Abi Gilbart-Smith reports back from an event held at the University of Cambridge to share the gospel with theology students around Christmastime. Could you put on a similar event at your university to help your friends hear the gospel?
Studying Theology within the academy can often feel very abstract and hypothetical. It is easy to miss the truths which tangibly change and shape life, offering genuine hope for humanity.
The Cambridge Theology Network group wanted to put on an event for our fellow theologians to show the life-changing implications of Christian doctrine. We held the event at the end of the first term of the year, which provided a unique opportunity to enter into a conversation that was already happening as people began to celebrate Christmas. We chose to focus on the doctrine of the Incarnation because of its relevance to our coursemates who encounter it in several of the Christian Theology modules and its central place in the joy of Christmas.
We didn’t want the event to feel like just another lecture but wanted it to be distinctly reflective. Our aim was that it would encourage people to consider what the message of Christmas means for them personally.
For this reason, we chose to have several reflective features which enabled several of the students in the group to get involved with the running of the event. Two students read poems written by Hopkins and CS Lewis, another performed a song reflecting on Jesus’ incarnation, and another gave a testimonial reflection. The whole group worked together not just in these performances, but also by helping to make the event run smoothly and create a comfortable atmosphere, helping with décor and organisation.
We also invited Simeon Zahl, a Christian lecturer from the theology faculty to come and speak. He gave a 10-minute talk reflecting on the message of Christmas Carols and the hope and light that the Incarnation brings to those walking in darkness. This was followed by an instrumental performance of ‘What Child is This?’, giving people time to reflect on what they had heard. We then encouraged people to stay around and chat afterwards, with cranberry juice and mince pies.
We had a few difficulties in the planning of the event as we had to change the date we’d initially planned for, so that it wouldn’t clash with a Faculty Society event. This meant that we also had to change the venue, as we couldn’t use the original venue at the new time. We spent some time praying about this, and thankfully some people in the group were able to find a new venue, and we ended up using a college chapel.
It was encouraging to see Christian theologians uniting to share the good news with their friends, sharing it on group chats and social media, and as a result seeing a few new people come along. It was also so helpful for us to be reminded that what we study isn’t just abstract academia, but glorious truths which offer genuine hope.
Could you put on a similar event at your university to help your friends hear the gospel? Email the Theology Network Coordinator at theology@uccf.org.uk for more help and advice on hosting theology-themed CU events.