SHEPHERDING GOD'S PEOPLE
Text: Acts 20:28
I. Qualifications for a Cell Group Leader
- Heb. 13:17 Be specifically submitted to spiritual authority
A. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 Value leadership gifts and respect their office
B. Luke 16:10-12 Be prepared to serve another leader's vision
C. 1 Peter 5:5 Be associated with mature leaders, not isolated to yourself- John 13:34-35 Be in covenant with your community (John 2:24, John 13:1)
- 3. Phil. 3:17, Titus 2:7 Model character, covenant love, and loyalty (1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9) Subordinate issues: charismatic gifts, ability to teach; personality.
- Col. 1:28-29 Be willing and able to work in behalf of the people and the purpose
II. Ingredients to a Successful Cell Group
- Acts 2:42 ...all under apostolic supervision-
A. Teaching- Didache= doctrine (source?) Foundational, Practical application
B. Fellowship- Koinonia= life shared in common in Christ; being, not doing
C. Meals- in one another's homes. Breaking bread is practical & covenantal.
D. Prayer- agreement- (Acts 1:14); "2 or 3"- (Mt.18:19); for all- (1 Tim. 2:1-8)- Who is the Leader? The Holy Spirit! Cell Group Leader is the coordinator.
- Who is the Teacher? One another. The body builds itself up in love (Eph 4:15-16)
- Who is the Apprentice? Without a next leader, the cell won't have vision to grow.
- Problems to avoid:
A. Emphasizing one aspect of the meeting to the exclusion of the other
B. Gift projection by the leader ("A chance to fulfill my ministry!")
C. Somebody dominating the meeting (Illus. "Who's got the ball?"
D. Becoming ingrown rather than being evangelistic "Us 4 no more!"
E. Burn-out by the host or failure to serve the homemaker (Quits being fun)
F. Division (di-vision= divided vision, not in harmony with the senior pastor)III. The Goal of Cell-Based Church Life
- Promote unity in the Church (see brochure "Church in your House")
A. 1 Cor. 1:9-10 Fellowship with Christ and one another (1 John 1:3)
B. Ezekiel 34:11-12 Care for the lost or discouraged sheep, affirm new babes
C. 2 Tim. 2:2 Reproduce ministry by establishing (turn converts into disciples)
D. Acts 20:20, Eph 4:11 In small house gatherings, believers love one another. In larger congregations, they receive and relate to Ascension ministries.- Win lost souls (alternate the emphasis: edification, evangelism)
A. Mt. 28:19-20 Testify to the Gospel in your life (Rom. 1:16)
B. Mt. 9:36-10:1 Gather in wandering sheep- Destroy Satan's works off peoples' lives
A. Mt. 10:7-8 Heal and deliver folks (Mt. 11:5; Mk. 16:15-20)
B. Acts 10:38, 1 John 3:8 Wait on the Holy Spirit for power to help people- Serving your neighbors with God's mercy (Mt. 5:13-14)
A. Salt- invisible servant-hood
B. Light- visible leadership
C. City- a model of living in Christ's kingdom- Leadership development. Cell group leaders may become deacons who may become elders who may become church staff or set apart for full time ministry.
WEEKLY CELL GROUP REPORT
Accounting for your Stewardship
Be part of the team; Regularly report in; Adhere to the lessons; Be faithful with any and all finances; Know your limitations; Always love the flock; Pray for your people
Cell Group Leader _______________________________
Assistant Cell Leader _____________________________
Location of the Meeting ______________________________
Day of Meeting _________________
Date of this Report ___________________
A. The people who attended this cell group:
1. _____________________________________
2. _____________________________________
3. _____________________________________
4. _____________________________________
5. _____________________________________
6. _____________________________________
7. _____________________________________
8. _____________________________________
9. _____________________________________
10. _____________________________________
B. Special needs, prayer requests, missing sheep that we took note of:
1. _____________________________________
2. _____________________________________
3. _____________________________________
4. _____________________________________
5. _____________________________________
C. Friends we can invite or bring to our next outreach emphasis:
1. _____________________________________
2. _____________________________________
3. _____________________________________
4. _____________________________________
D. Main discussion topic or Bible lesson: _______________________________________
