Oops. That was my response when I found the devotional book my church gave me to take to college. It was in a pile of old textbooks I had stashed away years ago. The book was dusty but otherwise brand new. I had tried to read it. I actually wanted to like it, but the entries about cultivating virtuous habits so I could find a husband, admonitions to avoid those who drank or swore, and directives to pray every night with my roommate had only elicited thoughts of “Yeah, that’s not happening.” This book contained nothing that addressed what I was really experiencing at school and even less that empowered me to embrace the person God was creating. And so on the shelf it stayed until into the donation bin it went.

College is a time when students are learning, questioning, doubting, and being challenged in ways that can be exciting as well as terrifying. This is also a time when most students stop attending worship services, even if they were raised in a churchgoing family. In the midst of all these new experiences, they often find themselves needing the comfort, support, and unconditional love we know flows from Christ.

Sparkhouse has a book for that.

Unscheduled Grace is a collection of 40 reflections and prayers written by two college campus pastors—Pastor Katie Fick and Pastor Matt Marohl. Each entry directly addresses real life questions and experiences like doubting one’s faith, questioning sexuality, having regrets, being stressed, and facing the fear of disappointing others. The book also includes 40 prayers that students can use when they find themselves procrastinating, feeling too tired to keep studying, living with a roommate they dislike, or having feelings for someone who feels otherwise. Unscheduled Grace combines solid, progressive Biblical scholarship with an honesty that honors all of the good and bad parts of college.

For churches that want to support their college students, Sparkhouse Digital is offering a FREE download—our intergenerational Unscheduled Grace College Care Package Event. (Click here to download this event.) This download describes how you can host a gathering in your church community to create care packages for college students, with each package including a copy of Unscheduled Grace, fun notes, bookmarks, and even a blessing for the packed boxes. It also includes several ideas for additional small gifts to include. This event helps gather together the generations at your church to help students feel missed and loved.

Tip! Invite church members to wear gear from their alma maters or dream schools as they share memories, hopes, and prayers while packing the boxes for students away from home.