What is a LTG?

The LTG is a grassroots/organic concept that empowers “ordinary” Christians to become disciple-makers. The LTG releases the simple, yet essential, elements that are vital for true spiritual change and growth into the lives of people who desperately need Jesus—reading Scripture, praying, and confessing our deepest struggles and sins with people we can trust. The LTG leverages the power of real relationships for accountability and fuels internal motivation through the Word of God rather than employing external, programmatic pressures and tactics.

What is done in a LTG?

As Proverbs 27:17 illustrates, we need other people. Mutual accountability is the “glue” that holds the group together. The group meets once a week for about an hour, and has no “official” leader. There is no curriculum, workbooks, or prior training needed or involved. Three simple tasks are accomplished each week:

1. Sin is confessed within this mutual, accountable, and safe relationship.
2. Scripture is read repetitively in context throughout the week. (15-30 chapters)
3. Souls are prayed for strategically, specifically, and continuously.

The ultimate goals of the LTG are 1) to see lives transformed by the power of God’s Word internalized and applied and 2) to multiply the group into many other groups over time.

Who can you meet in a LTG?

The groups are not co-ed, but are gender specific. The group is normally limited to two or three in order to increase confidentiality make it easier to schedule the meeting time, and to encourage multiplication. The addition of a fourth person in the process is considered the beginning of the next group. In other words, whereas there was one group of three, now there are two groups of two that seek to add one more person each.

How is accountability maintained?

Accountability is maintained through open character conversations within the weekly meeting using 11 very pointed and straightforward questions. (There are several other versions of accountability questions that may be more suitable to specific groups. Ask Pastor Dan if you would like to see them). Each person shares answers openly and honestly within the safe environment of the group, which commits itself to honesty, vulnerability, confidentiality, and grace.

The questions are:

Have you been a testimony this week to the greatness of Jesus Christ with both your words and actions?
Have you been exposed to sexually alluring material or allowed your mind to entertain inappropriate sexual thoughts about another this week?
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 backs 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?
_______________________________________ (Your personalized accountability question.)
Did you finish the reading and hear from God? What are you going to do about it?
Have you been completely honest with me?
Many people fear this part and will stubbornly turn away. Let us offer some important Scripture on this. Proverbs 28:13 says, People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. (NLT)

Confession is not to be taken lightly. Now, you may say, “I will confess to God, but my sin is no body else’s business.” Okay, yes, we must first confess to God. 1 John 1:9 says, If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. (NLT)

We confess our sin to God in order to receive forgiveness and cleansing. But don’t bypass James 5:16,

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. (NLT)

We need healing. We need mutual accountability through confession. We need someone in which we can confess your secrets. We all need forgiveness, cleansing, and healing to experience real life transformation! An LTG can offer you the context to find freedom from the sin that will ultimately destroy your life.

What do you read?

THE BIBLE! This process doesn’t use lesson books, outlines, imposed structures, or a program. We believe the Holy Spirit is the best teacher of all and the Inspired Word of God is the best book to study. Each week the group decides what to read in the Bible. It is strongly suggested that the reading be at least 20-30 chapters per week. Beginners may want to start with smaller portions to build confidence and hunger. If everyone in the group doesn’t finish the reading for the week, then the same passage is read the next week until everyone finishes the selected reading within one week. The group can also chose to read the passage a second or third week any time they feel led to do so. The point is to read large portions of Scripture in context with repetition. The following could be some examples of weekly readings:

The book of Jonah (4 chapters) – Read 5 times within the week.
The book of Romans (16 chapters) – Read 2 times within the week.
The book of Proverbs (31 chapters) – Read 1 time within the week.
Here is a suggestion for how your group might decide how much reading to do each week:

The first time you meet select the book of the Bible you wish to read. Then agree on how much time each day you will spend reading. For example, you group might decide to read each day for 15 minutes. At the end of the week determine how much reading each group member can accomplish in 15 minutes a day. It would be a good idea to set a stretch goal. Most people can read 15 – 30 chapters a week if they read 15 minutes a day.

Ultimately, it is not so much what you read, it is that you read and listen for God to speak through His Word into your life situation. Each week, each person will have the opportunity to share what God has revealed to them through Scripture. This process trusts that the Holy Spirit of God will lead you into all Truth (John 16:13) as you read His inspired Word.

Who do you pray for?

Other people that are in desperate need of Jesus! Everyone should know someone by name that needs a relationship with Jesus Christ. Each person in the group brings 2 to 3 names to the group. Everyone prays for each person everyday of the week. The hope is that you will have the opportunity to share Christ with those whom you are praying for everyday. When that person is open to joining your LTG, you have begun the process of multiplication!