The Model | Part 2
My grandparents were European and brought their culture to the dinner table. It was a family meal. If you were in the house you were at the table. Talking was as much a part of the meal as eating. “How was your day?” “What did you do?” “How are things going?” “Are you feeling alright?” “What are you doing tomorrow?”
These were not asked as intrusive questions, they were caring questions in that context! Sadly, many people in today’s world don’t have anybody asking them how they are doing, or what they are going to be doing tomorrow.
When you circle the seats in a small group the door to relationships begins to open. The components of God’s Word, God’s Spirit, food, prayer, worship, spiritual gifts, safety, and sharing come together. People can get to know God, others, and themselves in an honest environment.
One day Jesus and the disciples were walking down the road together and Jesus asked, “What are you talking about?” It produced an awkward moment because they were talking about who was going to be in charge. On another occasion Jesus told Peter, “Get behind me Satan.” Another rough conversation. And yet again Jesus told his friend Martha she was worried about too many things. But her love for Jesus kept her in the conversation.
Those are the kinds of honest, transformational conversations friends can have when they circle the seats.
Merriam Webster defines a Cell:
The basic structural unit of living things…which perform specific functions necessary for life.
Throughout his ministry Jesus gave most of his time to the
The largest churches in the world today are built of
Lead Pastors oversee Pastors who oversee coaches who oversee shepherds who lead cell groups!
Acts 2:41-47 & 1 Corinthians 14:24-26
A Very Radical Approach
Because the cell meets all the basic needs of the believer, it replaces many “programs” that go on inside the traditional church. A cell group church has no Sunday School, Training Hour, Visitation Night, Midweek Prayer Service, or any of the other formal services which comprise other church calendars. In place of this, each cell becomes a true community, an “extended family unit” for Christians. A cell group church sees no need for other programs. Its basic needs are met in the Shepherd Groups. Adding further activities to its life dissipates the focus of believers and becomes counterproductive. —Dr. Ralph W. Neighbour, Jr.