The “Strangeness” of Bible Studies and God’s Work at IUP

Bible studies are increasingly an oddity in universities. One of the RUF at IUP bible studies meets in the lobby of one of IUP’s dorms. One week a student passed by our study and interrupted by exclaiming “what are you guys doing?” I responded “we are reading the Bible together and discussing it.” With considerable incredulity she asked, “Is this for a class? Are you doing some kind of project?” I responded “Nope, we are just curious to find out more about who Jesus is and what it means to follow him. You are welcome to join us!” Her last response was simply, “You guys are weird” and walked off.

From a secular point of view, it is incredibly weird for a bunch of students to gather around to study the bible for an hour every week. Even the students in the study themselves recognize there is something unusual about what we are doing. One student told me in passing as we were walking back from playing basketball, “I never imagined myself being in a bible study in college.”

I’m continually amazed and encouraged that students keep coming to this study and actively participating, many of which are studying the Bible for the first time. There are so many other things they could be doing and yet it is evidence that God is at work that week after week they find themselves meeting with me to read through the gospel of Mark. Praise God for the work he is doing in revealing himself to students in these “strange” Bible studies.