Summer Advice for Brand New Alumni

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“If you attempt to find Chi Alpha after college, you won’t.”

When I heard this in a leader’s meeting as a student, it was a hard pill to swallow. It seemed pessimistic to think that I could never be part of a community that served me as well as Chi Alpha did. As I neared graduation, I realized that wasn’t the point. I’d probably never find myself in another faith community where everyone lives within a mile of each other. Or one where everyone is in the exact same life stage. Or one that makes it so easy for every part of my life to be intertwined with others. The point isn’t to replicate what you’ve experienced for the past three or four years. It’s to bring what you’ve come to value into all the areas of your adult life. That life begins this summer, so here’s how you can begin to do that now.

When you start to transition to a local church as your primary community, you may find yourself dissatisfied by how the church experience measures up to your experience in Chi Alpha. Rather than writing the local church off for being incomparable, try investing more. Be as vulnerable in your small group as you wish everyone would be. Model the kind of discipleship you’ve given and received. Actively pursue friendships with your peers and mentorship from older adults. Of course, you’re not there to make the church in your own image, but you’ll only ever get out what you put in.

Intentionality in relationships takes on a whole new level after college. You might be thinking about all the people you’ve spent time with while in school and wonder if and when you’ll ever see any of them again. But honestly, if you want to, you will. Believe it or not, relationships in college don’t take much intentionality. You develop friendships often without even thinking about it. You’re just around each other all the time. However, in post-grad life, relationships require quite a bit of work. So start now. Ask them how they’re doing and how you can pray for them. Schedule time into your week to catch up with them. Reach out to that one friend you kinda know, but never got a chance to get close to. It’s never too early (or too late) to start maintaining your adult friendships.

Lastly, and most importantly, give yourself some grace. Graduating can feel like the closing of one chapter and the beginning of a new fresh white page. You might expect this summer to be the launching point of a clear path that leads through the rest of your life. And while that is partly true, sometimes this leads us to believe that the uncertainties we carried with us in college will be gone. Perhaps, instead, this time is an in-between space that gives you the room to learn more, fail more, dream more, and grow more.

Asking Good Questions of The Gospels

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I remember one of the first Life Groups in Chi Alpha that I co-led. The AU staff asked me and my co-leader to use the first semester to go through one of the Gospels instead of the book of Acts, what we originally wanted to do. I listened, reluctantly, but was met with a quick realization that the girls that had joined our Life Group that year desperately needed a focus on the Gospel, and the core of our faith. Many of the ladies had grown up in a Christian home, but they had not really been following Jesus in their own lives, and some were very new believers. The focus back on the core of our faith – the love of our God, and sacrifice and resurrection of His Son, was necessary in allowing us to dive deeply into what Jesus meant for those with Him then, and for us now.  

I encourage Life Groups, those that have many strong believers, and those with folks who don’t know who Jesus is at all, to lean into the opportunity to study a Gospel. The fruit from it will bring depth, no matter the audience, and will allow us to remember that the good news is just that – it feels too good to be true. The Gospel is also a perfect place to turn to when pursuing individual relationships with students. One-on-one’s are a great opportunity to walk through the truth of who God is, and the declaration of His commitment to us through Christ. So even if you are going through the book of Matthew for the sixth time, spending some time in the Gospel will open doors for those who don’t know Him yet, and further encourage those who do. 

Here are some questions that I have found are helpful to ask when wanting grow from a study of the Gospel in the context of community:

How do each of the four books encounter the Gospel differently? Similarly?

I believe this is an excellent question to ask in the context of a continued study with a group of people. Life Groups are a great place to focus in on a specific book, and comparatively study it with one or two more of the Gospels. As I have learned in my Berean course through Chi Alpha, it is important to keep in mind the patterns that the Synoptic Gospels fall under. They are made up of the books Matthew, Mark and Luke as these three books are very similar, and all three aid in a full understanding of the events that centered around Jesus’s time on Earth. I encourage you to challenge the members of your Life Groups to compare passages, and then come ready to share truth and new understanding with the group. Don’t underestimate the amount of depth that comes from studying His love!

What is the context behind a teaching, miracle, or event?

The longer I am follower of Jesus, the more I am reminded of how important it is to understand the context with which events were shared and recorded in the Bible. Studying the context of scripture can help transport us to the time and place of the people that were there. It allows us to step back in time and ask, “What did this mean for the people who heard it first”? With that knowledge, I have found it much easier to know how to apply scripture to my life today, and answer - “What does this mean for us now”? 

What methods did Jesus use to make Him such an effective teacher?

I know that through my own study of the Synoptic Gospels, in particular, this question produced a ton of fruit in my own understanding of Jesus. When learning about His practices and teaching methods, I was struck with memories of my favorite teachers and professors. What they did to lead me well, meet me where I was at, and how they delivered with wisdom and kindness. If that is how other humans have seen and known me in sharing knowledge, imagine how much more gracious our God is! Studying the way Jesus taught, has allowed me to understand ever more deeply how He cares for us so specifically. When I was able to process why He taught that way, my world was rocked all over again by His goodness and gentleness. I encourage you to ask yourself this question, and then ask the folks in your life groups, and in one-on-one’s as I believe this conversation is a practical start for knowing Jesus even deeper.

 

What does this passage, chapter, etc. say about the character of Jesus? What does that, then, say about us?

This may be one of my favorite questions to ask anyone that I study Scripture with. I have been praying this often when meeting with the ladies that I help disciple this year. I believe there is something powerful about asking ourselves what about this book, this sometimes-mundane text, says about the character of. And if we understand the character of Christ more and more, if we are His creation, made in His likeness, and carry His power within us – then what does that say about us, His children?

 

How does a deeper understanding of the Gospel help you to share it/ communicate it with others?

I believe this is a question that we should be asking continuously. This is a question that will have different answers in different seasons, and the deeper you go in relationship with Christ. A study of the Gospels brings understanding and understanding brings an ability to clearly communicate the greatest truth that we know of. His Love is endless, and I’m excited to see how a deeper dive into this Truth will bring you closer into relationship with Him, and push you into desiring others to also know and be known by Him.

Why is it Important to Study the Gospels Continually?

I don't remember the first time I encountered the Gospel. As someone who was raised in the church, and with two parents who had met at Bible College, the Gospel was present as absolute truth in my life, for as long as I can remember. This foundation paved the way for a desire to know Him more. While transitioning into my teenage years wasn't easy, I found myself coming back, again and again, to look for the God who cared for me so much that His will was for His own Son to give up His life for me. The truth of the gospel was an anchor for me throughout the physical, familial, and relational transition. However, it wasn't until college that I was pushed into a new understanding of the overpowering, all-encompassing truth of the Gospels.  - Alexis

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When I moved to Washington, DC and started college at American University as a freshman, I started in a Bible Study, or Life Group, that studied women in the Bible – the first time I had ever seen women in a Biblical context given any attention. Learning about many different women's roles in the genealogy, life, and ministry of Jesus, shown within the Gospels, transformed my understanding of the character and work of Jesus. During my sophomore year, I stepped into co-leadership in my own Life Group, and for the first time in my life, leaned into a consistent set-aside time of reading the Bible daily. I remember the first time I read all of the Gospels through their entirety – the dedication and perfection of love in Jesus' time on Earth prompted in me a desire to dig deeper into stories that I thought I knew by heart.

Now, years later, I am taken back to the accessible, foundational, transformative power of the Gospel books through a conversation that I had recently with one of our Student Leaders at Georgetown University. I was talking to her about the importance of inviting those who don't share our faith into our Life Groups, along with those of us who had known Christ for years before college. In thinking about how to reach those who believe and those who have yet to, we talked about the reason why staff encourages Student Leaders to start the year off with a study of one of the Gospels. The Gospels offer insight into who Jesus is, for those who may have just heard about Him, or those who have known Him for years. There is power in studying the character of God and the Earth-shaking story of Christ's life, death, and resurrection with a bunch of students. It was a sweet reminder that a study into the foundation of our faith will bring depth when those, who believe in Jesus, or not, wrestle with and push deeply into the text. It is then when God seems to show up bigger and more splendidly than before.

After spending the past couple of months learning and studying the Synoptic Gospels, through the courses that Chi Alpha provides for staff members, I have come to understand the importance of studying the Gospels over and over and over again. As someone who had grown up in the church, the Gospel provided an absolute truth that I followed up until college, and it was there that I realized I wanted to choose to dedicate the rest of my life to Christ. The Gospel has been a compass, lifesaver, and a love a story greater than any that I could be apart of for most of the entirety of my life. However, it is now that I am seeing the truth in the need for Christ-followers to maintain a certain level of "Holy Dissatisfaction" that prompts a revisiting and reminding of what the Gospel means for our lives today. 

So, why is it important that we study the Gospels continually?

Because We Change. 

God stays the same, but as we learn and grow our understanding of His steadfastness grows deeper the longer we walk with Him

Because It is Constant.

We study to see how the Gospel's good news triumphs over anything else we may encounter, whether good or bad, in every stage of life. 

To Remember.

The Gospel reminds us that His love is real and true and good, even when we don't feel it. 

For Identity. 

As we get to know God through the Gospel, we can then learn about who we are as His children. It allows us to counter lies from the enemy.

To Internalize Truth.

So that we may rest in it, and then share it with others.

For Transformation.

To let the beauty of the greatest love story that there will ever be, take root and transform our lives again and again.

For Relationship With Him.

To let Him remind us of how much He loves us.

Because there is ALWAYS more to Him.

He is not finite, which means there is more goodness and love and depth than we can imagine, and He wants to share it with us. All we have to do is accept it.

Why We Gather Together

I’ve realized in the past few weeks, that there are things I believe and hold dearly to (convictions and values) that I need to keep in front of me and also, in front of our community. In other words, values that aren’t articulated, aren’t cultivated. I was reminded that even though I have been here 8+ years, for some, it’s their first year or two in Chi Alpha so things that I feel I’ve communicated a ton might actually be things I haven’t said recently. So every now and then, I’ll be sharing some thoughts and tidbits as I process where we are and where we’re going. SDG! — Blane

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Every year, around this time, I remind myself (and our students!) about Hebrews 10:25 (NIRV) which says:

And let us not give up meeting together. Some are in the habit of doing this. Instead, let us encourage one another with words of hope. Let us do this even more as you see Christ’s return approaching.

Even in the early church, the first years of Christian community, there was a tendency to drift or to lose passion. Distractions aren’t a modern invention but instead, humans are always prone to wander. I know that I am, whether it’s because I’n discouraged or because I am distracted by things that are both new and novel. I can easily lose focus, even of the essential things. And I’d bet that you might be the same way.

This (academic) year has brought us lots of transitions, changes outside of our control and changes that we’ve made as a Staff Team that we believe to be best for our community / communities long-term. That’s hard. In fact, it’s hard on me and in some ways, I seem to have the most ‘control’ or decision-making capability. But I understand that it’s hard for students, in similar and dissimilar ways. I don’t think I can make things ‘less hard’ (although I wish I could!) but I think I can grow in communicating the ‘why’ and not just the ‘how’.

5 Reasons We Gather Together

I am sure there are more than five reasons, but these are the ones that first popped into my head. Blame the Starbucks blonde roast pour-over!

1. We are better together. I need you, and you need me (like the Barney song, but not). The concept of ‘Jesus and Me’ is a non-biblical invention of an individualized society. Instead, the story of God throughout Scripture is the story of Him and His People (a plural, group).

2. Specifically, we are gathered together (as Chi Alpha students from American University and Georgetown University) for WEEKLY WORSHIP because, in part, we don’t have the staff capacity to pull off campus-specific services with health. Most campus ministries in the city (including ours) has wonderful staff members come and go (way more than we’d want!). And I’ve decided that I want to do all I can in my role, to make sure I utilize staff instead of using (or abusing) staff. I don’t know if we (as DC Chi Alpha) have always done this well. So then, the question is no longer ‘Could we pull this off?’ but instead, ‘Should we do this?’ or ‘Would this be wise?’

3. We are gathered for those that aren’t here yet. It was once said that Christian community is the only ‘organization’ that gathers for the sake of its non-members. And I hope that’s true of us. With that in mind, we have a heart to reach college students in the city. In fact, we have a scary-big vision for the next ten years (and beyond!) that involves more staff, more Life Groups, more Life Group Leaders, more campuses and more environments where we can have Gospel-conversations and moments of Jesus-community. This year (and for however long we continue with WEEKLY WORSHIP) we are building a foundation. We are setting and resetting culture. I’ve been pretty open that there are things that are strengths of GUXA that I want AUXA to learn from (and vice-versa). And we know that Galatians 6:9 says that in due time or in the right time, we will see the benefits or the outcome from our investment. I hope you and I get to see it, but Hebrews 10-13 tells us that even if we don’t, it’s worth it. Why? To be faithful to God and make it better for the next generation of students and staff.

4. We are becoming a blended family. It’s messy and fun and weird and strange and most of our preferences are out the window. But that’s the picture I get when I read about the community in the book of Acts. We are still learning about each other (one campus to another, one generation to another) but the more we know, the more we can truly love + serve.

5. It’s the direction we sense is from God that aligns with the dreams He’s given us. In some ways, this can feel like an awkward God-card to pull. But I don’t mean it that way. I mean that we have prayed and discussed and sought after the ways in which we can best reach students and this is where we sense the Lord is leading us.

It might not make sense at first, but we aren’t just concerned for students that are currently enrolled but for the junior in high school that’s attending GU in a few years or the senior that just toured AU and starts next August. Or even the student deciding between GW and Howard, and will be in the graduating class of 2024. We are learning that it’s easy to be loud or make a splash for Jesus, and much more difficult (yet more missional!) to be consistent for years, faithful in the long-haul.

If you made it this far, thanks for reading. Here’s a GIF as a reward.

What Chi Alpha (XA) Means to Me

Author info:  Zach is a senior at American University and enrolled in the PPL Program. He’s from New York (not NYC, mind you!), enjoys playing Unstable Unicorns and works part time at the Kay Spiritual Life Center on campus. Connect with him on Twitter or IG.

For many recent high school graduates, the month of August is filled with big transitions and conflicting emotions. It marks the final countdown to the much-anticipated college “move-in day.” The coming weeks are a whirlwind of final goodbyes with lifelong friends and last-minute trips to Target. In a short amount of time life seems to turn on its head. 

For many soon to be freshman, this experience can grow a pit of uncertainty in their stomachs. At night, as they contemplate their new beginnings, students are bombarded with internal questions such as “Will I make any friends,” “Am I going to fit in,” and “Are my classes going to be difficult?” 

I know these same questions plagued my mind the in weeks before I came to American University. Transitioning from rural Upstate New York, I was terrified that I wouldn’t fit in or find community here in the “big city.” The only place I knew to look was in a campus ministry. 

After a quick Google search, I found an event and decided to step outside of my comfort zone. Going to ‘Cones and Chi Alpha’ during my first week of college was the best decision I’ve ever made! My very first conversation was with a guy whom I now consider one of my closest friends and could not imagine life without. 

Not only did Chi Alpha give me a community where I could fit in, I had found my home away from home! 

What does Chi Alpha mean to me? Well, it means everything! This community has encouraged me in seasons of joy, comforted me in sorrow, and stood by me in trial. The Lord has used each and every person involved to radically change the trajectory of my life. I went from a guy on the edges of my walk with Jesus, desperately clinging to whatever faith I had remaining from my parents, to a man who craves a deep and personal connection with my Lord and Savior. 

I now serve on the XA leadership team as one of the guys' life group leaders. This has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It has allowed me to put my faith into practice and to develop relationships with people that I know will last a lifetime. If I have learned anything from leading it’s that God is ALWAYS in control, and that is a GOOD thing! It was only through His love, patience, and guidance that I am where I am today. It is by his hand that I found my family here in Washington D.C. 

If you are a student at American University, new or old, and are searching for meaning, purpose, and community, Chi Alpha is standing here waiting to welcome you home!

Published on August 14, 2019 || Shareable Link: http://bit.ly/2N1K1la

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