[Notes in square brackets for the session leader only – not to be read out]
[The ‘Quaker Questions'. Progress systematically round the group; ask each person in turn all 4 questions; allow them to answer each question before putting the next. Start by asking then answering them yourself:]
[If appropriate, sing one or two worship songs together.]
[Ask someone to read out Ephesians 1:18-23.] Church is not about us – it's about Jesus! We are each part of his church by coming to know him. How do you feel about being connected with the one who is seated at God's right hand, far above all power and authority and every title that can be given? [Ask several people to express their thoughts in prayer to God.]
This section forms the training study for this week.
Over the next 12 weeks we will meet together as a normal cell group, except that the content of the sessions is designed for training new Cell Leaders. Initially led by the trainer, later sessions will give everyone the opportunity to lead parts of the meeting. Each week we'll also give out printed training sheets (section E8 of the Equipping Track). Please read each sheet during the week it is given out, and raise any questions you have with your Leadership Mentor.
In the 1960's in South Korea, Pastor David Yonggi Cho re-organised his now famous church by introducing home cell groups led by ordinary people, and these became his main way of caring for his members and reaching out to the lost. It became the first Cell Church of modern times. His system was so effective that within a few years his church became the largest in Korea and then the largest in the world, a record it still holds. Other pastors have taken the same principles and applied them with great success all over the world.
Cell Churches are not necessarily large – they can be of any size. But whatever the size, cell church provides an effective way for ordinary people to really experience God's kingdom, and it provides the opportunity for everyone to become fruitfully involved in the spiritual ministry of the church.
Cell Church isn't really new – it's more a re-discovery of the balance between large and small meetings, and of the spiritual leadership capability of ordinary Christians. We read about these very things in the book of Acts!
[Ask someone to read Matthew 9:36-38.] As in the time of Jesus, the need is still great. The harvest is still plentiful. And the Lord is still looking for workers who will work with him to bring in his spiritual harvest. As in the days of Isaiah, he is still asking, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" (Isaiah 6:8). Will you?
Pastor Joel Comiskey surveyed 700 cell leaders in some of the most successful cell churches in the world, and says this: "Whether you're male or female, educated or uneducated, married or single, shy or outgoing, a teacher or an evangelist, you can grow your cell group… …cell group growth depends on simple basics that anyone can put into practice." (Home Cell Group Explosion, page 32)
Here's a helpful definition of church:
"Church is the presence of Jesus among His people, called out as a spiritual family to pursue His mission on this planet." (taken from Organic Church by Neil Cole, chapter 4).
It is our vision to build a church where everyone is welcomed and valued; where everyone can find a real relationship with God and the hope of eternal life; where everyone can find friendship, help and support amongst God's family. It is a church where everyone can find significance through serving others with their gifts; where we continually encourage each other to grow in Christ-like character; where we work together to share God's blessing and message with others.
Both together and as individuals we aim:
The way we intend to turn this vision into reality is by basing our church on a network of small groups – cell groups; by training and supporting ordinary Christians to become effective leaders; by equipping every member for life and ministry through clear Bible teaching applied to daily life; by creating space for everyone to contribute to the kingdom; and by sending out trained leaders to start new groups and even new churches!
Applying the Five Purposes
Future group sessions will focus on different aspects of cell leadership and will include discussion questions designed to help us grasp the ideas and apply them in our lives. For now, we will look very briefly at the first two of the five purposes. These are the foundation of our church.
Question 1 [Ask someone to read Mark 12:28-30.] Can you think of an occasion (good or bad) when you had to decide whether or not to put God first? What happened?
Question 2 [Ask someone to read John 13:34-35.] When have you been in need and found help from your Christian brothers and sisters, or have you ever needed support and not found it in the church?
Break into pairs, briefly share 2 things for which you'd like prayer, then pray for each other.
As a group, begin to pray for the people you know best who don't yet know Jesus. Two or three people should pray.
Cell Leader Training 1 - Version 3 - Oct 15