missionary…I’m interested in students being more than just academically successful. So here are my top 5 tips for being “spiritually” (in a wholistic, not dualistic sense) successful as a college student.

1. Be With other Followers

Whether this happens in a formal campus ministry environment or simply by seeking out some Christian brothers/sisters, you need to spend some quantity AND quality time with a few others who are also on the journey to be Formed by Christ.

2. Be With a Congregation

Many college/university students overlook this piece but it can be critical as well. The local church has and always will be God’s chosen vehicle for cultivating Gospel community. Being part of a church body provides a place to worship, serve, grow, encourage, and learn. (not to mention the other 40+ “one another” commands in scripture that cannot be fulfilled apart from a faith community).

3. Be With a Mentor-Discipler

Paul had his Barnabas. Timothy had his Paul. We all need someone mentoring and challenging us during significant seasons of life. This could be a pastor, a campus minister, or nearly any mature Christ follower…but it must be someone you respect, seek out, and listen to.

4.  Be With Those In Need

According to Jesus, it’s impossible to love God while not loving others.  (Matthew 22 & Mark 12) These are the two greatest commandments. Without engaging regularly in service and compassion, our faith can become ingrown and self-serving. Since the very first covenant God made with Abraham, the blessings we receive from God are to be poured out on those around us.

5.  Be With Jesus

This may be the most important “Be With” tip so I am wrapping up with this one. Spending time with God…in prayer, reading scripture, meditating, worship, etc is not to be some daily checklist of Christian performance. However, these and many other Christian practices (spiritual disciplines) are the ways in which we position ourselves to be transformed by God. I love the illustration of sailing when it comes to spiritual formation. When we engage in spiritual disciplines, we are simply raising the sail into which then God will breathe and direct our lives by His Spirit.

 

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