In it he mentions (although admitting they are not his cup of tea) the growing popularity of Life Transformation Groups. Small groups of three that meet weekly to read the bible, pray together and ask each other a series of character building questions, basicly an accountability contract that invites all three to be frank and open about their failings and receive encouragement to continue to shape their lives to the will of God.
The questions:
- 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 honouring, understanding, and generous in your important relationships this week?
- have you damaged another person by your words, either behind their back or face to face?
- have you given in to an addictive behavior this week? Explain.
- have you continued to remain angry toward another?
- have you secretly wished for another's misfortune so that you might excel?
- (create a 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?
Would you like to be part of one?
I don't think I would.
I wonder how they pick out partners?? I don't know too many people I could be that open & honest with.
7 comments:
Huh.
That would take a great deal of trust, and a great deal of wisdom, and a massive amount of grace.
Which would be a rare find among a group of 3 people.
I'm not saying it can't be done, but truthfully...I'm not sure who would be in my group....
YOWZERS!
i'm with both of you on this one. that would be ... wow ... ummm ... i don't even know how to put it into words ... scary!
my first thought was about me answering those questions but then I thought about hearing the answers I would hear from 2 other people. What if I was the only one in the group who continually "failed" each week? What would the other two think of me? What if the answers from a group member would seem to disqualify them from whatever position in the church or society they held? What if they thought my answers disqualified me?
Should such information be shared with the proper leaders??
The mind boggles!!
If I was in a church that started these I would seek out 2 people who were as scared of these as me and just go out for coffee every week & build relationship that way.
Yeah - listening to others' answers. There's a surefire recipe for instilling judgementalism in my own life. Either on myself or them.
Coffee? Building relationship?? Have you ever been to a church called Crossfire? I hear they're big on that!!
lol
I like the questions. I don't know that I would want to answer all of them all at once to anyone, though. I already do a lot of confessing, to God and to others, and that's tough enough. I've been judged by people who I thought would never judge me; I've caught myself being judgemental and have had to pray to ask for wisdom and the ability to be graceful toward others.
I do like the idea of sitting down with those questions and answering to God. There are a few other questions I would add to the list, too.
Actually, you've given me a good idea. I think I'm going to set aside some time once a week to talk to God about those questions and answer to Him.
I wonder what will come of that.
bob is in an accountability group/partnership like that, and it works well for them. but you are right in assuming it takes massive amounts of grace, wisdom, and trust. these guys are committed to walking through life with one another, and it takes a very special and deep friendship to accomplish that.
would i do it?
not on your life. (okay, on YOUR life.. but i'd be kicking and screaming)
btw..
i'm reading that book, too, but enjoy rob bell more. i think frost has some great ideas of how to be "real" and challenging the "new hip and now" presentations of the message..
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