New Hope Christian Fellowship

Life Transformation Groups (LTG)

 Concepts below are adapted from curriculum and teaching by Neil Cole, author of Cultivating a Life for God

 

Real People Experiencing

The Power of Christ

 

 

"Where two or more are gathered together in my name, there I am in their midst.”  - Matthew 18:32

 

 

 

 

What are Life Transformation Groups?  Life Transformation Groups (LTG) are groups of 2-3 people that meet weekly for discussing the Bible, accountability, and prayer.  The Groups are self-governing, lay driven, and are not limited by a specific curriculum.  By design, LTG groups encourage the participants to discover the Word of God by themselves, with the Holy Spirit and one another to guide them.  There is no need for a leader per se, as the group members decide the time and place of the next meeting, and which book of the Bible to read next.

 

Why do the Life Transformation Groups work?  Life Transformation group instill these three biblically based principles into the lives of each participant:

 

Divine Truth: People who participate in an LTG experience the living presence of Christ and His Word.  Participation in a group plants the seed of God’s word in a person’s spirit.

Nurturing Relationships: LTG’s should strive to be healthy environments in which people can experience the love of the “family” of God.  The participants are able to experience the 3 vital healthy relationships of Acts 2:42: a relationship with the Word of God, the people of God, and the person of God.

Apostolic Mission: LTG’s exist for the purpose of intentional group growth, then division as a means to multiple.  It empowers common Christians to be life long disciples and disciplers.  It is a means by which we can fulfill the Great Commission

 

Flowing from the LTG’s, “the church” experiences growth that will lend itself to self-propagation and self-perpetuation.  LTG’S release the power for spontaneous multiplication in the church at the grass roots level.

 

Do all the members have to be Christians?  No.  IN fact, it’s a sign of growth if initially one of them is not.  These groups are an ideal setting to bring "seekers" into, and for them to let God minister to them through scripture.  Friends, family, neighbors, and work colleagues will all benefit from being immersed in scripture.

 

What do LTGs Do?  They meet together once a week for 90 minutes to go through the scripture they have read, go through personal accountability questions designed to increase personal holiness, and encourage individual faith sharing.  Each week they choose a book from the Bible to read.  Each person should end up reading about 15 chapters of scripture a week, so if it is a short book, you may read more than one book in a week.  If it is a long book, you might take more than one week to read it.  The idea is to get a broad picture of the scripture, and to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you through it.

 

Where do LTGs meet?  LTGs can meet anywhere, in a home, coffee shop, restaurant, etc.

 

How do I join an LTG?  You can set one up on your own if you'd like!  Simply find another person/persons of the same sex to meet with you.  Because the existing groups should always be looking to multiply, you may well be asked to join someone else's group.  Contact Pastor Bob at 330-721-4594 or e-mail rgrover12@verizon.net and he can assist you to find a group.

 

What happens if we don't finish our Bible reading?  If one or more members of the group fail to finish the set readings for the week, then everyone in the group starts the reading again, until everyone arrives having read the set amount for that week.  This repetitive reading of the scripture really helps you get to grips with what the Bible is saying.

 

What are the accountability questions?  Each person can share questions to answer each week to encourage a Holy life and to encourage each person to witness to the power of God.  Sample questions are shown at the end of this document.  Remember the enclosed questions are only a starting point, and the questions you use should be targeted to specific things within your life.

 

Why are the groups same sex?  Because of the need for honesty and transparency during the confession of sin, this is best done within groups of the same sex.

 

Why is there no leader?  There is no need for a leader.  One of the joys of this model is that anyone can facilitate a group.  All you have to do is choose a location, and a book of the Bible to read.

 

Don't we need a Bible teacher or study notes?  No!  The idea is to cut out the middle-man and allow God to speak directly to you through the scripture.  In many areas of our spiritual life we depend on others to spoon feed us or to take responsibility for us.  LTG encourages us to communicate directly with God, and to take responsibility for our spiritual lives.

 

What is the lifespan of an LTG?  There is no set lifespan.  Groups will either die when one or more members don't bother meeting anymore, or will divide into two groups, when a fourth member is present.

 

What about prayer?  Although the central focus of LTG is not on prayer, prayer will naturally flow from the confession of sin and the encouragement towards each other.  Praying for those who are not yet Christians will also be part of the process.  You are encouraged to pray for friends and for each other during the week as well.  "Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.”  James 5:16

 

 

The 3 Essential Elements of an LTG:

 

1. Sin is confessed in Mutual Accountability      Christians need "to think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds.  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of His coming back again is drawing near."  Hebrews 10:23-24.  LTG begins as each member takes a turn asking another member the character questions.  LTG meetings start here because it is easy to lose focus and talk only about safer things.  Beginning with confession of sin tends to sanctify the rest of the gathering.  The questions are asked straightforward.  Each person takes a turn answering a question before moving on to the next.  The confession of sin to each other, commanded by the Scriptures (James 5:16) 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       Jesus said, "People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every word of God.”  Matthew 4:4 To expect lives to change and bear fruit without first planting the seed is both foolish and frustrating.  Each LTG decides on a passage of Scripture their group will read that week.  We recommend that each person carefully read about 15 chapters each week.  When the LTG meets together the following week, members ask each other if everyone completed the reading assigned.  If anyone in the LTG failed to read all they agreed to read, the whole LTG agrees to read, the whole LTG agrees to read the same portion the following week.  Reading large sections of the Bible repetitively, in context and in community, will yield rich rewards.

Once everyone in the LTG completes the reading in the same week, they choose the next passage of Scripture to read together.  A group can decide together what the next passage will be, or alternate which member of the LTG chooses the passage each time.

 

3. Not-yet-believers and under-churched people are prayed for specifically and regularly     Jesus taught us to pray, "May your will be done on earth, just as it is in heaven.”  Matthew 6:10  At the end of this document, you will find LTG character conversation questions as well as statements to help with your time of Strategic Prayer.  This is to remind each in the group to pray specifically for each of the people named on the card as they read their Bibles throughout the week.

Each member of the LTG is to identify two or three people locally and one or two people (or people groups) globally, whom the Lord lays on their hearts because they need Jesus.  The names of these people/people groups are then written down on the cards of every member of the group.  Each person in the group prays throughout the week for those on the list.  We suggest you choose one name from the list each day and pray for them.

Those who begin to seek Christ become ideal candidates for the next LTG and multiplication occurs naturally and spontaneously.

 

 

Character questions

(Matthew 5:13-7:29)

 "Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other.”  James 5:16

 

The following questions are possibilities to ask one another in a weekly meeting of accountability.  They are to stimulate conversations on character and confession of sin in a safe environment.  It is important that each group cultivate an attitude which values honesty, protects vulnerability, preserves confidentiality, and practices grace. 

Note:  There are several examples of different kinds of questions.  Feel free to revise the questions to fit you best, as you know better than anyone, which questions need to be asked every week in order to help you stay on track with spiritual growth.  Some groups will focus on just a few questions to ask each other each week.

 

Sample Question - List #1

	Have you remained angry with another or secretly wished for another's misfortune?  Have you damaged another person by your words, behind their back or fact-to-face?
	Have you been exposed to sexually alluring material or allowed your mind to entertain inappropriate sexual thoughts about another?
	Have you been honoring, understanding and generous in your important relationships?
	Have you lacked integrity in your words and financial dealings?
	Have you turned the other cheek, gone the extra mile?
	Have you practiced good deeds to be admired by others, or to be noticed by God?
	Have you condemned other's shortcomings or prayed for their wholeness?
	Have you bought, or are you planning to buy, anything the Kingdom does not need for you to own?  Have you given generously because you trusted God to provide?
	_________________________ (Your personalized accountability question.)
	Did you study all the Scripture you agreed to read?  What did God tell you to do?  Are you doing it?
	Have you been salt and light?  Have you shared some of what you are learning about God with a non-believing friend?

Sample Questions - List #2

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

Have you lacked integrity in your financial dealings or coveted something that does not belong to you?

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

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

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

Have you continued to remain angry toward another?

Have you secretly wished for another's misfortune so that you might excel?

Did you finish the reading and hear from God?  What are you going to do about it?

Have you been completely honest with me?

 

Sample Questions - List #3

	In what ways did God make his presence known to you since our last meeting?  How did you respond?  What experiences of prayer, meditation, and spiritual reading has God given you?  What difficulties or frustrations did you encounter?  What joys or delights?
	What temptations did you face since our last meeting?  How did you respond?  Which spiritual disciplines did God use to lead you further into holiness of heart and life?
	Have you sensed any influence or work of the Holy Spirit since our last meeting? What spiritual gifts did the Spirit enable you to exercise?  What was the outcome?  What fruit of the Spirit would you like to see increase in your life?  Which disciplines might be useful in this effort?
	What opportunities did God give you to serve others since our last meeting?  How did you respond?  Did you encounter injustice to or oppression of others?  Where you able to work for justice and peace?
	In what ways did you encounter Christ in your reading of the scripture since our last meeting?  How has the Bible shaped the way you think and live?  Did God provide an opportunity for you to share your faith with someone?  How did you respond?

 

 

 

A Note on Confidentiality: These groups must be a safe place for personal accountability.  To be a participant in an LTG, you must commit yourself to being confidential.  Violating a confidence is grounds for immediate dismissal from the group.

 

 

A Sample 90 minute LTG Meeting:

	Opening prayer
	One person begins asking another the Character questions.  When each person has answered, move on next to. . .
	Scripture reading from the past week is discussed
	Strategic prayer requests are mentioned, and prayed for
	Closing Prayer

 

 

Strategic Prayer

Each participant in a LTG is to identify two or three people locally and one or two people (or people groups) globally, whom the Lord lays on their heart.  List the names of all those identified in your LTG on each Strategic Prayer Focus sheet.  Keep this sheet in your Bible as a bookmark for your daily reading so that each time you open your Bible you are reminded to pray for these people and needs.  You will notice that some of the statements are listed more than once.  This is to allow you to list more than one person who God might be laying on your heart to pray for.

 

 

 

Strategic Prayers

Lord, I pray you draw _____ to Yourself (John 6:44)

 

I pray that _____ may seek to know You (Acts 17:27)

 

I pray that _____ hears and believes the Word of God for what it really is (1 Thess 2:13)

 

I ask You, Lord, to prevent Satan from blinding _____ to the Truth (2 Cor 4:4, 2 Tim 2:25-26)

 

Holy Spirit, I ask you to convict _____ of sin and prompt the need for Christ's redemption (John 16:7-14)

 

I ask that you send someone who will share their faith with _____ (Matthew 9:37-38)

 

Lord, I pray that _____ will turn from their sins and follow Christ (Acts 17:30-31, 1 Thess 1:9-10)

 

I pray that the Gospel will fall on good soil in people's hearts, and that it will germinate, grow and produce a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times (Mark 4:8)

 

Lord, I pray that _____ would put all their trust in Christ (John 1:12, 5:24)

I pray that you will help us to love _____ so they may see we follow Jesus (John 13:34-35

 

Lord, I pray that _____ will turn from their sins and follow Christ (Acts 17:30-31, 1 Thess 1:9-10

 

Lord, I pray that _____ would put all their trust in Christ (John 1:12, 5:24)