The Bible TrailThe Bible Trail A Trek through A Trek through

The Christian ScripturesThe Christian Scriptures

Preaching the Whole BibleSeptember 2006 –

June 2009

Founding PrinciplesFounding PrinciplesIn 1990, St. Andrew’s Mission and Vision

statement affirmed the following:

“… the Christian Church of which St. Andrew’s is a part, is built upon the Word of God, and we as members of St. Andrew’s endeavour to come to know God’s Word endeavour to come to know God’s Word through the Biblethrough the Bible so that we can grow as Christians by living God’s Word.”

Built Upon the Word of GodBuilt Upon the Word of God

The Vision also states…

“We will become a group of biblically-literate biblically-literate ChristiansChristians who discuss the relevance and meaning of God’s Word and apply it to our lives.”

The ConceptThe Concept

Preach every book of the Bible over a period of 2 ½ years

“What’s the Big Picture?”

Breaks would be taken at Advent and Christmas, Lent and Easter, Anniversary Sunday and Mission Awareness Sunday and throughout the summer.

Why Preach the Whole Bible?Why Preach the Whole Bible?

Declining numbers in Bible Study Over the last few years, an average of 5 people

attended any kind of Bible Study opportunity.Sunday morning worship is important to

our members Regular attendance at Sunday morning worship

seems to be a higher priority than participation in programs through the week.

Something to believe inSomething to believe in

May create even more commitment to attending worship regularly

It is hoped that providing the congregation with a plan for preaching the whole Bible will encourage them to commit to being here even more than they already do.

Know Our BibleKnow Our Bible

Will increase Biblical literacy

By 2009, if members commit to the Daily Reading Plan (explained later) they will have read the whole Bible cover to cover.

Our RelationshipsOur Relationships

Will build more relationships along with prayer and pastoral care

Accountability groups (detailed later) will help the membership to keep on track but also will strengthen relationships and mutual care of our members and newcomers.

““That’s the church that is…”That’s the church that is…”Raise the profile of St. Andrew’s in the

community

We will advertise this program and it is hoped that it will attract attention from the local community and increase the numbers of newcomers joining our fellowship.

We will begin the Trail on September 10th, 2006 with an Orientation Session within the service of worship.

Our advertising will be tied to our promotion of the “Open House” event.

Openness and TrustOpenness and Trust

Talk openly about our questions and doubts.

Creates an informed dialogue about the Bible and faith.

Increase our trust of each other as we find forums for open and honest dialogue around issues of faith.

Why “The Bible Trail”?Why “The Bible Trail”?

The creative idea for The Bible Trail: A Trek Through the Christian Scriptures comes from hiking.

All the imagery for the supporting material and other spin-offs will come from hiking.

Hiking?Hiking?

“In hiking the journey is more important than the destination.”

It is the notion of a journey together with God’s Word as our guide that informs this program.

Trail GuideTrail Guide

Daily Reading PlanCalendar with “Rest Stops” (opportunities to

catch up) along the waySuggestions for reading (when, where, with

who, rituals)How to choose a BibleRecommended further reading or resourcesQuestions for personal reflection or discussion

Trail PartiesTrail Parties

Small Accountability Groups called Trail Parties

Group of 8 – 10 with leader

Led by “Trail Blazer” Not necessarily

experts, but fellow travelers

Make a commitment to regular meetings

Offer groups at different levels – Experienced to Beginner

Trail Blazers meet with ministers monthly

SummitSummit

Monthly meetings open to congregation following worship service (e.g. 12:30pm)

Last Sunday of the Month when possibleSimple Lunch providedCo-Led by the ministersQ&A on Daily Readings, Trail Parties, Sermons

The Bible Trail BlogThe Bible Trail Blog

Create a web log or ‘blog’ of The Bible Trail experience

Weekly journal/contributions by the ministers with comments from participants

Could be expansion on sermon material or just thoughts for the journey

Offer Trail Guide on-line either through Blog or with a link to our website

The Bible Trail Hiking ClubThe Bible Trail Hiking Club

Establish a Hiking ClubRegular excursions for fun, fellowship, and

fitnessService opportunity in participating in trail

maintenanceEncourage Trail Parties to participate as a groupPossibly host one very large event either once a

year or as a part of the two and a half years

St. Andrew’s Trail MixSt. Andrew’s Trail Mix

The Trail Guide would include a number of recipes for ‘Trail Mix’

We would encourage members of the congregation to submit their favourites.

Trail Parties would be encouraged to serve St. Andrew’s Trail Mix at their gatherings

Timeline for The Bible TrailTimeline for The Bible Trail Presentation of the

Vision (Spring 2006) Recruitment of “Trail

Blazers” – small group leaders (May – Aug. 2006)

Production of Trail Guide (Mar. – Sept. 2006)

Advertising within congregation and to local community (September 2006)

Organize “Trail Parties” – small groups (early Sept. 2006)

Orientation Session on Sept. 10th in conjunction with the Open House

Embark on the Trek on Sept. 17th, 2006

““Your word is a lamp to my feet, Your word is a lamp to my feet, and and a light to my patha light to my path””

Psalm 119: 105

““In hiking In hiking the journeythe journey is more is more important than the destination.”important than the destination.”

““The journey of one thousand The journey of one thousand miles miles begins with one stepbegins with one step.”.”

““Therefore, since we are surrounded Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and us also lay aside every weight and

the sin that clings so closely, and the sin that clings so closely, and let let us run with perseverance the race us run with perseverance the race

that is set before usthat is set before us, looking to , looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of

our faith…”our faith…”

Hebrews 12: 1-2