Continuing the tradition of having a theme verse for each school year, for the students and faculty to focus on, the Bible program has chosen Romans 12.

Campus Pastor Robert Foshee and Music Director Michael Ogdon, focus their lessons on the verses to make sure the students have a precise understanding of the meaning behind Romans 12.

Romans 12’s entire basis is on the understanding of becoming a living sacrifice, and living out Christ’s love to show others how one should live as a Christ follower. The chapter goes well with the rest of the book, as the apostle Paul is writing a letter to the Romans about how one should live a Godly life. Just as in Romans chapter one, Paul talks about being a servant unto the Lord, and the chapters to follow touches on God’s wrath and faithfulness.

“I expect the student body to be perfect in living this verse out, as that is what it says in the verse,” Ogdon said. “But I also expect them to fail, as we human beings are not perfect. I expect them to gain a sense of what is right, and what is pleasing to God, and live it out.”

Verses 1-8 refer to being a living sacrifice, and truly letting earthly desires go for the Kingdom of God, while verses 9-21 refer to the love that God has for humans, and the love that people should show to others. This really gives a new perspective on how to live, given the living sacrifice example.

Following the living sacrifice example, is the love example. The love that people are to show, the God-given love that humans can only receive through Christ living in them. This love can be shown in many different ways, such as going out of ones way to do something nice for someone else.

In the Christian Living classes this semester, Dr. Phil Hinton, who is a vascular surgeon at Valley Vascular Surgery Associates, and an Associate Professor of Surgery with University of California San Francisco, is visiting the class every Tuesday to give the students insight about what it means to be a Christ follower. Hinton talks about the different types of relationships people can have with others.

“One type of relationship being “I-It,” whereas the relationship is only one-sided, and only beneficial to the person trying to get something out of it,” Hinton said. “The other type of relationship being “I-Thou” where the two people in the relationship can coexist and really benefit from each other in a healthy way.”

Foshee’s passion for this years theme verse is to provide understanding for the students on how to live their daily lives. He hopes to encourage the student body down the path to God.

“I really want the student body to gain an understanding of the verse in order to live their lives daily to bring glory to God,” Foshee said. “That’s why we provide the verse, to help the students.”

This writer can be reached via Twitter: @kathrynnnnnD. Follow The Feather via Twitter: @thefeather.

For more features, read the Nov. 13 article, Annual parade honors veterans, offers community.