Spiritual Development

New Student Chapel | Location: PW 213
Leader: Bill Wolf, Dean of the Chapel and Asst. Professor, Worship & Theology
This chapel is for new students and serves as an introduction to chapel in a university setting. Most students come to college with some previous church experiences that inform their expectations of what chapel is and what it should be; this time helps new students understand why we do what we do when we gather for chapel each week.

How to Construct Your Third Culture | Location: PW 253 (Global Learning Center)
Leader: Duan Hua, Head of International Student Relations
This group is for international students and/or students who are involved in cross-culture or third culture and exists to offer some help and assistance to the international students and missionary kids with identity-seeking and construction when studying and living in a cross-cultural environment.

Iron Men | Location: PW 152
Leader: Brian Leslie, Program Director and Associate Professor of Youth and Children’s Ministries
Prov. 27:17 says “as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” This group is for senior youth ministry (or preaching and youth) students who desire to be sharpened in their faith. Each week we will meet for reflection, prayer, Bible reading, confession, encouragement, accountability with the same group of people every week. There may also be some light reading along the way. The group size will be limited to 8-12 participants.

Topics for Women | Location: Ridge’s House 
Leaders: Beth Ridge, Academic Advisor in School of Social & Behavioral Sciences
Emili Williams, Director of Institutional Effectiveness & Assessment
Kim Linton, Administrative Analyst | Tori Skolosh, Cashier/Afternoon Receptionist
Paulette Prinston, Architectural Designer & Lecturer in French
A group for young women based on building relationships with each other while discussing relevant topics over a cup of tea or coffee.

Evening Women’s Group | Location: TBD
Leader: Charis Gordon, Spouse of Joe Gordon [Associate Professor in School of Bible & Theology]
This small group is for female students who would like to reflect on their week while learning how to recognize God’s presence in their everyday lives. The group will meet on a weeknight. Please contact Charis Gordon, if interested.

First-Generation College Students | Location: ASC Computer Lab
Leader: Kelly Estes, Director of Academic Support and Instructor
The First Generation College Student chapel group will meet to discuss topics that relate to being a first-generation college student. First-generation means you are the first in your family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. We will have first-generation faculty members discuss their success, hear information/workshops related to first-generation issues, and decide how we can impact our community. We will also discuss ways to add to the scholarship fund for first-gen students.

SF & God | Location: PW 229
Leader: Carl Bridges, Professor of New Testament
In SF & God, we read short pieces of speculative fiction and summaries of longer works, looking for their theological and moral connections. This semester’s menu includes alien visitors, time travel, magic, future soldiers, romance, and more. Even zombies.

Listening Group | Location: TBD
Leaders: Josh Fish, Asst. Professor, School of Social and Behavioral Science
Micah Penhollow, Class of 2021
Feel like your life is going way too fast and full of distractions? Then join us for a small group chapel on learning to listen, and how to embrace attentiveness in a world of distraction. We will be using the book The Listening Life as a guide for our time together. If interested, contact Micah Penhollow.

Sports Issues | Location: PW 228
Leaders: Landon Huffman, Asst. Professor of Sport and Fitness Leadership
Clay Turpin, Class of 2020
Sports Issues Chapel Group is designed to create positive and constructive conversation for students wanting to work in sports. This group will be a place for friendly debate with open minds to allow the students to understand all viewpoints on issues and better understand how to deal with them with Christ in mind.

Andy Griffith Bible Study | Location: RH 164
Leader: Roy Miller, Dean of Templar School of Education
The chapel group will view an Andy Griffith episode and discuss the content through scripture while formalizing a theme for “life application.” Join Andy, Opie, Barney, and Aunt Bee for the parables of Mayberry.

Songwriting Group | Location: TBD
Leaders: Caleb Lawen, Class of 2020
Bill Wolf, Dean of the Chapel & Asst. Professor of Worship & Theology
This group is for anybody who creates art through music and/or lyrics, including singer-songwriters, composers, instrumentalists, spoken word artists, poets, etc. Group activities will vary from performing some weeks to cowriting other weeks. A public performance may be planned toward the end of the semester. If interested, contact
Caleb Lawen.

Barbershop: Everyone in Harmony | Location: RH 216
Leaders: Geoff Livingston, Class of 2021
Bill Wolf, Dean of the Chapel & Asst. Professor of Worship & Theology
Singing is a uniting force; singing in the Barbershop Harmony style is a hobby that reaches every corner of the globe. Open to all, no matter your experience level, come sing and learn about many intricacies of the hobby in order to form deep connections with people from all nations.

You in a Year | Location: RH 215
Leaders: Sho Gray, Alum & Youth Minister at Louisville Christian Church
Sometimes, the future can be a scary thing. We’re taught that we need to have everything planned and work towards our goals with intentional living, but we don’t know how. This group is designed to help those find their path to personal growth and intentional living, spark conversations, and create a supportive group that encourages the development of every individual.

The Athletes Table | Location: PW 231
Leaders: Landon Huffman, Asst. Professor of Sport and Fitness Leadership
Jonah German, Assistant Coach for Men’s & Women’s Basketball
The group will explore how we can help empower athletes across the world to promote hope, equality, and justice in communities of all contexts.

Prayer & Genre: The Gospel of Mark | Location: PW 155
Leaders: Ron Wheeler, Professor of English & Literature
Jason Mead, Associate Professor of History
This reading in Mark’s Gospel takes the vantage point of prayer and genre. It suggests discovering in the narrative guideposts to prayer, especially on a weekly basis for friends and family. Additionally, this reading considers literary and structural features that demonstrate the Gospel’s sophistication and effectiveness as a biography.

The Settlement | Location: Settles House 
Leaders: Nick & Suzanne Settles, Class of 2020/2021
This is a study through Psalm 119. Each week, we’ll dig in with Matt Chandler as he leads us through a portion of the chapter. Space is limited, so please email Nick Settles for more information!

The Jewish World of the New Testament | Location: TBD
Leader: Rafael Rodriguez, Professor of New Testament
This is a study of Jewish Second Temple Literature, which is not only interesting in its own right but also provides vital background information for the world into which the New Testament was written. Please contact Rafael Rodriguez if interested.

Senior English Majors | Location: RH 245
Leader: April Kilinski, Associate Dean of Arts & Sciences for the Humanities & Professor of English & Literature
Limited to English majors graduating in Spring 2020 only.

Leadership Exchange | Location: RH 218
Leader: David Wheeler, Associate Dean of Students & Associate Professor in Congregational Ministry
We will read, listen to, and discuss insights about leadership and life from exemplary contemporary leaders, such as Andy Stanley, Tony Campolo, Bob Russell and more.

Foundations in Personal Finance | Location: RH 217
Leader: Philip Eubanks, Assistant Vice President for Stewardship & Planned Giving
Wilbur Reid III, MBA Program Director, Professor of Organizational Leadership
This study will feature Dave Ramsey’s Foundations in Personal Finance, college edition and be supplemented with biblical teaching and insights that will go deeper into the spiritual dimension of financial stewardship. A student book is required for $15 (50% off the retail cost). The first 20 books can be reserved for purchase the first session by emailing Philip Eubanks. Additional copies can be ordered.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes | Location: ARC
Leader: Jailie Bullock, Class of 2021
Trevor Egli, Professor of Sport and Fitness Leadership
Fellowship of Christian Athletes is a group where athletes can come together and grow. FCA is not only a group for athletes, though. We want to invite everyone to come and be a part of games, fellowship, and most importantly learning God’s Word!

Harvesters | Location: EAC Student Center
Leader: Brent Brewer, Professor of Intercultural Studies
Passionate about missions? Interested in learning about other cultures and how God is working among them? Want to use a strategic vocation to share the love of Jesus? Come join this group to learn, fellowship, pray, and encourage one another.

Students Promoting Social Unity | Location: Underground
Leader: Moriah Schrieber, Class of 2021
April Kilinski, Associate Dean of Arts & Sciences for the Humanities & Professor of English & Literature
SPSU is a space focused on cultivating a common spirit of freedom built on acceptance, justice, and trust. The theme for this year is common ground. We will be stepping into biblical togetherness and open dialogue discussing important issues and current events to change the space and shift the dynamic. This group is about opening opportunities to promote growth, eliminate fear, and ally for social unity. Bring yourself with a cup of coffee and come hang with us this semester. If interested, contact Moriah Schreiber or DM
@spsuhouse on Instagram.

Royal Scribe Chapel Group | Location: TBD
Leader: Jenna Stahlman, Editor-in-Chief of Royal Scribe
Mina Blaylock, Assistant Editor of Royal Scribe
Anyone with an interest in writing, taking pictures, making videos, or helping highlight the Johnson community, as well as the surrounding community, is invited to participate in the Royal Scribe chapel group. We will do this by learning to write with integrity and purpose to bring honor and glory to God. No experience in journalism, photography, or videography is necessary. For further questions, email Editor-in-Chief Jenna Stahlman or Assistant Editor Mina Blaylock.

Honors Program: The Hermeneutics of Sherlock Holmes | Location: RH 255
Leader: Gerald Mattingly, Professor of Intercultural Studies, Honors Program Director
Limited to students in the Honors Program only. We will look at the methods used by Holmes and figure out how they relate to the process we use in studying the Bible. The basis for our group’s study will be the dozen short stories in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Leading with a Purpose | Location: Brown Hall 
Leader: Weldon Davis, Resident Director for Brown Hall
Limited to male Resident Assistants (RAs) only. Using the book Extreme Ownership, we will be looking at the way the US Navy Seal Team conducts themselves during missions, backing these findings up with scripture and then applying these findings in the weeks to come as an RA on the mission of Leading with Purpose.

Lessons in Leadership | Location: Johnson Hall
Leader: Cana Thompson, Resident Director for Johnson Hall
Limited to female Resident Assistants (RAs) only. We will have guest speakers teach us what it means to be a leader on campus, in the Knoxville community, and in the world. Most of our speakers will be female but I am thinking about also bringing in some men as well this year.

Student Government Association | Location: PWB 213 (Friday Mornings @ 9:00am)
Leaders: David Legg, Vice President for Student Services
Deborah Lane, Associate Dean of Students for Residence Life
Matt Mangrum, SGA President
Anyone who is interested in contributing to the uncommon community of JU is invited to participate in SGA. SGA is proactive in creating a balanced atmosphere of academics, spirituality, and fun. Whether your gift is special events on campus, promoting spirituality on campus, and/or creating new campus initiatives, this may be the platform for you. SGA meets on Fridays so you can participate in a second small group, if you choose. Please join us. Have questions? Email SGA at SGATN@JohnsonU.edu. All students are welcome to join SGA.

Urban Plunge | Location: TBD
Leader: Kenny Woodhull, Executive Director of Urban Alliance & Professor of Intercultural Studies
Limited to participants in the Urban Plunge Lab.