[Notes in square brackets for the session leader only – not to be read out]
Choose a Christian song or a Psalm to read out. Bring the words along!
What do you like to do when you want to relax?
[Ask someone to read out the words of a Christian song (or a Psalm, e.g. Psalm 30) you have chosen in order to focus the group's mind on God. Follow this with an open time of prayer.]
Throughout the Bible the picture of sheep being looked after by a shepherd is used to describe God's people and their leaders. In the New Testament the spiritual leaders of the church are also described as ‘shepherds'. [Ask someone to read Acts 20:28.]
One of the weaknesses of traditional church structure is that the pastor over the whole congregation is often the only person expected to have responsibility for the spiritual welfare of the members. For everyone else, looking out for the spiritual needs of others is not their job. How large do you think a church would have to grow before members start to feel neglected? Fifty? One hundred? Whatever number you choose, the realty is that it doesn't have to be very big before a single pastor would be overwhelmed by the needs of the people.
Cell Church solves this problem by following the advice given to Moses in Exodus 18; that is, to set leaders over ‘thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens'. So the Cell Leader has a vital part to play as a shepherd watching over God's people in his or her own group.
This doesn't make you responsible to meet all of their needs, but to provide the help and support that you can, and to help members find further support when they need it. Also, many needs can actually be met through the group community itself. For example, someone struggling with childcare may receive support through other group members taking turns at ‘babysitting'. Or someone in financial difficulty might be helped by a wiser, more mature member taking 1.27the time to look at the situation with them and giving good advice. In fact, a good group can provide help for its members in many different ways, ranging from spiritual and emotional support through to practical help.
Back to the role of the shepherd. Ezekiel chapter 34 is all about the role of the shepherd-leaders over God's people. Although it is speaking from a negative point of view, this chapter shows clearly what the Lord expects of his spiritual leaders. [Ask someone to read Ezekiel 34:1-4.]
God expects his shepherds to:
Some Practical Suggestions:
Further suggestions and guidance for visiting is provided in the equipping handout, E8.11 Shepherding The Flock.
Question 1 When Jesus saw the crowds, "he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (Matthew 9:36) What motivates you most strongly to want to be a good shepherd for Jesus Christ?
Question 2 Some might worry about the time commitment required. Yet, the Lord Jesus does not expect more from us than we can manage. As with the giving of money, he only expects us to give in proportion to what we've got. "For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have" (2 Corinthians 8:12).
Think of some practical ways you could fit in the activities of a good shepherd whilst keeping the other demands of life (family, work etc.) in balance?
Question 3 Can you think of an occasion when you received help and support from a spiritual leader? Or, think of an occasion when you wanted the help of a spiritual leader but it wasn't available. In either case, how did you feel?
As a group, share your current needs and concerns, then several people bring them to the Lord in prayer.
Either: (a) Continue to discuss arrangements for your Outreach Event. How are the invitations going? Are other parts of the organisation on target?
Or (b) Evaluate your Outreach Event. How many came? How did it go? How will we follow up those who came and give them further opportunities to get involved?
Finally, spend the remaining time in prayer for those you are seeking to reach.
Cell Leader Training 9 - Version 2 Oct 15