Life Transformation Groups
Making and Multiplying Growing Disciples

Where two or more are gathered together in my name, there I am in their midst
(Matthew 18:20).

What are Life Transformation Groups?
Life Transformation Groups or (LTG's) are groups of two-three people that meet weekly for accountability and prayer. This tool empowers the common Christian to accomplish the uncommon work of reproducing spiritual disciples who can in turn reproduce others. LTG’s…

• meet once a week for approximately 60-90 minutes.
• are groups of two or three people. It is 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.
• is gender specific due to the level of sharing and personal accountability.
• use no curriculum, workbook or training materials.
• have so single group leader. The LTG brochure is the guide, and shared leadership provides an atmosphere of mutual accountability.
• follow a simple yet powerful format. They incorporate the kingdom values of community, internal life transformation, and reproduction of disciples.

Who should be in a LTG?
There are only two suggested qualifications for starting or joining a LTG:

1. A desperate need for Jesus Christ (Luke 5:29-32).
2. The intent to be faithful to the process itself (2 Timothy 2:2), including the three essentials listed below.

These two criteria balance one another to keep the group on track both with healing for hurting people and health for helping people. To compromise either of these principles will slow or derail the effectiveness of the group.

To form a LTG…
If these qualifications describe you, and you would like to form a LTG, begin praying for two others who share these qualities. If you would like to put your name out for any LTG’s that are currently multiplying, please leave your personal contact information with Paul Dugan (paul.dugan@cpcventura.org).

The strength of two or three:

1. Community~It is easier to cultivate mutually caring relationships with fewer members.
2. Accountability~There is time for each member to know and be known by the others.
3. Confidentiality~It is easier to maintain the circle of trust.
4. Flexibility~It is easier to coordinate calendars and find locations.
5. Reproducibility~It is easier to reproduce a smaller, simpler group than a large, complex entity.

The 3 Essential Elements of a 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's begin 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 foolish and will end in disappointment.  Each LTG decides on a book of Scripture their group will read that week, and how many chapters of that book will be covered. The goal is to create an internal appetite for the richness of the Word of God, so a larger volume of Scripture is desired.  We recommend that each person read 20-30 chapters* in the chosen book each week. Smaller books of Scripture can be read multiple times during the week (ex. Colossians could be read six or seven times!). When the LTG meets together the following week, members ask each other if everyone completed the reading assigned. If anyone in the LTG was unable to read all of the assigned chapters, the whole LTG agrees to read the same portion of Scripture the following week. This is not seen as a bad thing. The opportunity to re-read Scripture is celebrated in a LTG!  Reading large sections of the Bible repetitively, in context and in community, will yield rich rewards.

Once all in the LTG complete a book of the Bible, they choose the next book to read together. Bible reading guides are available for the group that would like to follow a more systematic, balanced diet of the Scriptures.

*It is recommended that the group members challenge one another to read a larger volume than they think is possible.

3. Kingdom multiplication is the ultimate goal of the group.

“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others”(2 Timothy 2:2).

Using the Strategic Prayer Focus card, each member of the LTG is to identify two or three people 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.  A Strategic Prayer Focus card is kept in each person’s Bible as a prayer reminder. It is best to choose one name from the list each day and pray for that person along with one’s Bible reading.

After approximately 8-10 months,* the triad begins to seriously pray for a forth member. It is critical that this person shares the two qualifications listed above~desperation for Jesus and faithfulness to the process. Once the forth member has been integrated into the LTG and has demonstrated faithfulness, the group is ready to multiply into two two’s, both of which immediately begin to look for their third member…and the process continues!  

*Timing dependent on Holy Spirit’s leading and group’s readiness to multiply.

A Sample LTG Meeting:

1. Opening prayer
2. Each week a different person takes a turn asking the character questions. When each member has answered the question, the group moves on to the next one.
3. Scripture reading from the past week is discussed. Special focus is given to those passages/verses in which God has spoken personally into member’s lives.
4. Strategic prayer requests are mentioned, and prayed for.
5. Closing prayers, including personal declarations of forgiveness in Jesus’ name (2 Corinthians 2:7,8;
   James 5:16).

Character questions (Based loosely on the kingdom life issues outlined in the Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5:1-7:29.) “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other” (James 5:16).  

The following questions are possibilities 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. 

Sample Questions

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 integrity in your financial dealings or coveted something that does not belong to you?
4. Have you been honoring, understanding and generous in your important relationships this 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 past week? Explain.
7. Have you continued to remain angry toward another?
8. Have you secretly wished for another's misfortune?
9.  _____________________________________________________   (Your personalized accountability question.)
10. Did you finish the reading and hear from God? What are you going to do about it?
11. Have you been completely honest with me?

A Note on Confidentiality: These groups must be a safe place for personal accountability. To be a participant in an LTG, each member must be committed to maintaining confidences. 

Strategic Prayer                                           

1. Lord, I pray you draw ____ to yourself (John 6:44).
2. I pray that ____ hears and believes the word of God for what it really is (1 Thessalonians 2:13). 
3. I pray that ____ may seek to know You (Acts 17:27). 
4. I ask You, Lord, to prevent Satan from blinding ____ to the Truth (2 Corinthians 4:4; 2 Timothy 2:25,26).
5. Holy Spirit, I ask you to convict ____ of sin and his/her need for Christ’s redemption (John 16:7-14). 
6. I ask that you send someone who will share their faith with ____ (Matthew 9:37,38).
7. I also ask that you give me or ____ the opportunity, the courage, and the right words to share with _____ (Colossians 4:3-6).
8. Lord, I pray that ____ will turn from his/her sins and follow Christ (Acts 17:30-31; 1 Thessalonians 1:9,10).
9. Lord, I pray that ____ would put all his/her trust in Christ (John 1:12; 5:24).
10. I pray that you will help us to show integrity and love to ____ so he/she may see we follow Jesus
    (Matthew 5:13-16).
11. Lord, I pray that ____ confess Christ as Lord, take root and grow in faith and in the fellowship of your church, and bear fruit for your glory (Romans 10:9; Colossians 2:6,7; Luke 8:15).

** All information has been taken directly from Life Transformation Groups pamphlet

(Church Multiplication Associates) cmaresources.org