Quest

A life transformation group (LTG) is a simple way to release the most essential elements of a vital spiritual walk to people who need Jesus to change their lives from the inside out. It is a grassroots tool for growth which encourages and supports people to follow Christ by fueling internal motivation rather than applying external pressure and ploys. This tool empowers the common Christian to accomplish the uncommon work of reproducing spiritual disciples who can in turn reproduce others.

Here is a simple overview of what an LTG is:

·         LTGs meet once a week for approximately one hour.

·         LTGs are groups of two or three (the addition of a fourth person is the beginning of the second group and multiplication is imminent).

·         The groups are no co-ed, but gender specific,

·         There is no curriculum, workbook or training involved.

·         There is no leader needed in the group.

·         Only twotasks are to be accomplished in an LTG:

1.       Sin is confessed in mutual accountability

2.       Scripture is read repetitively in context and in community

The LTG is simple, yet powerful. It incorporates the values of community, internal life transformation and reproduction of disciples.

Who should be in an LTG?

There are only two suggested qualifications for starting or joining an LTG:

1.       A desperate need for Jesus Christ (Luke 5:29-32).

2.       Faithfulness in the process itself (2 Tim 2:2).

Making and Multiplying Growing Disciples

Introduction Life Transformation Groups

An LTG is made up of two or three people, all of the same gender, who meet weekly for personal accountability for their spiritual growth and development. We recommended that a group not grow past three but rather multiply into two groups of two once the fourth participant has proven faithful to the process.

The strength of two or three

Here are several biblical reasons why a smaller unit of two or three is better than a large group when it comes to making and multiplying disciples:

1.       Community (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) Life change does not occur in a vacuum; it happens in relationship with others. From the beginning God has said that it is not good to be alone. We need each other for strength and support (Proverbs 27:17).

2.       Accountability (I Timothy 5:19). Few things would get done in life without some degree of accountability. The New Testament lists at least twenty eight “one another” commands. There is no doubt we need one another to live the life Christ intends for us.

3.       Confidentiality (Matthew 18:15-17) It is easier to maintain confidentiality in a group of only two or three rather than a larger group of ten or twelve. The Lord specifically designated that two or three is best for the confession of sin.

4.       Flexibility (Matthew 18:20). It is much easier to coordinate the calendars of only two or three rather than the typical small group of fifteen. An LTG can meet anywhere.

5.       Reproducibility (2 Timothy 2:2): It is easier to reproduce a smaller, simpler group than a larger and more complex entity. Perhaps that is why the Lord commanded us to make more disciples rather than cell gropes or churches (Matthew 28:19-20). Transformed disciples in community is the base unit for the kingdom of God.

There are only two things to be accomplished in an LGT. They are:

1.       Sin is confessed in mutual accountability.

Christians need one another (Hebrews 10:24-25). There is strength in relationships that are built around supporting one another. The first thing then LTG does together is ask each other Character Conversation Questions listed on the attached card. The meetings start here because it is easy to lose time talking about other things. It is also helpful to begin with the confession of sin which tends to sanctify the rest of the meeting. The questions are straightforward. Each person takes turns answering the same question. The group must be a safe place to be honest in. The confession of sin prepares the soil of people’s hearts for the word of God being read each week.

2.       Scripture is read repetitively – in context and in community

The power of this system is in the unleashing of God’s word in the lives of people. Jesus made it clear that the word of God is the seed of new life (Luke 8:11, 15). To expect lives to be changed and bear fruit without first planting the seed is foolish and disappointment will result.

Each group decides on a book of the Bible they will read that week. The goal is to create an internal appetite for the rich word of God, so a larger volume of Scripture is desired. We recommended that one strive to have 25-30 chapters of reading each week as a goal. Sample reading exercises would be as follows… If the group selects a smaller book such as Ephesians or Jonah the group should read it five times in a week. A moderate size book, such as Romans or 1 Corinthians can be read twice in a week. A lengthy book, such as Acts or Proverbs can be read once in its entirety in a week.

When the group comes together the next week they ask one another if the reading was completed. If any person was unable to finish the reading that week then the whole does the same reading again for the next week. This is not a bad thing. Reading entire books in repetition, in context and in community will yield rich rewards.

This is one good reason to challenge the participants with a larger volume of reading which will likely not be completed each and every week. Thirty chapters tend to take about four weeks for a typical group to finish reading together at the same time and move to another. Once all complete the reading in the same week they choose the next book to read together. A group can decide together what the next book will be or alternate who chooses the book each time.

Character Conversation Questions

The following questions serve as a sample list. Each LTG is free to adapt or adopt these questions as appropriate to the group. These questions are to be asked of one another in a weekly meeting of accountability (Proverbs 27:17). They are to stimulate conversations of character and confession of sin in a safe environment which values honesty, vulnerability, confidentiality, and grace.

1. Have you been a testimony this week to the greatness of Jesus Christ with both your words and actions?

2. Have you been exposed to sexually alluring material or allowed your mind to entertain inappropriate sexual thoughts about another this week?

3. Have you lacked any integrity in your financial dealings this week, or coveted something that does not belong to you?

4. Have you been honoring, understanding and generous in your important relationships this past week?

5. Have you damaged another person by your words, either behind their back or face-to-face?

6. Have you given in to an addictive behavior this week? Explain.

7. Have you continued to remain angry toward another?

8. Have you secretly wished for another’s misfortune?

9. (OPTIONAL: Personal accountability question)

10. Did you finish your reading this week and hear from God? What are you going to do about it?

11. Have you been completely honest with me?
 
* The above material is adapted from Cultivating a Life for God: Multiplying Disciples Through Life Transformation Groups by Neil Cole and CMA Resources. For more information on Life Transformation Groups visit www.cmaresources.org.