Life Transformation Groups
Life Transformation
[to go to what Life Transformation Groups look like at ZMC, click here]
[to go to Life Transformation Groups, Clinton, click here]
[Other specific, gender-focused LTGs for women can be found on the Women page.]
WHY Life Transformation Groups?
Can you say that you are more like Jesus than you were a year ago? Would your best friend agree with you?
In Paul's letter to disciples of Jesus Christ in the first century, he wrote, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Romans 8:28, New Living Translation) This sounds good to us. But what did God say this ‘all things working together' was for? Read on: "For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters." (Romans 8:29, NLT) God is making a family of brothers and sisters who are just like His Son Jesus Christ.
How meaningfully, fruitfully, are we being changed into Jesus' likeness?
Around here, we are increasingly sharing life together in close proximity with one or two brothers or sisters (boys with boys, girls with girls), and/or with one or two other households so that we would be changed to be more like Jesus. Some have done this for years and their lives show the evidence. We are convinced that this kind of life together is a must for Jesus' people. Too many people live isolated from one another, facing their shame and battles by themselves, and having more of an audience-member type relationship with Jesus than the life-on-life, dynamic, transformed servant life that He showed us.
This life together is more than 'getting together for coffee' to chat. It is about doing life together to know and worship Jesus, to submit to Him together as our Lord. Whether one is part of a group of two or three people, or two or three households, the common elements are discipling, nurturing and accountability (DNA for short). It actually sounds like Jesus walking with His friends 2000 years ago.
We call these groups Life Transformation Groups*. The name isn't important - the life together is.
So - look around you, who might God be inviting you into this life with? What are you going to do about that? If you want help, contact an elder or pastor.
What happens in a Life Transformation Group?
A Life Transformation Group of two or three people, or two or three households meet regularly (weekly or bi-weekly). Ideally an LTG is intergenerational, sharing life together. Especially with the three-household LTGs, after six months together it is our goal to have these groups multiply (i.e. each household invites two other households) and begin a new adventure.
LTGs are informal gatherings that are centered on the following...
1. Eating Together: In Scripture our fellowship with Christ is described as a meal (Mt.26:17-30; Rev.3:20). When we eat together as believers Christ is present and great things happen. The point is that we are together to fellowship and know each other and the Lord better. Food and great conversation seem to go hand in hand.
2. Reading Scripture Together: An LTG reads Scripture together as a daily personal and/or household discipline and then discusses together when the group gathers. Children are also included in these readings. Three Scripture reading tracks can be chosen by an LTG:
• Track 1 - Seed: You choose a book of the Bible that you will read together. When you have all read it (maybe more than once) and discussed it you choose another book and so on.
• Track 2 - Cultivate: You choose to read through the Scriptures a chapter a day following the basic edition (also called Kids Edition) of the Scripture reading guide "A Life That Grows." This booklet is available in Articles, or through the church office.
• Track 3 - Harvest: You choose to read through large amounts of Scripture (approximately 5 chapters per day) following the full version edition of the Scripture reading guide "A Life That Grows," also available in Articles, or through the church office.
3. Praying Together: Each meeting includes a time where all (including children) join in seeking God's will together for our lives as we share our needs and joys and the needs that arise in our world.
4. Doing Mission Together: An LTG seeks ways to be active in the community together in ways that will share God's love. Previous LTGs have hosted community Christmas meals, helped at Blessings Community Store, visited at Bluewater Rest Home, been part of Jane Finch Ministry teams, given monetary gifts to those in need ... Be creative together in following the Spirit.
5. Playing Together: LTGs seek ways to play. Spending time playing can open up new understandings of life together.
Have you been in an LTG? Have you been wanting too?
For those currently in LTGs...
Every six months or so we invite you to talk together as to who God is nudging you to invite into a new season of life transformation.
Here are some suggestions and guidelines for multiplication:
1. Pray and be open to who the Holy Spirit settles into your mind.
Be open to what God might be saying to you, even if it doesn't make sense at the time. Your call to invite the person or household the Spirit has brought to mind may be exactly what they need.
2. Think intergenerationally, missionally, and outside the box.
Our vision is to have people of a various ages know each other better so don't just think of those who are like you. ("If you love those who love you what reward will you get?"- Mt.5:46). And ask, how will our LTG actively make a difference in the community and the world for Jesus?
3. Don't make this a law.
We envision that LTGs will meet regularly (weekly or bi-weekly) and be made up of no more than three households, but that doesn't mean you can't be flexible when you meet or that you can't invite two single persons and another family, or another manageable combination of people into the experience with you. The point is not law, but meaningful and deeper relationships that are built increasingly around the real presence of Christ. Finally, while we'd love to see you multiply and share the experience you've been having, we respect the need you might have to take a Sabbath-rest.
4. Get on this quick and communicate well.
Please let Jim Ramer or Pastor Phil know who you are inviting into your LTG so that the Leadership Team can support and pray for you. Phil or Jim may know of people looking to join if you're having trouble making a connection.
For those not currently in home churches...
Are you ready to join? You may receive an invitation to join a Life Transformation Group. If you do receive an invitation know that it is not done lightly. If you don't receive an invitation, don't take it personally. If you're keen to join an LTG let Pastor Phil know so connections can be made. Or, why not consider beginning your own group of 2-3 people, or 2-3 households. Just please 'keep us in the loop'.
"They devoted themselves to the apostle's teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer....many wonders and miraculous signs were done...All believers were together and had everything in common...they gave to anyone as he had need...They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people.
And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
Acts 2:42-27 - on the life together of the first Christian churches
* The term 'Life Transformation Groups' or LTGs is borrowed from Neil Cole.
See Organic Church (2005, Jossey-Bass)