"TGIF" Thank God its Friday

It seems like I'm forever asking my wife, "Is it Friday yet?" When it finally arrives all I can say is "Thank God!" We have grown to anticipate what God will do and He never leaves us wanting! He fills us to overflowing every time we gather.

First I have to rave about the cook. Vicky sees it as her ministry to us to cook a feast every Friday. She opens the cookbook and makes something new every week. It's hard to carry on conversation around the table between the ooo's and ahh's. Hospitality including cooking is really a gift to behold! Thanks again Vicky!

As a group we use the dinner time to check on each others marriages. We have experienced miracles simply because we love each other enough to hold each other accountable in this most important relationship. Dinner time is also a time to share our stories of God's amazing adventure in our lives from the past week. We are never short of stories.

After the time around the table we split up and the men head one direction and the women another for our LTG's (Life Transformation Groups) There are three tasks to be accomplished in an LTG. They are...

#1 Sin is confessed in mutual accountability

We need one another (Heb 10:24-25) There is strength in relationships that are built around supporting one another. There are some Character Conversation Questions we use to get us going such as...

• In what ways have you been a testimony to the greatness of Jesus Christy this week in your words and actions?
• How have you experienced God in your life this week?
• How are you responding to the promptings of the Holy Spirit?
• Do you have a need to confess any sin?
• How did you do with your reading last week? (Our goal 25 Chapters minimum see below)

It didn't take long for the men or the women to share openly about their struggles. When you have a safe place and trusted friends there is nothing quite like it. Do you have anyone you can be totally transparent with?

#2 Scripture is read repetitively - In context and in community

Each week we pick a Book of the Bible and hold each other accountable for reading at least 25 Chapters. If the book is long like Matthew it will be one read through but if the Book is short like Colossians we'll rwad through at least six times. If you have never read large portions of Scripture like this you do not know what you are missing. You would be suprised what you see when you do this. It really give you a sense of the flow of Scripture. I am thrilled about the new believer in our group. He has read the Book of John, Matthew, Hebrews and Colossians in his first few weeks in Christ. You should see how we're all growing!

#3 Souls are prayed for specifically and regularily

Each of us have people we are reaching out to and each week we can give a report as to what is happening in these relationships. We pray for one another as well as for these people. We've already seen impact through prayer. It's great to work as a team when it comes to evangelism. Prayer goes a long way in preparing hearts for the harvest.

I wouldn't trade these activities on Friday night for anything else. I hope you'll pray and seek out a few people with which you can experience what I'm talking about. You'll understand what I mean when I say "Only one more day until Friday! I can't wait!" Mike