RUF Alabama Podcast

What does the Bible have to say about our work? Do Christians see work as good or bad? What does God have to say about rest and how does rest prepare us for our work? Davis dives into the Christian view of work in the last installment of our relationships series. This week's scripture is Genesis 2:1-3, 1:27-28; Matthew 11:27-30; Philippians 1:6.

What is the church? Why does God give us the church? And where does it fit in to His plan for redemption? Daniel discusses these questions this week as he gives us a vision for the beauty of the church and urges us to love it despite its flaws. This week's scripture is Acts 2:42-47, Ephesians 1:7-10.

What does the Bible mean when it commands us to "honor our father and mother"? How can we do this well with parents who are also sinful and broken? How to we bring honor to parents that have hurt us? This week, Davis dives into the complex relationship with our parents. This week's scripture is Exodus 20:12, Ephesians 6:1-4.

What is this thing we call dating? Why do we do it? Who should we be dating? What wisdom does the Bible have for figuring out when and how to date? These are the questions campus minister, Davis Sweatt, tackles this week. Scriptures for this week ... What is dating? 1 Timothy 5:1-3 Who do we date? Proverbs 13:20; 1 Corinthians 6:14-16 Why do we date? Proverbs 18:22; Ecclesiastes 4:9 When should we or shouldn't we date? Proverbs 25:24; 27:6 How do we date? 1 John 4:19; Isaiah 41:10

The world seems to view sex as either nothing or everything, but what does the Bible have to say? This week Davis explores that question to try and provide deeper understanding of this part of our created design. This week's scripture is 1 Corinthians 6:12-7:9.

What does it mean to be a man? What are the characteristics of a Godly man? How can I grow into the man I am called to be? Davis tackles those questions in this week's talk on manhood. This week's scripture is 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 & 1 Timothy 3:1-3. Resource for talk: Brian Sorgenfrei

What do biblical grace and peace look like and how do they call us into greater reliance on Christ? Special guest, Rev. Benjie Slaton, speaks on the deeper meaning of grace and peace. This week's scripture is Ephesians 1:1-2.

The book of Proverbs famously ends with a passage about the woman who fears the Lord. It is easy to read this passage as a list of achievements to check off before you are ready for marriage, but what if God is trying to show us something different? What if God is pointing us to what true beauty really looks like? What if true beauty is found not in accomplishments or validation from others, but in the fear of the Lord? This week Daniel explores these questions. This week's scripture is Proverbs 31:10-31.

We all know the feeling of loneliness. The feeling you get when you walk into a place and you do not know anyone and no one knows you. It is a truly terrifying and anxiety inducing reality to be alone. So what is the solution? This week RUF Fellow, Cole, unpacks what the Bible teaches us about friendship. This week's scripture is John 15:11-17.

What does God's will really look like? How do I know what He wants me to do? What if I make the wrong decision? Davis addresses these anxieties with a thoughtful look at the reality of God's will. This week's text 1 Thessalonians 4:3a, Ephesians 1:11, Hebrews 13:21, Leviticus 18:5, Deuteronomy 29:29. Source material: Matt Howell's "Relating to God's Will";  Kevin DeYoung "Just Do Something"

The week's text is Genesis 1:26-28, 2:18-24.

What does the life God calls us to look like? Why do we make excuses and run from it? What would it look like to surrender to God and live into His Kingdom? In our last episode of the semester Davis looks at the Parable of the Great Banquet to answer these questions. This weeks scripture is Luke 14:12-24.

In our talk this week we look into the realities of grace and what happens when our pride collides with God's grace. This weeks scripture is Matthew 20:1-16. Sources: Brian Sorgenfrei, Matt Howell, & Tim Keller

What does it mean to live in the already and the not yet? How to we wait for the Lord? What are our marching orders? This week Daniel speaks to these questions as he looks at the parable of the ten minas. This weeks scripture is Luke 19:11-27.

What does it mean when Jesus calls us to love our neighbors? What does a neighbor look like? Where do we find our neighbors? What motivates us to be a neighbor to others? In this weeks talk Davis explores these questions in detail as we look at the parable of the good samaritan. This week's scripture is Luke 10:25-37.

How does God see me? How does he react to me in my sin? What does his love look like? In this weeks passage Davis explores the misconceptions we have surrounding the love of God.  This week's scripture is Luke 7:36-50.

What does the story of the centurion tell us about Jesus? What does Jesus's redemption look like? What life is Jesus inviting us to? These are the questions that RUF International Pastor, Fraser Perrett, explores in this weeks sermon.  The scripture this week is Matthew 8:5-13.

What does forgiveness really look like and how can you and I embrace and share the grace and forgiveness God shows us? These are the questions we look in to this week. Associate campus minister, Daniel Tortorici looks at the difficulty of forgiveness in this weeks message. The scripture this week is Matthew 18:21-35.

When we think of the parable of the prodigal son, we often assume it is primarily a critique of the prodigal son. We believe that the paraple is teaching us how much God loves us, and that we should be less judgemental of others. But what if the main character is actually the older son, the son who stayed at home and did everything his father asked? How does that change the message?  This week Davis dives back in to the Parable of the Prodigal Son to find out.  This weeks scripture is Luke 15:25-32.

The parable of the prodigal son presents us with two archetypes in the two sons we see. This week Davis explores the reality behind the actions of the first son, the "prodigal son." What would it have meant to take your inheritance early in his day? Why would he do that? How does he try to fix his mistakes? How does the father's love confound his son? This week's scripture is Luke 15:1-2, 11-24.

What does it look like to live in the kingdom of God? Who are the people we should model ourselves after? How can we ever live up to the standard that God sets? Davis dives into these questions this week as we explore the parable of "The Pharisee and the Tax Collector".  This weeks scripture is Luke 18:9-14. Sources for this talk: Matt Howell, Sammy Rhodes, Tim Keller.

What does the kingdom of God look like? Why doesn't it feel like I thought it would? How can a kingdom be powerful without using military force? This week Davis tackles all this and more as he dives into the parable of the mustard seed. This weeks scripture is Luke 13:18-21.

This week we begin our series on the parables. Davis investigates the "Parable of the Sower" to answer the questions, "What is God's Kingdom like," and "How can we experience Him?" This week's scripture is Mark 4:1-20.

Campus Minister, Davis Sweatt, welcomes students at the first large group of the fall by asking the question "What is RUF?"  Why does RUF exist? What does it look like? How can you be a part of it? These are the questions Davis explores.  This weeks scripture is John 1:43-46.

RUF Staff discusses the main ways people approach the Bible and the posutres to take when reading if you want to get the most out of it.

RUF Staff talks about the few things you need to know before you open your Bible. Can you trust it? Is it the one we have the same as the ancient book? What's it's purpose?

RUF Staff discusses how good rhythms and routines lead to deeper life with God. A good kickstart to look ahead and actually plan to build a good relationship with God.

Three Bama alumni (and RUF) , Cole Jones (19'), Griffin Walker (20'), and Andrew Dunlap (21') discuss how sometimes finding solid friends is harder than expected in college, but what makes it worth it, and some practical ways to find it while also building a life centered on God.    

For the last large group of the semseter our senoirs share the work the Lord has done in their lives at the University of Alabama. It is a great night to see and hear how the Lord has worked on campus. The seniors that shared are: -Somerset Acosta -Rebekah Leventhal -Aiden Holt -AC Chapman -Brittany Grigorian -Jake McDonald -Johnny Foster -Lila Robertson -Fuller Weston -Ashley Stahl -Hamilton Chapman  

This week Stewart rounds out our series on the ten commandments and his time with RUF Bama. His talk is a reminder of the mission of the Christian life, a mission he has exemplified in his time here at the University of Alabama. This weeks passage is 1 Thesselonians 2:1-16.

Campus Minister Stewart Swain reflects on 10 themes he has seen over his 10 years as the RUF Campus Minister at The University of Alabama. Special guest Rev. John Bourgeois join him to discuss the theme "Christianity Has More To Offer Than The Culture War!".

Campus Minister Stewart Swain reflects on 10 themes he has seen over his 10 years as the RUF Campus Minister at The University of Alabama. Special guests Rev. Britton Wood and Rev. John Stone join him to discuss the theme "Theological Literacy Means Everything!!!".

What does it mean to envy? Why does God command against it? How does following this command set us free? Ministry Fellow, Cole Jones, answers these and other questions in this week's talk on the tenth commandment. The scripture this week is Exodus 20:1-2, 17. Resources: "The Spirit of the Disciplines" by Richard Foster "Rumours of a Better Country" by Marsh Moyle

Campus Minister Stewart Swain reflects on 10 themes he has seen over his 10 years as the RUF Campus Minister at The University of Alabama. Special guests Preston Adair and Elle Shuford join him to discuss the theme "College Women are Legit".

RUF Bama Ministry Fellow Cole Jones has brought in three of the wisest women he knows to learn about friendship!

What does the Bible mean by the phrase "false witness"? Is this a command that really affects us today? If so, why and how? RUF Intern, Hunter Brooks, addresses this commandment in his talk this week. This weeks scripture is Exodus 20:1-2, 16.

Campus Minister Stewart Swain reflects on 10 themes he has seen over his 10 years as the RUF Campus Minister at The University of Alabama. Special guests Rev. Corey Savage and Rev. Ro Taylor join him to discuss the theme "The Church & Culture: An Invitation to Beloved Community".

Campus Minister Stewart Swain reflects on 10 themes he has seen over his 10 years as the RUF Campus Minister at The University of Alabama. Special guests Rev. Russ Whitfield (a pastor in DC) join him to discuss the theme "Politics is a 'god'".

Campus Minister Stewart Swain reflects on 10 themes he has seen over his 10 years as the RUF Campus Minister at The University of Alabama. Special guest Rev. Austin Braasch joins him to discuss the theme "What is a RUF Campus Minister?!".

What does it actually mean to steal? Why is it important not to steal? And how do we live out the heart of this law? Daniel speaks on these questions in this weeks talk on the eighth commandment.  This weeks scripture is Exodus 20:1-2, 15.

What does God mean when He says, "You shall not commit adultery"? Is this just an antiquated remnant of old Christian teaching or is it something else, a more beautiful way of life? How can we as Christians live into this high calling? Stewart dives into these questions in his talk on the seventh commandment. This week's scripture is Exodus 20:1-2, 14.

Campus Minister Stewart Swain reflects on 10 themes he has seen over his 10 years as the RUF Campus Minister at The University of Alabama. Special guests Rev. Sandy Willson and Rev. Mac Holt join him to discuss the theme "Men Are Dying To Be Men".

Campus Minister Stewart Swain reflects on 10 themes he has seen over his 10 years as the RUF Campus Minister at The University of Alabama. Special guests Rev. Brian Habig and Rev. Austin Braasch join him to discuss the theme "Social Awkwardness is our Greatest Fear".

What does God mean when he commands us to honor our father and mother? Why does he use the word honor, not love, obey, or something else? And what does it look like practically to honor your father and mother? Stewart explores these questions this week in his talk on the fifth commandment. The scripture this week is Exodus 20:1-2, 12.

Special Series Campus Minister Stewart Swain reflects on 10 themes he has seen over his 10 years as the RUF Campus Minister at The University of Alabama. Special Guests Chandler Anthony and James Madden join him to discuss the theme "Why Don't We Talk About Money?!".

What does it mean when the Bible says, "You shall not murder"? How have we broken that command and how might we seek to keep it? This week we step out of order on the ten commandments as Daniel discusses the sixth commandment. This weeks scrib=pture is Exodus 20:1-2, 13.

Special Series Campus Minister Stewart Swain reflects on 10 themes he has seen over his 10 years as the RUF Campus Minister at The University of Alabama. Special Guests Daniel Tortorici and Cole Jones join him to discuss the theme "(College) Students Do Not Feel Safe To Take Risks".

What does God mean when he commands us to "honor the Sabbath"? What even is the Sabbath, maybe more importantly what isn't the Sabbath? Stew tackles these questions this week in his talk on the fourth commandment. The scripture for this week is Exodus 20:1-2, 8-11.

What does it mean to take the Lord's name in vain? Why does this commandment matter so deeply to us? And how does obeying this law actually actually draw us closer to God? Stew tackles all these questions this week in his talk on the third commandment. The scripture this week is Exodus 20:1-2, 7.

As Christians we believe we live in the "already-not-yet", a period of time after Jesus has died to save us from sin, but before he has returned to complete His work of sanctification. So what do we do when we don't want to wait, why does God even make us wait, and how can we learn to wait on the Lord? Stewart addresses these questions this week as we look at the second commandment. The scripture this week is Exodus 20:1-2, 4-6.