Document Type
Paper
Abstract
College is a crossroads, where students can reflect on what they want to accomplish with their lives. This generation of students are reporting extremely high anxiety. There is stress related to making crucial life decisions and students need the assurance of God’s leading and guidance instead of relying on social media for wisdom. Discipleship and mentoring are key. They build resilience through spiritual support and foster confidence as individuals learn to interface with God. Discipleship is defined as walking with people in their daily life struggles and teaching them how to listen to and hear God’s voice. This paper applies discipleship in the modality of a bi-monthly group meal fellowship followed by a Bible study discussion. Meaning is explored in the context of a small group for deeper fellowship and discussion on topics of the group’s choosing. We utilize “affinity exercises” to focus the group on developing their ability to begin hearing and seeing God at work during this season of preparation for the real world while they are learning the basics of engineering and life. Students have been guided through scripture, fellowship, and prayer in building their spiritual walk, and encouraging them to become integrated within a faith community. Additionally, for those who request it, one-on-one mentoring is provided through weekly in-person meetings and other forms of interactions.
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Developing the Engineer from the Perspective of Calling - Providing a Means to Overcome Anxiety through Discipleship
College is a crossroads, where students can reflect on what they want to accomplish with their lives. This generation of students are reporting extremely high anxiety. There is stress related to making crucial life decisions and students need the assurance of God’s leading and guidance instead of relying on social media for wisdom. Discipleship and mentoring are key. They build resilience through spiritual support and foster confidence as individuals learn to interface with God. Discipleship is defined as walking with people in their daily life struggles and teaching them how to listen to and hear God’s voice. This paper applies discipleship in the modality of a bi-monthly group meal fellowship followed by a Bible study discussion. Meaning is explored in the context of a small group for deeper fellowship and discussion on topics of the group’s choosing. We utilize “affinity exercises” to focus the group on developing their ability to begin hearing and seeing God at work during this season of preparation for the real world while they are learning the basics of engineering and life. Students have been guided through scripture, fellowship, and prayer in building their spiritual walk, and encouraging them to become integrated within a faith community. Additionally, for those who request it, one-on-one mentoring is provided through weekly in-person meetings and other forms of interactions.