[Notes in square brackets for the session leader only – not to be read out]
Select some worship songs – bring song sheets/books and music as necessary.
Share something about your life for which you are thankful.
[Sing 2 or 3 worship songs together, then spend a few minutes in open prayer. Encourage people to give thanks to the Lord for the things mentioned during the icebreaker.]
Instructions to Trainees: This section forms the training study for this week.
The ‘Welcome' section of a cell meeting is designed simply to get the meeting off to a good start. It is most common to welcome people into the host home with light refreshments – don't overdo this; it's not a party or a competition!
The formal meeting should begin with a brief prayer, then the icebreaker. The icebreaker is usually a simple question, not threatening and not too personal, that will enable everyone present to say something in their turn. This helps everybody begin to feel comfortable with one another in the group setting, and leads to better interaction throughout the rest of the meeting. Simple games or other activities can also be used as icebreakers, but they must be brief. Lists of icebreakers are available.
The icebreaker should run like this:
The leader answers first for 2 reasons: (1) His style and length of answer creates a model for everyone else to follow, and (2) It gives members some thinking time before they are expected to answer.
Once you have some experience of using icebreakers you can make up your own – there are guidelines to help you in the training handout. Remember, use questions that everyone can say something about; and especially when you have non-Christian visitors, don't exclude them by asking a question only relevant to believers (e.g. Who is your favourite Bible character?). If necessary, change your planned question. Variations of the question, "What is the most significant thing that's happened to you this last week?" can often be useful.
The Worship Time is a short but indispensable part of a cell meeting. It is surprising how often the mood of a meeting is transformed as members turn to God, being reminded of their relationship with him and of his presence among them. Worship prepares our hearts to learn and to serve.
The Worship Time can be as simple as singing 2 or 3 worship songs and then having a brief time of open prayer. But it's not essential to sing. Some groups might feel uncomfortable trying to sing – if there are only a few people, or they have weak voices, or if they have no words or music. Other forms of worship can work just as well in a small group, including: reading Psalms, Bible passages, Christian songs, poems, just praying, or even sharing testimonies of God's goodness. We will be trying a number of different approaches during our training sessions. It is also good to break bread together on occasions. Again, we will be celebrating the Lord's Supper together during the training programme.
Question 1 [Ask someone to read Romans 15:7.] What kind of things make it easier for you to share openly and honestly in a small group setting, and what things make it harder?
Question 2 [Ask someone to read Luke 4:5-8.] Why do you think worship is so important?
Question 3 Can you think of an occasion when worshipping the Lord Jesus has lifted your mood, encouraged you, or helped you view difficulties from a better perspective?
[Invite members to share any special needs or concerns they have at present. Ask 2 or 3 members to pray for the needs mentioned, and conclude this time by praying yourself.]
[Ask someone to read John 3:16-18,36.]
Question 1 What are the consequences for people who do not trust in Jesus?
Question 2 Sharing the gospel with others can be difficult. How far should we be prepared to go in our attempts to do it?
[Finish by asking one person to pray for the people on your Outreach List – either in general or by name if you have time.]
Cell Leader Training 4 - Version 2 Oct 15