Portland Biblical Community

Spiritual Transformation Groups serve a distinct purpose in our community; their purpose is accountability in wholeheartedly following Jesus Christ and being transformed by Him.

Spiritual Transformation Groups do not exist to foster relational intimacy in the body of Christ, though this may be a result in some cases; they are not a means to develop friendships or emotional connection, though this may be the result in some cases. They exist, quite simply, for accountability in four key areas of the believer’s life that are key to transformation in order that every believer in the church could move on towards maturity:

1. Confess sin to one another: The Accountability Questions should be used to examine yourself throughout the week.  Then, when you come together, you are able to quickly move through the questions and confess areas of disobedience to Christ, without deeply pondering the questions.  Those in a STG should come to the gathering AWARE of their sin and PREPARED to confess and forsake them before their partner(s) and God.  In this way, Biblical confession (transparency in relation to your sin), obedience, and holiness become a way of life rather than covering over sin and living in darkness rather than living in the light of Christ.

2. Read/meditate on the Word: Spiritual Transformation Groups should read the Word in chunks - developing a life habit of meditation, storing up God’s Word in your heart (since thoughts originate from the heart, this is what needs transformation).  If anyone in the group has not finished the selected reason in the same week, the group gets the privilege of reading/meditating on the Scripture again for the following week. Those in a STG should come AWARE of what God has done in their heart through the Scripture and PREPARED to share this on a heart level (it is not a time to share an outline of the Scripture or teach the others the Scripture).

3. Pray together: Spiritual Transformation Groups should confess their sins before God, pray for the Word to sake root and grow through transformation/obedience, and for the lost (those on the Pray Strategically section).  The Pray Scripturally section is for praying for the lost throughout the week.

4. Develop a Plan: Each person in a STG should craft a Spiritual Transformation Plan and put it into practice within TWO MONTHS of gathering together.  This should be regularly discussed as to progress over the first months - and the group should take time to praise God for struggles and victories in the transformation process.

STG are a PART of the transformation process which should also be accompanied by actively engaging life in community with others, obedience to Christ (including proclaiming the gospel), and a life laid down in service for others as an overflow of seeking Christ (a person can not continue in self-centeredness and be Christ-like).

Below are a few resources/tools to utilize:
Daily Bible Podcasts (NIV, Kidz Bible)
Free NIV downloadable mp3 Old Testament
Free NIV downloadable mp3 New Testament
Pre-crafted Bible Reading Plans
More pre-crafted Bible Reading Plans
Create your own Bible Reading Plan
Get rewards for reading your Bible Annually
Award winning FREE Bible Software (you can create a Bible Reading Plan and track it)