Written by Amanda Marie Hourt
sat back and basked in the sunlight as I finished singing the last notes of “Mighty To Save.” Looking around, it seemed that everyone was feeling the same thing I was, an unworldly peace found only through meeting together with both God and Christians in the fresh air.
A new devotional called Communion Circle — led by sophomores Trinity Baker and Frank Franks — is meeting on the Benson steps at 1 p.m. on Sundays.
The group started meeting about three weeks ago and is geared toward college students who believe they can concentrate on the Bible better after lunch on Sundays, or who just want to participate in another Bible study, according toCommunion Circle’s Facebook group.
Baker said the Bible study is both for students, and led by students.
Though some people might think the group is meant to replace the need for a standard church service on Sundays, Franks said the group’s purpose is “not supposed to be a huge, controversial thing.” It is just a way for friends to get together and discuss their relationship with God, he said.
“It’s a convenient time for everyone,” Franks said. “It’s after church service, so go to both.”
He also said the name Communion Circle refers to Christians communing with each other. It has nothing to do with the Lord’s Supper.
The devotional meets outside the Benson for a variety of reasons, Baker said. Jesus preached at the temple, the heart of the Jewish community, and so Baker said he thinks Communion Circle should meet at the heart of the Harding community.
“We are not restricted by a building, so we can just go do service projects right afterward,” Baker said.
Baker said everything the group discusses comes from the Bible, not a commentary, because he thinks studying the Word of God is more important than studying what somebody else said about it.
Marvin Crowson, a Bible teacher and the host ofOutreach America, said, “Praise the Lord,” when he heard about Communion Circle, and said that he has no problems with the idea of college students organizing a Sunday afternoon Bible study because they spend time with adults in classes and around campus.
“College students, if they will stay with the Word of God, keep their heads in the book, can be some of the most powerful people in America,” Crowson said.
Anthony Foster, a sophomore who has been to Communion Circle every week since it started, said the group meets so people with different points of view can discuss the Bible.
Sophomore Amberly Rogers said she appreciates the social aspect of the group.
“It’s nice to fellowship with those that I don’t normally fellowship with (on Sundays),” she said.
At the end of each meeting, group members take requests and offer a prayer. TheFacebook pagealso has a place where members can post requests for other group members to pray for.
