A cell group is an informal, non-threatening gathering of 4-12 people,
led by trained lay-leaders. Cells meet in one another's homes for between 1 hour
and 20 minutes and 1 hour and 30 minutes a week. The ultimate purpose is to
reach our world for Christ. This is done by building relationships within the
group, caring for and encouraging one another in our spiritual growth, learning
together what the Bible is saying to us and by reaching out to those outside the
cell group.
Starting the first week of February, CBC will be launching cell groups that
will be located throughout the Houston area. Along with getting to know others, we'll
be participating in a follow up study of Pastor Dan's messages of Route 66. For
information or questions about this exciting new ministry, please contact Barb Ho
at bjhcfr@aol.com or Peng-Sea @p-s.lee@shell.com.
Cell groups are not Bible studies or fellowship groups. The following are
the particular differences that distinguish them from other small groups:
Cells meet from one hour and twenty minutes to one hour and thirty minutes
maximum each time they meet.
They encompass a self learning form of "Bible study". Everyone learns what
scripture is saying together. There is no teacher, only a "facilitator" who keeps
discussion flowing and Biblically based.
The size of a cell is between 4 and 12 members. Once it passes that number,
it immediately breaks into 2 groups.
The purpose is multiplication, so groups know ahead of time that they're
not meant to stay together forever (so as not to allow cliques). Groups will
change in some way about every 2 years.
Open sharing is important. The environment must be supportive, comfortable
and confidential for all to share about their good and not so good times.
Cells consist of prayer & worship, study of the Bible, sharing and fellowship.
Growth and outreach are major focuses. New members are always allowed and
encouraged to attend cells. Cells are never closed to new members.
Certain small groups may come to be in CBC that will be only open to certain individuals;
these will not be regular cells, but instead small groups with a particular focus.
WELCOME TIME: (15 min) FOCUS: One another AIM: Building relationships within the group
The WELCOME TIME is an ice-breaker that gets the group sharing with
each other. It needs to be able to be answered by anyone without requiring a
lot of trust or intimacy. It should be a simple question that can be answered
in one minute or so. The purpose is to build community in the group.
WORSHIP TIME: (10 min) FOCUS: Us to God AIM: To focus our attention as individuals and as a group on the presence
of the Lord Jesus
The WORSHIP TIME is meant to focus the hearts of the group away from
themselves and onto God. This is often, but not exclusively done through singing
worship songs. Worship is a chance for us to reflect on who God is and to
speak the truth about Him to each other. WORSHIP TIME can be spent
in a wide variety of ways, but keep 2 things in mind:
1. each person must be able to participate
2. the focus must be on the Lord Jesus
WORD TIME: (40 mins) FOCUS: God to us AIM: Allow God to minister to us as we study his word
The WORD TIME is based on a Biblical passage of the previous week's
sermon. The goal is not Bible study or philosophical discussion, but instead
a time where group members learn together what the Bible is teaching, as well
as open up and share about their personal spiritual journeys.
WITNESS TIME: (15 mins) FOCUS: GOD TO OTHERS - THROUGH US AIM: Allow God to reach and minister to others outside this group through us
The WITNESS TIME is a time focusing on reaching others with the gospel
of Christ. This includes a time of prayer with an expectation that God is
going to use us to reach our community for him. Along with a time of prayer,
the group can spend together time creating strategies to reach those who do
not know Christ, taking responsibility for one another's friends and family
members (e.g., social and special outreach events). This time is essential
to the dynamics of the group, making growth and multiplication the normal
expectation.