Learning Communities

This class is required for Elementary Education. This class is an introduction to children's literature K-6, exploring history, categories and genres, as well as illustrators and their styles. Also key to this course is children's responses to literature and the responsibilities of school programs in selection and censoring. Members live in the Your Mom's House, Barracks, or Shelter stairwells and take the corresponding First Year Integration course. There are two sections of this course.
 

You're not perfect, and that's okay! Actually, that's the point of what it means to be a Christian! The true Gospel allows us to acknowledge our brokenness, weakness, and our propensity to both sin and receive the gift of grace from a strong, perfect and holy Savior. If you're tired of trying to hold it all together so that people don't see what's "really going on," join us as we explore together the meaning of grace and how it impacts our honesty with ourselves, our understanding of God's love, and our interactions with each other. Members live in the Junkyard and Highlands stairwells and take the corresponding First Year Integration course.
 

Our class will explore what it means to purse maximum joy in Jesus Christ in all aspects of life (salvation, evangelism, marriage, money, suffering, etc.). We will also look at what the Holy Spirit is doing through the world in terms of radical evangelism through miracles, healings, sings and wonders. Finally, we will be focusing on what Christian evangelism and the Christian life looks like in oppressed countries. Members live in the Ghetto, Shelter, Treefort, and Cornerstone stairwells and take the corresponding First Year Integration course. There are two sections of this course. Please note: one section of this class is for men only.
 

You’ve known for years that movies are about more than sappy love stories and action-packed drama. In this course, we will be talking about our faith as we interact with a foundational question that emerges from some films—what does it mean to be a Christian in this world? Along the way, you’ll sharpen your critical thinking skills, learn how to write about ideas in movies, learn more about yourself, and learn to appreciate films at a sophisticated level. Members live in the Cave and Summit stairwells and take the corresponding First Year Integration course. *Not an option for athletes because of practice times.
 

Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water." This class will examine what it looks like to take a step forward in your faith. We will delve into three areas: what it takes to face your fears, how to discover and embrace God's unique calling on your life, and how to experience the power of God in your life. Peter walked on water because he took the first step. Are you ready to get out of the boat and walk with Jesus? *Not an option for athletes because of practice times. Please note: this class is for commuters only.
 

As young adults these questions hover beneath the surface of our souls: Who am I? Whose am I? Where do I belong? Why does it matter? The Church has attempted to answer these throughout history and so have other entities like media, psychology, government, and education. This class will explore the process-journey of emerging to adulthood common to the college years by comparing the subtle voices within society that attempt to form who we are. We will rely upon theories from many areas of study (like psychology, sociology, theology, and communication), but in the end we will focus on the concept of the Imago Dei (in the image of God) and the implications this raises for humankind. Members live in the Cave and the Lodge and take the corresponding First Year Integration course.
 

This course is directed at a strategic investigation of evangelism, discipleship, mission and leadership as a life-long praxis. The development of the disciplines of this praxis will transform all of society and culture within the coming generation. Imagine the impact of pursuing your personal dreams of a rich & satisfying lifestyle while sharing the fullness of the Christ-one lifestyle throughout all the earth. Members live in the Treefort and Cornerstone stairwells and take the corresponding First Year Integration course.
 

Tired of feeling like no one really knows you? When you look around is all you see "fake" people? Do you yearn to connect with other people in way that you can feel safe enough to really be known for who you really are without being judged? This section of FYI is devoted to challenging, encouraging, and maybe even inspiring your spiritual and emotional growth in way that you’ve never experienced before. We will be reading and discussing a variety of writers who will take us on a journey of honest self-examination, and provide us with a vision of what true, authentic , Biblical community really is. We will be reading from people like: Brennan Manning, Larry Crabb, Henri Nouwen, Andy Stanley, and Phillip Yancey. Members live in the Junkyard and Highlands stairwells and take the corresponding First Year Integration course.
 

This course will explore what servant leadership really means. Is it an oxymoron? Can one really lead while serving? What are the implications for us in our day to day lives, relationships, and future careers? What are the most important qualities of servant leaders, and what are the principles that guide them? Members live in the Cave and the Summit and take the corresponding First Year Integration course. Please note: this class is for men only.
 

Explore the journeys of men and women whose longings for God resulted in profound writings chronicling the trials and triumphs of faith. A strong emphasis on personal growth and transformation helps to lay foundations for a deep and lasting connection with God. Members live in the Cockpit and Quickstop stairwells and take the corresponding First Year Integration course.
 

Few men have impacted Christianity more than Clive Staples Lewis (C.S. Lewis). He wrote Fantasy, Science Fiction, Apologetics, Literary Criticism, Poetry, Children's Literature, Essays, Sermons and more. Who was this man? Who were his friends? and influences? What lessons does he have to teach college freshman in the 21st century? Join us as we travel to Narnia and Beyond and find out for yourself! Members live in the Cockpit and Quickstop stairwells and take the corresponding First Year Integration course.
 

This course will define the Kingdom of God as we seek to understand this reality in every aspect of our lives. God's Kingdom advancing within a Biblical worldview and women's issues will be studied in depth. Women in this class will gain a firm grasp on their identity as daughters of the King and begin to live out "Kingdom Principles" as we learn what God has saved us for. Members live in the Your Mom's House and Barracks stairwells and take the corresponding First Year Integration course. Please note: this class is for women only.
 

Are you daunted by the options that face you regarding career, education, service, marriage and family? Women of all ages wrestle with these choices and struggle with understanding how God is shaping our lives. This class will explore how God is changing us, how we can grow closer to Him, and how He wants to use us to glorify Him and expand His Kingdom. Members live in the Boondocks and Sandlot stairwells and take the corresponding First Year Integration course. Please note: this class is for women only.