[Notes in square brackets for the session leader only – not to be read out]
Choose a suitable song for the group to listen to. Bring the CD and a CD player to the meeting.
What was the best thing that happened to you this past week?
[Choose a Christian song on CD (etc.). Ask God to speak to you through the music. Listen to the song and then let the group respond to God in prayer.]
The Word Time, also called the Bible Application Study, forms the very heart of the cell group meeting. The aim is to expose our lives to the truth of God's word so that we can be transformed. The Lord Jesus was very clear in his teaching about this. [Ask someone to read Matthew 7:24-27.] The only solid and sure foundation for life is to put his word into practice.
The cell group provides the ideal setting for all members to hold one another accountable to put God's word into practice. We all need help in this area, and the aim is for every member to encourage and support and hold accountable every other member, including you as the leader, in our efforts to actually live as Christ tells us.
Here are a few practical points to remember:
The Ministry or Prayer Time is really a part of the Word Time. It always follows straight on from the study of God's word. The aim is to give members an opportunity to share their needs and to minister to those needs, whether arising from something discussed during the study or from life in general.
Try to keep things in balance. We want everyone to be able to share – some will need encouraging to speak, whilst others may have to be restrained so they don't take over the whole meeting with their needs!
Once needs have been shared we must respond. The first thing we can do is to pray – sometimes as a group, sometimes in two's or three's. But we must go beyond prayer to really minister to each other's needs. As the Bible says, "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?" (James 2:15-16.) By taking concrete steps to help one another, using the gifts, abilities and resources God has given us, we are truly loving one another. God is glorified. And the people around us will know that we really are disciples of Jesus! (John 13:35.)
To summarise, ministry (or serving one another) includes praying for each other, taking a genuine interest in each other's lives, and doing what we can to help, whether by using spiritual gifts, sharing advice, encouragement and support, or through some kind of practical help.
Question 1 [Ask someone to read 1 John 1:7.] Why is it important for us to share openly and honestly as we wrestle to apply God's word in our lives? What are the benefits when we manage it?
Question 2 [Ask someone to read Romans 8:29.] God's plan is for each of us to grow more and more like Christ. Can you name an area of character you are currently working on, or struggling with, and say briefly how you feel it's going?
Question 3 When we have needs and problems we usually turn first to our natural family for support. [Ask someone to read Galatians 6:10.] Can you share an occasion when you've received help and support from your spiritual family?
As a group share any general needs, then several people pray for both the needs mentioned during the study time as well as those mentioned just now. If anyone can offer more than just prayer, then do it!
Question: [Ask someone to read Matthew 9:35-38.] Jesus' mission on earth was to ‘seek and save the lost.' His continuing mission though his church is still to seek and save the lost. On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being highest), how important do you think this mission is to God and in his plan for the whole of mankind? [Ask each person in turn.]
[Close by praying for the people on your Outreach List.]
Cell Leader Training 5 - Version 2 Oct 15