1. Christian Citizenship

Leaders: Nate Chambers (natec), Neth Walker (nwalker), Rachel Gong (rgong)
Time: Mondays, 7-9 pm
Place: Graduate Community Center (GCC), 2nd Floor, Sydney Room (map)

Government, society, and a fallen world. How can Christians be set apart from this world, yet still engaged citizens within? The Bible can sometimes seem uncomfortably silent on many of today's political and social issues. This year we will will study how the Word informs our world views as we approach major issues confronting modern society. This is indeed a study on politics, not of any one political party, but one that strives to ignore partisan emotions and finds understanding and respect through Christ.

2. Father of Maher-shalal-has-baz

Leader: Jacob Mattingley (jacobm), Robert Newsome (rtnewsome), May Lin Au Young (chargrill@gmail.com)
Time: Mondays 7:30-9:30 pm
Place: 8 Comstock Circle #106 (EV) (map)

God speaks volumes about the character of Himself, and that of Jesus Christ, in the book of Isaiah. This year we'll focus on the latter half of Isaiah (chapters 40-66), which contains quite remarkable prophesy about Jesus. We'll look at how this fits (or doesn't) with how much we know God, and learn as much as we can about His character. Join us for fellowship, study, and prayer.

3. Disciplined Heroes

Leader: Isaac Penny (ipenny), Allen Cheung (cheunga), Heather Stalker (hstalker)
Time: Tuesdays 7-9 pm
Place: 21 Comstock Circle #103 (EV) (map)

Has your spiritual life been hit or miss lately? Do you desire a deeper or more stable relationship with God? This year, our small group will explore tools for personal spiritual growth. A few of these tools, often called spiritual disciplines, include: prayer, meditating on God's word, fasting, giving, fellowship, and worship. First, we will examine each discipline within its biblical context, through the lens of some of our favorite biblical hero(ine)s. We'll be exposed to a spectrum of methods from the 'tried and true' to the creative. Then through mutual prayer and encouragement, we will work to incorporate the best of these tools into our everyday life and practice. If you are ready to take a fresh look at your walk with God, or you are looking for a nurturing environment in which to grow, consider joining us.

4. Romans

Leaders: David Hiller (djhiller), Esther Pierce (epierce), Irene Onyeneho (ireneo)
Time: Wednesdays 7-9 pm
Place: 2 Comstock Circle #102 (map)

In the book of Romans, Paul gives a comprehensive overview of the Christian faith. Writing to a church he had never met, Paul introduces himself by describing his foundational beliefs: human sinfulness, salvation, and the outward expression of that faith. Come study Romans with us in a manuscript format - a close reading of the text to gain new insight into Paul's teaching and how to apply it to our lives

5. Prayers of the Bible

Leaders: Pete Shull (pshull), Kathy Downum (kedownum), Ivan Roberto Canales Pineda II (ivancp@stanfordalumni.org)
Time: Thursdays, 7-9 pm
Place: Email leaders for location...

Through prayers, the people of God have left footprints in the Bible leading us to find wisdom through their experiences and insights. In this Bible study, we will analyze and learn from them. How did they pray? What did they pray about? What were the situations surrounding them during their time of prayer? We will look into their experiences to understand the colorful map of human expressions that they left: from loneliness to searching for faith, to wonder and stillness in the presence of God. Most importantly, we will look into how we can relate their experiences to the ones we have in the challenging life of a graduate student.

6. Desiring God

Leaders: Kevin Carlberg (carlberg), Bernie Daigle (bdaigle)
Time: Thursdays (bi-weekly) over dinner
Place: Email leaders for location...

In his book Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist, John Piper makes the claim that "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him". He goes on to illustrate how the deepest and most durable happiness can only be found in the pursuit of joy in God. Over the course of the year, we'll read this book and meet every other week to discuss. Join us as we explore how to find this everlasting joy in our own lives by delighting ourselves in the Lord!

7. Not Bread Alone

Leaders: Nola Stephens (nola)
Time: Mondays, 12-1 pm
Place: Old Union 314 (look right when you exit the elevator)

Jesus, the Word made flesh, emphasized the centrality of God's word for the Christian walk: we live by every word that proceeds from His mouth. King David understood this too. He believed in the power of Scripture to delight us, guide us, and keep us from sin. In fact, David pleaded with the Lord, "Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live; and do not let me be ashamed of my hope" (Psalm 119:116). So let's not neglect the life-giving discipline of memorizing Scripture! Choose something to memorize (even if it's just one verse!) and join us as we recite these passages, share our thoughts on them, and pray for each other. The idea is to feast on God's Word (along with whatever we have in our lunches)! And may the Word of God dwell in us richly