EPIC

plans.

For the past two years our little bible study group at school has been good, comfortable. A nice time to hang out with friends, eat, play, and look into God's word. But in my second year there, we only brought in 2 regular newcomers, and lost one other.

I would gauge the average spiritual maturity, on a scale from my home church's youth group middle schoolers to current college students, as 9th graders. That's not a correct representation though, because in reality everyone either a. understands Christianity quite well and incorporates it in some way in their lives (~high school kids) or b. barely understands Christianity and does not incorporate Christ into everyday living at all (6th graders).

Understandably it's hard to bring in new members when the current members aren't completely founded in their faith. (Plus, I didn't do my part in bringing new people too well either)
But what I'd really like to see is a transformation of hearts for Christ. He requires that of us. To believe that Jesus Christ is your Savior, that nothing in the world compares to Him, that He is the way, the truth, and the life, and that we are all dirty, tiny, bug-like sinners in comparison to Him, that the life we live we owe to Him; there must be some transformation of heart, some 'putting-on' of the new-self.

So I think it would be good for all of us, to go back to the basics. Bring some new people, bring some people who are just curious, bring some people who have questions, and go back to the fundamentals of what Christianity is and what Christians believe.

What is the Gospel?
What is sin?
Why is it important to read the word?
Sing worship? Fellowship? Pray?

Answer questions like these. Plus, go through Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. I feel like the book effectively teaches the rudiments of Christianity and also establishes a platform for more questions/answers. And it's a great teaching tool for both new and mature Christians alike.

I only have 1.5 years left on campus (ahhhhhhhh) and our Asian American group, though tiny, should offer the tiny population of other Asian Americans at IU the ability to connect with others of similar backgrounds, but also to connect with and grow with God. So here's to another semester of biscuit-pork buns, late night Chinese, and faith-growing. Pray for God's power (much-needed), His Spirit to move in us, and for His guidance to lead us all.

the end.
07.13.2015