THE FOUNDATIONS OF A CELL GROUP

Acts 2:1-47; 5:42

Cell groups are small groups focused on evangelism that are integrated into the very life of the church. They meet weekly to build one another up as members of the Body of Christ and to share the Gospel with those who do not yet know Christ. The ultimate purpose of every cell group is to multiply as it grows through evangelism. In this way, new members are added to the church and to the Kingdom of God.

The heart of cell ministry is evangelism. Our marching orders come from Matthew 28:18–20. We must advance by penetrating the enemy's territory. More effective than one-on-one evangelism, cell groups function as networks that extend across entire cities. The shared vision of reaching the lost and equipping believers for this task provides a healthy continuity among all cell groups.

Evangelism that results in the proliferation of cell groups is the church's most distinctive characteristic. Evangelism must lead to multiplication; indeed, cell group evangelism is never an end in itself. Church growth is the ultimate fruit of cell multiplication. Not all churches achieve the same level of success in reaping the harvest, but the goal and the vision remain the same.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A BIBLE SCHOLAR

Many of the people who are now cell leaders and cell workers use to think that they didn’t have what it took to lead or work in a cell group. Some of the excuses that some gave were: “I don’t have the gift of evangelism.” “I don’t have the talent.” “I’m too shy.” Many have expressed these and other excuses for not taking part in the cell ministry. Such statements assume that a certain type of giftedness, personality, gender, social status, or education level is necessary to lead or work in a cell group.

In a cell ministry every lay person can successfully lead or work in a cell group. Every person has the anointing for multiplication, no exceptions. Any lay person can successfully lead and grow a cell group. Spiritual gifts are important, but no particular gift is necessary to lead or work in a successful cell group. God anoints cell leaders and workers with a variety of gifts. What you do as a leader or worker matters more than your giftedness.

Successful cell leaders and workers take advantage of the variety of gifts within the cell group. Remember that team ministry is highly valued in the cell group. Perhaps one person on the team possesses the gift of teaching, another the gift of mercy, and still another leadership. All of these gifts help the group to grow. The most successful cell groups involve the whole team, net fishing as a group rather than hook fishing as individuals.

Effective cell leaders excel in mobilizing the group to work together toward cell multiplication. Someone with the gift of helps will pick up new people and bring refreshments. The person with the gift of mercy will visit cell members or newcomers. Those with the gift of teaching work with the cell lesson. All are important, and everyone is involved and contributes to the group’s success. Stop trying to do everything on your own; instead, focus on how to involve your members in group activities, evangelism, and leadership roles!

Potential cell leaders and workers who conceder themselves as a shy person often say they lack the ability or charisma to lead or grow a cell group. But with proper training they can successfully lead and multiply a cell group.  You can be successful just as you are! God made you special. No one can do it quite like you. God uses the bubbly, the shy, the relaxed, the anxious, and all of the other personality types! Be yourself. It’s not a matter of who you are as much as what you do as a cell worker or leader.

Your age in not a factor in cell work or leadership. Studies and experience show that that less-educated cell workers and leaders multiply more consistently and more often! God can and will use anyone who is willing to work. The anointing for cell multiplication doesn’t reside with just a few. The experience of many cell workers show that age, personality, and gifting have little to do with effectiveness as a cell worker or cell leader. Cell group growth depends on simple basics that anyone can put into practice.

UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS

Just as human cells pass through specific phases, so do cell groups.

THE LEARNING PHASE:

Initially, all human cells appear as a small, shapeless mass of protoplasm. Their individual components are nearly impossible to distinguish. Although the cell possesses the genetic code for multiplication, it must first undergo a period of growth and development. Cell groups follow a similar pattern. At the outset, members look at one another, unsure of what to expect; consequently, the initial stage of the cell group's life is characterized by in which its members begin to get to know one another. During the initial meetings, cell leaders must emphasize ice-breaking activities—that is, exercises designed to help everyone get to know each other better.

THE PHASE OF LOVE:

In a human cell, chromosomes begin to align in pairs, though not in a straight line. Similarly, during this "phase of love," the members of the cell group take off their masks. People get to know one another exactly as they truly are.

THE PHASE OF ASSOCIATION:

In a human cell, chromosomes that were previously floating freely suddenly begin to form a line down the center of the cell. Within a cell group, members begin to discover their roles. For instance, everyone starts to recognize Maria’s gift for worship or Juan’s talent for counseling. This is an ideal time to prepare the cell group for evangelism.

THE PHASE OF ADVANCEMENT:

The chromosome strands begin to align, preparing to advance and create an exact duplicate of themselves. At this stage in the cell group’s life, members focus on evangelism. Although the cell group is always reaching out to others, this period of advancement highlights group evangelism as the primary activity. This "launch phase" continues until the cell group multiplies.

THE PHASE OF DEPARTURE:

As a cell prepares to give birth to an identical twin cell, the chromosomes separate and divide (multiplication). In a cell group, new leaders are raised up and trained to lead a new group as new members continue to join. Once the group has grown large enough, multiplication takes place. If cell groups fail to multiply, there is a risk of stagnation.

HAVE A VISION FOR WHEN YOU WANT YOUR GROUP TO MULTIPLY

“Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18).

The primary reason why some cell group leaders don’t succeed in multiplying their groups is because they do not set a specific date for when they want the group to multiply. This implies that, by that date, you will have an assistant ready to branch out and continue the work of shepherding. If a leader does not have a target date for multiplication, he will eventually get tired, discouraged, lose his enthusiasm and the group will become stagnate.

Generally, a healthy and well-led cell group can grow and multiply within a timeframe of six to eight months. Every leader should draft a statement similar to the following: “By ____ [Date], I aim to have trained an assistant who is ready to take charge of my group, so that I may start a new one or send him out to start his own.” The next most important step is to share that date every week with the members of your cell group. They need to know the date. Display it in a prominent, easily visible location to serve as a constant reminder for both yourself and your members.

CELL MULTIPLICATION

A. Factors That Do Not Affect Multiplication:

     1. The leader's gender, social class, age, marital status, or education level.

     2. The leader's personality.

     3. The Leader's Spiritual Gift.

B. Factors That Do Affect Multiplication:

1. The cell leader's devotional time. Those who spend 60 minutes or more per day in their devotions multiply their groups twice as fast as those who spend less than thirty minutes.

2. The leader's intercession for the members of their cell group. Those who pray daily for their cell members are more likely to multiply their groups.

3. The leader who spends time with God to prepare for the cell meeting. Spending time with God to prepare one's heart for a cell meeting is more important than preparing the lesson.

4. Setting goals. A leader who fails to set goals that members can remember has approximately a 50% chance of multiplying their cell group. Establishing goals causes that percentage to increase.

5. Cell leaders who set specific goals to birth another group consistently multiply their groups more often than those who do not set these goals.

6. Cell leaders who feel better trained multiply their cell groups more quickly. However, training is not as important as one's prayer life and goal orientation.

7. Leaders who make contact with five to seven new people per month have an eighty percent chance of multiplying their cell group. When a leader visits only one to three people per month, the chances are reduced. Leaders who visit eight or more people per month multiply their cell group twice as fast as those who visit only one or two people.

8. Cell leaders who encourage their members to invite visitors double their capacity to multiply their groups.

9. There is a direct relationship between the number of visitors in the group and the number of times a leader multiplies their group.

10. Cell groups that hold social gatherings multiply twice as fast as those that do not hold any.

11. Leaders who train others double their capacity for cell multiplication.

12. Level of pastoral care. The leader's continued visitation of the cell members helps to consolidate the group.

LEAD A SUCCESSFUL CELL GROUP, FOCUS ON STRUCTURE, ENGAGEMENT, AND GROWTH

MEETING STRUCTURE:

1. Follow a clear, step-by-step plan for meetings. This includes prayer, discussion, and fellowship to create a welcoming environment.

2. Utilize resources that provide guidelines for effective meetings, ensuring that each session has a purpose and direction.

MEMBER ENGAGEMENT:

1. Encourage participation by fostering an atmosphere where members feel valued and heard. Great leaders listen and facilitate discussions effectively.

2. Implement activities that promote interaction and connection among members.

GROWTH STRATEGIES:

1. Regularly assess the group's dynamics and seek ways to multiply or expand the group. Consistent efforts in outreach and inviting new members can lead to growth.

2. Set clear goals for the group, focusing on spiritual development and community impact.