Student Bible study strives to build community

A Bible study founded by a first-year student at Point Loma Nazarene University is striving to bring the student body together to read the Bible, challenge each other’s learning and deepen their faith. The group meets four times a week in different locations, and some students said that being involved is something they look forward to. 

Quinn Sposato, a first-year mechanical engineering major, has achieved this by starting a Bible study group originally located in Klassen Hall. Sposato said that what began as a small group has now grown into a larger community. 

Sposato said the Bible study is open to all. The size and members of the group vary each meeting, but according to Sposato, the room usually has 10 attendees. Some of the time, the studies begin with worship, led by a student on guitar.

The schedule hasn’t been consistent due to students’ conflicting schedules, but typically, they meet on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. So far, the group has met in the Caf, second-floor study room in Klassen Hall and at Garbage Beach during sunset.

The Bible study’s mission statement, according to Sposato, is “to study and reflect on the word of God with the purpose of building a firm personal faith that can stand on its own against all of the world.” 

Sposato said he has had to prepare his heart for the group discussions as a leader. 

“I need to start my day at the time of prayer,” Sposato said. “Giving thanks, praying for those around me and then praying for myself.” 

Sposato said he once came prepared with discussion points, but now aims to step back and let the group’s conversations unfold more naturally.

“I felt kind of called to learn from others in the club and not as much try to be in control of it,” Sposato said. “So I think I’m kind of just the voice that gets everyone there, and then God’s the one that just talks to other people. It’s just an amazing thing.”

Adam Casanova, a first-year Christian studies major, has attended the Bible study since the first meeting early on in the semester. As Sposato’s roommate, Casanova has seen the impact of the study from its first month.

He said that even when he’s tired from a long day, he is always rewarded when attending the Bible study. 

“There’s something refreshing about reading God’s word because sometimes it can feel hard reading it by yourself, so being surrounded by other people makes me feel that I’m not alone in this walk with God.”

Casanova said he has felt his faith grow through the Bible study and has enjoyed the conversations that have come from different perspectives.

 “I think it’s so cool that we can get together and have reasonable discussions about people interpreting verses differently, and so we kind of wrestle with that. We look into the context and meaning of words, and I think it’s super beneficial,” Casanova said.

Other involved students said the Bible study has been supportive and has continued to strengthen their faith in the Lord. 

Juliet Yoo, a first-year health science major, said the Bible study has been a great opportunity to support her peers each time they meet. 

“Knowing that the people living around me are hungry for the word and diving into it together has been super cool,” Yoo said. “A lot of us have grown up in various branches of church and Christianity, which has led to super interesting conversations.”

Lily Binford, a first-year health science major, has also attended the study and said she is excited about how God will continue to work in her faith.

“I have seen my faith grow because of this Bible study in the way that I now feel built up and supported by a godly community of peers,” Binford said. “At home, I have a lot of really stellar friends, but they weren’t pushing me to dive deeper in my faith, so it has been so fruitful to see people hold me accountable and push me to grow closer to the Lord.”

Sposato said he is blessed by how the Lord has used him to lead the group and is looking forward to what’s to come.

“I like to pray before every night so that no matter how many people are in the room, whether it be just two people or whether it be even 20 people, bless this discussion, bless this time,” Sposato said. “I would like to kind of organize it a little bit better further along the line, but I think we’re pretty content with where we’re at.”

If interested in joining the Bible study, text Quinn Sposato at (401) 622-5238 to get connected.