Just what makes Biola Biola? I believe it is Christian principles. They are the foundation of the school and the responsibilities of every student. However, Biola has failed to encourage certain responsibilities in its students. In particular, this would be fellowship. Fellowship is defined as “a group of people meeting to pursue a shared interest or aim” in the Merriam-Webster dictionary. For Biolans, our aim is to strengthen and uplift our brother and sister believers, not just once in a while with the lifeless “Hi, how are you and God?” speech, but with true, daily devotion to each other’s needs and worries.

Mandatory Bible studies would create fellowship

The best, and rather easiest, way to achieve this is with mandatory Bible studies and accountability groups throughout the entire freshman year. Resident assistants could structure meetings for first-year Biolans on dorm floors to gather, read the Bible and pray. To give the Bible studies guidance, the groups can follow devotionals and study plans. Devotionals are a great way to get students into their Bibles because they are structured to nourish the budding faith of believers on a daily basis. Study plans are excellent as well because they urge students to truly examine the Word thoroughly. Both of these options would prove to be invaluable because they create a structured study method to push people to analyze and dig into the Word for its message, rather than just accept Scripture at face value.

However, just reading the Bible in-depth in a study group is not enough. Students must be encouraged to live what they learn in order to connect in true fellowship with other believers and grow in their faith. As is written in 1 John 1: 6-7, “If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

Fellowship and accountability

Because it’s so easy for people to fall into temptation, a system of encouragement must be set up to make sure we are living the Word. This can be done through accountability groups, where each person is assigned another person within the group to watch over, pray for and talk to for the year. Each partner is also responsible for making sure the other makes Christian choices, does not fall into temptation and knows that they are loved and forgiven by God if they make a mistake.

At first, the students might be uncomfortable with the idea of someone keeping track of their walk with God if they are, or have been, struggling with a certain sin. However, they will quickly realize how beneficial these groups can be after seeing that confidentially talking to someone about their needs, fears, disappointments and lives has actually been very therapeutic and helped them to grow in Christ. Knowing that someone is praying for them to succeed will make students feel better about themselves and value their fellowship much more. Seeing that they are making a difference in someone’s life will inspire the students to be a role model and pray for others.

Benefits of mandatory Bible studies

Students might argue against the mandatory Bible studies, saying that they will have more ownership of their faith by attending Spiritual Development events or getting involved in different Bible studies. However, when students feel pressed for time and need to make sacrifices to handle their workload, optional activities are often the first things cut. Therefore, if a Bible study is merely optional, even if for the sake of personal growth or preference, it causes students to run the risk of sacrificing their spiritual health for the sake of academics. If Bible studies are made mandatory, then the students will not be forced to choose between nourishing their faith and academic performance. They will be able to pursue both.

At the end of the year, through these studies and groups, these freshmen will have grown closer, not only to each other, but to God as well. This time will prove to be the foundation for their lifelong spiritual journey. Because of the relationships planted and grown in these times, I believe the students will continue to gather and encourage each other for the rest of their time at Biola.