Men and breakfast go together like hand and glove. Knowing this nudged me to invite two other profs to have breakfast in the dining commons where we could encourage each other in our faith and campus life.
What started with two professors has now become seven, consistently, from across three departments.
Our approach is quite simple. We read through a different passage of the New Testament each day over a week; then we come together and discuss what we have read. This simple approach was instituted when it became apparent that consistent Bible reading was not happening among the professors in our group. Since January 2025, everyone has been reading more consistently, even if they ‘catch up’ the night before our weekly meeting.
God’s Word Changes Us
One consistent question looms over our weekly meeting – “How do these readings impact our lives and therefore make a difference in our work on campus?” The question still gets some raised eyebrows when asked, but asked it is, because we know that the reading of God’s Word changes us, or it should.
We know the value of reading Scripture consistently, but doing it may be another issue. Jeremiah speaks, “When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies” (Jer 15:16, NLT). In a world of chaos, the reading of Scripture brings joy and delight.
Reading Scripture helps us to know God in a deeper way. It helps us to know His plans for us. It causes others to notice.
Changes for the Good
One of the professors shared that his wife has mentioned seeing differences in him since he has been reading Scripture more consistently. And that his attendance to this group was changing him for the good. She said that he seems to know more about his faith. The beauty of these statements is that his wife is not a believer in Jesus. Another member stated that consistent Bible reading was affecting his character; his family noticed he was not as easily angered, and he was more aware of how he was treating others in his life.
As Jesus-following professors, if we are going to make a difference on our campus, we must allow God’s Word to make a difference in ourselves first. One way that change comes is by consistently reading the Scriptures in community with others. Lives are changed one at a time, and the impact will be eternal.
