Weekend Seminar

Friday: 5.45 pm - 8.30 pm

Saturday: 8.45 am - 12.30 pm

What do we mean by Cell Groups ?

Any small groups of believers coming together to grow in Faith and Community

• Men’s Groups

• Women’s Bible Studies

• Youth Groups

• Singles Groups

• LIFE groups

• Bible Study groups

What’s the Purpose of this Seminar ?

To understand deeper

– what is the Biblical Foundation & Vision for Cell Groups ?

To discuss Practical Application

– how to lead a group + develop interactive bible studies, + worship, + prayer, + a close knit community + a vehicle for evangelism

Foundations …

1. Biblical Foundation

2. Role in church community

3. Role in believer’s lives

4. Aims for a cell group

5. Activities of cell group

6. Role of a Cell / Small Group Leader

Practical how to :7. Run a Cell Group Meeting

8. Build Community

9. Develop Group Worship & Prayer

10. Develop Gifting & Ministry

11. Lead Interactive Bible Studies

12. Develop Group Discipleship

13. Use Cell Group as a vehicle for evangelism

14. Handle the challenging people

Introductions

• Myself …Clive Ashby - Lecture at Harare Theological College

• Please share with us:

• Your name & family

• Your home area & church

• Any ministry you’re involved in

• Why you have come here – what would you like to gain ?

• e.g. positive & challenging - experience of small groups

Prayer …

1.Biblical Basis

Discuss :

• What is the Biblical Basis & Vision for Cell Groups ?

• Which Scriptures speak to this ?

( 10 minutes in groups of 4)

The Model of Christ

Where was the central focus of Christ efforts?

To the crowds of thousands ?

To the small group of 12 apostles ?

To how many people did Christ place all his hope and trust in - to change the world through the Gospel message ?

Who did Christ share the innermost depths of his message to ?

From the Crowds

(Matthew 4:25) And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

To the 12

(Luke 6:12-16) In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. (13) And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: (14) Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, (15) and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, (16) and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

The Model of the 12

• This is the plot of all 4 gospels – from the crowds – to the small group

• Jesus had all the opportunity to heal and preach to the crowds.

• But he chose a more effective way – to develop a small group of disciples

• Jesus invested most of his time and energy in just 12 people. - how much more should we also trust God to work through the collection of people in our small groups

• We are called to do just as Christ did – to make disciples of all nations.

• Jesus has deliberately shown us the best technique. Not to preach to the crowds – but to transform through the small groups

Teaches & Ministers through the 12

Matthew 14: 15 - 21 + Matt. 15: 32 - 38

Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said,

"This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the

crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for

themselves." (16) But Jesus said, "They need not go away;

you give them something to eat." (17) They said to him, "We

have only five loaves here and two fish." (18) And he said,

"Bring them here to me." (19) Then he ordered the crowds to

sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two

fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he

broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the

disciples gave them to the crowds. (20) And they all ate and

were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the

broken pieces left over. (21) And those who ate were about

five thousand men, besides women and children.

Builds the Family

Mark 3:31-35

And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside

they sent to him and called him. (32) And a crowd was sitting

around him, and they said to him, "Your mother and your

brothers are outside, seeking you." (33) And he answered

them, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" (34) And

looking about at those who sat around him, he said, "Here

are my mother and my brothers! (35) For whoever does

the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.“

We are the Family of Christ

To be brothers, sisters, mothers, aunts to each other

Teaches Loving Service in the 12

John 13:3-17

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things

into his hands, and that he had come from God and

was going back to God … (5) Then he poured water

into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet

and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped

around him. (16) Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant

is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger

greater than the one who sent him. (17) If you know

these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Christ’s instruction to make disciples

Matthew 28:19-20

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the

Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to

observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I

am with you always, to the end of the age."

We are instructed to make disciples (meaning learners)

– not simply converts

We are instructed to disciple & teach – using the very

techniques & approach Christ has shown: through

community, demonstrating Christ living, sharing our

lives – with individuals & small groups

The Model of the First Church

Acts 2: 42-47

As soon as the church was established – the model,

the blueprint is given -

Devoted to Apostles teaching (together)

Devoted to fellowship

Devoted to the Breaking of bread

Devoted to Prayer (together)

Spent much time together – shared possessions

Meet in (a) Jewish temple & (b) in homes

The heart of Christian growth took place in

multitudes of homes across the city

Result > grew + people saved

Model of the First Church

Acts 4 : 32 - 35

(32) Now the full number of those who believed were of

one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the

things that belonged to him was his own, but they

had everything in common.

(34) There was not a needy person among them, for as

many as were owners of lands or houses sold them

and brought the proceeds of what was sold

Model of the First Church

Not simply meetings – unity of one mind & heart

True fellowship always involves Sharing of

possessions

No-one was needy

Took place through small group fellowship – not

possible in a large audience

Prayer in the early Church

(Acts 12: 12) “When he realized this, he went to the

house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name

was Mark, where many were gathered together and

were praying”

When their fellow believers suffered – as Peter

in prison – they automatically gathered in each

other’s homes to pray

How do we respond to the struggles of our

fellow believers when in sickness, arrested etc

– do we gather to pray together in each other’s

homes ?

History – Roman Empire

In AD 64 – emperor Nero attacked the church &

made it illegal for Christians to build meeting

places.

For 250 years Christianity grew faster &

millions were converted through cell groups in

believer’s homes.

Later when church moved away from the homes to

big building it lost much of its zeal & community.

History - China

In China from the 1950s – the communist (atheist)

government removed all Christian missionaries

from China – there were less than 1 million

Christians

For 50 years the church has been persecuted &

outlawed – it went ‘underground’ and met in

small groups from house to house

Now the church has approx. 100 million

By the 2030 China will have 160 million Christians

– more than any other country

Historically - Revivals Cell groups have been a central part of large revivals

“virtually every major movement of spiritual

renewal in the Christian church has been

accompanied by a return to the small group”

(Howard Snyder)

John Wesley said – “no circuit (of churches) ever

did or ever will flourish unless there are small

groups in the large society (congregation)”.

Central to this revival & renewal were the 12 member

house groups.

The Creator’s design – Society copies

Secular business, political & development models have

copied God’s model to achieve greater impact on human

behaviour change.

Successful programmes in HIV & AIDS across the world

adopted small group peer education to achieve behaviour

change.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was started by a Pastor who

used small group counselling to bring people of alcohol

addiction. Through this method thousands have been freed

from alcoholism in the last 50 Years.

Impact upon Churches

In churches where cell groups are central, widespread &

operate biblically :

- believers grow more quickly in spiritual growth

- fewer back-slide & leave the church

- Spiritual gifts are more often identified, developed & used

- deeper level of care & concern for one another

- stronger sense of unity & purpose

- greater development of future leaders

- more people in the community are won to Christ

2.Role in Church Community

Discuss:

• What should be the role of cell groups within the church community ?

• As an optional extra ? As the building block ?

( 8 minutes in groups of 4)

The Context of Church as Community

1 Peter 2:9-10 = We are the People of God

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy

nation, a people for his own possession, that you may

proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of

darkness into his marvellous light. Once you were not a

people, but now you are God's people”

We are the People of God

Just as Israel were the chosen people, nation of God – NOW we both Jews & Gentiles are the new people, nation of God

We are not saved to be individual Christians –> we are saved INTO the nation of God

Our No.1 Nationality has changed – from Zimbo >> to Christian

Our No.1 family has changed – from human family >> to the family of God

Therefore: called to live in - Intentional Community

NOT : for a series of church meetings and activities

My view = What can the church do for ME ?

Bible = How can I be part of GOD’S KINGDOM ?

1 Corinthians 12:14-26 = We are part of the Body

(15) Now if the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not

belong to the body," it would not for that reason stop being part of

the body.

(17) If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing

be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell

be?

(18) But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them,

just as he wanted them to be.

(21) The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head

cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!"

(24) But God has put the body together, giving greater honour to the

parts that lacked it,

(26) If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured,

every part rejoices with it.

We are part of the Body of Christ

The reality of God’s word = we are the body of Christ

To live individually does not take away the reality of God’s word – we will be living a lie

We have been called with His abilities & gifts to have a special role and part in the body

No role in the body is greater than the other

Weaker parts of the body - should be given more honour, care & support

If one member suffers, we suffer with them

If one member rejoices – we rejoice with them

People = What Church meetings do I have to go to?

Sunday Service

Cell Group

Women’s Group

Men’s Breakfast

Prayer Meeting

Bible = What can we do together as God’s People?

Grow in God

Learn

Pray

Worship

Support each other

Reach out to the needy

Enjoy Life together

John 13:34-35= Christ’s Central Command

(34) A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another:

just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

(35) By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have

love for one another."

John 15:12-17

(12) "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have

loved you.

(13) Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life

for his friends.

(14) You are my friends if you do what I command you.

(17) These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

1 John 3:14-18 = Life of Love for One Another

(14) We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we

love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.

(15) Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that

no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

(16) By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we

ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

(17) But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need,

yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in

him?

(18) Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in

truth.

Christ’s Central Command: Love

Context John 13-15: Christ to the disciples, last message before crucifixion

As a result of receiving Love of Christ : giving of his life for us

So we are commanded to lay down our lives for one another

Love is demonstrated in Actions – in helping one’s brother in need

Through Love for one another – the light of Christ SHINES into the world

John 17:20-23 = Christ’s final prayer

(20) "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in

me through their word,

(21) that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in

you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe

that you have sent me.

(22) The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they

may be one even as we are one,

(23) I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so

that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even

as you loved me.

Christ’s final prayer

Not for large buildings / huge crowds

For a depth of unity between believers –

even to the extent that there is between the

Father & Son in the Trinity

Through this unity + communion with God –

the world will see Christ

Our Union as Believers

> to Imitate the very Union of God

People = How do I live for Christ ?

Pray more

Repent

Evangelise

Read God’s Word

Etc etc.

Bible = How can I + WE live for Christ

= Love One Another

= Grow in God

= Confess + Repent

= Evangelise

= Study God

= Fruits of the Spirit

= Reach the Needy

Role of Cell Groups in the Community of God

Cell Groups are a VEHICLE to live community life

NOT a magic formulae for a mid-week meeting

Cell Groups are a place to draw people –

to know one another deeply

to share one another’s lives

to grow in God together

to encourage each other in faith and walking in God

to support one another emotionally, spiritually and materially

to share one’s possessions with those more needy

3.Role in Believer’s life

Discuss :

• What role should cell groups play in believer’s lives ?

• What difference can they make to the believer’s faith in Christ ?

( 8 minutes in groups of 4)

Role of Small Groups in Believer’s Lives

Learning of God & the Gospel

The dangers of only self learning

The role of group learning – of discussion, disagreement, debate (e.g. Acts 15: 1-35)

Accountability

The need to be accountable to one another

The need to confess to one another (James 5:15-16)

Growth in character

Growth, correction, encouragement - only possible in community (e.g. Paul’s mentoring of Timothy)

Fruits of the Spirit (Gal.5:22) through community

Prayer

Throughout the Bible – prayer needs to be BOTH at the individual and group level

Support

Biblically the small group of fellow-believers is the most trusted place of support – whether emotionally, spiritually or financially (beyond family +friends) - Acts 2

Family & Fellowship

The close-knit bonds of small groups – are ultimately to become a believer’s “second family” – as Jesus described – our adopted brother, sister, mother, father

4.Aims of the Cell Group

Discuss :

• Bringing together these scriptures & what we’ve discussed –what would you say should be the ultimate vision for you cell group – list some key points

( 8 minutes in groups of 4)

Aims / Impact :

Believers grow to Maturity in Christ

Deeper Understanding of Scripture

Greater Prayer & intercession for one another

Believers develop their Gifts & move forward in Ministry / role

to play for God

Close Community & Fellowship

Believers Supported Emotionally, Spiritually, Materially

Non-believers see the Witness of the Gospel through Christian

community

Rate which of these your cell groups achieve / not

5.Central Activities of a Cell Group

Discuss :

• From these scriptures – list what needs to be the central activities of your cell group

• Which ones are common in your group ?

• Which ones are lacking in your group & need more work to build on ?

( 8 minutes in groups of 3 to 4)

Key Central Activities :

Interactive Bible Study

Sharing one’s Burdens & Needs

Group Prayer for each other & the Kingdom

Worship to God

Sharing Meals together & Communion

Social Evangelism

Service in the Church

Service in the Community

6.Role of a Cell Group Leader

7.Content of a Cell Group Meeting

Discuss :

• Practically – How do we structure a cell group meeting?

Suggested Structure for Cell Group Meeting

Structure (= 2 ½ hours )

1. MEAL = Person A (30 mins)

2. WELCOME = Person B (5 mins)

3. SHARING = Person B + everyone in turn (15 mins)

4. WORSHIP = Person C co-ordinate (20 mins)

5. PRAYER = Person D coordinate (20 mins)

6. INTERACTIVE BIBLE STUDY = Person E coordinate (50 mins)

7. CHAT & DISCUSSION

8.Building Community

Discuss :

a) What are we called to do Biblically as Community ?

b) Since we are the Family of God - How do we practically

build this Community in our cell groups ?

Biblical Calling = to ‘one-another’

Called to : Love to one-another

1 John 3:23

And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his

Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has

commanded us.

1 John 4:11

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 Peter 4:8

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers

a multitude of sins

1 Peter 1:22

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a

sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure

heart,

Called to : Fellowship with one-another

1 John 1:7

(7) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we

have fellowship with one another, and the blood of

Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Called to : Comfort one-another

2 Corinthians 13:11

(11) Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort

one another, agree with one another, live in peace;

and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Called to : Live in Harmony with one-another

Romans 12:15-16

(15) Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who

weep.

(16) Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but

associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own

sight.

Romans 15:5-6

(5) May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you

to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with

Christ Jesus,

(6) that together you may with one voice glorify the God and

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Called to : Forgive & Bear with one-another

Ephesians 4:2

(2) Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with

one another in love.

Ephesians 4:32

(32) Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one

another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Colossians 3:12-13

(12) Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved,

compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness,

and patience,

(13) bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint

against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has

forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Called to : offer Hospitality to one-another

1 Peter 4:9

(9) Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Called to : Submit to one-another

Ephesians 5:21

(21) Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Called to Serve one-another

Galatians 5:13

(13) You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.

But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh;

rather, serve one another humbly in love.

1 Peter 4:10

(10) As each has received a gift, use it to serve one

another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:

Called to : Encourage one-another

1 Timothy 5:1-2

(1) Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as

you would a father, younger men as brothers,

(2) older women as mothers, younger women as sisters,

in all purity.

Called to : Correct + Teach one-another

Colossians 3:16

(16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching

and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing

psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with

thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Called to : Exhort one-another

Hebrews 3:12-13

(12) Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an

evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from

the living God.

(13) But exhort one another every day, as long as it is

called "today," that none of you may be hardened by

the deceitfulness of sin.

Called to Support one-another

Hebrews 10:24-25

(24) And let us consider how to stir up one another to

love and good works,

(25) not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of

some, but encouraging one another, and all the

more as you see the Day drawing near.

Called to : Restore one-another

Galatians 6:1-2

(1) Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you

who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.

But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

(2) Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill

the law of Christ.

James 5:19-20

(19) My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth

and someone brings him back,

(20) let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his

wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a

multitude of sins.

More than a Meeting :

From the N.T. the cell / home groups were more

than a weekly 2 hour meeting

Believers shared their lives with one another

Intentional Community :

– Sharing time

– Sharing experiences

– Sharing meals

– Sharing possessions

– Sharing your faith

– Sharing your way of living for Christ

Practical Steps

• Encourage Personal Sharing in Weekly Cell Meeting

• At the start of the regular weekly meeting (15-20 mins)

• Time for Sharing from the past week

• Ask each person to share in turn – gives the quieter people a chance to talk & be involved

• ‘How has your week been ?‘

• One positive thing to be thankful to God for + one challenging thing for people’s prayer

• Result = Builds Closer Connection & Support between Believers

• (to develop trust & openness > establish in the group – the approach of confidentiality + non-judgement )

• Establish TRUST & OPENNESS

> >Teach ‘Ground Rules’ for the Cell Group –

• Confidentiality – ‘what is said here stays here’

• The Bible warns against Gossip (2 Cor.12:20, Proverbs 11:13, Proverbs 16:28, Proverbs 18:8, Proverbs 20:19)

• Gossip destroys betrays trust, breaks openness & trust

• Respect & Non-Judgement of One Another

• We are commanded not to judge one another (Matt. 7:1-5)

• Keep central that we are all children of God + all part of the Body

• Love over Selfishness

• Central is Christ’s command to love one another (Jn 13:34-35, 15:12-17)

= Deciding to Listen to one another + be interested in one another

• Meals together = In Weekly Meeting & each other’s homes

• Invite people for meal before meeting every week/s

• biblical approach (Acts 2:42,46)

• Key to increase fellowship & community

• even a simple meal of soup & bread is special

• Socials together

• Draw people together in weekends & other times

• Barbeques, Cinema, Restaurant, Outing to Chivero etc.

• Builds true friendships -> openness -> trust

• When people come to trust one another -> they can come to effectively pray + support + disciple one another

9.Building Prayer + Worship

Discuss :

• How do we Practically Build Group Prayer

+ Worship to become a central part of our Community

together ?

The Problem (for some)

• Group prayer & worship = seen as a ‘spiritual activity’ – for the very ‘spiritual people’

• People are introvert & shy to pray or worship aloud

• Some people pray – LONG prayers – which dominate the meeting

• People don’t know what to pray or how to pray

• Prayer meetings become dull & tedious

Building Group Prayer

• Teaching + Guidelines – How to Pray

• Matt 6: 7-13 = Clear, specific & simple – no empty phrases

• Help it become clear – what praying for

• Encourage all to pray

• E.g. pray for the person on your left/right

• E.g. giving each person a topic

• Make prayer Early + central

• Not ‘tagged’ on to the end when everyone tired + in a hurry to leave

• Track the Group’s Prayers

• Keep a diary of prayers asked + answered

Building Group Worship (beyond the songs)

• Make Worship Central (15-20 mins in a meeting)

• Encourage people to share scriptures, testimony to goodness of God, etc. (1 Cor.14:26).

• Focus on a Theme each week – e.g. the love of God, the beauty of His creation, the majesty of God

• Be Creative + Flexible – responding to how the group wants to worship God

• e.g. ‘POP PRAISE’ = as in pop-corn – each person says a short few words on what they praise or thank God for

• Options – with instrument / using song sheets / use background CD / use MUSIC VIDEOS with printed words on screen

10.Develop Gifting+Ministry

Discuss :

• How do we as Cell Leaders – Develop People’s Gifts

and Ministry ?

Ephesians 4:11-16 = To Equip Believers

(11) And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the

shepherds and teachers,

(12) to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body

of Christ,

(13) until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of

the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature

of the fullness of Christ,

(14) so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the

waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human

cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

(15) Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way

into him who is the head, into Christ,

(16) from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint

with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly,

makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Equip the Believers :

These divinely given men should not serve in such a

way as to make people perpetually dependent on them.

Instead, they should work toward the day when the saints

will be able to carry on by themselves. We might illustrate

this as follows:

The circle in the centre depicts, let us say, the gift of a

teacher. He ministers to those in the circle around him

so that they are equipped, that is, built up in the faith.

Then they go forth and minister to others according to

the gifts God has given them. In this way the church

grows and expands. It is the divine method of producing

growth in the body of Christ, both in size and spirituality

(Commentary: William MacDonald)

1 Corinthians 12:4-11= Gifts of God’s Spirit

(4) Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;

(5) and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord;

(6) and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who

empowers them all in everyone.

(7) To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common

good.

(8) For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to

another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit,

(9) to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the

one Spirit,

(10) to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another

the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of

tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

(11) All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who

apportions to each one individually as he wills.

Romans 12:4-8 = Gifts of God’s Spirit

(4) For as in one body we have many members, and the members

do not all have the same function,

(5) so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually

members one of another.

(6) Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us

use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;

(7) if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;

(8) the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who

contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one

who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Developing the Gifts & Ministries of Believers

Scripture shows – God has gifted different believers with different roles & service (ministry)

Our role as leaders is to serve God in identifying and nurturing these gifts within people in the ‘safe’ environment of the cell group (as Paul did to Timothy)

Have different people responsible for the :

– Hosting

- Welcoming/introducing & socials,

- Sharing & Counselling Support

- Leading prayer

- Leading worship

- Teaching & bible study

Discuss with believers, mentor them, try gifting questionnaires

Self-View = MY Ministry ? (English Football Team)

Bible = OUR Ministry for each other (German Team)

11.Leading Bible Studies

Discuss :

• What is the best way of leading small group Bible studies?

• How can we guide believers to learn and apply God’s word in an active way? What approaches do we use?

Process

To Bring out :

1. Original truth of what this scripture is saying

– so that people have a better understanding of what the author originally wanted to say through the passage to the original reader at that time.

2. Universal principles of the passage

– what is the timeless message of the passage?

3. Modern application of the passage

– How can the universal message of this passage be applied NOW in 2016 & HERE in Harare, by OUR church & by ME ?

1. Original Truth

2. Universal Principles

3. Modern

Application

Steps

1. Feedback – from last week’s topic and how applied it to life

2. Opening question – to start the thinking

3. Introduction - Context of Study e.g. ‘part of a series on …’

4. Read the Passage – from 2 different Bible versions

5. Background to the Passage – explain the context to the passage within the Book of the Bible and situation written

Steps

6. Break-down parts of the passage

7. Each part – focus on 1-2 major points + refer to other links in the Bible

8. Lead-in questions – discuss (a) issues raised (b)how it applies personally

• encourage people to talk - by eye contact - by show interest – by active listening - by verbal reflection on they say

• in an historical account / story – imagine that they’re there and how would they deal with the situation [use the opportunity where people misunderstand or mis-interpret to gently correct & replace with more accurate understanding]

9. Conclusion – Bring message together & each person decide to apply it to next week

10. Action Taken – Challenge each person to take 1 action from the message of tonight to step forward on in the next week

Guidelines

1. Give 1 ½ hours before bible study to read over the

scripture passage, meditate & think it over & read the

background info provided & the questions guideline.

2. Pray beforehand that God through his Holy Spirit will

speak through you and guide the discussion to guide

His message of scripture to speak not only truth but also

apply it deep into people’s lives

3. Use a question guideline but also adapt it to your

convictions & style of the group

4. Organise for yourself and 1-2 other people to share the

teaching / leading of study. Not everyone should be pressured

to teach, only some have the gift. But it is important to share

the role with another person who is a mature Christian and has

ability to teach – one day we will not be there. Possibly train

someone to also teach or share the teaching with someone to

give them more experience.

5. Doing a Study series of several weeks leads to more learning

than one-off random studies.

6. Vary the studies - Do a series based on a topic/issue then a

series based on a book of the bible.

7. Vary the approach – do a series based on a booklet, a series

based on own input, a series based on CD or a video teaching

series (breaking it up for discussion) – alternate between

different approaches – to avoid the ‘death’ by worksheet, or

‘boredom’ by repeated lectures

Options

Reading through a BOOK together

Using a BIBLE STUDY Booklet

Discussing the SUNDAY SERMON

Studying a BOOK of THE BIBLE

Watching & Studying a TV PRESENTATION

Discussing a TOPIC

Extremes to Avoid

Front led lecturing – which leads the group to become passive listeners and as a result remember, digest & apply very little of the information from the passage

→ There is a need to enable people to think through, ask questions, grapple with the issues and apply it to their lives

Talking too much and dominating the verbal communication of the meeting

→ Once the important points have been made – there is a need to practice active listening – to encourage & give time for people to talk and share

Taking too background a role and not guiding the discussion in a direction

→ There is need to guide the discussion using a prepared list of questions & at times correcting misinterpretation. The session needs to be on a journey from knowledge of the passage to understanding the underlying message & principles to applying it to our lives.

Coming unprepared & waffling – no direction to the meeting

→the leader needs have a certain amount of understanding of the passage to ensure that accurate meaning of the passage is communicated.

Having no plan or direction to the meeting – just open sharing

→ God wants people to learn from the message & meaning of His revelation – not just to talk about what they think about it this evening. Jesus calls us to make disciples. Bible studies are a place of group discipleship and the leader plays a role in leading this process of discipleship. There needs to be input and guidance.

12.Disciple Believers

Discuss :

• How do we fulfil the Great Commission to make disciples of

all nations ? – practically: how do we disciple people (a)

individually + (b) as a group ?

13.Cell group Evangelism

Discuss :

• How can we take our cell groups forward as a vehicle for

evangelism?

People = How do I show Christ’s LOVE to the WORLD ?

Bible = How can I + WE show Christ’s LOVE to the WORLD ?

• Love

• Joy

• Patience

• Goodness

• Kindness

• Support

14.Handling Challenging Behaviours

Discuss :

• What types of difficult behaviour do we experience ?

• How do we handle difficult behaviours in a cell group ?

Challenging Behaviours ?

Which of these challenging behaviours do you experience ?

• Hijacking the meeting ?

• Can’t stop talking ?

• Imposing Personal Viewpoints ?

• Judging + Criticising ?

• Gossiping personal matters ?

• Non-responsive ?

• Totally Passive ?

Handling Challenging Behaviours

• Lay the Foundation

• The PURPOSE of Cell Group Community

• The Central COMMAND of LOVE

• God’s CALLING for UNITY

• Establish the ‘Ground Rules’

• Respect for one – another

• No Judging

• No Slander

• Confidentiality – No Gossip

Handling Challenging Behaviours …

• Close Friendship

• Through Friendship – Understand the Cause of the Problem

• Through Friendship – Gain the opportunity to speak into person

• 1 – 1 Discipleship

• Disciple the person 1 – 1 to change & become more Christ-like

• The Need to Challenge & Confront in Love

• Your Responsibility – to uphold God’s work through God’s people

• The Need to Challenge

• 1st privately and gently

• 2nd privately and clearer

• 3rd through the elders of the church

• 4th if no change / repentance – person takes leave from the group

15.Recommended Books to Read

• To grow further in Leading Cell groups – we recommend

these books to read

• Many are available to read in the H.T.C library

Recommended (in HTC library) :

Joel Comiskey (2001) - ‘How to lead a great cell group meeting’

Joel Comiskey (2005) - ‘Cell Church Solutions’

Joel Comiskey (1999) - ‘Reap the Harvest’

David Finnell (1995) - ‘Life in His Body’

Carl George (1997) - ‘Nine Keys to effective Small Group Leadership’

Julie Gorman (1993) - ‘Community that is Christian’

Recommended (other) :

David Prior (1983) – ‘The Church in the Home’

David Cox (1998)– ‘Building Christian Community : Think Big, think Small Groups’

Laurence Singlehurst – ‘Loving the Lost: The principles & Practice of Cell church’

Mark Mittelberg (2000) – ‘Building a Contagious Church’

Bill Donahue (1996) – ‘The Willow Creek Guide to Leading Life Changing Small Groups’.