Taylor University is dedicated to faith and learning. Bible studies offer an opportunity to learn more about God as a community.
Each Bible study brings something unique.
Allison Brockhaus, a Bible study leader in English Hall, said her group meets once a week. Her discipleship assistant (DA) organized the groups by mixing upper and lowerclassmen. Brockhaus’ group is currently reading a devotional.
For her group, each member reads three passages and then meets to talk about how it applies to their lives.
Each floor is different, Brockhaus said.
Last school year, leaders were given books to read by their DA. Currently, each group is allowed to choose what they want to focus on.
“I just think they're a great way to connect with the community and also engage in God's word,” Brockhaus said. “The year can get pretty busy, and that can be something that is often put on the back burner. The (Bible studies) can seem like a lot at first, but they're definitely worth it.”
Sophomore Peter Miles is a DA at Wengatz Hall. He said the Wengatz Discipleship Coordinator (DC) gave lots of freedom in how Bible studies are done. Some DAs chose to organize groups randomly, while others chose to have students sign up.
Miles said there is no one right way to do a Bible study. Rather, each study brings something unique and special.
“It doesn't always have to be sitting down in a circle and doing it in a more traditional way. It can be just hanging out and getting to know the guys in your group.” Miles said.
With the large number of freshmen, many sophomores and other upperclassmen had to step up. He said it is a good opportunity for people to develop their leadership skills.
It also offers a chance to further step into their faith.
“Something that I’ve been thinking about for the past year was dying to yourself and living for Christ,” Miles said. “And what it looks like to live for God and dying to your flesh. Part of that is serving others and serving through leading a Bible study.”
Miles said the overall importance of a Bible study is more than opening the Bible. It is to study it while getting to know those around you.
Ella Bivens is a sophomore DA at Olson Hall. Her wing meets on Sunday nights for worship and prayer together. Afterwards, they break out into smaller groups.
Last year, groups chose devotionals to study. This year, all the wings are unified, which Bivens has said has encouraged unity throughout the wing and other leaders.
“Small groups offer a really cool opportunity to meet and talk about things with people from multiple grades, or maybe multiple friend groups or things like that,” Bivens said. “You're with a lot of people that at the beginning of the year you don't know well, but by the end of the year, you're super close. That was the experience I had last year.”
Bivens said Bible studies offer intimate settings to have a chance to know and become vulnerable with those one lives with.
Junior Hannah Beildman is a DA for Gerig Hall. She and other DAs have teamed up to create a model that brings together the two female floors of Gerig.
Gerig’s model has upperclassmen leading seven different Bible studies, catering to 60 students across two floors. Studies range from applications of Scripture to devotional studies.
She said this approach has brought the two floors closer.
“I think community is a very important part of being a follower of Christ,” Beildman said. “Having that community to be able to remind you of truth, accountability, and also just pushing you, like the iron sharpening iron. Just being able to be sharpened by other people who are so strong in their faith.”
