A Fellowship Cell operates on a 2 Es agenda and meets in a 5 Ws format.
1. The 2 Es objective
The Leader and the Interns organize members to gather for two purposes.
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:24-25 NKJV).
• 'Let us consider one another in order to…' means to 'think of ways to encourage one another to…' (see NLT).
a. To stir up love (to edify)
Help members to build loving relationships in Fellowship Cells.
• 'Fellowship' is sharing of healthy affection among members. Like the cells in our body grow, split, and multiply, Fellowship Cells is where members can build up one another lovingly to cause a numerical multiplication in church.
To 'stir up love' in Hebrews 10:24 means to edify or build up one another.
• The more friends you can help new members to gain, the stronger they will feel belonged to the church. And they will love to invite others to experience what they have benefited in a Fellowship Cell.
• Relationship among members conducted according to biblical moral standards gives one another strong support for handling challenges in life.
• Teach members on giving relational support to one another with Point C in the fifth lesson of Discipleship 102 Part 1.
b. To stir up good works (to evangelize)
Train members to do good works together.
Because you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again (Philippians 1:5-6 NLT).
• 'Good work' here is their partnership with Paul 'in spreading the Good News about Christ'. All works involved in evangelism are good works.
• Teach in the Fellowship Cell and also coach each member on Ministry 103 Part 1 (Reach out to win people, Raise spiritual standard, Recognize open door, Care for the responsive, Minister to felt needs, and Guide people to know Christ).
• Send a mature and trained person with two Interns to start a Discovery Cell by befriending responsive people in the community, ministering to them lovingly, raising their understanding on the gospel, and guiding them to receive Christ as Savior.
2. The 5 Ws format
In Fellowship Cells members experience five dimensions of Christian living.
They spent their time learning the apostles' teaching, sharing, breaking bread, and praying together. The apostles were doing many miracles and signs, and everyone felt great respect for God. All the believers were together and shared everything. They would sell their land and the things they owned and then divide the money and give it to anyone who needed it. The believers met together in the Temple every day. They ate together in their homes, happy to share their food with joyful hearts. They praised God and were liked by all the people. Every day the Lord added those who were being saved to the group of believers (Acts 2:42-47 NCV).
Christians of the first church were refreshed spiritually in worship.
• They were 'breaking bread, and praying together' means they practiced spiritual worship together.
They shared holy affection in fellowship.
• They were 'sharing … together'. NKJV and NLT puts it as they had 'fellowship'.
• 'They ate together in their homes, happy to share their food with joyful hearts'. Eating together in gladness shows that they accepted one another lovingly.
They followed Christ seriously in discipleship.
• They were 'learning the apostles' teaching' on how to follow Christ closely.
They met one another's needs in ministry.
• 'All the believers were together and shared everything' and 'they would sell their land and the things they owned and then divide the money and give it to anyone who needed it' shows that t hey cared for one another in loving actions.
• 'The apostles were doing many miracles and signs' shows that they ministered to the needs by the power of God.
They led people to Christ in evangelism.
• They 'were liked by all the people' shows that t he people around them were impressed and gave their evangelism favorable response. And the membership grew daily because of their effective testimony.
A FIVE DIMENSIONAL GATHERING:
| Welcome the people. Use an ‘Ice Breaker' to relax new friends. (5 minutes) |
| WORSHIP |
Sing songs of praise and songs of worship. Opening prayer.
(20 minutes for the dimension of worship) |
| WARMTH |
A testimony of encouragement. One member appointed to share on blessing, healing, guidance, transformation, scripture, assurance that God gave, an answer to a prayer, etc.
(5 minutes for the dimension of fellowship) |
| WORD |
Revise a lesson from Discipleship 102 or Ministry 103. Or, revise a message preached in Praise Celebration (Follow the outline provided). Each member says one thing that he has learned from the message that he wants to apply in his life.
(35 minutes for the dimension of discipleship) |
| WORK |
Pray for one current need of each member. Pray together as a cell or break into smaller groups and pray. Cell Leader can minister to the members with spiritual gifts.
(10 minutes for the dimension of ministry) |
| WITNESS |
Pray for the two persons each member wants to befriend and evangelize (in their circle of influence; going through transitions or tensions).
(10 minutes for the dimension of evangelism) |
| |
Wind up the gathering. Make necessary announcement. Remind members of the 2 Es vision. Make a closing prayer.
(5 minutes)
Total time required: 1 hour 30 minutes |
3. In between gatherings
Give prayer covering, keep in contact with one another, and visit new believers in between weekly gatherings gives life to a Fellowship Cell.
a. Pray for cell members
The Leader and the Interns cover members with daily prayers for spiritual growth.
Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God (Colossians 4:12 NKJV).
• Pray for members to'stand perfect and complete in all the will of God', which is to live according to God's Word and His plan.
• Ask God to protect members from temptations which cause them to sin against God and miss His blessings.
• Pray for their current needs and the challenges they face.
b. Contact cell members
Contact members through telecommunications or by personal visits.
• This gives visitors, new believers, and cell members a sense of belonging. And a bonding is formed.
• Give counsel to members who expressed their urgent or special needs in the previous cell gathering.
• Remind them to keep themselves spiritually strong by practicing Discipleship 102 Part 1 (Practice God's Word, Pray effectively, Live in God's power, Baptism and Communion, Fellowship in cells, and Worship as a church).
c. Visit new believers
Visit new believers to assure them of salvation.
• Affirm their salvation with the scriptures on pages 11 to 13 of the Four Spiritual Laws or Would you like to know God personally.
Coach a new believer for spiritual growth.
• Together with the Intern who brought that new believer, visit the person at home or at an appropriate place, within forty-eight hours. Explain spiritual growth from pages 14 and 15 of the Four Spiritual Laws or Would you like to know God personally.
• Give another visit in the first seven days. Read and explain a few scriptures and pray with him.
Invite the person to join a Discovery Cell.
• On the second week, read page 15 of the Four Spiritual Laws (or page 16 of Would you like to know God personally) and share the importance of joining a cell.
• A new Christian will love to stay in a cell or a church if he can make two new friends within the first two weeks of coming to a Christian gathering and if he is assisted to attend the cell or church for six consecutive weeks.
• Motivate him to sign up for the Discipleship Program and attend all the teaching sessions.
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