Trail Guide–Directions for the Journey of a Lifetime

Inspiration for a Guide Book

A while back God gave me a vision for a new believers/new members study book that would be a practical and useful guide for people who didn’t have much or any connection previously with church-life and the Christian life.  Over the next few posts I’m going to put what I have developed on here.  None of this is copy-written on purpose because if you can use it or pass it along I want you to do that.  God gave me this and I offer it to anyone who might benefit from it.

I’m also very interested in your feedback, so please let me know what you think and how this could be made even more helpful.

Enjoy the Journey!

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Welcome to the Journey!

The Christian life is a journey. As with any travel the journey we are on is laced with ups and downs. There are times that we come to the summit points of life and we see the panoramic vistas of God’s glorious work in our lives. There are other times that we find ourselves in the darkened valleys of life, shadowed by the canyon walls that encompass us and make it difficult to clearly see God’s purpose and plan. In each circumstance one truth is clear, the journey continues. The trail stretches out before us and we are beckoned on.

My wife and I have been together for over twenty years. Over the course of our dating years and marriage we have walked many trails. We’ve hiked in West Virginia, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Vermont, and New York. One thing is true of all of these hikes, regardless of where they were. Each trail was marked in some way to help keep us on the right path. We could choose from a number of trails, but each one had a unique color. We chose based on what we wanted our destination to be. For example, if we wanted to end up at the top of the falls we would hike the red trail. Heading to the lake we would hike the white trail. You get the picture. In addition, of all of the hikes and trails I have been on the most challenging and rewarding journey of them all has been in walking with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord in my life.

In your journey as a believer you are also making the decision as to which trail you will be traveling, and where that trail will ultimately lead you. The trail is marked out for you in the Word of God, and this provides you with a guide for hiking the trails that God has set before you. As with hiking through the mountains the most important part of the journey is right at the beginning as you begin following a trail, making a choice as to which path you will follow. That’s where this book comes in.

This study is intended to help you on your journey. I want to provide you with a sort of trail guide that will help you as you get started on the trip and provide you with markers to follow as you travel. Make no mistake, the trip you are on is not going to be an easy one. As with any other excursion, there will be unexpected delays, unnerving interruptions, and possible hazards along the way. The key to managing these things—I say managing instead of avoiding because they are inevitable–is in preparing for them as much as possible before you encounter them.

My friends, the journey that is before is us incredibly exciting. Perhaps you are reading this study, and you have been a believer for a number of years. You already know that what I have said thus far is true. What I am providing here for you is the book that I wish I had been given almost thirty years ago when I began my journey as a Christ-follower. So, get excited, grab your walking stick, and together, let’s follow Jesus, as He leads us in the journey of a life-time.

Tools You’ll Need for the Trail Guide Study:

• Bible
• Note Book
• Pen
• Highlighter

(to be continued – Next Session “The First Step on the Trail – Security”)