Search and rescue (the book) - pt. 3

Part 3 of my notes from Neil Cole's book Search & Rescue: Becoming A Disciple Who Makes A Difference.You can find part 1 HERE, and part 2 HERE. These notes are taken from section 2 of the book, where he outlines his system for making and multiplying disciples. I thought he did a good job of explaining it plainly and clearly. He details his Life Transformation Groups, which consist of Scripture reading, accountability, and prayer.

• p. 151 - He gives four common problems of a curriculum approach to disciple making (Leadership malnutrition, Leadership bottleneck, A false linear approach to leadership development, and Borrowed authority).
• p. 158 - He points out that his book 'Cultivating A Life for God' is where he fully explains the LTG concept. [ yes, I will be getting this book]
• p. 159 - "There isn't a method or system that will change a life. It is the Good News of God's kingdom that changes a life. It is the power of God's truth that transforms a willing soul. It is regularly confessing sin to one another that brings healing. It is begging God for the souls of the hurting people around you that changes your heart. The system is just a simple, easily accessible package for those things; that's all."
• p. 162 - "Albert Einstein once commented, 'When the solution is simple, God is answering.'"
• p. 162 - "Simplicity is a step beyond complexity."
• p. 164 - Criteria used by Church Multiplication Associates that they use to determine if tools or strategies are worth producing. Can it be: Received personally, Repeated easily, Reproduced strategically?
• p. 164 - "It is good to give some thought to ministry systems, but the systems should not be the main thing. In fact, if done right, they should hardly be noticed at all because the life of Christ has captivated our attention and affection."
• p. 167-168 - "An LTG is made up of two to three people, all of the same gender, who meet weekly for personal accountability in the areas of spiritual growth and development. A group should not grow beyond three but multiply into two groups of two rather than remain 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 (two to three weeks), the group should multiply into two groups of two... There is no curriculum or training needed for the LTG. The Bible and a simple card, which stays in the participant's Bible, is all that is needed. The LTG consists of three essential disciplines for personal spiritual growth - confession of sin, a steady diet of Scripture, and prayer for others who need Christ."
• p. 171 - "For a steady diet, I strongly recommend reading twenty-five to thirty chapters each week..."
• p. 175 (summary of the system) - LTG's meet once a week for approximately an hour. LTG's are groups of two or three (a fourth person is the beginning of the second group; multiplication is imminent). The groups are not coed. There is no curriculum, workbook, or training involved. There is no leader needed in the group. Only three tasks are to be accomplished: Sin is confessed to one another in mutual accountability; Scripture is read repetitively, in entire context and in community; Souls are prayed for strategically, specifically, and continuously.
• p. 176 - "...we are educated beyond our obedience, which is not to say that we know a lot, but that we do not practice the elementary things we do know."

That's enough for now. Hopefully one more post and I should be done.

Peace out; and in.