Every Christian knows one common feeling. It’s the one where you’re torn between what you want to do and what God seems to be calling you to do for him. Well, at the end of the last school year, I was a freshman with this feeling about becoming a Bible study leader. I knew in my heart that God was calling me to leadership; however, I fought him along with a few close friends whom I confide in. I made excuses such as “I don’t know enough about the Bible,” “I don’t want to be responsible for someone else’s faith” or “I don’t even know what it takes to be a Bible study leader.” My doubts disappeared and my prayers were answered when InterVarsity introduced an Apprentice Program for young and inexperienced students like me to learn what it means to be a Bible study leader.

The 16 apprentices were given a list of the Bible study leaders, and made a “top five” list of which Bible studies they would most like to be an apprentice in. Each apprentice was then assigned to a Bible study where they could closely observe the leaders and connect that to what they were learning in the apprentice meetings. In addition to being an apprentice for a small-group leader, there are a few students who are also apprenticing to be large-group coordinator, special events coordinator, or part of the executive team. However, the meetings focus on preparation for being a small-group Bible study leader. The apprentices attend a weekly two-hour meeting taught by one of our staff leaders, Amy Smith, where we learn about building community, servant leadership, and the basics of leading a small group.

The Bible study leaders this year are very excited about the Apprentice Program, and they are anxious to help in any way they can. One study leader, Sarah, says, “I love having an apprentice in the group. She is actually the one who invited most of the people and helped them feel comfortable. Since she isn’t a “leader,” it’s easier for her to hang out with people and build community.” Sarah adds, “The people coming out of this program who decide to be leaders will be so much more equipped to lead Bible studies than I was.”

My mentors are Austin Carne and Kelsey Johannessohn, and they both have had an incredible influence on me this year. They have always been open and honest with me, answering any questions I have about leadership, and most importantly, they have demonstrated what it means to be a Bible study leader. Austin mentioned, “My favorite part of last semester was showing Amanda how I do dorm ministry and care for the people in our Bible study. I wish all of our new students would take advantage of this great opportunity to develop their leadership abilities.”

After one semester of the program, I discovered so much about leadership, building community, and what would be expected of me if I were to choose to be a leader next year. Although I knew being a leader was hard work, I did not know the extent of what one must do in order to have a successful year together as a Bible study. The one thing I’ve noticed is that it is crucial to build a sense of community within the group. Without community, there is no communication or bonding—which eventually turns into a lack of trust. Building a strong community involves getting to know one another by asking good questions, loving people who are hard to love, and sacrificing personal desires to help those in need.

These are just some of the topics we covered last semester in our apprentice meetings, and I know there is so much more to learn. Austin expressed his joy in helping with my growth as a leader: “I have really enjoyed watching Amanda take the lessons and challenges from the apprentice meetings and apply them while going through the dorms, caring for the people in our bible study.” I’m excited to discover what God has planned for me and each of the other apprentices next year as we assume leadership roles.

—Amanda Goodale is a sophomore at University of Nevada-Reno. She is studying biology and hopes to attend medical school to become a thoracic (heart) surgeon.