Ten years ago, I was a newly ordained pastor. However, the joy and hope of ordination were quickly replaced by despair over the civil war raging among factions of my first congregation. In addition, I had personal demons with whom I was struggling. Therefore, I consider it nothing short of God's intervention that I was invited to go on a three-day spiritual retreat called "The Walk to Emmaus."

Given the crises in my church and in my life, I was not in the mood nor did I have the time to go on "just another retreat." It was only the quiet insistence of trusted friends that got me to go, and for that I will always be grateful. The weekend was a true turning point in my life, a kairos moment of knowing God's love and grace for me. It was not "just a retreat" -- it was a life-transforming experience. Like the original walkers with Jesus, my heart burned for God after my own walk.

I would later find out that since 1978, nearly one million people have participated in a Walk to Emmaus. Yet, in many Christian circles, it remains a hidden jewel.

One of the many benefits was engaging in the "Fourth Day," which basically is a shorthand way of growing in Christ every day after the three-day experience of the Walk. To keep accountability going after the retreat, Walk to Emmaus offers a "Reunion Group" model for small groups. Part of the genius of the group is that anyone is welcome to participate, not just Walk to Emmaus alumni, so it's not just a time of refreshing and refocusing but a great opportunity for discipleship as well.

Reunion small-group meetings focus on three key elements of the Christian life: study (giving our minds to Christ), piety (giving our hearts to Christ), and action (giving our hands to Christ). Each person follows the basic model for sharing as follows:

• At what point this week did I feel closest to Christ?

• At what point this week did I say yes to Christ in being his disciple?

• At what point this week did I fail Christ in being his disciple?

• How well did I do this week in my life of study, piety, and action?

• What is my plan for the coming week to keep growing?

As you can see, it's a fairly simple model for helping Christ-followers keep growing in their walk with Jesus. Of course, if one of the group members has a special need to talk about, set the model aside and talk about it.

Many Reunion Groups also serve together. If members happen to be from the same congregation, they'll sometimes work together on a shared ministry. Other groups may provide significant behind-the-scenes support for Walk to Emmaus weekends in setting up, tearing down, cooking, cleaning, or decorating.

I would encourage you to consider trying the Reunion Group model of discipleship in your existing small group. Just asking a few simple questions that get to the heart of peoples' walks with Jesus can produce an incredible amount of life change.

And if you haven't participated in a Walk to Emmaus, don't let the excuses of "I'm just too busy" or "I just don't have enough time" rob you of one of the best Christian transformational experiences of your life. For more information, or to locate a group in your area, go to www.upperroom.org/emmaus.

Lee Sparks is Managing Editor of Rev! Magazine (www.rev.org).