According to the apostle John, true Christ-followers are proven by their love... love that sacrifices as a natural outflow of the regenerated life. So what does that look like? Scripture paints a pretty clear picture, and it starts with Jesus Himself. His love isn't driven by a self-gratifying emotional outcome. It isn't dependent on the actions of the loved. It cannot be earned. His love is intense, intentional, complete, unfettered and it's active. Designed to Weave Truth and Life We originally developed the Expedition Series to integrate seamlessly with our Wilderness Institute events. The structure works through a very intentional flow of framing, experiencing and integrating, that weaves the Biblical text with the ministry event experiences for a powerful learning dynamic. This flow is designed on both the macro (whole week) level and on the micro (daily) level. Whether you are running a wilderness trip, a missions trip, residential camp, a conference or any other week-long ministry event, the Expedition series will add spiritual value through integrated Bible study. Pre-Trip Framing Each Expedition Series devotional begins with some pre-trip elements that help to frame the study for the week. This can be done the first day of the event or in a group meeting or two in the lead-up to the event. These elements are designed to both introduce the study and to help event participants lay some foundations that will maximize their learning during the week. Elements include the passage text (ESV), setting goals and writing commitments, a key foundation for accountability. Five Key Daily Elements 1. Journal: The reader is given space each day to log their experiences, questions and conclusions from the previous 24 hours to help frame what God might want to teach them from the Scripture reading. 2. Read: Each day contains one or more sections of Scripture that engage the theme of the study. 3. Evaluate/Reflect: Pointed questions challenge the reader to dig value out of the day's text and connect it to what they have or will experience that day. 4. Pray: A daily challenge to pray for one's self and others they are engaged with in the ministry event. 5. Commit: Each day offers the opportunity to make a specific commitment to follow through on that day. Post-Event Integration One of the biggest challenges of ministry events is bringing the learning home in a tangible way. Each Expedition Series devotional finishes with some integration elements that facilitate that process. Readers evaluate their week, apply the learning and create tangible commitments for investing it back home... yet another opportunity for accountability and follow-up.
About the Author: Joshua Wilhite grew up in a wilderness ministry environment. He spent 10 summers working with Pilgrimage (www.simplyapilgrim.com) in a variety of roles and loving every minute of it. After graduating from Baptist Bible College, he spent two years working as the Therapeutic Activities Coordinator at a school for at risk youth. He then spent two years working as the outfitting director for Pilgrimage. From there he transitioned to a role as a representative for Baptist Bible College, visiting and speaking at over 200 churches and schools. While traveling, he earned an MA in Organizational Leadership from Baptist Bible Seminary. Since 2006 he has been serving as the Pastor of Student Ministries at Solid Rock Bible Church in Plymouth, Michigan. He oversees children's ministry, middle school, high school, and college. Josh is married with three daughters. He has a real passion for authentic growth through discipleship and teaching. He believes that there's nothing more powerful for the teaching of God's word than real life, long-term relationships in a local church. To that end, you'll find him doing his best to help people interact with the Living God one conversation at a time.