SEMESTER FOCUS: GETTING INTO GOD'S WORD

Consistently reading and applying God's Word is one of the best ways to grow deeper in our relationship with God.

Each week, I'm highlighting a resource that can help you cultivate a more consistent and fulfilling discipline of Bible-reading.

WEEK ONE
NIV Study Bible

A good Study Bible has notes, maps, and other helps that will make reading and understanding scripture much easier. Published by Zondervan, and available here at Amazon.




WEEK TWO
CSF Bible Reading Plan
A plan developed for students. Daily reading schedule and helps for applying what you read. Get it here.

WEEK THREE
Useful Breath
Dave Burkum (pastor of Valley Christian Church and former Director of Ministry for CSF) has a daily Bible reading blog called "Useful Breath." Use it as a part of your daily devotions or as a daily Bible reading guide.

Each day's journal entry includes the suggested readings for that day (you can link right to them on your computer); a focus, insight, application, and prayer; and a link to additional resources (books, music, etc.) appropriate to that day's application. You can also send Dave your comments and/or questions. Check it out.


WEEK FOUR
How to Read the Bible for All It's Worth by Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart

The Bible is a collection of 66 books written by a number of authors at different times and places. Some of these books are history, some are letters, others are Psalms or prophetic books. Fee and Stuart help us navigate all the different genres and give us keys for interpreting each one. An excellent book published by Zondervan and available here from Amazon.


WEEK FIVE
CSF Scripture Memory Courses

Collections of scripture passages to memorize. The CORE course is 12 verses every Christian should know. The WISDOM course is 8 passages that teach us the importance of pursuing wisdom. EVERYDAY, EVERYWAY is the course that goes with our theme for this year, and helps us focus on making a consistent and full response to God.
Available at the CSF Center.

DEEPER LIFE GROUPS

Women's Bible Study in Bailey Hall
Mondays 7:00 - 8:30pm
These small groups are designed for all college women who want to
join others for a weekly time of Bible study and prayer. This
semester we will be reading through the first 10 chapters of the book
of John and focusing on what Christians can learn through the life
and teachings of Jesus. Feel free to join us at any time through out
the semester!
Contact Amanda (pinkonyou@comcast.net) for more info.


Women's Bible Study in Sanford Hall
Mondays 9 - 10pm
These small groups are designed for all college women who want to
join others for a weekly time of Bible study and prayer. This
semester we will be reading through the first 10 chapters of the book
of John and focusing on what Christians can learn through the life
and teachings of Jesus. Feel free to join us at any time through out
the semester!
Contact Rebecca (heyrebecca@csf.net) for more info.


Forward Progress Men's Ministry
Begins Thursday, October 4
7:30pm, Rose Hill Alliance Church

Forward Progress is a group designed to offer support, encouragement, and accountability for any man who finds himself stuck in destructive behaviors or habitual sin. It is designed to both learn self-control as well as examine the roots of the behavior and offers real hope of freedom and transformation.

If you feel stuck in your negative behaviors we want you to know that you are not alone. We want to help you find freedom so that you can concentrate on discovering and fulfilling your purpose.

Check out our blog for more info.

DEEPER LIFE EVENTS

Lecture Series: Must the Sun Set on the West?
Tuesday Evenings, September 18 - November 20
7:00pm, Moos Tower, 2-520
Presented by the MacLaurin Institute

Is the sun setting on Western Civilization?
Is Western Civilization worth preserving?
Is there reason to hope...?


Indian scholar Dr. Vishal Mangalwadi presents this 10-part lecture series exploring the sould of Western Civilization. He says, "In these lectures I intend to examine the intellectual and spiritual secret of the West's success. My prayer is for a renewal of the soul of Western civilization."





Lectio Divina
Friday, November 30
6:00pm, Brad's House

Lectio Divina is a slow, contemplative praying of the Scriptures which enables the Bible, the Word of God, to become a means of union with God. Michel Willard will be guiding us in this ancient practice.
Dinner provided at 6:00, Lectio Divina begins at 7:00. Limited to five people.

DEEPER LIFE RESOURCES

SPIRITUAL ASSESSMENT AND GUIDANCE
The Christian Life Profile is an assessment tool that poses 120 questions about your Christian beliefs, practices, and virtues. Three friends also answer questions about you in the virtues area.

One of the CSF staff will help you evaluate the results, identify strengths and weaknesses, and chart a course for spiritual growth during the upcoming year. Cost is $10.




CSF BIBLE READING PLAN
Want a plan for consistently reading and applying God’s Word this school year? The CSF Plan is geared for the school year, and is a great tool that has helped lots of students grow in this crucial practice. Pick up a copy at the CSF Center or download one.


SCRIPTURE MEMORY COURSES
Memorizing choice passages of scripture is a great way to open yourself to God's work in your life as you fix your heart and mind on his truths, promises, commands, and wisdom. Stop by the CSF Center to pick one up.

Core Verses
These 12 passages guide us into the three things we try to do in Together Group—love God, love one another, and share the love of Christ with others.

Wisdom Verses
Our theme for the 2006-2007 school year was Wisdom is Sweet. Put these 8 passages relating to wisdom in your heart and mind.

Everyday, Everyway
Our theme for the 2007-2008 school year is Everyday, Everyway. These six passages will encourage you to make a daily, complete response to God.

WHAT IS DEEPER LIFE ALL ABOUT?

The call of Jesus Christ to us is at once exhilarating and demanding. “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him” (John 7:37-38). The life offered by Jesus may seem distant and almost unreachable from where we really live today with our weaknesses, doubts, and old habits.

Can our lives really be transformed so that we can take on the character of Jesus Christ? The answer of Jesus is a resounding YES! You can begin today, right where you are. You don’t have to become someone else; you don’t have to fix anything before you begin. The life Jesus embodies and describes is not just for some upper class of super-Christians. It is intended for and readily available to each of us, and we can pursue it today.

A few things are needed to begin moving into the real life that Jesus offers. The first is to consider the message Jesus proclaims: “The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15). Surrender to the gracious governing of God means forgiveness of our sin, restoration of our relationship with God, hope for the future, and help for living our lives today. To receive God’s grace and enter the Kingdom of God, scripture teaches that we must hear and believe the good news of Jesus Christ, repent of our sin, trust and profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and be baptized. In His kindness and power God forgives us of our sin and restores us to a right relationship with Him. We receive new life and the presence of God’s Holy Spirit living with us at all times.

Continuing in the grace of God, disciples aspire to become like Jesus Christ. We must know about the life He lived and taught about and take that life into our mind and imagination as our defining vision for who we want to become. Then we must move beyond thinking and dreaming about this life (which are good things!), and we need to truly intend to do what it takes to experience transformation in our lives. If aspiration is our desire to become like Jesus, intention is our determination that moves us to make it a reality. Our intention will naturally cause us to take up the means through which we can encounter God and experience growth. There are many well-established practices or pathways Christians have been using throughout the last two centuries to welcome God’s transforming power into their lives.

Aspiration, Intention, and Means are all essential parts of our effort to receive and utilize God’s grace in order to experience a changed life! Every disciple is a life-student of Jesus, and CSF Deeper Life Ministries are designed to help you experience a variety of pathways to growth in Jesus Christ.