Cultivating a Life For God
By: Neil Cole
ISBN: 978-0984862184
READ: April 2025
RATING: 6/10
Summary: In this book, Cole presents Life Transformation Groups (LTG’s) as a model for disciplemaking. He argues convincingly for LTG’s. They are simple, start quick, rely on Scripture, and are designed to multiply and reach the lost. At the same time, they seem too rigid to adapt to the gifting and design of those leading it. Throughout the book, Cole says the right things regarding the big picture, but later on contradicts himself in the details. I have noted a few of those places below. Cole is clearly and experienced disciplemaker and practitioner. If you’re looking for a system to make disciples LTG’s are worth consideration. However, if you’re looking for a “Path Two” type plan for disciplemaking, this isn’t that. Ultimately the LTG system is anchored in utilitarianism (hey, it works!), rather than following a model revealed in the life of Christ or in Scripture. Lots of value in the book related to discipleship, but this isn’t a book I’d recommend to those seeking to learn disciple making.
Chapter titles are: Acknowledgements, 1. Lessons in Lifesaving: Remember the Prime Directive 2. The Need for Life Transforming Power 3. Principles for Passing the Baton 4. Candidates for the Kingdom: Where Do We Start 5. Breathing Life into New Disciples: Essential Ingredients to Transform Lives 6. The Best Context for Transforming Lives 7. Living Examples—Our Story 8. The Life Transformation Groups System 9. Advantages of the LTG System—A Parable for the Church Today 10. Common Objections to the LTG System 11. Common Questions to the LTG System 12. Troubleshooting Unproductive Groups 13. Conclusion—Church According to Jesus Appendix 1: Sample Character Conversation Questions for Life Transformation Groups Appendix 2: Other Names Given to Life Transformation Groups around the World
Chapter 1: Lessons on Lifesaving: Remember the Prime Directive
“Jesus was a busy man. His things-to-do list was extensive. Matthew 9:35 describes the kind of busy life He led.” Pg. 1
I don’t think Jesus was busy, meaning hurried or rushed, but I think He was intentional and full. That’s a big difference, but Neil is suggesting the busy as in hurried and too full as the next quotes demonstrate.
“When I get busy, I tend to forget the most important reason why I’m here, my prime directive—to make more and better disciples.” Pg. 1
“It doesn’t’ take much for the multitudes to become more of a stumbling block to impede my effectiveness rather than a reason for becoming effective.” Pg. 1
“But take a moment to notice what He [Jesus] didn’t say. He didn’t say, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the dollars are few.’ Nor did Jesus say, “The harvest is plentiful but the property is too expensive.’ He didn’t say, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but we first need the latest self-help book or practical program.” Pg. 2-3
“What is needed for a harvest? Prayer and workers. The more prayer we offer the more workers we will see. The more workers are raised up, the greater the harvest. This is a simple solution that Jesus gave us because He wants more than anything to be a shepherd for the lost sheep who are distressed and downcast. The only barrier we face to a greater harvest is a lack of compassion that motivates prayer, which releases workers, which yields the harvest.” Pg. 4
I get his overall point, but these conclusions are too rigid for me. I don’t agree that more prayer always results in more workers. I also can’t presume to know what Jesus wants more than anything.
“Jesus was a busy man, but He never lost sight of His prime directive—to seek and to save those who are lost.” Pg. 6
“It isn’t enough to be capable in disciple-making if we remain blind to those who need it. It also doesn’t help to see the harvest if we don’t have the ability to make disciples of them. I contend that we are not doing well at either.” Pg. 7
“Granted, most of us like to receive practical ‘how-to’ methods that can be immediately applied and effective, but the truth is that without the framework of the principles and values described in this book, the methodology lacks a healthy environment in which to thrive.” Pg. 8
Chapter 2: The Need for Life Transforming Power
“There is hope. We can still fulfill the great commission in this generation, but we will need to get back the power that spread the gospel across the globe in the first century. We will need to see multiplication of disciples occur among all those in the church.” Pg. 10
“Do you believe in the power of God to change a life?” pg. 10
“We have been given this power, though we generally leave it unused. Our pews are full of ‘Christians’ whose lives show little difference from those who are in the world.” Pg. 11
“Jesus wasn’t shy about making a lasting impression on people who otherwise would’ve lived the rest of their lives in mundane routine.” Pg. 12
“It is not what we do that matters, but what a sovereign God chooses to do through us. God doesn’t want our success; He wants us. He doesn’t demand achievements; He demands our obedience.” Pg 16 Quoting Chuck Colson
“Hendrichsen concludes: The reason the church of Jesus Christ finds it so hard to stay on top of the great commission is that the population of the world is multiplying while the church is merely adding. Addition can never keep pace with multiplication.” Pg. 19
“The masses of lost people in the world are so many. The church in that West, such as she is, is not much. We need to turn to Jesus with what little faith we have and say, ‘Here is something, not much, not enough, but something.’ Unless we are in Jesus’ hands we cannot possibly reach the hungry souls of the world.” Pg. 21
Chapter 3: Principles for Passing the Baton
“Second Timothy is Paul’s last will and testament. Written in his final hours while in a dungeon on death row, Paul passed on his most pressing words to his apprentice and successor.” Pg. 23
Three Observations from Second Timothy 2: (pgs. 23-28
1. The Strengthening of the Church: Strong disciples make a strong church, growing disciples make a growing church.
2. The Stimulus of Real Growth: The carrot’s better than the stick.
3. The Simplicity of the Process: Pass the baton with ease.
“The first principle for leaving a lasting legacy of multiplication is that it all begins with being a strong disciple yourself.” Pg. 23
“A church’s strength is not determined by her seating capacity but by her sending capacity.” Pg. 24 Quoting Rick Warren
“The motivation for following Christ and reproducing disciples must be internal rather than external.” Pg. 24-25
“Paul appeals to internal motivations that will keep Timothy going even in the face of hardship and setbacks.” Pg. 25
3 Natural and Spiritual Incentives for the Christian life: (pgs. 25-28)
1. Natural Motivations
a. A desire to bring pride to those whom you are responsible to. (2 Tim. 2:3-4)
b. A desire to be the best we can be. (2 Tim. 2:5, 4:6-8)
c. A desire to benefit from the results of our efforts. (2 Tim. 2:6)
2. Spiritual Motivations
a. Moved by the love of Christ demonstrated in His sacrifice for our sins.
b. A compassion for the lost and dying souls in this world, who are headed to hell without Christ.
c. Inspiration rooted in the character of God.
3. The Simplicity of the Process: Pass the Baton with ease!
“The key to effective disciple making and multiplying is to tap internal motivation. Many discipleship methods, however, resort to external motivation, which is much weaker.” Pg. 26
I agree with this, but feel like his model leverages external motivation as much as anything else. What I mean by that is the systems and should, rather than building internal motivation (he’s yet to reveal that in the book, but keep this antenna up).
“If the disciples don’t want to move forward, but do so only out of guilt and obligation, then as soon as the pressure is removed the process will end.” Pg. 26
“Christianity begins in a hear that is set on fire from heaven and cannot be quenched on earth.” Pg. 26
“The church is an army of volunteers in a battle for the souls of people held captive. We must be willing to ‘suffer hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.’ This is the kind of motivation that can turn a world upside down.” Pg. 27
“If disciple making and multiplying is essential for all, we must find a way to make it available to all so that it can be passed on from generation to generation.” Pg. 28
We wouldn’t feel the need to figure out a way to “make it available to all” if it’d been naturally passed to us—instead we’d know how to move it from one life to another.
“A Helpful idea for us is to see disciple making and multiplying as distinct from mentoring leadership. As was said above, all Christians are to be disciple-makers, but not all Christians are to be leaders.” Pg. 30
“By combining discipleship with leadership development we eliminate a good percentage of Christians from participation in the Great Commission.” Pg. 30
“Once we have growing and multiplying disciples we can build upon their emerging fruitfulness with intentional mentoring and training methods for those we demonstrate latent leadership potential.” Pg. 30
“The church is suffering from a bottleneck of teaching without obedience.” Pg. 31
Chapter 4: Candidates for the Kingdom: Where do we Start?
“What releases the life force that produces spontaneous growth and multiplication? Jesus taught that what is needed is the good seed in the good soil….How do I determine what is good soil” Pg. 32
“There are two criteria that aid in the discovery of good soil. They are what I use to test the soil before I invest time and energy in the disciple.” Pg. 32
1. People who desperately need Jesus (Luke 5:30-32)
2. People who stay faithful to the process (2 Timothy 2:2) Pg. 33-34
How can you know ahead of time who will stay faithful to the process that they haven’t yet begun?
“There is a temptation to think that good people make good soil. In our church, however, we have a saying: Bad people make good soil.” Pg. 33
“There are seven very important reasons that we must start the disciple making process with people who desperately need Christ.
1. Desperate sinners will hold onto Christ because their lives depend on it.
2. Desperate sinners will see their lives change more readily than those who are already doing ‘well.’
3. Desperate sinners are more likely to confess their sin because it is more obvious.
4. Desperate sinners will become walking and talking billboards to the power of the gospel to other desperate sinners.
5. Desperate sinners usually have more contact with other desperate sinners who need Jesus.
6. Desperate sinners are the very reason Jesus came and died. He delights to save them. Bring pleasure to your Master—give the gospel to a desperate sinner!
7. Desperate sinners who are transformed by the gospel bring greater glory to God because it makes the miraculous that much more manifest. Only God could do such a miracle.” Pg. 33-34
Chapter 5: Breathing Life into New Disciples: Essential Ingredients to Transform Lives
“…Paul tells Timothy and us that there are two essential disciplines necessary to make disciples who can be used by God. These are the disciplines needed to prepare ordinary people to do extraordinary work for the Lord. Both elements are necessary for effective disciple making.” Pg. 37
1. Exhaling: the confession of sin (2 Tim. 2:19-22)
2. Inhaling: receiving and obeying God’s word (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
These are obviously good, right, and necessary, but I don’t think Paul frames them the way the author is suggesting.
Chapter 6: The Best Context for Transforming Lives
“Lives change in the context of community.” Pg. 41
“We need each other. Reproduction is always a cooperative effort—it takes two to tango!” pg. 41
“I believe that the best context for life change is a community of two or three. Consistently throughout God’s word there is a reference to two or three. Here are five Biblical reasons why I think that a group of two or three is the best context for disciple making and multiplying:” Pg. 41
1. Community (Ecc. 4:9-12)
2. Accountability (1 Tim. 5:19)
3. Confidentiality (Matt. 18:15-17)
4. Flexibility (Matthew 18:20)
5. Reproducibility Pgs. 42-44
“It is difficult to be held accountable to a multitude of people who do not know you well. A group of two or three has a greater degree of strength in accountability. One can find support with a group of two or three who know and understand his or her life.” Pg. 42
“Since confession of a sin is needed for cleansing and preparing one for a life of service, then a safe place is essential.” Pg. 42
“If we can’t multiply groups of two or three we will not multiply a cell group, or a worship service or a congregation.” Pg. 43
“Church planting is my calling and passion. It dawned on me one day, however, that I could not find a single verse in all the Bible which commands us to multiply or plant churches. It’s just not there! The command God gave us was to make and multiply disciples, not cell groups or churches. Jesus does not want to build His kingdom through church planting and multiplication, but His plan is to do so by multiplying disciples. It begins here—with the basic unit of the church—then it spreads through every pore in the body of Christ. But, if we do not start here, if we skip this God-ordained step, we can work and work and work until we turn blue and drop dead and we will not see multiplication happen.” Pg. 44
Chapter 7: Living Examples—Our Story 8. The Life Transformation Groups System
“One common problem of discipleship systems available today is that the leader often feels that he/she is not being adequately nourished and resourced.” Pg. 30
Chapter 8: The Life Transformation Groups System
“The Life Transformation Group (LTG) system is a grass-roots tool for growth. Through this simple system the most essential elements of vital spiritual ministry are released to common Christians without the need for specialized training. It taps the disciple’s internal motivation and provides the support needed to grow in the essentials of a spiritual life.” Pg. 54
“An LTG is made up of two to three people, all fo the same gender, who meet weekly for personal accountability in the areas of their spiritual growth and development. A group should not grow beyond three but multiply into two groups of two rather than a single group of four. If a fourth person is added to the group it is recommended that the group consider itself pregnant and ready to give birth to a second group. Once the fourth person has demonstrated sufficient faithfulness (2-3 weeks) then the group should multiply into two groups of two.” Pg. 54
“There is no curriculum or training needed for the LTG. A simple bookmark which stays in the participant’s Bible is all that is needed.” Pg. 54
“The LTG accountability consists of three essential disciplines for personal spiritual growth—a steady diet of Scripture, confession of sin and prayer for others who need Christ.” Pg. 54
“The first thing the LTG does together at a meeting is ask one another the accountability questions found on one side of the LTG Bible bookmark.” Pg. 54-55
The Accountability Questions: (pgs. 55-56)
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 thoughts about someone who is not your spouse 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 so that you might excel?
9. Your personal accountability question __________?
10. Did you finish your reading this week and hear from the Lord? What are you going to do about it?
11. Have you been completely honest with me?
“It is important for those who are involved with an LTG to submit to the spirit of the system more than the letter of the law. These questions are meant to stimulate discussion and open sharing but they are not in themselves an exhaustive list of al that sin is, nor do they define what true righteousness is.” Pg. 56
“Another reason why these questions alone are insufficient to establish righteousness in our lives is that most of us have enough creativity in our flesh to find ways tos in which are not covered by these questions. These questions have proven very helpful in uncovering sinful patterns that need to be openly confessed in a safe and healing community. The LTG provides a wonderful place to be accountable to overcome patterns of sinful behavior.” Pg. 56
“The goal of having accountability is not just sin management but rather to foster an honest relationship mat is transparent, caring, and where healing can come through the confession of sin.” Pg. 57
“The confessing of sin cleanses and prepares the soul for every good work God has for him or her.” Pg. 57
“The power of the LTG system lies in the unleashing of God’s word into the lives of people.” pg. 57
“Each group agrees on a book of the Bible to read…For a steady diet, I strongly recommend reading 25 to 30 chapters each week. If the book agreed upon is a shorter book, such as Ephesians or Jonah, it is read five to seven times in a week. If the book is a moderate size, such as 1 Corinthians or Romans, it is read twice in a week. If the book is longer than that, such as Proverbs, Revelation, or Acts, the book is read once a week.” Pg. 57
“If any one of the group was unable to complete the reading portion, then the same reading assignment is to be taken up again. The LTG will continue reading the same portion of Scripture repeatedly until the group finishes it together in the same week. Once all group members finish the reading in the same week, then a new book is agreed upon for the next week.” Pg. 58
“…it is not a failure for someone to be unable to complete the reading in a given week. In fact, it is advantageous if that happens.” Pg. 58
“If a group finishes the designated amount each week then they are probably not reading enough and need to increase the volume.” Pg. 58
“In my own experience, on the weeks when any one of us fails to complete the reading, we feel that the Lord is not done teaching us something in that particular book. We then go into the next week with anticipation, believing that the Holy Spirit has a special lesson in store for us. We are never disappointed.” Pg. 58
“Each member of the LTG is to identify two or three people who are the highest evangelistic priorities that God has laid on their hearts.” Pg. 59
I love that there is this missional element built into the LTG’s!
“Each time one of us does our Bible reading we select the names and pray for that person using the suggest prayer guide. With this system, the person who is targeted for strategic prayer is prayed for two to three times by two or three different people every week. The prayers that are offered are specific, progressive, and extensive.” Pg. 59
Prayers Suggested for those Non-Christians:
1. I pray Lord, that You draw ____ to Yourself (John 6:44).
2. I pray that _____ seek to know You (Acts 17:27).
3. I pray that _____ hear and believe the Word of God ( 1 Thess 2:13).
4. I ask You to prevent Satan from blinding _____ to the truth ( 2 Cor. 4:4, 2 Tim. 2:25-26).
5. Holy Spirit, I ask YOU to convict ____ of his/her sin and his/her need for Christ’s redemption.
6. I ask You to send someone who will shar ethe gospel with ____ (Matt. 9:37-38).
7. I also ask that You give me (and/or my fellow disciple) the opportunity, the courage and the right words to share the truth with ____ ( Col. 4:3-6, Eph. 6:19-20).
8. Lord, I pray that ____ turn from his/her sin (Acts 17:30-31, 1 Thess 1:9-10).
9. Lord, I pray that ____ would put all of his/her trust in Christ (John 1:12, 5:24).
10. Lord, I pray that ____ confess Christ as Lord of his/her life, take root and grow in his/her faith and bear much fruit for Your glory (Rom. 10:9-10, Col. 2:6-7, Luke 8:15).
“It is a group effort in bringing these souls before the throne of grace.” Pg. 60
“The LTG system is simple, yet powerful. It incorporates the values of community, life transformation and reproduction of disciples.” Pg. 60
LTG’s: (pg. 61)
1. Meet once a week for about an hour.
2. Groups of two or three (a fourth person is the beginning of a second group and multiplication is imminent).
3. The groups are not coed.
4. Ther eis no curriculum, workbook, or training involved.
5. There is no leader needed.
6. Only three tasks happen: 1. Sin is confessed to one another in mutual accountability. 2. Scripture is read repetitively, in entire context and community. 3. Souls are prayed for strategically, specifically and continuously.
Chapter 9: Advantages of the LTG System—A Parable for the Church Today
“Churches may appear healthy, but they are unable to reproduce, which threatens the viability of the church to carry on to the next generation.” Pg. 63
“The simple and yet significant ingredients found in the LTG system can bring health and fertility back to the bride.” Pg. 63
Advantages of the LTG system are: (pgs. 64-83)
1. Plant the seed, not a seed substitute.
2. Remove the middleman
3. Integrate evangelism with spiritual formation
4. Form life-long spiritual disciplines
5. Allow the Holy Spirit His rightful place in spiritual formation.
6. Empower common Christians to obey the Great Commission for the rest of their lives!
7. Mobilize lay people for ministry
8. Provide tangible evidence of an emerging leader
9. Release the cell leader and pastor for more focused ministry.
10. Tap the internal motivation of the disciples.
11. Release spontaneous multiplication into the church at the grass-roots level.
“We ar ethe most biblically privileged generation in all of human history! We have more Bible translations, helpful study tools and mountains of scholarly information than any previous generation in all of human history.” Pg. 64
“In reading the book of Acts it becomes clear tha the word of God itself fueld the growth and expansion of the church.” Pg. 65
“The lay Christian has become totally dependent on clergy to tell him or her what the Bible says and what it means by what it says.” Pg. 66
“After all, what is milk but predigested food from another? The mother ingests the food, and it is processed and finally delivered to babes who are absolutely dependent upon their parent for sustenance.” Pg. 69
“The problem is that in spite of our efforts to educate Christians with these tools and teaching we have failed. The people of God do not know the word of God. I believe that the problem is that we have been teaching them what to think instead of how to think.” Pg. 69
I fully agree with this. However, I’m not sure the LTG’s are designed to teach people how to think either.
“If we are truly moving closer to God, nearer to holiness, then our awareness of our own flesh must become more obvious to us. Our sensitivity to sin and subtleties should increase as we grow closer to Christ.” Pg. 72
“(Wesley) observed that awakening people without folding them into redemptive cells does more harm than good! IN a journal entry of 1743 he declares, ‘The devil himself desires nothing more than this, that the people of any place should be half-awakened and then left to themselves to fall asleep again. Therefore, I determine by the grace of God not to strike one stroke in any place where I cannot follow the blow.’” Pg. 73
“According to Barna, the majority of people who make a decision for Christ are no longer in the church just eight weeks later.” Pg. 73
“The gospel flies best on the internal motivation of a life that has been touched by God rather than any external pressure from methodology or persuasive tactics.” Pg. 74
“The LTG’s allow the Spirit of God and the Word of God to take their rightful place in leading the Christian into all truth. Most segments of the Christian faith believe in the illumination ministry of the Holy Spirit.” Pg. 76
This is a very convincing and strong point in favor of LTGs.
“Because the LTG system is leaderless and uses only the word of God rather than a man-made curriculum, the Holy Spirit is given the opportunity to lead, guide, and call out the disciples into the ministries He has for them.” pg. 77
“Because of its simplicity, after only a brief exposure to this system, Christians ( no matter how long they have believed) are equipped to make disciples for the rest of their lives. This is a means to release the whole church into the fulfillment of the Great Commission. The potential consequence of laity that is empowered and motivated to make more and better disciples of the nations is staggering! We don’t have to wait for leaders to be trained or complicated methods to be passed along. A new believer can be released to pass on the baton in just weeks rather than years.” Pg. 77
Cole hits the note of “so easy anyone can do it here.” In my mind, this is the rallying cry of modern-day disciple making. His system does start quick and is simple, but lacks depth and room to develop and adapt to the gifting of those leading it.
“This system (LTG’s) of disciple-making works because it is driven by an internal motivation. It stimulates hunger within.” Pg. 80
“LTG’s utilize a form of sanctified peer pressure….The Lift Transformation Groups pull people together and push them forward in their growth because the people within them want to grow and want to grow together.” Pg. 80
“We need to remember that reproduction is a natural function of the church and that it’s part of God’s design and plan. The power to produce multiplication is already inherent in the body of Christ; we need only to tap that power. If we would only plant the seed, rather than a seed substitute, into soil that is prepared, we would see multiplication.” Pg. 81
“Jesus describe, through parables, a kingdom that didn’t have any trouble expanding and multiplying.” Pg. 81
“If we focus on making disciples, and keep the system simple and solid, multiplication becomes easy and natural. The thought of multiplication becomes more palatable in the disciples.” Pg. 81
“The reason that groups and churches multiplied is because the first generation of Christians were obeying a very specific and simple command—to make disciples! When Christians are obedient to this single command, ti results in the multiplying of groups and churches.” Pg. 81-82
“Because the system is simple enough to pass on with one easy description the flame spreads unhindered. Ordinary Christians are empowered to do the most important work any of us can do.” Pg. 83
Chapter 10: Common Objections to the LTG System
Most Common Objections: pgs 84-89
1. They are out of control
In Acts the Holy Spirit is in charge and is mentioned 57 times in 28 chapters.
“Our church structures, our doctrinal statements, our denominational politics and distinctives are insufficient to contain the wealth and the power of heaven.” Pg. 85
“In the classic book written ahead of its time, The Spontaneous Expansion of the Church, Roland Allen describes the advantage of losing control in a release of spontaneous multiplication.” Pg. 85
2. The questions are too personal to expect new believers to answer.
“In my experience, the truth is new believers and even pre-Christians are more receptive to this system than older Christians who have been able to keep people at arm’s length over the years by wearing a mask of spirituality.” Pg. 85
“When Jesus spoke of an entry point into salvation and the kingdom of God, He didn’t attempt to lower the standard so that more could enter in, He did the very opposite.”
3. The amount of suggested reading is too much for a busy person to do.
“…the more we read the Scripture and pray, the better prepared we will be to handle life’s external pressures.” Pg. 87
4. The groups are too legalistic; they’ll make the Bible a chore to read.
“The reason that people don’t appreciate the word of God yet is because they haven’t tasted it enough.” Pg. 88
5. The groups will allow heresy to run rampant in the church.
Chapter 11: Common Questions to the LTG System
1. Can I reduce the reading and still be effective?
“We do not recommend that you decrease the suggested reading. In our own field-testing we have discovered that when the reading is reduced, the disciple’s growth and the LTG’s multiplication are dramatically stunted. In contrast, however, when a group chooses to increase the reading to the amount we have suggested, then Christian growth increases exponentially.” Pg. 91
“I highly recommend that the groups read the Scripture dramatically, out lout, as often as possible. This alone will increase their retention threefold!” pg. 92
2. Can I change the accountability questions?
“The one question that we have included—the one that asks if they have been a testimony to the supremacy of Christ in both their words and actions—subtly yet effectively introduces evangelism into spiritual formation for all disciples.” Pg. 93
3. How do they answer the questions that arise from reading?
4. What do they talk about a typical LTG meeting?
5. How do I get these groups started in my church?
“We recommend that you initiate these groups more organizationally than organizationally….The place to start is at the grass roots—you and a new believer, a seeker, or a Christian who desperately needs help.” Pg. 95
6. How long will these groups last?
“The LTG’s are living things that have their own life span. Some have lasted as long as three years, others have multiplied in as short a time as one month! Believe it or not, it is more frequent to see multiplication occur sooner than later! If a group does not multiply in the first year, the changes are that it will not.” Pg. 96
Chapter 11: Troubleshooting Unproductive Groups
“Often when I am told that the groups are less effective I find that there are a few ways in which the principles shared in this book have been compromised in some way. Typically there are four errors which slow the process down.” Pg. 97
1. Reduced Scripture Intake Syndrome
2. Poor Disciple Selection Syndrome
3. Leadership Intrusion Syndrome
4. Programmatic Implementation Syndrome
“When we cut back on its intake we slow down the transformation process. It’s that simple. More Word, more transformation. Less Word, less transformation.” Pg. 97
I think this is overly simplistic. The world has known many, many who know the Word in and out, but who remain very unlike Christ.
“It is very important to find desperate sinners if we want to make disciples. The more desperate they are the more their lives will change.” Pg. 97-98
“The place to start is with a desperate need that only Jesus can meet—whether that person is a Christian or not.” Pg. 98
“It is common sense that shows us that if we start with ‘already committed Christian leaders’ we will see less life change than if we start with desperate sinners—there is less to change.” Pg. 98
“ A third area where the system is often compromised is in the addition of material or a more defined leadership role.” Pg. 98
“Pastors, eager to find solution to ministry demands, sometimes will apply this system as a blanket program for everyone, often assigning accountability partners. This approach goes directly against many of the values and principles shared in this book….The system works much better if natural relationships are formed and the influence of LTG’s is allowed to develop organically.” Pg. 99
“If you find that you are not experiencing the kind of transformation mentioned in this book, go back over these principles and see if there is a place where you have compromised one or more of them.”
This statement took me back. As much as Cole talks about letting the Spirit lead, it seems like doing it “right” is what he sees as the effective ingredient. For me, I have to conclude that this system is anchored in utilitarianism (hey, it works!), rather than following a model revealed in the life of Christ or in Scripture.
Chapter 13: Conclusion—Church According to Jesus
“Church begins with Jesus—who He is and what He has done. It is all about Jesus and if it begins to be about something else, then it stops being the church as Jesus meant it to be.” Pg. 103
“There are five things I want you to see about the church according to Jesus: 1. Jesus builds the church. 2 Jesus owns the church 3. The church is meant to be growing 4. The church that is growing will face opposition. 5. The church that Jesus builds is unstoppable.” Pg. 103-105
“I believe that the enemy divides all people into two categories, those he can ignore and those he has to fight. I want to be one of those that he has to fight.” Pg. 104 - Quoting Tom Clegg
Appendix One: Sample Conversation Questions for Life Transformation Groups
“John Wesley’s Class or Small Group Questions: A popularized version of Wesley’s questions for today’s small groups. Be prepared to answer these questions each week.
1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?
2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?
3. Do I confidentially pass on to another what was told to me in confidence?
4. Can I be trusted?
5. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work, or habits?
6. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?
7. Did the Bible live in me today?
8. Do I give it time to speak to me every day?
9. Am I enjoying prayer?
10. When did I last speak to someone about my faith?
11. the money I spend?
12. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?
13. Do I disobey God in anything?
14. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?
15. Am I defeated in any part of my life?
16. Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy, or distrustful?
17. How do I spend my spare time?
18. Am I proud?
19. Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisee who despised the publican?
20. Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I doing about it?
21. Do I grumble or complain constantly?
22. Is Christ real to me?” pg. 110
“Wesley's Band Meeting Questions:
1. What known sins have you committed since our last meeting?
2. What temptations have you met with?
3. How were you delivered?
4. What have you thought, said, or done, of which you doubt whether it be sin or not?
Reference: John Wesley, "Rules of the Band Societies," in The Works of John Wesley, Vol. 9, ed. Rupert E. Davies (Nashville: Abingdon House, 1989), p. 77.” Pg. 111
“Chuck Swindoll's Pastoral Accountability Questions:
1. Have you been with a woman anywhere this past week that might be seen as compromising?
2. Have any of your financial dealings lacked integrity?
3. Have you exposed yourself to any sexually explicit material?
4. Have you spent adequate time in Bible study and prayer?
5. Have you given priority time to your family?
6. Have you fulfilled the mandates of your calling?
7. Have you just lied to me?” pg. 111
“Renovare Questions:
1. How is it with your soul? What is the state of your life with God?
2. What are you reading and how is it affecting your soul?
3. What sins do you need to confess?
4. Are there any secrets or hidden things in your life that you would not want anyone to know about?
5. How are your relationships with your spouse, children, family, and friends?
6. How are you using your time? Are you spending it on things that matter?
7. How are you handling your finances? Are you giving generously?
8. How are you caring for your body? Are you getting enough rest, exercise, and nutrition?
9. How are you dealing with your emotions? Are you experiencing joy, peace, and contentment?
10. How are you serving others? Are you using your gifts and talents to help those in need?
11. How are you growing in your faith? Are you participating in spiritual disciplines and practices?
12. How are you sharing your faith? Are you witnessing to others about the love of God?
13. How are you dealing with the challenges and difficulties in your life? Are you trusting God and seeking His guidance?
14. How are you experiencing God's presence in your life? Are you aware of His love and grace?
15. How are you living out your faith in your daily life? Are you being a light to those around you?” pg. 111