These notes are provided to assist the trainer intending to train a group of church members to become cell group leaders. The expectation is that this role will normally be carried out by the Senior Pastor of the church. This group training course lasts 12 weeks (one session per week) and the complete curriculum is outlined below.
Session | Topic | Handouts |
1 | Our Vision – Part 1 | Welcome To Cell Group! Leaflet E8.1 Our Vision |
2 | Our Vision – Part 2 | E8.3 Leading A Cell Meeting |
3 | Effective Leadership | E8.2 Activities of Effective Cell Leaders |
4 | Welcome & Worship | E8.4 Leading the Welcome Time E8.5 Leading the Worship Time |
5 | Word & Ministry | E8.6 Leading the Word Time E8.7 Leading the Ministry Time |
6 | Witness/Works | E8.8 Leading the Witness/Works Time |
7 | Dealing with Conflict | E8.9 Cell Lifecycle |
8 | Equipping Members | E8.10 Equipping Cell Members |
9 | Shepherding the Flock | E8.11 Shepherding the Flock |
10 | Helping Members Grow | E8.12 Helping Cell Members to Grow |
11 | Cell Group Evangelism | E8.13 Leading Cell Group Evangelism |
12 | Multiplying Leaders & Groups | E8.14 Multiplying Leaders E8.15 Multiplying Your Group |
Alongside the above programme, it is suggested that the group could celebrate the Lord's Supper during the Worship Time in sessions 6 and 12, and also organise a separate outreach event between week's 8 and 9 to build relationships with potential new members.
In addition to the group training sessions and the equipping handouts, it is valuable for each leadership trainee to have a mentor. The Leadership Mentor can be a senior leader in the church or even an experienced Christian from another church. Ideally, the Leadership Mentor will have experience of leading his or her own cell group.
Since the Cell Leader training materials (Equipping Track section E8) will be handed out each week at the group training sessions, the main role of the Leadership Mentor is to support the trainee as he/she goes through the training process. The mentor checks that his assigned trainees have read and understood each week's materials, and is available to answer their questions or provide any general support they might need. A mentor will typically have between 1 and 3 trainees to support. As the trainer you should act as mentor for 2 or 3 of your trainees, and link each of the remaining trainees with other suitable mentors.
Develop your own schedule to give each of your trainees the opportunity to lead each part of the cell meeting. Below is an example designed for 7 trainees.
Session | Welcome | Worship | Word | Prayer Time | Witness |
1 | |||||
2 | |||||
3 | |||||
4 | |||||
5 | Name 1 | Name 2 | Name 3 | Name 4 | Name 5 |
6 | Name 6 | Name 7 | Name 1 | Name 2 | Name 3 |
7 | Name 4 | Name 5 | Name 6 | Name 7 | Name 1 |
8 | Name 2 | Name 3 | Name 4 | Name 5 | Name 6 |
9 | Name 7 | Name 1 | Name 2 | Name 3 | Name 4 |
10 | Name 5 | Name 6 | Name 7 | Name 1 | Name 2 |
11 | Name 3 | Name 4 | Name 5 | Name 6 | Name 7 |
12 |
Blank sections led by the Trainer. The last session can either be led by the Trainer or used to provide extra practise for any trainee who'd like to repeat a particular section.
Two methods can be used to give trainees feedback on their performance. Firstly, at the end of each session when trainees are leading, take 5 minutes to ask the group to share any comments they have about the leadership of either the Word or Prayer Time only. Ask the group to share briefly and with a spirit of humility and love. Remember, we are trying to encourage and build one another up! Secondly, you can give any necessary feedback to each trainee on an individual basis. Try to be encouraging whilst aiming to help them improve.
Trainer Notes - Version 1 Jan 12