Many will ask, “How long will it take to complete the training?” The answer to this question depends upon both your definition of the words “complete” and “training.” If “complete” means how long it takes to read the book and watch all the videos, then it depends on how fast you can manage it. If by “complete” you mean “comprehend” or “master,” then working through the material becomes a life-long journey and a lifestyle.

To illustrate our perspective, apply this question to the culinary arts: at what point have you “completed” your training in the kitchen? Are you “trained” once you are able to reheat leftovers, or must you continue your training until you are recognized as a master chef? The answer all depends on what you hope to accomplish. You can go as far as you are willing to go. But just because you have spent an arbitrary amount of time in the kitchen does not mean that you have “mastered” cooking. Our goal is not to “train” you, but rather, to further equip you so that you might better cooperate with what God is doing in your life.

Similarly, we are confident that no one in the world has ever “completed” the TPM training. Some understand it better than others, but we know of no one who has fully mastered all that there is to know (we would not even put ourselves in this category). In fact, those who have the most experience in a particular field or skill are the least likely to claim to have “mastered” it. They undoubtedly know it better than their peers, but they are also more keenly aware of what they have yet to learn.

We encourage you to throw out the concept of “completing” the training and, instead, focus on becoming “equipped.” So, if your question is, “How long will it take me to become equipped in TPM?” then it all depends on how equipped you want to become! Again, the duration of your “training” is totally irrelevant. Comprehension, not “completion,” is the goal! Take your time, work through the text in any fashion that best suits your context, and purpose to learn it well.

Note: In the near future, we will produce an organized and video-rich study guide that will lead you through the TPM material. For now, consider the following insight and suggestions:

The main text (The Principles, Purpose, and Process of Transformation Prayer Ministry – AVAILABLE HERE) provides everything you need to begin your learning and “equipping” journey. You can choose to work through the book on your own, but we encourage you to form a group of friends to study together. Each person can use the freely available PDF version of the book or purchase their own physical copies HERE.

Many of the chapters in the main text are divided into multiple “parts.” This makes the book very versatile. You and your group can read and discuss a whole chapter (or more) each week. But you could also limit each meeting to a single “part.” Take your time and don’t get in a hurry. Remember, your goal is comprehension, not “completion.”

There are several supplemental resources available that can aid you on your journey through the TPM material. The “Workbook” (which will be released soon) can both bolster your comprehension as you read the main text and guide your discussions when you meet with your study group. The TPM Maps and Flowcharts can be printed-out and used to help you learn the Process of TPM (these can also be extremely helpful during a TPM session). Finally, Ed and Joshua Smith make themselves available during their LIVE video broadcast titled “TPM LIVE” to expand the concepts that are discussed in the main text and to answer your TPM-related questions.

As you work through the material and begin practicing what you learn, remember the goal: comprehension. The measure of success is not whether you have read the book or not; rather, it is the degree to which you are equipped for your faith-refining journey with the Lord. Rather than seeing people “take the training,” we hope to see more and more people “take advantage“ of the many opportunities for faith-refinement that God puts in their paths.

Study hard, learn it well, apply it often, and invite the Lord to transform your life!