CSOC welcome week

As a first year student at UT, I wasn’t sure what to expect from Christian Students on Campus. Despite these uncertainties, I consistently prayed to develop a deeper relationship with the Lord by finding companions that could encourage me in my walk with Christ. God definitely answered my prayer, but in a bigger way than I ever could have imagined. The relationships I have developed with other Christians, the fellowship opportunities I have been able to experience, and the messages I have listened to over the past week and a half exceed my previous hopes of merely “finding Christian friends.”

“Welcome Week,” consisting of several worship services and fellowship events, provided new students with a chance to get acclimated to the club and meet other students and staff members. The first event was a welcome back dinner in the Sanchez building. Focusing on verses one through five of Mark 2, the message following dinner emphasized the importance of having at least four friends that will bring you to Jesus. The simple but monumental point of these verses made me realize that being a Christian and growing in spiritual maturity isn’t something we can do as individuals. Instead, we need to function as the body of Christ.

Following the welcome back dinner was the first Sunday worship service of the fall semester. Located in the UTC building, the service began with songs of praise. The topic was regeneration or the concept of being “born again.” By breaking down this life-changing process into five components, the message created a picture of how we can be saved through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The first realization that we, as humans and therefore sinners, are born without God’s life can leave us confused about how we are able to receive Him. This question is answered in John 3:16, which highlights God’s desire to give us eternal life through Christ. Believing into Jesus is how we receive God’s life in us. This birth of God’s life in our human spirit is our regeneration in the spiritual realm. Through receiving Christ and being made a new creation in our spirit, we can then continue to receive Christ through prayer.

On Monday evening, the Fresh Start Feast was held in Sanchez. During this time, we focused on the Bible and what we can learn from God’s word., I was thankful to develop a deeper understanding of why and how we should read the Bible. After hearing this message, I was able to view the process of reading the Bible as a way of being nourished and fulfilled by God rather than just learning new information or gaining knowledge. Looking at the Bible as a means of contacting God and imparting Him into us as life reveals utter dependence on God’s word to nourish our spiritual bodies in the same way that we are utterly dependent on food to nourish our physical bodies. In addition to this vital nourishment, God’s word becomes the gladness and joy of our hearts, and we become fulfilled by Him.

On Wednesday afternoon, I attended one of three Bible study sessions offered throughout the week. The introduction to the Bible study consisted of forming multiple small groups and explaining the dynamics of the topical studies we will be doing for thirteen weeks. I am looking forward to progressing each week through this bible study and being able to express my ideas in a more intimate setting during small groups. Topics such as God’s plan of salvation, prayer, and many others will enable us to grow in Christ.

Thursday night was the first Ministry Series of the Fall semester. Beginning the third semester on the study of Genesis, the message of the evening provided an overview of this first book of the Bible. Through four points, the first three chapters of Genesis depict how God created, Satan corrupted, man fell, but Jehovah promised to save. From there on, we see how God’s promise was immediate and without hesitation. Genesis 3:15 shows that God intended to save us from the beginning. Another part of Genesis I comprehended in a new light after this message was the difference between Adam and Eve disobeying God in comparison to them taking in another element that was not God. Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil was not simply an act of disobedience, but taking in a poisonous element. When we come to this understanding of Genesis, we will reject the elements of the world and strive to take in God and His word alone.

Other fellowship events throughout welcome week including Pizza on the Lawn and Campus Cookout at the Sanchez Lawn encouraged bonding with other members of the club. Through conversations with students and staff members, I was able to develop friendships quickly during these events. The companions I have made and the growth in Christ that I have experienced within the past ten days make me so excited for what is to come.

By: M. Cannizzo

Mikaela Cannizzo
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