Church planter, author and consultant, Neil Cole, has a different answer: three.
He calls this small, small group, a Life Transformation Group (LTG) and has written a brand new book on it – "Search and Rescue." Great read.
What is a Life Transformation Group?
A life transformation group is a simple but powerful concept. It is a group of two or three (when it gets to four it divides into two groups of two) that agrees to read approximately 30 chapters of scripture a week, and meet weekly for
· Confession of sin
· Accountability around scripture reading
· Prayer for the lost
The group can meet any time, anywhere--most commonly in a restaurant. The groups are not coed. There is no book or curriculum; they just read and discuss the Bible. (Pretty far out, I know!) There is a pretty healthy intake of scripture. If everybody does not do the agreed on reading, they agree to read it again. There is no leader needed in the group.
What are the accountability questions?
Groups can adapt or substitute on this, but here are the suggested questions used for discussion:
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. Did you finish your reading this week and hear from the Lord? What are you going to do about it?
10. Have you been completely honest with me?
Cole has been doing LTGs for a long time. He has experimented with and collected quite a number of alternate lists of questions. Consider John Wesley's questions from more than two centuries ago:
1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I 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 me in confidence?
4. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work , or habits?
5. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?
6. Did the Bible live in me today?
7. Do I give it time to speak to me every day?
8. Am I enjoying prayer?
9. When did I last speak to someone about my faith?
10. Do I pray about the money I spend?
11. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?
12. Do I disobey God in anything?
13. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?
14. Am I defeated in any part of my life?
15. Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy or distrustful?
16. How do I spend my spare time?
17. Am I proud?
18. Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisee who despised the publican?
19. Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I going to do about it?
20. Do I grumble and complain constantly?
21. Is Christ real to me?
This list, adapted by Phil Helfer, pastor of Los Alto Brethren Church in Long Beach, Calif., is a simplified list:
1. Have you experienced God in your life this week?
2. What is God teaching you?
3. How are you responding to his prompting?
4. What sin do you need to confess?
5. How did you do with your reading this week?
Want a really simple list?
1. What is God telling you?
2. What are you doing about it?
Benefits of the LTG system
The benefits of the LTG system include:
· Community. It is easier to get open and honest in a very small group.
· Accountability. A group of two or three has a greater degree of strength in accountability.
· Confidentiality. Since confessing of sin is necessary for cleansing and preparing oneself for a life of service, a safe place for it is essential.
· Communication. It is easier to communicate with fewer people.
· Flexibility. Ever try to coordinate the calendars of half a dozen people for a meeting? Meeting with two or three is much easier. Groups can meet anytime, anywhere.
· Reproducibility. By building reproducibility at this base level, we lay the foundation for the reproduction of small groups and churches.
· God-like. Even the godhead exists in a group of three.
Still not sure? Google "Life Transformation Groups." You will find they are being used or adapted in a wide variety of churches. You might find an adaptation that strikes a chord with you.
