New Discovery or Life Transformation Group Report

You have opportunities in the context of our course to start a group that includes people not in our class in the discovery process, especially with people 'of peace' (sail #4) who are welcoming, hear and do the Word, and open their social circles to its message. I encourage you to start such a group, especially if you come to know such a person, though finding a person of peace is not a requirement. The group can be either a discovery Bible study (DBS, sail #5) or a Life Transformation Group (LTG) of 2-3 people. For this assignment you form a new group of either type, report on your meetings, and assess the overall result.

Don't deviate from the standard format of either of these without my permission beforehand.

If it's an LTG:

Developed by Neil Cole, an LTG is a group of 2–3 people (of the same sex) for their spiritual growth and development. Cole says the only qualifications are, "1. Do they have a desperate need for Jesus in their lives? 2. Are they faithful to the process?" (Search and Rescue, 209). Specifics of the structure, how much scripture to read, and what to do when you meet are here. Read that description carefully! I suggest starting with one of the Gospels, especially John. Aim to grow, deepen, and multiply as you share what you're doing!

If it's a DBS:

To familarize yourself with the DBS structure and its role in raising the 'seven sails' of disciple-making, watch the videos in the Waha app's "Training" section. Your group needs to follow the standard structure.

But what passages would be good to pick? Not the passages we're examining in class, as they are pegged to course activities that won't apply to everyone in your group. Don't make your own list either. Instead, find a 'story set' (list of Bible passages) from the lists on this page. You have a lot of great options depending on where your group's members are in life. Choose one that meets a shared 'pain-point,' hunger, or need.

Don't try to develop your own story set; use one with a fruitful track record. In your report, indicate which story set you used.

If you start a new group, you can submit a report of the outcome as one of your written exercises. Before you begin, create the file in which all of your work will go, if possible on the cloud. Make sure it's regularly backed up! Then, in that file, add at least seven entries along these lines:

Review that day's meeting in a short paragraph that includes all of these details:

1. Did you follow standard group structure?
2. How well did participants follow up on their commitments?
3. Then name a highlight as your group shared or acted on what they learned (though don't share confidential or sensitive information).
4. If it relates to something about Christian doctrine you learned from lectures, books, discussion, etc., by all means say how!

Near the due date, conclude your report with the following assessment:

What cumulative effect has your discovery group had on your relationships: with God, others, the Bible, and/or yourself? What happens next: Will your group continue with other scriptures or passages? Where is it strong and weak in raising those seven sails? For instance, are its members starting their own groups too? Do you need coaching as you assist, watch, and launch them?