E06 L.T.G.
List of the Online Lessons: A B C D E F G H
E06 L.T.G.
„L.T.G.“ stands for „Life Transformation Group“. (The Czech name is long, so the English abbreviation stuck.) These little groups are made up of two or three people of the same gender. The group does not have one clear leader! All participants take turns. The aim is for everyone to become an initiator both internally and externally. Externally means that, with the agreement of the others, anyone can invite someone else. In two or three meetings you will usually see if the new-comer will continue. Groups of up to four people keep for couple of weeks. But then the four split into two pairs, each looking for a third member. The recommended frequency of meeting is once a week and the length about one hour. Voice connection via the Internet is a good option.
The content is made of three areas essential for spiritual growth:
1. Reading God’s Word
The power of transformation groups lies primarily in the Word of God penetrating the lives. The group decides which Bible books to read that week. Participants may rotate in their choice. To begin, we recommend approx. 7 to 21 chapters per week. If the selection is a short book (for example, Philippians, with 4 chapters only), participants may choose more books for the week or read one book more than once – to meet the agreed weekly number of chapters. At the meeting, participants ask each other if they managed the reading, and what was the strongest of the content for them.
If someone did not get through the entire agreed passage, the group reads the same the following week. Repeated reading is often very rewarding! (It is not a punishment of all for one member’s inadequacy.) If the participants are handling the sections comfortably and their love for God’s Word is growing, it is good to increase the scope of the text. The goal is to develop understanding of God’s Word and its impact on our lives.
The second area of importance for spiritual growth is
2. Transformation of our character
Very powerful element tends to be openly asking each other questions about our character. In the handout at the bottom of the page, you find a suggestion of specific questions to ask. Each one is answered by everyone. They confess identified sins to the Lord Jesus right away as needed, and they also pray for each other. It may be about bad things we have done, bad words, and very often about bad thoughts that we have given space within ourselves. Our bad words and actions usually spring from our attitudes.
An example of such issues? How have we experienced and radiated Jesus? Is God showing you a sin that you need to confess? The group, or even an individual, can add questions for an area of their own struggle.
A prerequisite for healthy functioning of such group is, on one hand, mutual openness – everyone to everyone – and at the same time complete confidentiality. No personal confession will leave this group! Even in the distant future! L.T.G. must be a safe place where participants can be open and where they support each other in transformation.
A third very important area for spiritual growth is
3. Winning people for Jesus
Each participant tells others two or three unbelieving people that Jesus has put on his/her heart. Either they already talk to them or want to do so soon. In addition to their own, everyone writes down the names shared by others. Each then intercedes for 6 to 9 people daily. The natural question is, „How did you manage to talk to Andrew or Peter, and what was their response?“ The prayers are much more specific then, even though we don’t know the people yet…
Our friends who have not yet accepted Jesus have also been happy to participate in these life transformation groups! „George, with a couple of guys we talk about life, what we’ve read in the Bible, and ask Jesus for people we care about. It’s very interesting and helps us in some pretty deep inner development. I think you’ll find it helpful too. Come and have a look.“
Life transformation groups are very simple, but have great power. Do you have one already? Who can you start with the next week?
Lord Jesus, thank You for the invention of close communities that help us greatly in our spiritual growth and transformation…