Photo by: Abby Bellow
Junior Jaron Brandt, member of the spiritual life committee, recently proposed an idea for a Bible study that involves both students and faculty members coming together.
“It’s kind of like a Bible study, but more like a support group of sorts,” Brandt said. “It’s between the faculty from all different departments and then any students that just show up. They just talk about life and, this semester in particular, struggles that Christians are going to have throughout your entire life, no matter what your age.”
Brandt invited Professor of English Bailey McBride to speak at the first meeting of the group. He explained some of the devotional’s purpose.
“It helps us to have a closer relationship with God,” McBride said.
Among other things, students feel as if the discussions allow for a higher level of intimacy between the groups.
“I really like the interaction,” junior Kaylee Eubank said. “You’re just discussing things, and it’s not like they know more than you and they’re teaching you, it’s more like the same level.”
Junior Quinn Fields appreciated the ability to interact with both students and faculty.
“In a student-led Bible study, sometimes there’s not credibility,” Fields said. “Just hearing faculty members speak, you don’t [always] pay attention. You don’t connect with them. The interaction [at this devotional] really makes you see the faculty for real people and regular Christians who are teaching you everything they’ve learned about how to follow Jesus.”
Despite the tight student schedules, McBride speculated that the devotional has had a good start. Brandt described his own feelings toward the devotional and its apparent success.
“Dr. McBride did a fantastic job,” Brandt said. “I was just so overwhelmed with how happy I was with the group of people that were there and the interactions that were taking place, I was almost brought to tears. This is a good thing.”
McBride believes in the opportunity for separate generations on the Oklahoma Christian campus to come together.
“The principle of people of all groups getting together is such an important thing,” McBride said. “I think that it really does fill the sense of this being a community. Dr. deSteiguer likes to talk about OC is home, and I think what makes it home is the relationships that we build.”
Despite Brandt’s drive to bring the students and faculty together in Christ, the devotional group that meets is not large. According ot Brandt, that is the point, however anyone who would really benefit from being a member of the group is welcome to join.
“We’re working with the topic of ageless struggles of an average Christian,” Brandt said. “I’d like you to keep your ears open for anybody who would be able to benefit from this type of group. Of course we always want anybody who wants to come”
Anyone interested in learning more about the group can contact Brandt directly or speak with anyone in the Student Government Association.
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