Christian Student Fellowship: Recent Episodes
Christian Student Fellowship
Every now and then it's just hard to make it for Monday Night Worship. Each week, hear what was shared from God's Word so that you can continue to grow with the rest of the CSF community. Whether you were sick, had class, or are just wanting to review what you heard on Monday night, this podcast is for you!
When we make knowing and following Jesus our main purpose, He changes the way we think, look and act in a way that stands out from the world.
When we make knowing and following Jesus our main purpose, He changes the way we think, look and act in a way that stands out from the world.
In Titus, we see Paul sharing what it takes to help establish a healthy community of believers. We want to learn from Paul to Establish a healthy community of believers in CSF.
In Titus, we see Paul sharing what it takes to help establish a healthy community of believers. We want to learn from Paul to Establish a healthy community of believers in CSF.
In Titus, we see Paul sharing what it takes to help establish a healthy community of believers. We want to learn from Paul to Establish a healthy community of believers in CSF.
In Titus, we see Paul sharing what it takes to help establish a healthy community of believers. We want to learn from Paul to Establish a healthy community of believers in CSF.
In Titus, we see Paul sharing what it takes to help establish a healthy community of believers. We want to learn from Paul to Establish a healthy community of believers in CSF.
In Titus, we see Paul sharing what it takes to help establish a healthy community of believers. We want to learn from Paul to Establish a healthy community of believers in CSF.
We practice spiritual disciplines to learn to center our lives around God, instead of ourselves.
Our world has been grappling with questions of justice. We want to look at scripture to see IF, WHEN and HOW God cares about justice.
Our world has been grappling with questions of justice. We want to look at scripture to see IF, WHEN and HOW God cares about justice.
Our world has been grappling with questions of justice. We want to look at scripture to see IF, WHEN and HOW God cares about justice.
Our world has been grappling with questions of justice. We want to look at scripture to see IF, WHEN and HOW God cares about justice.
We see throughout the course of Jesus’s life how He navigated relationships with His disciples and others through their ups and downs as a community. We want to look at these stories in scripture and learn from them seeing how they connect together to shape the first Christian community.
We see throughout the course of Jesus’s life how He navigated relationships with His disciples and others through their ups and downs as a community. We want to look at these stories in scripture and learn from them seeing how they connect together to shape the first Christian community.
We see throughout the course of Jesus’s life how He navigated relationships with His disciples and others through their ups and downs as a community. We want to look at these stories in scripture and learn from them seeing how they connect together to shape the first Christian community.
We see throughout the course of Jesus’s life how He navigated relationships with His disciples and others through their ups and downs as a community. We want to look at these stories in scripture and learn from them seeing how they connect together to shape the first Christian community.
We see throughout the course of Jesus’s life how He navigated relationships with His disciples and others through their ups and downs as a community. We want to look at these stories in scripture and learn from them seeing how they connect together to shape the first Christian community.
We see throughout the course of Jesus’s life how He navigated relationships with His disciples and others through their ups and downs as a community. We want to look at these stories in scripture and learn from them seeing how they connect together to shape the first Christian community.
We see throughout the course of Jesus’s life how He navigated relationships with His disciples and others through their ups and downs as a community. We want to look at these stories in scripture and learn from them seeing how they connect together to shape the first Christian community.
Listen in on why sharing the Gospel is so important as Samuel lays out a practical way of doing so!
Gretchen kicks off our "Start Here" series with laying out the foundation for what we believe.
This week Samuel shared about Digital Asceticism and how we must radically deny ourselves of this digital world by holding on to Jesus.
This week David shared about Sabbath - both what it is and then how we can incorporate this pattern into our lives.
We see from Jesus' life that intimacy with God without attention to Him is impossible. Silence and Solitude is a pattern Jesus used to maintain this in every day life.
Gretchen kicked off the spring semester of CSF's Monday Night Worship talking about developing a Rule of Life. She shared the purpose behind the series from Romans 12:1-2. Then she shared the first pattern - how though Jesus's schedule was full, he managed to live in an unhurried way. We can as well. Special guest Abigail shares her story as a part of this message.
Gretchen began our series Finding Your Way Back To God. She shared about how the first step in the Prodigal Son's story was awakening to longing.
Special thanks to Community Christian Church for inspiring this content.
Samuel wrapped up our Framework series talking about the mission to which all Jesus followers are called. Special guest, UIS senior, Abigail!
Gretchen shared about the importance of being in a Gospel centered community for living a life of faith. She showed how the Jesus following community found in Acts 2 is a compelling vision for us to aspire to together today.
Monday Night Worship is BACK!! Week 1, David began our Framework series, sharing what CSF is all about: The Gospel of Jesus.
We kicked off week 1 of our Micah 6:8 Devotional series entitled "What Does God Want?" We learned that Mia and Kelsey REALLY know their homophones. We also learned a little from David about applying a biblical worldview when defining justice. Then, Kayla shared several ways that we can practically begin acting justly right now.
Ephesians 6:10-24: a compelling summary and Psalm 1: a beckoning intro. These bookends both use beautiful imagery to describe how truly good life comes from drawing strength from God.
On Nov. 15th, David shared about the book of Micah - preparing us for our 3 week devotional based on Micah 6:8 entitled "What Does God Want?" By looking at the context for Micah 6:8, we learn that ultimately what God wanted then, and has always wanted, is whole hearted surrender. In short, He wants US.
Psalm 63 gives us words for a life of delight and submission to God. Ephesians 5:21-6:9 highlights that submission also must extend to our relationships with each other. Submission is confusing and painful, but it leads to a life of freedom and joy. It frees us to "lay down the terrible burden of always needing to get our own way" (Richard Foster). Join us in praying this Psalm through a song from special guest, Emmanuelle!
Ephesians 4:1-16 is all about being a mature, unified community under Christ. Psalm 133 helps us pray in light of this - as unified, holy servants of God. Take a moment wherever you are to pray to God in unity with the rest of the CSF community.
Psalm 103 helps us pray in light of the rich and deep love God has for us both individually and collectively. This same love is highlighted in Ephesians 3:14-21. Right now, slow down and let God's love interrupt your day by praying Psalm 103.
Psalm 85 highlights themes of revival and peace - echoing the themes of Ephesians 2:11 - 3:13. Lets take a few minutes today to pray Psalm 85 for ourselves as well as those around us.
Our CSF Small Groups passage this week was Ephesians 2:1-10 which addresses both our deadness in sin and how only with God's help can He make us clean and alive. Renee leads us this week in praying Psalm 51 as a response to our need for Him to take us from life as a "Dead Rebel" to an "Alive Masterpiece."
In our small groups reading of Ephesians 1, we encounter themes of mystery and revelation - which are echoed in the Psalms. Renee leads us this week in praying Psalm 19 together.
In order to grow in prayerful living this fall, we're going to spend time in the Psalms each week. On Mondays, we'll hear from God together through His Word in small groups through the book of Ephesians. Then, on Wednesdays, we'll release a podcast that will help us respond to those truths through the language of prayer in the Psalms.
Outreach and Men's Campus Minister, Samuel, challenges us to be on Jesus' mission. CSF Student, Abigail Way, makes a special appearance to show us how simple it can be to share the Gospel.
Gretchen shared from Acts 2 about the sort of Christian community that is possible for us in CSF. For more information regarding CSF small groups, head on over to the CSF app!
David Lasley kicked off our semester at Monday Night Worship in our new series called "Rebuild". So much of our lives have been deconstructed. In this series we hope to learn a few things together that can make all the difference this fall as we do the work of rebuilding Week 1 we looked at The Gospel - this better story about Jesus' grace that can remake and shape everything in our lives. Make sure to download the CSF app so you can find the message notes!
In the final installment of The Elephant in the Room series, Adam is joined by graduating seniors, Abbie and R.D., to discuss graduation during COVID-19.
Gretchen shared at Monday Night Worship Online about our next set of chapters in the Luke reading plan. It's not too late to jump in! You can do so here.
Adam and David wrestle with how to navigate boredom during COVID-19. We know some are bored now and others will be very soon when the semester is over. At the heart of the conversation is a discussion on how both work and rest are good, biblical things. The challenge is in how we do both "in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Col. 3:17). Also - we mention the CSF Luke Bible Reading Plan. There's no shame in joining late!
This week, David shared a little bit about forming spiritual habits. Then he helped prepare us for our reading through the book of Luke in the next few weeks. To join the reading plan, click here.
In this episode, special guest Kayla joins Adam and David to share some encouragement on the topic of anxiety. A resource discussed was the book, Get Out Of Your Head by Jennie Allen.
This week at Monday Night Worship Online, Lindsey challenged us to consider how to maintain a servant's heart even while sheltering in place.
This week, Adam and David share some ideas for navigating dating during COVID-19. The content centers around a chapter on dating in Jonathan Pokluda's book, Welcome to Adulting.
The Elephant in the Room series is all about addressing difficult topics impacting college students during COVID-19 from a faith perspective. Rather than ignoring these topics, the goal is to learn how to honor God in each of them. And certainly - we don’t have all the answers. But hopefully this can at least be a part of helping us in CSF start the conversation.
This week at Monday Night Worship Online, Gretchen led us through Spiritual Practice 3: Scripture memory. To watch the video of the Magruder clan reciting Psalm 27:1-3(complete with motions!), head on over to uiscsf.online.church this week.
Adam Hulskotter (grad student) and David (campus minister) take a few minutes to chat about one of the realities facing all of us - guys and gals - in this COVID-19 world. The conversation centers around implementing points from Randy Gariss' Session 3 on pornography from Winter Retreat. Hear that session via podcast here.
As we continue our series for Monday Night Worship Online on being Centered, Gretchen led us through the practice of Silence and Solitude. For the full experience, including CSF student Kayla's testimony, check out the video at uiscsf.church.online.
As we move to Monday Night Worship Online, our focus is on being CENTERED during these uncertain times. David introduced our first spiritual practice to help us in this called Lectio Divina.
Monday Night Worship hits the road in this episode - heading to the Lasley residence! This week, David talked about some choices we can make to trust Jesus as our foundation in the midst of uncertainty. We also spent some intentional time together in prayer both for our own struggles as well as for those our world is collectively facing.
In a special, stand alone message, David taught from 2 Timothy 3:10-17 to tackle the question, "Why do we go to the Bible with questions about life and faith?"
Our good friend, UIS/CSF alumni, and Old Testament scholar, Dr. Tad Blacketer joined us for Monday Night Worship to conclude our teaching series from Daniel. He first provided a helpful framework for studying apocalyptic literature in scripture such as what we see in Daniel 7-12. Then, he applied those principles and taught from Daniel 9. He challenged us not to get too bogged down by the dates and times but instead to find hope in the revelation that we are deeply loved.
Couldn't make it to Winter Retreat 2020? Make sure to take a listen to these helpful and practical teachings from Randy Gariss.
Couldn't make it to Winter Retreat 2020? Make sure to take a listen to these helpful and practical teachings from Randy Gariss.
Couldn't make it to Winter Retreat 2020? Make sure to take a listen to these helpful and practical teachings from Randy Gariss.
Couldn't make it to Winter Retreat 2020? Make sure to take a listen to these helpful and practical teachings from Randy Gariss.
Couldn't make it to Winter Retreat 2020? Make sure to take a listen to these helpful and practical teachings from Randy Gariss.
Couldn't make it to Winter Retreat 2020? Make sure to take a listen to these helpful and practical teachings from Randy Gariss.
We asked 6 students (Kelsey Lessen, Collin Mosely, Mia Taft, Olamide Olatuna, Estelle Higdon and Anna Kanai) to share their stories of how God has been shaping them so far this Spring semester.
In Daniel 6, we learn from Daniel the importance of integrity. Gretchen shared how his life of obedience - doing the next right thing - sets a model for us. His methods for cultivating this sort of life through regular prayer enabled him to remain faithful even in the midst of terrible circumstances. We too are called to reflect Jesus in our every day lives and can cultivate that through daily disciplines such as the "first 15."
In Daniel 4 and 5, we see the stories of two kings being called out by God for pride. David walked us through these strange and startling texts which challenge us to also consider how we ought to admit and resist pride. In doing so, we learn instead to live in the reality of God enthroned. This is a life characterized by humility - and ultimately rest. apologies for poorer recording quality this week!
Gretchen taught from Daniel 3, recounting the story of Daniel's friends who stood up for their faith at the risk of their own lives. She challenged us to consider the reality that we will also have to stand up or stick out as followers of God. UIS student, Kate Janes, shared her personal journey in this area (17:46).
CSF kicked off a new semester in the book of Daniel! Gretchen shared from Daniel 1 about Daniel's resolve to live differently in the face of culture not interested in God's way. She challenged the community to consider how we might do the same in our current contexts.
CSF Faculty Advisor, Dr. Travis Bland, concluded our "Here/Now" teaching series on the topic of service. Dr. Bland taught from Philippians 2:1-8, and shared how Jesus' example replaces our images of success with an image of service. Instead of chasing selfish pursuits, he challenged us to discover true joy by following Jesus' way: choosing to serve right here and now.
In the second week of CSF's "Here Now" series, Gretchen challenged us to develop a habit of intercessory prayer. In doing so, we have the opportunity to see God do amazing things. CSF student, Emmanuelle Yakana, shared her experiences of seeing God move powerfully through this discipline (23:00).
Looking at John 15:1-8, Lindsey challenged us to consider what it would look like to offer our time to God here and now, pointing out that it's easy to make lots of excuses to not do so. She encouraged us to give even the first part of our day to invest in an intimate relationship with the Lord, and provided some helpful tools to do so, including CSF's the "First 15."
Special Guest, Hannah Knight, is the Director of Junior High Ministry at West Side Christian Church and is a CSF Board member. Hannah shared about the importance of self care. Whether we're personally in the midst of the chaos of depression, anxiety or suicidal thoughts or helping someone else through it, Hannah challenged us to consider how we could lean into God and our community for support.
Gretchen finished off our series on Stories of Ordinary People Who Followed Jesus by sharing about Mary Magdalene. She challenged us to consider what it could look like to not only love Jesus as Mary did, but to be a messenger of the Good News as Mary was after Jesus' resurrection.
David taught from John 11, where we encounter Mary and Martha, two women who have every reason to be disappointed with God. Many of us attempting to pursue Jesus can easily relate to their disappointment. Yet in Jesus' statement, "I am the resurrection and the life," God offers all of us a way forward in the midst of our disappointment.
Continuing in our series "Stories of Ordinary People who followed Jesus," Gretchen taught on Jesus' interaction with a man born blind in John 9. The blind man was healed, and then began to share his story. In the same way, Gretchen challenged us to consider where God has been at work in our lives to bring healing and presence. We too can say as the blind man did, "I was blind, but now I see."
In John 4, Jesus interacts with an outcast of society. Gretchen taught about how just like the woman at the well, Jesus sees our very worst, and still wants us. She challenged us to acknowledge and confess our sin, trading it in for the new LIFE Jesus offers. (accidental special guest appearance from David's phone audio Bible...)
Gretchen continued in our series "Stories of ORDINARY PEOPLE who followed Jesus," teaching from John 3 about Nicodemus. From his interaction with Jesus, it's clear that God doesn't just want to "clean us up," but to make us into something completely new. She then challenged everyone to consider the call to repent and either 1.) be baptized or 2.) remember our baptisms.
Five CSF Students shared their stories as a part of CSF Worship and Testimonies Night. Bill Coffey (0:18), Emily Zimmerman (3:02), Caitlyn Day (5:56), Chloe Taft (9:46), and Claude Henry (12:08) highlighted ways God is at work in their lives through their personal testimonies. Several specifically addressed the impact of their experiences at CSF's Fall Retreat this past weekend. Gretchen invited everyone to personally consider how God is at work right now in our own lives as well (16:36).
CSF kicked off a new series entitled "Stories of ORDINARY PEOPLE who followed Jesus". Gretchen Magruder shared from John 1 about Nathaniel - a skeptic who followed Jesus. She challenged us to not let skepticism keep us from pursuing faith in Christ. She then provided some practical guidance for: 1.) How to pursue faith as a skeptic and 2.) How to be helpful to a friend who is a skeptic.
Lindsey Lasley showed us from the scriptures that Jesus' intention is for all His followers to be on His mission. She challenged the community to: 1.) train in knowing God, 2.) identify the specific spheres of influence He has given us and 3.) engage in God's mission with other believers(rather than going it alone). CSF student, Abbie Varbel, shared how God has guided her to use her spheres of influence on campus to be on Jesus' mission (16:20).
David Lasley shared at Monday Night Worship what CSF is all about: The Gospel. He explained how in the Gospel we discover that we are loved by God and that in Jesus, we are invited to let that define our whole lives. LLCC student, Jack Snyders shared his story of coming to faith in Christ (33:40).
Gretchen Magruder kicked off our semester at Monday Night Worship on the topic of community. She unpacked the idea that "healthy community is a choice: choose wisely." UIS student, Adam Hulskotter shared how finding a faith community on campus has helped him grow exponentially (30:58).
David gives a brief peek into our first teaching series at Monday Night Worship. We hope you'll join us on 8/26 at 8:45 p.m. in the Student Union for Week 1!