I mentioned last week that I'd tell you about a neglected "campus ministry spiritual discipline."
I put it in quotes because maybe it's not a spiritual discipline, but it was an important part of my campus ministry experience as a student and often is a real momentum builder for us. That is: the random road trip!
At UWEC as a student, we did all sorts of trips. There's just something about the fellowship and bonding that occurs during the time in the car--often we'd listen to a sermon or lecture, practice scripture memory, or share what the Lord has been teaching us. And there's also just something about random adventures and college students that goes well together. Who in their right mind would make a donut run to a 24-hour donut shop 40 miles away at 10pm on a Thursday night?
We did, last week. We brought 35 of our students to Royal Donut in Danville. It is technically open 24-hours, but we found out (almost) the hard way that only the drive-thru is open overnight. We arrived at 10:50, ten minutes before close. We grabbed several dozen, and ate them in the parking lot. I apologized to the students that we couldn't be sitting inside because the place was closing, to which I received the reply: "this will make for a much better story!"
We gave them questions (corresponding to the message I gave that night) to discuss in the car on the way, which always leads to great discussion and fellowship. The questions are below. I'd encourage you to ask your spouse or your friends some of these questions. See where the conversation takes you!
I did learn something on this trip though. Though I'm not quite 30 yet, I'm not as young as I once was. Of course, our trip didn't end at Royal Donut, but the students decided to take a pit stop at Steak and Shake for more food and great conversation. I didn't get to bed til 2am, and getting the kids up and heading back to campus Friday morning was a challenge. But it was worth it. Several students commented on how they appreciated the trip.
Ok, so maybe not a spiritual discipline, but a momentum and fellowship builder nonetheless. Road trips are a valuable tool! Comment if you have a memory of a great college road trip. I'd love to hear about it. Maybe I was a part of it with you!
Happy weekend!
-Noah
I put it in quotes because maybe it's not a spiritual discipline, but it was an important part of my campus ministry experience as a student and often is a real momentum builder for us. That is: the random road trip!
At UWEC as a student, we did all sorts of trips. There's just something about the fellowship and bonding that occurs during the time in the car--often we'd listen to a sermon or lecture, practice scripture memory, or share what the Lord has been teaching us. And there's also just something about random adventures and college students that goes well together. Who in their right mind would make a donut run to a 24-hour donut shop 40 miles away at 10pm on a Thursday night?
We did, last week. We brought 35 of our students to Royal Donut in Danville. It is technically open 24-hours, but we found out (almost) the hard way that only the drive-thru is open overnight. We arrived at 10:50, ten minutes before close. We grabbed several dozen, and ate them in the parking lot. I apologized to the students that we couldn't be sitting inside because the place was closing, to which I received the reply: "this will make for a much better story!"
We gave them questions (corresponding to the message I gave that night) to discuss in the car on the way, which always leads to great discussion and fellowship. The questions are below. I'd encourage you to ask your spouse or your friends some of these questions. See where the conversation takes you!
I did learn something on this trip though. Though I'm not quite 30 yet, I'm not as young as I once was. Of course, our trip didn't end at Royal Donut, but the students decided to take a pit stop at Steak and Shake for more food and great conversation. I didn't get to bed til 2am, and getting the kids up and heading back to campus Friday morning was a challenge. But it was worth it. Several students commented on how they appreciated the trip.
Ok, so maybe not a spiritual discipline, but a momentum and fellowship builder nonetheless. Road trips are a valuable tool! Comment if you have a memory of a great college road trip. I'd love to hear about it. Maybe I was a part of it with you!
Happy weekend!
-Noah
Welcome Back fellowship questions
What is something God did in your life over break?
Trust
What are some ways a lack of trust in God expresses itself in your life?
What is something you really need to trust God with this semester?
If you went to fall conference last October, are you still praying through your “impossible list”?
-How have you seen God answer items on that list?
-What are you still waiting on?
Word
Share something (big or small) that God taught you from His Word over break.
How will you seek to delight in God’s Word this semester?
What would help you to further delight in the Word this semester?
Fruit
Dream up what fruit (inward or outward) you would like to see God bear in your life this semester.
Pray together that God would accomplish these things.
What is something God did in your life over break?
Trust
What are some ways a lack of trust in God expresses itself in your life?
What is something you really need to trust God with this semester?
If you went to fall conference last October, are you still praying through your “impossible list”?
-How have you seen God answer items on that list?
-What are you still waiting on?
Word
Share something (big or small) that God taught you from His Word over break.
How will you seek to delight in God’s Word this semester?
What would help you to further delight in the Word this semester?
Fruit
Dream up what fruit (inward or outward) you would like to see God bear in your life this semester.
Pray together that God would accomplish these things.
