[Notes in square brackets for the session leader only – not to be read out]
Provide a small piece of paper and a pen for each participant.
Also, be ready to write down a list of non-Christian contacts at the end.
[Ask the question to each person in turn going round the circle; start by answering it yourself.]
What was the most important event in your life this past week?
[Read Psalm 103 as a meditation, then have a time of open prayer where those who wish to can express their appreciation to the Lord.]
This section forms the training study for this week.
American pastor, Rick Warren, says, "A Great Commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission will grow a Great Church." (The Purpose Driven Church, page 103).
Last week we began to look at the Vision of our church, and especially God's five purposes, which are the very foundation of the church. These 5 purposes flow naturally out of the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. In this week's study we will look at the remaining 3 purposes.
Before we begin, it is worth reminding ourselves that simply meeting in small groups in people's homes will not automatically transform the church. But these groups provide a context for us to help each other put God's word into practice in everyday life. Putting the word of God into practice will transform our lives and our church! The Lord Jesus said, "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life." (John 6:63.)
[Ask someone to read 1 Peter 4:10.] God's third purpose for his church is that every member should use the gifts and abilities he's given them to serve others. There are no ‘spare parts' in the body of Christ! He has a special purpose for every one of his children.
[Give out paper and pens.]
Take a few moments to think, and then write down one, or maybe two, gifts you feel God has given the person on your right.
[Go around the whole circle, ask each person to share what they've written.]
Is anyone surprised at what's been said about them?
Question 1 We serve God by serving others. Although many people feel they don't have much to offer, research has shown that the average person has over 500 different gifts and abilities! (Quoted by Rick Warren in The Purpose Driven Life, chapter 31, page 242.) New gifts can be discovered, and existing gifts can be developed.
What are some of the ways God has used you in the past? In what direction do you feel the Lord is leading you for your future service?
Question 2 [Ask someone to read 2 Corinthians 3:18.] God's fourth purpose for his church is that each of us should be continually growing in godly character, becoming more and more like Jesus.
What are some of the ways that godly character can benefit us in this life?
Question 3 Finally, God's fifth purpose for his church is that we should become partners with him in his mission to reconcile the world to himself. [Ask someone to read 2 Corinthians 5:18-20.]
Which Christian's do you think God counts as his partners in the mission to reconcile the world to himself? How often do you think we should be involved in this mission?
[Ask if anyone would like prayer for anything that's been discussed in today's study, or for anything that's happening in their daily lives. Invite 2 or 3 people to pray for the needs mentioned.]
Begin to construct your group's Outreach List. This is a list of local non-believers we would like to reach with the gospel. In a regular cell group we aim to add 3 non-believers for each cell group member. However, for the purposes of this Cell Leader Training we will just add one name each. Although we are currently training, we will really reach out to these people, inviting them to a special Outreach Event around Week 10 of the training, and we'll invite them to join a regular cell group once the training has finished. [Ask someone to close today's meeting, briefly praying for the people we will reach out to.]
Cell Leader Training 2 - Version 2 Oct 15