Acts
5:42
If we are going to put the cell groups in their proper place in the life of the church, we must stop treating them as a “gimmick,” an optional feature, or a “quick fix” for sagging attendance. It is important for us to have a biblical view of the cell group. We must recognize that the primary purpose of a cell group is to develop “Communities.”
Because community can occur most completely in small groups, a cell group, numbering less than 15 people, is all important. Essential elements of community include interpersonal commitments and a sense of belonging. Community takes place when there is a shared life, allowing common goals and commitments to develop between all of its members. The meaning of the term “Community” refers to a group of individuals who have learned how to communicate honestly with each other and who have developed some significant commitment to “rejoice together, mourn together,” and to “delight in each other, make others’ conditions our own.”
OIKOS:
To fully understand the importance of the cell groups, we
must consider the word “oikos”, a
Greek term that describes the basic building block of society. It appears
throughout the New Testament and refers to our personal community. It is
translated into English as house or household. For example, in Acts 16:31, Paul
and Silas used it when they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will
be saved...you and your household.”
Jesus used this same word in John 14:2 “In my Father’s house are many
mansions.” In Acts 5:42 we read that the early church went from
house to house. In Acts 8:3, when Saul wanted to destroy the church, he knew
where to find the people of God. We are told, “Going from house to house, he
dragged off men and women and put them in prison.”
The penetration of oikoses is the pattern for ministry in the first century. Conversions are frequently recorded as sweeping an entire oikos into the Kingdom. In Acts 16, both Lydia and the jailer are converted along with the members of their oikos. The oikoses each of us lives within are not large. We may know several dozen people, but quality time spent with others is extremely limited, and only those to whom we devote quality time can be said to be a part of our oikos, our personal community.
Every person normally has about twenty or thirty
people in his oikos. They are typically the family, relatives, and
friends. It has be found that the more time a person is in the Lord it is
common to find that there are no unbelievers in his primary oikos. Unless he is
employed in the secular world, His oikos is filled only with church people.
We must recognize that the primary purpose of a cell group
is to develop “Community.” Because community can occur most completely in small
groups, a cell group, numbering of 15 people, is all important. As the extended
family is the “oikos” of society, so the cell group is the extended family, the
basic building block, of the people of God. A large group gathering of
Christians (more than 15 persons) cannot provide the essential ingredients
required for community.
Nor will community develop if a small group meets bi-weekly
or monthly, or even just once a week. While the typical cell group will have a
special time to be together weekly, there is a strong bond between the members
who often spend time with one another between meetings. Couples may share an
evening, ladies may go shopping, and their children may spend time together.
They are family.
COMMUNITY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST: (Acts 2:41-47)
After the Day of Pentecost, the life of the small group became structured as cell church life. No one had to organize it, write a handbook, or even create a system. The pattern was adopted by all, and within 24 hours it was in full bloom. There was no need to elect anyone, select anyone, or ordain anyone. Their priorities were to hear the apostles teach in the temple courts, and to fellowship, break bread (the Agape Feast), and pray, moving from house to house (Acts 5:42). They never stopped proclaiming Jesus as the Christ, and their meetings were always open to anyone. Their love for each other was intense. We can only imagine the impact this witness had upon unbelievers! Theirs was not a weekly meeting to be attended; it was the life of a spiritual family, and involved them in each other’s lives on a day to day basis.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A BIBLE SCHOLAR:
Many of the people who are now cell leaders and cell
workers use to think that they didn’t have what it took to lead or work in a
cell group. Some of the excuses that some gave were: “I don’t have the gift
of evangelism.” “I don’t have the talent.” “I’m too shy.” I’m sure some of
you have expressed these and other excuses for not taking part in the cell
Ministry. Such statements assume that a certain type of giftedness,
personality, gender, social status, or education level is necessary to lead or
work in a cell.
In a cell ministry every lay person can successfully lead or work in a cell group. Any lay person can successfully lead and grow a cell group. Spiritual gifts are important, but no particular gift is necessary to lead or work in a successful cell group. What you do as a leader or worker matters more than your giftedness.
Successful cell leaders and workers take advantage of the variety of gifts within the cell. Remember that team ministry is highly valued in the cell group. Perhaps one person on the team possesses the gift of teaching, another may have the gift of mercy, and still another leadership. All of these gifts help the group to grow. The most successful cell groups involve the whole group, net fishing as a group rather than hook fishing as individuals.
Effective cell leaders excel in mobilizing the group to work together toward cell multiplication. Someone with the gift of helps will pick up new people and bring refreshments. The person with the gift of mercy will visit cell members or newcomers. Those with the gift of teaching work with the cell lesson. All are important, and everyone is involved and contributes to the group’s success.
PERSONALITY:
Potential cell leaders and workers who conceder themselves
as a shy person often say they lack the ability or charisma to lead or grow a
cell group. But with proper training they can successfully lead and multiply a
cell group. You can be successful just
as you are! God uses the bubbly, the shy, the relaxed, the anxious, and all of
the other personality types! Be yourself. It’s not a matter of who you are as much as what you do as a cell worker
or leader.
A person’s age in not a factor in cell work or leadership. Experience show that that less-educated cell workers and leaders multiply more consistently and more often! God can and will use anyone who is willing to work. The success for cell multiplication doesn’t reside with just a few. The experience of many cell workers show that age, personality, and gifting have little to do with effectiveness as a cell worker or cell leader. Cell group growth depends on simple basics that anyone can put into practice.
To grow a successful cell group,
focus on fostering community and spiritual growth. Leading and
growing a cell group is not rocket science even though it looks like it. It’s
difficult for many cell group leaders to grow and multiply their groups, but
leading and multiplying a cell group is a skill. If you have a plan and follow
it consistently every week, you are bound to make that happen. Every person can
learn these skills of growing and multiplying their cell groups. The difference
is in what you do every week. The real purpose for a cell group is
to grow and multiply. If a cell group has any other main purpose apart
from this, then there will be very little success.
Create a welcoming environment
Ensure that the cell group is inviting for newcomers. This includes having a friendly atmosphere and simple, impactful messages that resonate with participants.
Structured meetings
Implement a clear meeting plan that includes prayer, discussion, and fellowship. A step-by-step format can help maintain focus and engagement.
Encourage participation
Involve all members in discussions and activities. This not only builds connection but also encourages personal investment in the group.
BENEFITS OF CELL GROUPS:
1. People talk more in small groups
A key benefit of small groups is that people are more likely to
participate in discussions than in a large class. Since there are fewer people,
there is more opportunity to talk and less room to hide.
2. Group members realize that others have similar
problems
People often think there is something uniquely wrong with them. When they
hear that others in their small group have similar struggles, they feel
relieved and encouraged.
3. People use their gifts and talents to help one another
God doesn’t expect the leader to do all the ministering. He has given
each member of the group talents to encourage, teach, and challenge one
another. Small groups provide the perfect setting for people to help one to
another.
4. Small group members encourage each other
The members strengthen each other. In his letter to the Romans, Paul
taught that when we see the faith in another believer, it encourages us in our
own faith.
5. Small group members encourage each other to grow
Regardless of a group’s focus, after a while people are likely to share
personal insights and testimonies. When people share, other group members see
new ways they can draw closer to God and new steps they can take with others. Changing
is hard. There is nothing like a word of encouragement when someone feels
hopeless or discouraged. One benefit of small groups is that group members
support one another, both during meetings and outside them.
6. Members pray for one another
God honors and answers prayer! When people become connected emotionally,
they are more open to praying for one another. Often, group members exchange
prayer requests or become prayer partners.
7. People are more likely to practice what they learn
For all the previous reasons, members of a small group are more likely to
apply what they learn.
8. Group members can help each other in hard times
People often feel isolated, alone or abandoned when facing grave health,
emotional or financial problems. Small group members can provide a “safety
net,” supporting one another in hard times.
9. Friendships start in small groups
Many people lack close friends. When people get together in a small group
close friendships form and often remain long after the group ends. For many
people, this is the greatest benefit of small groups.
QUESTIONS PROMPT GROUP DISCUSSIONS:
One thing a leader can do to promote discussions is to ask open-end questions. In the gospels, we see that Jesus’ words were designed to get people to think and to evaluate their own hearts by asking questions. We can do the same thing. A key way to get group members involved in discussions is to ask “open-ended” questions, ones that cannot be answered by one word (such as “yes” or “no”).
1. “Which of the points we just discussed most applies to you? Why?”
2. “What do you think about that?”
“How does this lesson affect you?”
“What did you learn from this lesson?”
“Which of these points do you need to work on?”
“Which point of this lesson spoke to you the most?”
“What was your favorite part about this lesson? Why?”
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