In the world of higher education, we often measure success by the completion of a syllabus or the checking of a box. At OneLife, however, we have learned that some of the most transformative lessons happen when the syllabus is set aside. This past week served as a powerful reminder of Proverbs 16:9: “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.” When unexpected circumstances—like a sudden winter storm—alter our itinerary, we don’t just see a “gap” in the schedule. We see a “flex week” designed by God for community bonding and experiential learning.
The Mall as a Mission Field
A core component of the Humanity & Culture course is learning to observe the world through a Biblical lens. It is one thing to discuss cultural theory in a classroom; it is quite another for students to exegete culture in the middle of a bustling shopping mall.
Taking inspiration from the Apostle Paul in Acts 17, our Pleasant View students participated in a unique cultural observation exercise at a local mall. Challenged to move beyond the role of “consumer,” they became “observers.” They walked silently through the corridors, taking in the sounds, colors, and smells while evaluating the hidden values the environment pushes toward its customers.
By evaluating everything from marketing tactics to human behavior in stores like Kohl’s or Bath & Body Works, the students practiced “being comfortable with the uncomfortable.” This exercise taught them that to engage a community with compassion, a leader must first understand the “altars” and values that the culture has built.
Living History: The Tabernacle Experience
To deepen their study of the Pentateuch, the students transitioned from the modern marketplace to the ancient wilderness. A field trip to a full-scale replica of the Biblical Tabernacle allowed the group to step out of the pages of Exodus and into a physical representation of God’s dwelling place.
This experiential learning bridges the gap between abstract theology and tangible faith. Seeing the exact dimensions and materials described in scripture provided a profound context for their discipleship groups. It served as a vivid reminder that the God who established rhythms for the Israelites in the wilderness is the same God establishing the steps of these students today.
The Heart of the Matter: Relational Wisdom
The “flex week” also afforded our Pleasant View students time for the internal work of the heart. One of the week’s highlights was an intensive seminar titled “The Heart of Dating.” In a cultural landscape that often lacks a clear roadmap for healthy relationships, our students spent hours discussing red flags, non-negotiables, and the ultimate purpose of dating.
These long-form conversations allowed students to move past surface-level topics and begin defining their own core values for future relationships. The beauty of the OneLife model is the margin it creates for these five-hour deep dives—discussions that simply cannot be rushed in a traditional academic setting.
Bonding Through Service and Play
True community is often forged in the “in-between” moments. When the snow hit, the students didn’t just stay inside; they stepped up. Armed with shovels, they spent hours clearing cars for one another and for local residents, embodying the heart of a servant leader.
The week concluded with the “utterly humbling” experience of community bonding through “Just Dance” marathons and sunset walks through the rolling, snow-covered hills. These moments of shared laughter and “acting like brothers and sisters” are where a group of individuals truly becomes a family.
Thinking with the End in Mind
Every experience at OneLife is designed with the “launch” in mind. Whether our students are analyzing a mall’s culture, standing in a replica of the Holy of Holies, or shoveling a neighbor’s driveway, they are learning to see God’s hand in the unexpected. These students aren’t just following a syllabus; they are learning to navigate life with a servant’s heart and a scholar’s mind.