John 3

It has been my incredible privilege to guide six freshmen at Virginia Tech through their first months of college while studying the Gospel of John together at 5 PM on Tuesday evenings.

No, seriously-- we do actually read the Bible.

Stop laughing...

I know, I know-- we obviously spend time sharing awkward moments with transition through college (a series called "My Freshman moments")...

... and think about food the entire time during our studying, but...

...no, really, stop laughing, we DO study the Bible together: right after we tell stories about strange happenings from our past (The "Joe Vickers Tribute" stories, as named after one particularly verbose member of our group).

It's crazy to me that men not so much younger than me, at a gap less than 10 years, can have such a different perspective on life and on scripture, something that really keeps me on my toes when I'm searching through the Word to teach them. I'm awed by some of the astute observations these men make when they are exalting the scriptures.

"So, it's almost like we are the sails of the boat?" Wesley said, playing off of the illustration that Jesus uses to talk about the Holy Spirit's movement in human hearts in John 3:8:

'The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.'

"Um, well-- yeah, I suppose you could see it that way," I answered, trying to work out that elaboration as he said it. It's amazing to think that, for some of these young men, this is the first time they've been in a setting where people their age are getting together to read the scriptures and desire to grow in their faith together. What an amazing honor to walk with these young men through this time of their lives!

Please pray that I would continue to know this weight of glory that God has given me in leading these guys and learning from them as we explore the gospel of John together.

No, really-- our purpose together is actually reading the Bible...

...although, they also really like Halo: Reach, long-boarding, Virginia Tech sporting events, eating food...