Life Group Leader Training Lesson One: Intro to Cell Ministry

Transcription

1 Life Group Leader Training Lesson One: Intro to Cell Ministry We are excited about what God is doing in and through your life for His Kingdom! This Life Group Leadership Toolkit is designed to equip you with the basics you need in order to lead a God-glorifying, life-giving, reproducing life group. Allowing the Holy Spirit to teach you through this content will produce more fruit in your life than you can imagine! 1. What is the church? The word "church" derives from the Greek phrase "kiriake oikia," meaning the Lord's house or family. In English Bibles the word church often translates the Greek word "ekklesia" which means assembly or gathering. The New Testament church, as the family of Christ, entrusted themselves to the Lordship of Jesus. They met regularly in each other's homes to celebrate their lives in Jesus. In Acts 2:42-47, what do we find characterizes the first century New Testament Church? They devoted themselves to the and, to the of and to. v 42 Everyone was filled with awe, and many and were being done through the apostles. v 43 All the believers were together and had all things in. v 44 Selling their and, they gave to anyone as he had a need. v 45 Everyday, they continued to in the temple courts. They in their and with glad and sincere hearts, v 46 and enjoying the favor of all people. And the Lord to their number all who were being. v Healthy, Reproducing, Life-on-Life Relationships Life-on-life relationships were happening in the first century church. What was the main context within which they shared their new lives in Jesus? v 46 There are other ways to experience the church, but they found this to be the best way. Jesus leaves us with a mandate. Read Matthew 28:19, and write what it says. In Acts 2:47, we see that God uses the New Testament church model to add to their number daily, those who were being saved. Praise God! Their time together was not just about another meeting, but there was a culture of -giving community that resulted in the Kingdom coming into the hearts of others and God being glorified in the lives of the believers! 3. Life Group and the Vision of Christ Fellowship Our vision is to share and multiply the life of Christ in the church through new disciples, new life groups, and new congregations to the glory of God and the joy of all people! Christ Fellowship Life Groups are the primary place where lasting life change happens, where gifts can be used to edify the body, where meaningful Christian ministry is modeled to each other and our children, and a primary place where we reach out together to share the gospel of Jesus with the world around us. 4. Life Group and the Core Values of Christ Fellowship::The Three Great Loves Read the following scriptures and describe in your own words what it says. Love God Mark 12:30

2 Love One Another John 13:34-35 Love those who don t know Christ Mark 12:31 Matthew 28:19-20 Life Groups are the context in which these loves exist deeply and where they are lived out to the glory of the Father. 5. Life Group and You We believe that God has placed on your heart a desire to be an integral part of this life-giving, God-glorifying community, and is equipping you with all you need to be fully used by Him to conduct a life-giving meeting. We are excited that He has given you a vision for His Kingdom to come to earth and live through the church within the context of house meetings. A Servant Leader Takes Initiative Read Hebrews 13: & Ephesians 4: What does God equip His saints to do? Read Hebrews 13: 7, 17. What are our responsibilities as leaders? It is important that we recognize the honor and weight of being a willing and submitted vessel for Jesus ministry. We need to remember that God doesn t expect us to be perfect. He just desires us to be lovingly submitted to His Lordship. Roles of a Life Group Leader The primary role of a life group leader is to facilitate life group in a way that is led by the Spirit so that God is glorified through experiencing Christ and His life. the best cell leaders are facilitators. Joel Comiskey A facilitator is a leader who puts people at ease, encourages them to share their gifts without seeking to run or dominate the group's interaction. The facilitator encourages growth by delegating important tasks and helping the group understand and achieve the goals and vision of the group. Other Main Roles: -Pray and seek the Lord for the members of your life group daily/weekly -Meet with co-leader and interns monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly (depending on your preference/needs) to pray and prepare for life group that week -Guide and equip interns to become life group leaders through discipleship and working through the Life Group Leadership Toolkit -Be in community with members of life group throughout the week outside of weekly meeting -Attend life group regularly -Facilitate the flow of the life group, not dominating the meeting, but facilitating growth of relationships, interaction and discussion YOUR LIFE CHALLENGES THIS WEEK -Ask God to show you more of His love for you and others. -Start praying for at least one person in your life group each day. -Be intentional about spending time with someone in your life group this week.

3 Life Group Leader Training Lesson Two: Life of a Leader 1. Daily Time with Jesus/Devotional Time Jesus is our treasure. The most important thing we can do as followers of Christ, and leaders of others, is connect with God every day, as Jesus did. Read Mark 1:35. What did Jesus do and when? As His disciples, we want to be like Jesus in every way. Jesus only did what He saw the Father doing, as He could do nothing on His own. Likewise, neither can we do anything on our own, which is why we need to connect with Him every day. Read John 5:19 & write it in your own words. Our desire is to bring people closer to Jesus, for His glory. In order to do this we must continually get closer to Jesus. During time alone with Him, He transforms us, speaks to us and gives us His guidance for both our personal lives and for the life of our group. In these times we learn to submit to His Lordship more, and are made more sensitive to the leading of His Holy Spirit. 2. Prayer Life What does 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 say we should do, and why? Successful life group leaders. In addition to spending deep time with Jesus every morning, God desires us to pray throughout the day. How much we pray tells us how much we are willing to submit our lives to Him, and how much we are entrusting our lives, and the lives of others, to God. We need to pray in order for God s Kingdom to break forth on this earth! Read Matthew 6:5-8. What does Jesus tell us about where and why we pray? Read verses Next to each element of the prayer, write in your own words what Jesus is teaching us to pray Our Father in heaven, v. 9: Hallowed be Your Name, v.9: Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven, v.10 Give us this day our daily bread, v. 11: And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. v 12:

4 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. v 13: Praying For Others Match the verse with the correct truth about praying for others Corinthians 1:11 a. We are to pray for everyone, especially those in authority. This leads to peace and holiness. 2. James 5:13-16 b. If we hope in Him, the result of prayer is deliverance, help and favor Timothy 2:1-4 c. The prayer prayed in faith has the power to heal and to save. 3. Discipleship Being a disciple means loving Jesus and loving others. Discipleship is a vehicle that is used in order to make disciples who radically love Jesus and are growing in Him. Jesus walked, people followed and disciples were made. Love everyone and disciple those who respond. Read Matthew 28:18-20 and fill in the blank. Then said to them, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, and of all nations, them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and them to everything I have you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age. Matthew 28: What is Discipleship? -Discipleship is one person helping another become a lifelong, obedient follower of Jesus who makes other disciples. -Encourage, model and teach core values. 90% of discipleship is encouragement. This is the #1 role of discipleship As a leader, it is important that you are in at least one or two of the following discipleship relationships: -You are being discipled and meeting regularly with your discipler -You are discipling at least 1 or 2 others (at least 1 in your life group) regularly Healthy Discipleship Practices 1- Define goals and set expectations - This is where I am and This is where I want to go You re different b/c of the journey, not because you ve arrived. Read Philippians 3: What is Paul saying here? 2- Set a specific time each week, bi-monthly, or monthly depending on the need 3- Evaluate after a certain amount of time (6-weeks) *Go through the Discipleship Toolkit with Life Group Leader or another brother/sister. The D-Kit is a great tool for equipping you with what you need in order to make disciples. 4. Evangelism What is Evangelism? -Evangelism is telling others the good news of how Jesus has changed your life. This is called sharing the gospel. -Evangelism is discipling others to come into a relationship with Jesus so that they become His disciples. Read Romans 3:23-24 & explain it in your own words. Read Romans 10: Why is it so important to tell others about Jesus and what He has done in your life?

5 Sharing Jesus As we give our lives to God and seek Him, He will give us a burden for people who don t know Jesus. We are not perfect, but our God is. It is His will for us to desire that others come to know and love Him. -Love, love, love those who don t know the Lord by listening, serving, knowing, and being a genuine friend -Pray daily for specific people who need Jesus, and be their friend -Pray for boldness and the words to say when sharing -Share the gospel weekly -Regularly pray for, and encourage, your life group members to share how Jesus has changed their lives Pray Matthew 28:18-20 for your life personally & ask God for more of His heart for those who do not know Him. 5. The Character of a Life Group Leader As a disciple of Jesus, and a life group leader, we must live for the glory of God in everything we do. Our conduct should be one that exemplifies Christ and acts out of love for God and His people. We should be filled with His Holy Spirit and live a life exhibiting the fruits of Spirit. Read the following Scriptures and fill in the blanks. Romans 8:5-6: those who live according to the set their on what that nature ; but those who live in accordance with the have their minds set on what the. Read Galatians 5:22. Circle the fruits of the Spirit that Paul mentions here. Love Peace Joy Kindness Patience Happiness Faithfulness Goodness Faith Service Self-control Gentleness 1 Corinthians 10:23-24: Everything is -but not everything is. Everything is -but not everything is. Nobody should seek his own, but the good of. 1 Corinthians 10:31: So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for. Read Timothy 3:1-7. What are characteristics of an overseer? Relationships & Transparency Our relationships should always be marked by love, and a desire to serve others. In your own words, how does the Bible tell us to act toward others in the following Scriptures? John 13:34-35: Romans 12:15 Philippians 2:3 YOUR LIFE CHALLENGE THIS WEEK - Spend a little more time with Jesus every morning, and ask Jesus to become your treasure EVEN MORE. - Pray about who God may want you to disciple or to disciple you and seek that relationship out.

6 Life Group Leader Training Lesson Three: The Life Group/Cell Meeting 1. The Stages of a Life group Every small group goes through different stages of life. It is important for a life group leader to identify which stage his/her life group is going through in order to know how to best lead/facilitate it. Match the correct stage with it s definition.. Forming. Storming.Norming.Performing. Reforming 2. Preparing for Life Group Preparing Yourself a. Once the group members start trusting each other and experience unity, it is easy for it to become inward focused. During the performing stage, reaching out to others outside of the group is priority. It is important that the leader encourages the group to pray for non-believers and involves everyone in various outreach events. b. During this stage, the members are looking to the leader for direction and vision. Members are usually trying to figure out how if they want to commit to the group, and how the group relates to them. It is important for the leader to be transparent, focus on relationship building and initiate close social times. c. During this stage, you can expect shock, patience and grace. The group members are more likely to starting letting their real personalities show in this stage, and conflict among members often occurs. Conflict is natural and healthy part of the group building process Don t become discouraged! d. At the completion of the performing stage, the group will multiply to form a new group. This stage is called reforming. During this stage, the group should celebrate, as multiplying is not a separation, but a new birth as a result of new people being added to the group, and new leaders being equipped. Reforming is not only a stage, but is a value in cell ministry. e. This is where members start trusting each other. It is important that the leader is empathetic, understanding, open, flexible and also models ministry during this stage. During this stage, relationships become stronger and the group becomes unified. It is important that we are praying regularly for those in our life groups, our time together each week, and for God to continually lead us with His Holy Spirit. Leading effectively cannot happen without the leader s heart being transformed by the Lord. To be transformed by the Lord, we need to allow the Holy Spirit to work inside of our heart. Preparing for the Meeting The life group leaders and interns should meet regularly once a month, once every two weeks, or once a week in order to prepare and plan for your weekly life group. (Pray about how frequent the Lord would have you meet each month.) This meeting should be at least 3 days before the life group, so you have time communicate life group plans for the week. Components of this meeting include: Facilitating a Life-Giving Life Group Meeting Read John 16:13. What does it say about the Holy Spirit? God desires us to be people who are led by the Holy Spirit. We cannot lead a successful, God glorifying group without His help and Helper. We need to allow the Spirit to work within us so we can minister and lead from the overflow of the Spirit. Take time to prepare your heart before God right before the meeting, and ask for more of His Holy Spirit. What do these verses say about the church?

7 Match the verse with the correct truth from the Bible: 1. John 13: Corinthians 11: Corinthians 12: Ephesians 5: a. God has given each of us His Spirit and individual gifts for building up the church b. Love one another just as Jesus has loved us. By this, all people will know that we are His disciples. c. Give thanks together and submit to each other out of reverence for Christ. d. Take the Lord s Supper in remembrance of Him. 4. Components of the Life Group: The 4 W s There are many healthy agenda s for a life group, but Christ Fellowship has found the 4 W s to be the most simple, yet effective way to help structure a life group. It may help your planning to write out the 4 W s and pray over each one. (Note: the life group leader should always be open and sensitive to the Holy Spirit s leading and direction which takes precedence over any specific agenda. The specific time frames are just suggestions.) Welcome (15 minutes) Purpose: -Includes some type of get to know you exercise/icebreaker -Open with prayer for your group s time together, and always remember to welcome / invite Jesus, as He is the Ultimate life group Member. Worship (20 minutes) Let us go to His dwelling place; let us worship at His footstool. Psalm 132:7 Purpose: -Worship can be lead by different group members each week. -There are many ways to worship: speaking out adorations, prayer, singing songs, playing instruments, playing a worship music CD, reading a Psalm, etc. -Throughout the worship time, the worship leader should allow/encourage group members to offer sentence praise, prayer, silent confession, etc. -It is helpful to have words to songs printed out for everyone (especially if there is someone new joining you). -See Appendix A Word (30 minutes) Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 Purpose: -The Word time is focused on transformation of lives, not information. -The discussion time and questions are based off of the CF sermon on Sundays. -This portion can be delegated to different group members each week. -Basic components: Different members take part in reading Scriptures aloud; Scripture & sermon are briefly explained by group or discussion leader; discussion leader asks 3-5 questions to facilitate application of Scripture and how it can transform our lives. -(Note: It s important to not re-preach the sermon. Plan on summarizing the message in no more than 3-4 minutes before starting the discussion. The discussion leader is only setting up for the ministry time.) -The Life Group leader should not dominate the discussion by talking too much, instead he/she should cultivate an atmosphere that is safe and inviting for others to share. -See Appendix B Witness (15 minutes) Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus Christ is the Lord. Acts 5:42 Purpose: -Pray specifically for those in your spheres of influence who need Jesus, and encourage everyone to keep a list of their names. -Ask God to show you how He wants to use you to bring His Kingdom to them. -Plan a mission-oriented activity/event with the purpose of sharing the truth, life and love of Jesus with those who are not living for Him.

8 5. Small Group Dynamics See Appendices Each life group is unique and different, which allows for various dynamics to be experienced. We have included some appendices on the following topics in order to help you know how to lead a healthy and effective life group. Please take this time to review the appendices. Appendix A: Worship, Prayer and Ministry Time Appendix B: Transparency, Appropriate Sharing and Difficult Situations Appendix C: Helpful Tips for Leading Kid s Life Group YOUR LIFE CHALLENGE THIS WEEK - Start meeting with your life group leader to plan and pray for life group - Help with communicating everyone s part/role for group that week - Start sharing vision at life group

9 Life Group Leader Training Lesson Four: Life Group Evangelism & Multiplying Read Acts 2:46-47 again. According to v. 47, what was a normal result of the way the church lived? Your current life group wouldn t exist if a pre-existing life group hadn t reproduced the life of Jesus and multiplied its cell. Reproduction is a principle of life Living things multiply! It is vital that we, as leaders, cast vision to the members of our life group for multiplying the thriving life of Jesus Christ that we experience together, so that others can join us in living out the life of Jesus. Referring to Acts 2:47, Why do you think people were coming to know the Lord? 1. Life Group Evangelism -Your life group is to be used by God to bring people into - in. It is the same power of the that worked through the church in Acts & brought people to know Jesus, that is also is alive within us today! -Sharing Jesus with others should come from an overflow of, and for people to and Him. - in life group should be involved in evangelism, working together as a team to for each other s friends/co-workers/etc. who don t know the Lord, and each other in their personal relationships to be bold & share how Jesus has. -The most important thing we can do for people to become followers is for them! -, and creative ways to share Jesus. 2. Practical Ways for your Life Group to Share Jesus with Those who don t Believe (yet!) -Invite friends/co-workers/others in spheres of influence to life group People see Jesus not only in our individual lives but also in our relationships with each other. Transparent sharing and genuine, loving relationships can bring people to Jesus. What are some things your group can do to show visitors they are welcomed and loved? Outreach Parties and Events! What kind of fun events could your life group have and invite people to who don t know Jesus? Life Group Goals As a Group: -Set a goal for everyone to invite at least non-believer(s) to life group every week/month (circle one) -Set a goal to have outreach party(ies)/event(s) every month(s) 3. Multiplication Multiplication is a goal of life groups, because it is an indicator that more and more people are being changed by the life and love of Jesus. Multiplication is when a life group reproduces another life group because two main things have happened: it has grown big enough that meetings have become less intimate and personal, and new leaders have been raised up and equipped to lead a new life group.

10 Multiplying & Preparing Others for Cell Ministry A new group is the result of the launching of a new leader. The main indicator that a cell is ready and able to multiply in a healthy way is the readiness of a new leader. Life groups should not multiply just because of a time schedule or how many people are in the group. A life group should be birthed when it is led by leaders who will be able to develop new leaders who can multiply that group. # of Leaders = # of Life groups It is important for the life group leader to -See the potential in every group member to lead a life group. -Pray for God to speak to members of your group about leading. -Focus on formally or informally discipling (and investing into) those who are being raised up by God to lead. -Discuss potential leaders with your Section Leader before recruiting them. -Delegate simple ministry tasks. Questions to guide you in identifying members who are ready to start interning as a leader: 1. Who is faithful to the Lord and to the group? 2. Who understands the vision of the life group? 3. Who is willing and eager to serve? 4. Who is God highlighting in your heart? 5. Who is taking on ministry responsibilities without an actual leadership role? 6. Who has the ability to raise up other leaders? List some ministry tasks that your life group members can lead/be responsible for: Practical Ways to Cast Vision for Multiplication (Fill in other ways to cast vision among your life group.) -Always communicate the vision of reproducing to your life group at each meeting. -Pray for others to be added to the Kingdom, and to your group. -Share stories about great, life-giving multiplication experiences you have had in the past. - - YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THIS WEEK -Ask God for specific people that He would like you to show Jesus to. Pray for a burden and desire for them to know Jesus, then start praying for them regularly. -As a life group, pray for those in their spheres who need to know Jesus. Then, pray for them throughout the week. -Invite one person who doesn t know the Lord to life group this week. -Pray for two people to start interning for the life group you will be leading. Then, ask them to intern.