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4x4 Series Descriptions

Spring 2024 | 2nd Wave 4x4 Series Descriptions

Registration for the second wave of 4x4s is now open. This series runs March 21, 28, April 11 & 18 from 9:30-10:15am. (no 4x4s on April 4 due to Service Day)
 

Collaboratory  [Jeremy Freimark - Frey 070]

This Collaboratory 4x4 is a space to spiritually develop engineering (and other) students towards maturation of faith and an increased understanding of their vocation.


AROMA  [Rodrigo de Mendoza Barrera - Hitchcock Arena]

Join Messiah’s sports ministry, AROMA, for a time of fellowship and biblical teaching. Sports are a gift from God intended for the glory of His name. Our culture has made sport an idol and we find ourselves often worshiping the gift rather than the giver. Be challenged and encouraged to seek first the kingdom through sports. Be a part of the revolution!


After College: Faith, Community, and Calling, for graduating seniors  [Ashley Jones & Lyndsay Grimm - Hostetter Basement 018]

We will explore faith, community, and calling after college - what to expect and how to thrive in this next season of life. We will use After College: Navigating Transitions, Relationships, and Faith by Erica Young Reitz as a guide. Seniors and others leaving Messiah at the end of the semester are welcome to join us! Books will be available for $5.


Share the Dream: Shining a Light in a Divided World through Six Principles of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  [Todd Allen - Boyer 237]

Dr. King and the men and women around him were able to change history through the power of a dream that was not rooted in mere human principles, but rather in the biblical call to love God and neighbor. Share the Dream is a six-session video Bible study based on the life and teachings of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. where each session revolves around a particular theme that shaped Dr King: love, conscience, justice, freedom, perseverance, and hope.


Faith in the Wilderness  [Rebecca Firstbrook - Larsen 237]

"If we want revival in our communities, then let us learn from those being revived." For many Western Christians, the experience of suffering and persecution is remote. Using the stories from Chinese House Church Leaders shared in Faith in the Wilderness, come learn about and be challenged by Christians living faithfully within this cultural context - and how we can examine our own faith practices and assumptions. Books will be available for $5.


Christian (Student) Leadership  [Preston Teuscher - Mountain View 141]

Contemplative and practical, this series will explore the temptations and invitations we find as Christians in leadership. Inspired by Henri Nouwen's reflections on Christian leadership found in his book In the Name of Jesus.


Walking in the Light: A Study of the Gospel of John, Part 2  [Vinny Sakore - Frey 150]

This will be a week by week study of the gospel of John (chapters 10-21) with a close look a walking in light and walking in love. We will also examine the life and times of Jesus the Messiah.


MAP: Restoring the Roots of our Sexual Brokenness, for male students  [Mike Blount - Loft Great Room]

In this series, co-sponsored by Men's Ministry, we will explore how the gospel shapes one's understanding of their identity and how that reality transforms their understanding of sexuality. Special attention will be given to equipping men to navigate the challenges of unwanted sexual behaviors as they progress in healing. (This 4x4 will extend through both first and second waves for a total of eight weeks.)


Won't You Be My (and God's) Neighbor?  [Ed Arke - Boyer 138]

This series will be a time to slow down and reflect on the theology and philosophy of Fred Rogers and Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.


Immerse Messiah  [Emily Bingham - Boyer 131]

Have you ever wanted to read the Bible more but weren’t sure where or how to start? Join us as we read through the New Testament together this spring! Each participant will receive a copy of the Immerse Messiah Reading Bible, which includes the full text of the New Testament, removing the distractions of chapter and verse numbers, heading, and footnotes—all historical additions to the text—making it easier to read scripture as a story. By reading about 10-12 pages per day five days per week, you’ll read the entire New Testament in 8 weeks! When we gather for 4x4 meetings, we’ll discuss what we’re learning and how we’re encountering God through his Word, building a practice of daily Bible-reading along the way.


The Chosen  [Christy Hanson - Parmer Cinema (Boyer 137)]

The Chosen is a historical drama television series about the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. Primarily set in Judaea and Galilee in the 1st century, the series centers on Jesus and the different people who met and followed or otherwise interacted with him. Join us as we view and discuss The Chosen, picking up where we left off in the fall semester in the middle of season 2.


#BeReal in your Walk with Christfor female students  [Rachel Fleagle - Boyer 322]
Living authentically for Christ is challenging, even on a Christian campus. This 4x4 is for women on campus looking to deepen their walk with Christ in a welcoming and enjoyable setting. We'll be reading portions of Stephen Kellough's book Walking with Jesus on Campus: How to Care for Your Soul during College. Books will be available to purchase for $5 or to borrow for free.


Engaging Faithfully in Missions: The Good, the Bad, and the Questionable  [David Dixon & Rebekah Teuscher - Boyer 130]

Maybe you've found yourself asking the question "is cross-cultural ministry still relevant?" If so, you're not alone. This 4x4 invites you to explore the potential for good, the history of harm, and advice for best practices in the world of local and global engagement. You'll also learn more about practically, faithfully engaging in the world around you. Come with questions, with a desire to learn, and a desire to have your perspective stretched. 


Cultivating a Creative Prayer Life  [Julia Wittel - Boyer 330]

Because we're created in the image of Creator God, creativity is part of who we are - all of us. Whether you think of yourself as creative or not, creativity and imagination are avenues for us to connect with God. In this 4x4 we will learn and practice various forms of prayer that are designed to translate into habits of a meaningful, fun and vibrant prayer life.


Power from Above  [Stephanie Sechrist - Boyer 102]

From the book of Ephesians: Discover how to tap into and dwell in the power of the Spirit of Jesus. Learn to rely on His power living in you and working through you to do kingdom ministry.


The Power of Place  [Lauren Allen - Boyer 338]

Rooted in the idea that we possess influence wherever we are, this 4x4 aims to cultivate a sense of community and shared responsibility in loving our neighbor. Join us as we discuss how our words, actions, or inactions can shape the narrative of our neighborhoods.


Building Your Own Environmental Ethic  [Lori Chance - Kline 108]

In a time of environmental degradation, deforestation, environmental injustice, and more, learning how to respond is crucial. Building an environmental ethic will grow your knowledge of science and theology to make you a more equipped environmental citizen.


The Anxiety Opportunity  [Jocelyn Clippinger & Joy Fea - Library Athenaeum]

We live in anxious times. What if instead of battling anxiety, we saw our worries as a doorway to spiritual transformation? Challenging the assumption that anxiety is the enemy, theologian, popular podcaster, and fellow sufferer of chronic anxiety Curtis Chang gives us a different framework for approaching our fears. We'll utilize his online resource called "The Anxiety Opportunity" (based on his book with the same title) to explore together new ways of relating to Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and those we love.


Emotionally Healthy Relationships  [Hannah McBride - Boyer 230]

This series will invite students to engage in themes of emotional and relational health by practicing the Daily Office, an ancient and powerful discipline of reflection.


Applying Biblical Perspective to Contemporary Issuesfor Social Work majors  [Ling Dinse - Boyer 331]

Social work practitioners often encounter traumatic situations that challenge their understanding of faith. This 4x4 series encourages social work students to explore contemporary issues from a biblical perspective.


Serving and Loving: A Deep Dive into "Helping without Hurting" on Short Term Missions  [Caleb Miller - Jordan 159]

For our international service trips, this series will dive deep into Helping Without Hurting, learning how to serve and love on short term missions well. This is a required series for students participating on international service experiences, but additional students who are not planning on going on service experiences are still welcome to come.