Transformation Takes Time

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Follow these steps to lead people down the path of continued spiritual growth.

by Brett Eastman | posted 1/31/2005

Topics:	Accountability, Goals, Mentoring, Prayer, Shepherding, Spiritual growth, Transformation, Vision
Filters:	Coach, Director, Leader, New leader, Train
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Philippians 2:12-17
Date Added:	January 31, 2005

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Our small group, like most small groups, is comprised of people with varying degrees of Christian maturity. One lady arrived as a spiritual seeker. Within time, she committed her life to Christ and was baptized. The evening of her baptism was a special time for our small group, as we celebrated her decision and prayed with her. Both seasoned prayer warriors and new believers lifted up praises and petitions; new believers prayed out loud and learned that there is no right or wrong way to pray.

Because of this one event, others deeply grew in their prayer life. Those who never would have prayed out loud when they first joined ended the year praying. That kind of spiritual growth is exciting, but it doesn't happen immediately.

Transformation takes time. Despite the tendency to want instant spiritual growth, hosts are there to help members grow step-by-step, sometimes inch-by-inch. How do you do it? Following the acrostic CULTIVATE, here are nine simple steps to get you started.

Clarify the pathway of life. You need to begin with the end in mind. Ask, "What is the goal?" According to the Bible, the goal is to present every man and woman complete in Christ. There isn't one person in your circle who doesn't want to grow. Your role is to find out how to move each member ahead.

Jesus' call is clear. He wants to move us from a seeker of Christ to a student in Christ who is studying the Word and growing in our faith. However, most people get stuck at the midway point.

After we learn to be a student, Christ wants us to be a servant. Generally, 20 percent of people jump into a servant role. Your job is to let the other 80 percent know that God calls every one of his people, according to his or her unique giftedness, to be a servant in the body of Christ.

Then let them know that everyone is called to be a shepherd. We are not all called to be leaders, pastors, or teachers. Your challenge to them is: "Follow me as I follow Christ." You're the one who's done it, so lead them forward. Consider charting out where people are, and then help them see where God wants them to be. Start with yourself, and pray about where you need to grow.

Understand your members' spiritual goals and dreams. All of us have them and want to work on them. Challenge your members to find one thing God wants them to work on—they'll know it once they ask God. Then ask them to write it down. It might be reading God's word for the first time in their life, finding balance in their busy life, or finding an opportunity to serve or share Christ with a nonbeliever. You might use a health assessment to check their spiritual pulse.

Once they are aware of what God is calling them to do, continue to challenge them in that area. Have them write down one tangible step they can take to begin to fulfill that dream.

Listen for God's heart for each person. You need to look for the moments when their eyes water, when they get fired up, or when they lose interest. When you see such reactions, you know something is happening in their hearts. Listen beyond their eyes and their physical presence for what God might be doing deep in their soul. Here is your chance to help bring those heart-felt desires out.

Transformation happens best through group discussion. The greatest transformation happens when you take the information from the teaching session and apply it. This doesn't happen in groups of 8-20 people; you have to divide them into smaller discussion groups of 3-4 people. In smaller groups, individuals have more air time and more time for application of the truths from the lesson.

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Angie

March 18, 2010 8:25pm

In not looking for a confirmation that is in my spirit, this article has given me confirmation on what it is God wants me to do. Thank You for these words of encouragement!