Acts 2: 46 – “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.”
One of the things predominant in the early church was that apart from meeting together as a church, they also gathered together in smaller groups in their houses. The concept of house fellowships is therefore not a modern idea.
God never intended Christianity to be a “me, God, and my Bible” lifestyle. The Bible teaches that we also need each other for many reasons; Christianity is not meant for those who practise it to live like a lone ranger. Small groups (also known as “cell groups” and “house fellowship groups”) are growing in popularity in Christian churches and homes throughout the world as a way for us to make the connections we need with fellow believers. Small group fellowships—whether focused on Bible studies or on a wide variety of activities—have a tremendous impact on those who participate.
Luke 9: 11-17. Order precedes multiplication, order precedes help; Jesus made the multitude sit in an orderly manner, then their needs were met – this is the same when we gather in our cell groups and house fellowships. In smaller groups, individual needs are more properly attended to, because there is focus on each person. An intensive care system is formed in cell groups.
Cell groups meet purposely to develop the personal growth of each member, centered on the word of God. The cell fellowship consists of the host, the cell leader, a few people being groomed by the cell leader (assistant cell leaders), and the participants/cell fellowship members.
Making your house a cell centre is like bringing the ark of God to your home, there is a blessing that follows that.
WHY CELL GROUPS MAKE A DIFFERENCE
- THE FRIENDSHIP FACTOR: Many people, including Christians, lack close friends. When people get together in a cell group, close friendships form and often remain long after the group ends. Bonds are formed; the body of Christ becomes a family when you have friends! Diverse people are met and one gets to bond with people you wouldn’t ordinarily mix with.
- THE CHALLENGE FACTOR: In cell groups, we are challenged by those who love God and who do godly things, we start to run the godly race together. We strengthen each other’s faith. Paul, in his letter to the Romans, taught us that when we see the faith in another believer, it encourages us in our own faith “… that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” (Romans 1:12)
- THE HEALTH FACTOR: People in a small group, are more likely to participate in discussions than in a large class. Since there are fewer people, there is more opportunity to talk and less room to hide. Talking helps one’s health – physically and spiritually – your spirit will be healthy and fired up because there are people you can talk to and share things with. People often think there is something uniquely wrong with them. When they hear that others have similar struggles, they feel relieved and encouraged. When we fellowship in small groups from time to time; needs are taken care of spiritually and otherwise – therefore we become healthier Christians.
- THE OUTREACH AND SUPPORT FACTOR: You can be reached out to faster and more effectively if you belong to house fellowships; the feeling of isolation, abandonment and loneliness when facing grave health, emotional or financial problems will be taken out of the equation. Small group members can provide a “safety net,” reaching out and supporting one another in hard times. “We can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (2 Corinthians 1:4)”
- THE DISCOVERY AND MINISTRY FACTOR: Gifts and talents are discovered and harnessed easier and more quickly in small groups. God doesn’t expect pastors and teachers to do all the ministering. He has given each of us gifts and talents to encourage, teach, and challenge one another. Small groups provide the perfect setting for Christians to minister one to another. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:24)
- THE GROWTH FACTOR: Small group members encourage each other to grow. Regardless of a group’s focus or format, after a while people are likely to share personal insights and testimonies. Sharing exposes new ways that members can draw closer to God and new steps to grow spiritually in their walk with God.
- THE ACCOUNTABILITY FACTOR: Members of small groups can hold each other accountable. If someone announces he or she plans to work on making a change, other members of the group may ask how it went the next time they get together. This can be done in a friendly and informal way. Or group members may make a plan to be accountable to each other. As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17). Also, when people know they will be meeting with a small group of friends, they are motivated to do their homework and memorize the weekly Bible verse.
- THE INTERCESSION FACTOR: Members pray for one another. God honours and answers prayer. When people become connected emotionally, they are more open to praying for one another. Often, group members exchange prayer requests or become prayer partners. “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20)
- THE LEARN AND PRACTICE FACTOR: When people learn in small groups, it is easier to learn and to put into practice and action what they have learned. Learning and applying is more likely to happen with small group members than those in a large class.
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