RUF Alabama Podcast

Weekly messages from Stewart Swain, Minister for RUF at the University of Alabama.

The Parables: "A Parable About God's Generosity" 11/14/2025

The Parables: "A Parable About God's Generosity" 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 . Sources: Brian Sorgenfrei, Matt Howell, & Tim Keller /episode/index/show/rufbama/id/39045250

The Parables: "A Parable About Waiting" 11/05/2025

The Parables: "A Parable About Waiting" 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 . /episode/index/show/rufbama/id/38952100

The Parables: "A Parable About Relating to Others" 10/24/2025

The Parables: "A Parable About Relating to Others" 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 . /episode/index/show/rufbama/id/38769415

The Parables: "A Parable About Self Worth" 10/17/2025

The Parables: "A Parable About Self Worth" 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 . /episode/index/show/rufbama/id/38619640

Healing: Far as the Curse is Found 10/10/2025

Healing: Far as the Curse is Found 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 . /episode/index/show/rufbama/id/38541755

The Parables: "A Parable About Forgiveness" 10/03/2025

The Parables: "A Parable About Forgiveness" 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 . /episode/index/show/rufbama/id/38454715

The Parables: "A Parable About Lostness" 09/26/2025

The Parables: "A Parable About Lostness" 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 . /episode/index/show/rufbama/id/38366910

The Parables: "A Parable About Being Homesick" 09/19/2025

The Parables: "A Parable About Being Homesick" 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 , . /episode/index/show/rufbama/id/38280325

The Parables: "A Parable About Being Justified" 09/12/2025

The Parables: "A Parable About Being Justified" 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 . Sources for this talk: Matt Howell, Sammy Rhodes, Tim Keller. /episode/index/show/rufbama/id/38181555

The Parables: "A Parable About Expectations" 09/05/2025

The Parables: "A Parable About Expectations" 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 . /episode/index/show/rufbama/id/38106590

The Parables: "A Parable About Parables" 08/29/2025

The Parables: "A Parable About Parables" 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 . /episode/index/show/rufbama/id/38019915

What is RUF? 08/25/2025

What is RUF? 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 . /episode/index/show/rufbama/id/37946305

7 Ways to Approach Your Bible 07/22/2025

7 Ways to Approach Your Bible 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. /episode/index/show/rufbama/id/37503630

Before You Open Your Bible 07/22/2025

Before You Open Your Bible 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? /episode/index/show/rufbama/id/37503615

Routines Are Your Friend 07/22/2025

Routines Are Your Friend 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. /episode/index/show/rufbama/id/37503605

Building Solid Friendships as Men at Alabama 05/11/2025

Building Solid Friendships as Men at Alabama 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. /episode/index/show/rufbama/id/36439360

Senior Night 2025 04/30/2025

Senior Night 2025 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 /episode/index/show/rufbama/id/36252620

Stew's Last Sermon: Closing Words 04/11/2025

Stew's Last Sermon: Closing Words 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 . /episode/index/show/rufbama/id/36093300

10 in 10: "Christianity Has More To Offer Than The Culture War!" 04/08/2025

10 in 10: "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 guest Rev. John Bourgeois join him to discuss the theme "Christianity Has More To Offer Than The Culture War!". /episode/index/show/rufbama/id/36055965

10 in 10: "Theological Literacy Means Everything!!!" 04/07/2025

10 in 10: "Theological Literacy Means Everything!!!" 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!!!". /episode/index/show/rufbama/id/36044850

The Ten Commandments: "The Tenth Commandment" 04/04/2025

The Ten Commandments: "The Tenth Commandment" 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 , . Resources: “The Spirit of the Disciplines” by Richard Foster “Rumours of a Better Country” by Marsh Moyle /episode/index/show/rufbama/id/36004020

10 in 10: "College Women are Legit" 04/01/2025

10 in 10: "College Women are Legit" 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". /episode/index/show/rufbama/id/35967095

Building Friendships at Alabama: Female Perspective 04/01/2025

Building Friendships at Alabama: Female Perspective RUF Bama Ministry Fellow Cole Jones has brought in three of the wisest women he knows to learn about friendship! /episode/index/show/rufbama/id/35967055

The Ten Commandments: "The Ninth Commandment" 03/28/2025

The Ten Commandments: "The Ninth Commandment" 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 , . /episode/index/show/rufbama/id/35908440

10 in 10: "The Church & Culture: An Invitation to Beloved Community (mainly black/white dynamics in The Deep South)" 03/25/2025

10 in 10: "The Church & Culture: An Invitation to Beloved Community (mainly black/white dynamics in The Deep South)" 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". /episode/index/show/rufbama/id/35859745

10 in 10: "Politics is a 'god'" 03/25/2025

10 in 10: "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 guests Rev. Russ Whitfield (a pastor in DC) join him to discuss the theme "Politics is a 'god'". /episode/index/show/rufbama/id/35856330

10 in 10: "What is a RUF Campus Minister?!" 03/24/2025

10 in 10: "What is a RUF Campus Minister?!" 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?!". /episode/index/show/rufbama/id/35844980

The Ten Commandments: "The Eighth Commandment" 03/21/2025

The Ten Commandments: "The Eighth Commandment" 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 , . /episode/index/show/rufbama/id/35808345

The Ten Commandments: "The Seventh Commandment" 03/07/2025

The Ten Commandments: "The Seventh Commandment" 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 , . /episode/index/show/rufbama/id/35575355

10 in 10: "Men Are Dying To Be Men" 03/06/2025

10 in 10: "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. Sandy Willson and Rev. Mac Holt join him to discuss the theme "Men Are Dying To Be Men". /episode/index/show/rufbama/id/35564515

RUF Alabama Podcast

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