3 minute read
Ben Panner
College Pastor
Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. (Malachi 3:7)
Repentance. If I could describe a dominant theme from our semester in College Group, it would be that. The prophet Malachi shares stinging words from the LORD to a discouraged yet hardened Israel. God calls them to return to him with repentance of sin, remembering his word and rightly fearing him. Each week our college students gathered to sit under words like these as we studied the book of Malachi. God’s Word was at work.
Students came each week into College Church family homes to experience genuine hospitality and love. Students rubbed shoulders with mentors who exhorted them in the faith. Students learned to grow in fellowship with other students who didn’t always run in the same circles on their campuses. But students came together to hear from God in his Word. The fruit of this was heart repentance for many.
Students were confronted with placing other things above their allegiance to God. They were confronted with sexual sin, greed and a general lack of reverence and fear of the LORD. Malachi brought strong words each week, but they were built on the foundation that God is faithful and loves his people (Malachi 1:2). Students were called out of sin in various ways and called to obedience. But they were reminded each week of the deep love of God demonstrated in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
Our second semester ministry led to a similar emphasis as we taught on the theme of sex and sexuality. In a broken world full of confusion, pain and sin, we wanted to bring the clarity of God’s Word and the comfort of the gospel to bear in the lives of these students. As in the fall, many students were confronted with the sin in their own hearts as it related to God’s design for sex and responded with repentance. Students were striving in weekly conversations and discipleship relationships to rightly align their desires and lives around the truth of God’s Word. God’s Spirit was awakening hardened hearts to sin that was blinding them and renewing discouraged hearts of those who needed assurance of the forgiveness that is found in Jesus.
John the Baptist said, “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance,” (Matthew 3:8). Many students were turning back to God through repentance this semester. But the journey is not complete. We are all seeking to bear fruit for the Lord as we continue to repent of remaining sin, trusting in the finished work of Jesus on our behalf. Through him, we truly find forgiveness and refreshment for our souls!
Midway through the semester, we all faced unique challenges due to COVID-19. Students were quickly forced away from their campuses, and their semester changed dramatically. Seniors grieve the loss of their final weeks on campus with friends. We have been praying for the Lord’s comfort and strength for all students as they adjust to these new rhythms and learn to trust in God’s sovereignty. Students are still eager to study the Bible in weekly online discipleship groups and are also seeking opportunities for training in how to study the Bible with an online Simeon Trust course for students.
The Lord has been gracious to us this year as he has reminded us of his grace and forgiveness and strengthened us to live by the Spirit in increased obedience. Praise God!
