Society Spotlight: UC Focus
By Peter Searles
The Fellowship of Christian University Students (FOCUS) is not only one of UC’s most active clubs, it is part of a much broader collective with 66 separate groups across Australia. This month I met with UC FOCUS President Sam and Vice President Charlotte to learn more about how FOCUS operates here at UC and around the country.
UC FOCUS provides a community at UC to glorify Jesus Christ using the teachings of the bible. For Christian students, this means there is a convenient way to practice their faith on campus. But UC FOCUS is not just a club for Christian students. If you’re like me and don’t consider yourself a Christian but still think of the bible as a fascinating document full of ancient wisdom, illuminating stories, and valuable life lessons, FOCUS offers a way to a deeper understanding of this complex text.
During semesters, UC FOCUS gathers every Wednesday at 12:30 in the student lounge to read the bible and hear a public bible talk. Speakers are trainees from the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students (AFES) who lend their expertise to interpret and contextualise the reading. It’s an environment where questions are welcome as a way to reach deeper understanding for the whole group. As well as the public talks, UC FOCUS organises weekly meetings of smaller groups. There students read the bible and consider study questions together.
Sam and Charlotte told me they study the bible to learn about Jesus, but this doesn’t mean they only read the gospels. Across the many and varied sections of the bible is an overarching narrative, one that starts with God’s creation of the Earth and then goes on to document humanity’s rejection of God. In this way, the Old Testament can be seen as pointing towards the coming of Jesus, who’s life and death offers a way for humans to restore their broken relationship with God.
FOCUS is a non-denominational group, which means its members are affiliated with various Churches, and these may have differing perspectives and practices. But Sam and Charlotte explained that the bible provides a central focal point. Whether they are affiliated with one or another Church, or no Church at all, all participants are united in their goal to learn about and follow Jesus, and the understanding that the bible is the central authority on Jesus, his life and his teachings.
ANU, ACU and ADFA each have their own FOCUS group, and these will be joining UC FOCUS in March for one of three annual camps. Like all FOCUS events, the camps are open to non-members and welcoming of people from all faiths and life backgrounds. They offer a chance to socialise and participate in bible study. A second camp takes place in winter term and a third in December. This final camp of the year is FOCUS’ national training event, and it brings together people from all of the 66 Australian FOCUS groups.
UC FOCUS’ weekly bible talks have resumed for this semester. The small group sessions will resume in week 2. Reach out to UC FOCUS via their Instagram account @ucfocus to find out the dates and times of the small group meetings. And keep an eye on their Instagram feed for more details of upcoming camps and events.