What Is a Faith-Sharing Cell Group?

A Faith-Sharing Cell Group is a friendship-related,  multiplying small group that seeks to evangelize,  disciple and shepherd through personal relationships. 

BASIC PRINCIPLES

Cell Groups are FRIENDSHIP ALIGNED:  The groups can consist of different age people living in the same geographical area. There are some cell groups that may focus on work locations, common interests, or on marital or single status, etc.
 
Cell Groups MULTIPLY: The group could have anywhere from 4-20 people. The “Cell” group multiplies as it reaches a certain size. Multiplication usually takes place where there are 12 in regular attendance. The multiplication is imperative so that the group may remain small enough to meet the demands of the individuals. The group can reach out to new people with twice the effectiveness. The mother group gives birth to 2 baby groups that begin the life process anew.
 
Cell Groups ARE A TOTAL MINISTRY: The four ministries of the church are worship, evangelism, discipleship, and pastoral care. As all of these ministries take place in a Cell Group, the group, in a sense functions as a mini church. Its goal is to reach out to others, disciple Christians and shepherd the flock.
 
Cell Groups are RELATIONAL: Most of the ministry of Cell Groups takes place outside the meeting time. Although the meeting is the gathering point for the group, most of the ministry takes place during the week as you live around others and serve them.

WHEN DO CELL GROUPS MEET?
Cell Groups can meet anytime. Most groups meet once or twice a month for an hour and a half.

REASON FOR DEVELOPING CELL GROUPS

God’s will is that every person on the face of the earth would be a disciple:
It is important to remember this truth. And that this truth is true for all of us nor matter who we are. Where would our church be without people who are willing to share their faith with others? It is also important to remember that changing a person’s heart is something we all should be concerned with. The last century has seen a level of comfort and relative wealth in the develop countries unparalleled in all human history. With it has come a materialism and hedonism reminiscent of Rome in its decline. What that means to us is that we will inherit all of this in the future, and if we do, will it then be too late to change our destructive path? We must act now to change our environment, we must all become disciples for Christ, because if we don’t, who will?
 
Ministry occurs best through relationships: Christians are ministers as they go. Although this make sense, most Christians do not hold to it. That is, they do not develop a ministry around friendship relationships in vocation, family, location or interest. Our Sovereign God has surrounded us in our daily life with people who need our love and Christ’s love. The best place to minister is right where you are!
 
The church is to minister to the total needs of people: While meeting people’s spiritual needs, you must deal with people’s emotional, relational, and physical needs. Only as you pay the price of involvement in people’s lives, do you earn the right to minister to them. God’s basic desire is to heal the hurts of people.
 
Evangelism is the priority of the Church: Evangelize and Disciple – you are commanded to do both. Discipleship always begins with evangelism and the goal is for the disciple to eventually become an evangelist. Jesus made it clear the only reason He is delaying His return is so that more people can be saved. 2 Peter 3:9 says “The Lord does note delay keeping His promise – though some consider it ‘delay.’ Rather, He shows you generous patience, since He wants none to perish but all to come to repentance.”  Evangelism, then, has to be the priority.

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"Small groups, or cells, are organisms, not organizations. Organisms are constantly mutating, changing entities."

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FUNCTIONS

1. Nurture the faith life of each of the members
2. Engage in communal worship around God’s Word
3. Give an experience of real community, or shared life and faith
4. Engage in some sort of mission and ministry to others

CHARACTERISTICS

1. A person who seems o be struggling to do God’s will and listening to God’s call
2. Prayerfulness
3. Heartfelt faith
4. Compassion
5. Ability to communicate
6. Teachableness
7. Willingness to prepare and study
8. Ability to inspire, motivate, and unite others

PRINCIPLES

1. People’s lives are enriched and nurtured in small groups; every individual could profit from the spiritual intimacy of a small group.
2. Ministries are more effective, caring, and informal on the small-cell group level.
3. In small groups, prayer can be geared to the specific needs of participants.
4. Homes can be transformed into places of systematic Bible study. Scripture can be prayed over and studied pastorally and practically rather than academically.
5. Especially if they are inclusive and inviting, these groups can become effective tools for evangelization.
6. Such groups become dwelling places of the Holy Spirit and environments where baptism in the Holy Spirit can take place.
7. People will gravitate to different types of groups, based on needs and life situations.