Session One: Different… Everything?

Welcome (8 minutes)

Welcome everyone to the group, greeting each person who joins. Use break out rooms if you need to (see the leaders guide!) then:

Over five minutes, find as many things as you can that you all have in common. (Bonus points for finding the most things in common or the most unusual thing in common!)

This is the first of four Start Here sessions run by the Christian Union.

These sessions are designed to help new students coming to our uni. We want you to get to meet other people and to learn about our campus. We’ll also think through big questions that all new students have, and listen to what God says about these topics in the bible.

This week we’ll spend time thinking about just how big a change it is starting at uni, and we’ll provide help and hints that will help you get to know your new home!

Activity: a tour of our uni (5 minutes)

Get a returning student to give a guided tour of three important-to-know spots around your university, sharing their screen and using Google Maps. They could also show some photos. As well as key university buildings (such as the Students Union or Student Association building) you might want to show them something like an iconic coffee shop and the avoid-at-all-costs kebab shop!

Hearing from God (2 minutes)

It won’t just be new places you’ll need to get used to at uni – but a new everything.

As a Christian Union, we believe that – whatever we’re going through – the living God can help us in the process of change. We’re reassured of his presence as we meet him in his word, the Bible.

For some here, the idea of reading the Bible may be strange or new, but we’d encourage you to be open-minded as we hear what God has to say to us.

Have a returning student on the call read Daniel 1:1-8. Link to the passage (use Bible.com) in the chat so everyone can read along if they want to. Then introduce today’s video.

Video: Different… everything? (8 minutes)

Project the video for the group by sharing your screen. You might like to download the video to use offline.

Thinking it through (10 minutes)

Discuss the following questions together (use the same break out rooms as before if you need them).

As Daniel and his friends entered Babylon, what was suddenly different in their lives? What stayed the same?
Daniel’s group of friends clearly trusted God, even when they were taken into Babylon. At which points is that clearest in the story? How did their trust in God make a difference in their lives?
How might Daniel’s brave step here have equipped him for the rest of his time serving in Babylon?

Video: Catrin’s story (5 minutes)

We’ve seen that, even in all the changes ahead, God is with us. And as we know his presence with us, even as many things change, he can shape and use us to impact the world around us.

Each week we’ll watch a video made by someone who’s been helped by God during their time as a new student. This week we’re hearing from Catrin, reflecting on the first few days she spent at uni.

Project the video for the group by sharing your screen. You might like to download the video to use offline.

What about us? (10-15 minutes)

In the same groups as before, discuss the following questions, aiming to help group members take real-life next steps.

For most of us, our biggest concern is finding friends at uni. What might happen if this concern overshadows everything else? How could trusting God make a difference here?
Brainstorm ideas for how you could be a good friend to others across the first few days of uni. (Encourage returning students to chip in with their experiences and ideas – the more memorable the better! See the list below for ideas if chat is slow!)

Why not set a reminder on your phone to send these ideas to the group two days before term starts? That way they’ll be much more likely to put them into practice!

Arrive with home-baked biscuits, brownies or cake to share with your new flat- or corridor-mates.
Bring a pot plant to add greenery to a shared space, like a kitchen.
Arrange to do the boring administrative jobs alongside your new flat-mates e.g. get your student cards together at the same time.
Bring along board games that are quick to set up and don’t require lots of chat e.g. Uno, Jenga, Monopoly Deal.
Walk together to local shops, learning the local area as you grow in friendships.
Bring a frisbee to chuck around in a local park.
Taking an interest in people’s answers in accommodation and subject group chats.
Ask questions – use the first few days to really get to know new people!
Get a parent to order you UCCF’s New Student Welcome Pack, which includes ideas for flat-bonding, practical tips for helping you all explore your new city and a conversation starting tea-towel amongst loads of other helpful items!

Until next time (3-4 minutes)

Thanks so much for joining us for Start Here Session 1! It’s been so good meeting you and getting to know you!

We’d like to invite you to be part of a Start Here group chat – we can answer any questions you have, and get to know each other better. We’ll also remind you about next week’s session, where we’ll be thinking about living with new people.

As a Christian Union, we believe God uses those who know him to make a difference amongst those who don’t know him yet. Whether you want to find out more about God, or want to help others to come to know him, we’d love you to feel part of our CU. We’ll share the CU’s social media channels in the Start Here group chat.

Thanks again – and we look forward to seeing you next week!

Set up a group chat immediately and add all who want to be part of it.
Post your CU social media channels into the chat. You could also post links that will help new students start connecting with other parts of university life (e.g. Facebook accommodation groups, churches, other clubs and societies).
Then take a deep breath, sit back and relax… that’s you all done for Session 1!