Cultivating a Life for God: Multiplying Disciples Through Life Transformation Groups [Paperback]

Neil Cole (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 1999

The United States is a mission field in desperate need of the gospel. Somehow we have managed to lose sight of the prime directive given to us by Jesus to go and make disciples of all the nations. There is hope. We can still fulfill the great commission in this generation, but we will need to get back the power that spread the gospel across the globe in the first century. We will need to see multiplication of disciples occur among all those in the church. Cultivating a Life for God takes an in-depth look at a tool called Life Transformation Groups and explains how this tool can release the awesome power of multiplication in your Church.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Neil Cole is an experienced church planter and pastor. He currently serves as the Executive Director of Church Multiplication Associates and is raising up church multiplication movements around the world.

Product Details

• Paperback: 125 pages
• Publisher: Church Smart Resources; 1st edition (April 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1889638064
• ISBN-13: 978-1889638065
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #81,659 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Neil Cole was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. While studying at CSULB he encountered the Good News of Jesus Christ and turned his life over to Him, never looking back. His journey in God's kingdom brought him to serve in a mega church, a local community church and now small rapidly multiplying organic churches that meet in homes, campuses and places of business all over the world. Neil travels around the world sowing the seeds of God's kingdom, catalyzing the development of organic church networks and coaching leaders. He has been married for over 27 years to Dana and has three adult children--Heather, Erin and Zach.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fuels Missional Transformation, April 16, 2007

By 

Dr. Dave DeVries "DaveDV" (Seattle, Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cultivating a Life for God: Multiplying Disciples Through Life Transformation Groups (Paperback)

Neil Cole presents a straightforward approach for multiplying disciples that anyone can do anywhere. "The Life Transformation Group (LTG) system is a grass roots tool for growth. Through this simple system the most essential elements of vital spiritual ministry are released to common Christians without the need for specialized training. It taps the disciple's internal motivation and provides the support needed to grow in the essentials of a spiritual life. The LTG empowers the common Christian to do the uncommon work of reproductive discipling." (p. 63)

Here is a simple overview of what an LTG is: (p. 70)
1. LTGs meet once a week for approximately an hour.
2. LTGs are groups of two or there (the 4th person is the beginning of the second group and multiplication is imminent).
3. The groups are not co-ed, but gender specific.
4. There is no curriculum, workbook or training involved.
5. There is no leader needed in the group.
6. Only three tasks are to be accomplished:
a. Sin is confessed to one another in mutual accountability.
b. Scripture is read repetitively, in entire context and in community.
c. Souls are prayed for strategically, specifically and continuously.

Cole believes in the raising of leaders from the harvest for the harvest. His practical and reproducible approach is a great strategy for church planters who are seeking to start new churches by reaching non-Christians instead of attracting Christians.

Here are some of the strengths of utilizing Life Transformation Groups in a local church (p. 49-51):
1. LTGs build Community - Life change doesn't happen in a vacuum; it happens in relationship with others. (Ecclesiastes 4:12)
2. LTGs foster Accountability - Few things would get done in life without some degree of accountability. (Matthew 18:15-17)
3. LTGs maintain Confidentiality - It is easier to maintain confidentiality in a group of two or three rather than a larger group of ten or twelve. (Proverbs. 25:9-10)
4. LTGs provide Flexibility - It is much easier to coordinate the calendars of only two or three than a typical small group of fifteen. (Matthew 18:20)
5. LTGs model Reproducibility - It is easier to reproduce a smaller, simpler group than a larger and more complex entity. (2 Timothy 2:2)

I definitely recommend this book! Neil Cole does an excellent job of presenting a simple, reproducible strategy for disciplemaking. His personal passion for reaching the lost is contagious.

(If you haven't read his book "Organic Church," I recommend it, too!)

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple, powerful tool for disciple-making, February 13, 2005

By 

Eddy Hall "Senior Consultant, Living Stones A... (Goessel, KS USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cultivating a Life for God: Multiplying Disciples Through Life Transformation Groups (Paperback)

This book introduces Life Transformation Groups (LTGs), groups of two or three people who get together once a week for an hour, perhaps over a meal, for mutual accountability (using predefined accountability questions), to reflect on the Scripture they've been reading during the week, and to pray strategically for their unbelieving friends. Probably the simplest and most easily replicable approach to disciple-making we have come across.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fuels Missional Transformation, June 4, 2009

By 

Dr. Dave DeVries "DaveDV" (Seattle, Washington) - See all my reviews

Neil Cole presents a straightforward approach for multiplying disciples that anyone can do anywhere. "The Life Transformation Group (LTG) system is a grass roots tool for growth. Through this simple system the most essential elements of vital spiritual ministry are released to common Christians without the need for specialized training. It taps the disciple's internal motivation and provides the support needed to grow in the essentials of a spiritual life. The LTG empowers the common Christian to do the uncommon work of reproductive discipling." (p. 63)

Here is a simple overview of what an LTG is: (p. 70)
1. LTGs meet once a week for approximately an hour.
2. LTGs are groups of two or there (the 4th person is the beginning of the second group and multiplication is imminent).
3. The groups are not co-ed, but gender specific.
4. There is no curriculum, workbook or training involved.
5. There is no leader needed in the group.
6. Only three tasks are to be accomplished:
a. Sin is confessed to one another in mutual accountability.
b. Scripture is read repetitively, in entire context and in community.
c. Souls are prayed for strategically, specifically and continuously.

Cole believes in the raising of leaders from the harvest for the harvest. His practical and reproducible approach is a great strategy for church planters who are seeking to start new churches by reaching non-Christians instead of attracting Christians.

Here are some of the strengths of utilizing Life Transformation Groups in a local church (p. 49-51):
1. LTGs build Community - Life change doesn't happen in a vacuum; it happens in relationship with others. (Ecclesiastes 4:12)
2. LTGs foster Accountability - Few things would get done in life without some degree of accountability. (Matthew 18:15-17)
3. LTGs maintain Confidentiality - It is easier to maintain confidentiality in a group of two or three rather than a larger group of ten or twelve. (Proverbs. 25:9-10)
4. LTGs provide Flexibility - It is much easier to coordinate the calendars of only two or three than a typical small group of fifteen. (Matthew 18:20)
5. LTGs model Reproducibility - It is easier to reproduce a smaller, simpler group than a larger and more complex entity. (2 Timothy 2:2)

I definitely recommend this book! Neil Cole does an excellent job of presenting a simple, reproducible strategy for disciplemaking. His personal passion for reaching the lost is contagious.

(If you haven't read his book "Organic Church," I recommend it, too!)