.: the 10wk Trek

.: WHAT IS THE 10WK TREK?

Among other things, the 10wk Trek is an overview of some of the essentials of life as a Christ-follower.  This 10-week experience is appropriate and beneficial for everyone, whether you are a new Christ-follower or you have been journeying with Jesus for years.  The 10wk Trek is also a community-focused experience as you cannot complete the trek alone.  You experience spiritual formation with another as you disciple them and lead them to disciple others by taking them on the 10wk Trek.  Meeting face-to-face once a week for 10 weeks, you and your trekking partner will review Bible passages, reflect on the impact they have on your lives and share exercises to encourage your spiritual growth.  Christ-followers are encouraged to view this as a life-long project, sharing the 10wk Trek again and again with others.  It is an incredible way to connect to God, connect to others and connect to an opportunity to truly make a difference. 

“To be a Christian means to help others be Christian. To be a doctor you cannot just know about health, you must also spread health to others.”  -Brian McLaren

.: HOW DOES IT WORK?

Jesus made it clear that every Christ-follower should disciple others as part of their spiritual journey.  The 10wk Trek is simple in design and reflects the simple approach to discipleship that Jesus shared with his early followers.  Even if you are a new believer you can and should disciple others.  A common practice of spiritual formation is to develop friendships where you can both learn and teach, discussing spiritual matters while growing in your faith.

:: Begin by praying about who God would have you disciple.  Trust God to bring someone to mind and heart.  Your trekking partners should be of your same gender and keep your group limited to 2 or 3 people total. 

:: Invite them to meet with you once a week for the next three weeks.  Explain that on the third week you will mutually decide whether or not to continue together through the full 10wk Trek.  There are times when you might not ‘connect’ and that is perfectly acceptable.

:: Everyone needs a copy of this 10wk Trek guide and should complete the week’s reading and exercise before meeting.  You also need a journal or notebook to record scriptures, thoughts and responses to the discussion questions.  

:: When you meet, begin with prayer, review the scripture passages and then share one another’s responses to the discussion questions and exercises.  As the leader, you should be prepared to share a personal experience, story or conviction that relates to the topic for that week.  Always allow time for those being discipled to ask questions.  Another valuable tool for the 10wk Trek are the “How’s Your Trek?” questions included in the Trekking Partners section of this SoulTrek Trail Guide.  Each week ask some of these questions of each other to help spur one another on in your spiritual growth.

:: By the 5^th week those you are discipling need to start discipling someone else by beginning the 10wk Trek with them.  Encourage your trekking partners to fulfill this commitment and ask them how they are doing with discipling each week of the remaining weeks.

:: After completing the 10wk Trek you can choose to continue trekking with your partner or you can recommend a small group in which they can get involved.  We suggest that you take short trips at a time (10 – 15 weeks before re-evaluating) so that no one feels stuck in something that isn’t helping both parties mutually.  Take turns asking each other the “How’s Your Trek?” questions included in the Trekking Partners section of this SoulTrek Trail Guide. Let the conversation go where the Spirit leads. Pay attention to upholding the “Trekking Rules” as well.  We suggest you re-read the rules before each meeting as a reminder.

 .: THE 10WK TREK GUIDE

 wk1 :: My Life’s Purpose

• copy into your journal: Matthew 22.37-40; 1 John 4.7-12; John 14.6-7; James 1:27 
• digging deeper: From these verses, what do you think our life’s purpose is?  Why do you think we are on earth?  How do we live this out?

 wk2 :: Journey with God

• copy into your journal: Micah 6.8; Luke 9.23-25; Ephesians 5.1-2
• digging deeper: What does it mean to journey with God?  Do your actions and attitudes reflect God?  If not, what can you change so that they do?

 wk3 :: Growing as a Christ-follower

• reflect on: Luke 8.4-15 copy into your journal: 2 Peter 1.5-11; 1 John 2.3-6
• digging deeper: In what ways are we to grow in our faith?  Why is God’s Word so important for a Christ-follower?  What truth from God’s Word has helped you recently?  Why should you spend time in God’s Word every day?
• be praying about who God is leading you to disciple

 wk4 :: 3in1 – Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit

• reflect on: John 1; John 15-17; John 3.16-17; Acts 1-3; Romans 8.1-17
• copy into your journal: John 1.1-5; John 3.16-17; Acts 1.8; Galatians 5.16
• digging deeper: Who is Jesus?  Who is God?  What is Jesus’ relation to God?  What is the role of the Holy Spirit?
• talk about who you are inviting to disciple: have you made the invitation?  When do you begin?

 wk5 :: Celebrating God’s Presence: Worship

• copy into your journal: Matthew 22.37-28; Romans 12.1-2; Psalm 100 
• digging deeper: How should we love God?  What does it mean to worship God?  How do I live a life of worship to God?  What does that “look” like?
• begin discipling another beginning with wk1 of the 10wk Trek

 wk6 :: Developing God’s Character: Discipleship

• reflect on: Philippians 2.1-11
• copy into your journal: Colossians 2.6-7; Galatians 5.22-23; Philippians 2.5
• digging deeper: How does living as a Christ-follower change our character?  How do we continue to grow as a Christ-follower?  What habits can help you in your spiritual growth? 
• how is your new discipling friendship going?

 wk7 :: Sharing God’s Life: Community

• reflect on: Romans 12.4-18
• copy into your journal: Acts 2.42; Hebrews 10.24; Romans 12.5; Ecclesiastes 4.9-10        
• digging deeper: Why are relationships with other Christ-followers important?  What are some ways that we can share life with other Christ-followers?  What will you do to develop this kind of community in your life?
• how is your discipling friendship going?

 wk8 :: Revealing God’s Hope: Outreach

• copy into your journal: John 1.40-42; Acts 4.20; Matthew 28.18-20 digging deeper: What was the first thing Andrew did after following Jesus (John 1.41)? 
• What is the greatest thing that has ever happened to you spiritually?  Spiritually, what is the best thing you can share with a friend?  Take some time to write out the story of your journey with God.  Include what life was like before you embraced Jesus, how you became a Christ-follower and what impact Jesus has on your life now.
• how is your discipling friendship going?

wk9 :: Extending God’s Love: Service

• copy into your journal: Matthew 5.14-16; Mark 10.43-45; James 2.14-18
• digging deeper: Why should we as Christ-followers serve others?  How is extending God’s love to others through service related to our faith?  What are some specific ways you can begin serving others in your home? in your church? in your community?
• how is your discipling friendship going?

 wk10 :: Honoring God’s Blessings: Stewardship

• copy into your journal: 1 Chronicles 29.11-12; 1 Timothy 6.17-19; Matthew 6.21; 2 Corinthians 9.7-8
• digging deeper: Who is the source of all that we have?  Where should we place our trust?  How do we honor God with our time and our possessions?  Why do we give?
• how is your discipling friendship going?