Living Cells

FIRST PRINCIPLES

28 Bible studies 
for those new to cell

Tim Britton

CONTENTS

Introduction……………………………………………………… Page  4
Section 1: Born Again
Day 1: New Life………….………………………………………	  6
Day 2: New Abilities…………………………………………….	  7	
Day 3: A Child of God…………………………………………..	  8
Day 4: A New Family……………………………………………	  9
Day 5: Born to Grow…………………………………………….	10
Section 2: Who am I?
Day 6: I am righteous……………………………………………	12
Day 7: I am united to Jesus…………………………………….	13
Day 8: I am saved from sin……………………………………..	14
Day 9: I am a person with a destiny……………………………	15
Day 10: I am a person with a purpose….……………………..	17
Section 3: Loving God
Day 11: God first…………………………………………………	20
Day 12: Fulfilling God's purposes………………………………	21
Day 13: Christian Unity………………………………………….	23
Day 14: Prayer…………………………………………………...	24
Day 15: The Bible………………………………………………..	25
Day 16: Worship together……………………………………….	26
Day 17: Baptism………………………………………………….	27
Day 18: Holy Communion……………………………………….	28
Day 19: Expectancy………………………………………………	29
Section 4: Loving our neighbour
Day 20: Daily Life…………………………………………………	32
Day 21: Living in God's world……………………………………	33
Section 5: Loving one another
Day 22: Community Life…………………………………….……	36
Day 23: Every member ministry…………………………………	37
Day 24: Spiritual Growth…………………………………………	38
Day 25: Accountability……………………………………………	39
Day 26: Servant Leadership……………………………………..	40
Section 6: Making disciples
Day 27: Evangelism………………………………………………	42
Day 28: Multiplication…………………………………………….	43

Introduction

These studies are for anyone who is new to cell, whether they have just joined a cell group, or are simply exploring the idea, and are designed to supplement the leaflet, 'Living Cells, A Foundation for Growth', which summarizes the purpose, values and structures of cell church. The first ten studies look at the way we should see ourselves, while the rest look at the values underlying cell groups. Many of these values are common to all Christians, but some are particularly relevant to cells. Whether a cell functions properly or not depends to a great extent on how much these values are taken to heart. If you have problems with any of them - or any questions arising from your studies - do not hesitate to ask someone (such as a cell leader or a church minister).

These studies can be done in a variety of ways.  They could easily be done by individuals as a month of studies. Alternatively, a group may ask its members to do say five in a week, and then talk about them in their meeting. Some groups have done one or more studies together, as part of their meeting. Memory verses are given for each section, which I recommend everyone to learn! However you use these studies, enjoy them, and listen to what God may be saying to you!

Tim Britton.

SECTION 1: 
BORN AGAIN

MEMORY VERSE

Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no-one can see the kingdom of God without being born again."
John 3:3.

DAY 1: New Life

Read John 3:1-16.
As you read, ask God what he is saying to you.

Jesus in this passage speaks of two kinds of birth.  The first is physical birth ('flesh gives birth to flesh', verse 6).  The second is spiritual birth, a new birth, which Jesus calls being born again (v.3).  Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a party of the Jews that tried to obey all God's commands.  Even he could not enter the kingdom of heaven, unless he was born again.

What causes the spiritual birth (v.6)?

__________________________________________________________

What are the results (vs. 3,5)?

__________________________________________________________

Are there any other ways of achieving the same results?

___________________________________________________________
(You may want to discuss your answer with someone in your cell group.)

We could not become citizens of the kingdom of God without the spiritual new birth, which was the start of a new life, 'eternal life' (v.16).  God is our king, and we love him and serve him - that is our new nature.  Before we were born again, such love and service did not come naturally; the old nature and the kingdom of God do not mix (see 1 Corinthians 15:50).   But through faith in Jesus, we have been given eternal life; we have been born again, and have a new life which needs to grow and develop.  Your cell group will provide a good environment for growth, and these studies will help you get off to a good start.

Spend a few moments thanking God for what he has given you.
DAY 2: New Abilities.

Read Ezekiel 36:26-27, and then John 3:1-16 again.
As you read, ask God what he is saying to you.

Most people are born with the necessary equipment to function properly in this world - limbs and organs, the five senses, everything necessary to life - though in a very undeveloped form.  It is the same with the new birth: we are born again with new abilities, in order to function in the new kingdom.  In the kingdom of God we need to be able to hear his voice, and to respond appropriately; we need to be able to be obedient - someone who could not obey God could not fit in to the kingdom!  We need to be able to relate to the spiritual world around us, and to our spiritual family.  Our new, spiritual, nature has these abilities - though again, they are undeveloped and need to grow.  Unless we grow spiritually, we remain spiritual babies.

Although we are born again, we are still living in our physical bodies.  We still have the old thought patterns, the old values, even though we have a new heart and a new spirit.  Often there is a conflict between the old way of living and the new way (Romans 7:21-25).  Much of our spiritual growth is simply learning how to live the new life instead of the old: we replace our previous ways of thinking with new ways, our previous values with new ones, and we learn to listen to God rather than to the voices of the world around us or our inner world of 'what I want'.  The result is that our behaviour changes, and our lives change, so that we become more and more like Jesus.  That is the aim of this set of studies, and the aim of the whole of our lives, especially as members of a cell group.

A Prayer.
Dear God, thank you for giving me new life so that I can live with you in your kingdom.  Help me to grow spiritually, and to become more and more like Jesus as the weeks go by.  Amen.

DAY 3: A Child of God.

Read John 1:12,13 and Romans 8:15-17.
As you read, ask God what he is saying to you.

Every  baby has a natural father.  When we are born again spiritually, God is our father.  He has done a new work of creation, by giving us new life!  It is natural now to call him Father.  (The word 'Abba' is the Aramaic name children would call their fathers - a name showing both intimacy and respect.)  We are related to God our Father - and so we are also related to Jesus his Son (his only true Son - although we are children, we are not divine as Jesus is) and to the Holy Spirit, the third member of the 'Trinity'.  (Remember, the Bible shows us that God is three: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; yet the three are a unity, each being involved in each other so that truly there is only one God.  It is difficult to understand, but we cannot really expect easily to understand God's nature!)

Our Father God is a perfect father.  If your father was less than perfect, remember that you now have a father who is perfect - all that you ever needed in a father, and much more!

In Roman times, men could choose who they wanted to be their heirs, and make them so by a special act of adoption.  God has adopted us as his heirs - not that he is going to die, but that we are going to receive great blessing in the future.  But notice Romans 8:17.  What two things will we share with Christ?

___________________________________________________________

Life here and now will not be a bed of roses.  But whatever happens, fix it firmly in your heart that God loves you.  Read Romans 8:38-39, and receive it as God's message to you personally.

DAY 4: A New Family.

Read 1 John 4:20 - 5:1.  (Remember that 1 John is John's first letter, not his gospel.)
As before, ask God what he is saying to you.  (Do this every time you read a passage from the Bible.)

You have been born again.  God is your spiritual Father.  Who are your new brothers and sisters, and how are we to treat them (1 John 4:21, 5:1)?

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

As in any family, we do not choose our relatives!  There is a sense in which every Christian is our brother or sister.  However, it is impossible truly to love every other Christian!  If we are to take God's command seriously, we need to be in more 'family sized' units.  The first Christians often met in households (e.g. 1 Corinthians 16:19) - the equivalent of our cell groups.  In a small group like a cell group it is possible to learn to love one another, and to become a spiritual family. It is not easy, but the Spirit will enable you to do it!

Read again 1 John 4:20 - 5:1.  Will you commit yourself to learn to love the brothers and sisters God puts in your cell group?  Pray about it, and then write your response here:

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

DAY 5: Born to Grow.

Read 1 John 2:12-14.
(What else do you do as you read?)

In every family the members are at different stages of growth and maturity.  What do you think John means in 1 John 2:12-14 by:

Children ___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

Fathers ____________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

Young men _________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

Notice that the most mature are characterized simply by their knowing God.  In the Bible the word 'know' can have a very deep meaning, as in the expression, 'Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived...'  Mature believers are those who have a deep, close, relationship with God.  Notice also that these men and women are called 'fathers' - and fathers are those who have fathered children.  What is the spiritual equivalent?

___________________________________________________________

The 'young men' are strong, active, defeating Satan (though they are by no means perfect!).  The 'children', the new believers, have a lot to learn; but they know that they are forgiven, and that God is their Father.  Our aim (whatever our gender) is to grow from 'children' to 'young men' to 'fathers'. Who in your cell group do you think are 'fathers'? young men? children?  What are you?

SECTION 2:
WHO AM I?

MEMORY VERSE

Jesus said: ‘I am the vine; you are the branches.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.’
John 15:5.

DAY 6: I am righteous.

Read Romans 3:19-24.

The greatest need for every human being is to be righteous in God's sight.  A righteous person is one who always thinks, speaks and does what God wants, in relationship with him.  People may encourage us to believe we are all right, but that is not enough for us.  Even less sufficient is self-justification, self-righteousness.  The only thing that matters is to be acceptable to God.

What is the problem (v.23)? ____________________________________

___________________________________________________________

What is the solution (v.24)?_____________________________________

___________________________________________________________

Note that the solution is not to live a good life (v.20).  The only way we can be 'justified' - righteous in God's sight - is for God himself to say, 'You are not guilty of any sin.  As far as I am concerned, you are perfectly righteous and acceptable.'

To whom does God say this (v.22)? ______________________________

___________________________________________________________

Note v.24: this justification is a free gift; it is not earned or deserved.  All of us have sinned, all are guilty, all deserve punishment.  But Christ has paid the price for us (see the beginning of v.25).  Now we are 'justified' - 'just-as-if-I'd never sinned'.  The punishment for our sins has been paid, and there is nothing left to pay.  God himself has taken away our guilt.  This is 'grace' - God's Riches At Christ's Expense.

All we have to do is to believe it and receive it!  It is so easy - yet it is impossible without God's Spirit!  (Ephesians 2:8)

DAY 7: I am united to Jesus.

Read Romans 6:1-12.  

When we believe in Jesus we are born again and start the Christian life.  Baptism marks this (though many today are born again long after or long before their baptism).  We are now united to Jesus.  This fact underlies the whole of Christian life.  In a marriage service the groom and bride say to each other, 'All that I am I give to you, all that I have I share with you.'  If one was poor and the other very rich, marriage would make them equally rich.  When we are united with Jesus, we give him all that we are and have - bad and good - and he gives us all the benefits he has won by his life, death, resurrection and ascension.  Is Jesus righteous?  So are we, if we are united to him.  Does Jesus have eternal life?  So do we.  Does Jesus have unlimited resources?  So do we.  Is Jesus the Son of God?  We too are now God's children.  Read Romans 8:15-17, and take to heart what God is saying to you.

We now have all the resources of Christ - but we do not experience it immediately.  We do not instantly become perfect: we have to learn to live in union with Christ.  God sees us as righteous, because we are united to Jesus.  He now works in our lives to set us free to live the way he designed us - a work which will continue for the rest of our lives.  Old habits of thought and action need to be replaced by new attitudes and habits.

What should be our attitude towards sin (Romans 6:6,11)?

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

What should be our attitude towards God (Romans 6:11)?

___________________________________________________________

DAY 8: I am saved from sin.

God's work in us has two aspects: there is a continuing fight against temptation and the old way of life, and there is a continuing growth of Christ-like character and activity.  

Read 1 Corinthians 10:13 and James 4:7.  What is God saying to you?

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

Now that we are united to Christ, we have the power to resist Satan's temptations.  God gives us spiritual armour (Ephesians 6:10-18) which we need to 'put on' - truth, righteousness, readiness to share the good news, faith, salvation, God's word, and prayer.  With all this armour, we can stand against any attack of the devil!  We wear it simply by making sure that all these things are important parts of our everyday lives.  Talk to your cell partner about how you can do this in practice.

Read Ephesians 4:22 - 5:1.

Now that we have a new life, we need deliberately to put off the old and to put on the new.  Usually we find that old habits and ways of thinking die naturally as we seek to follow Jesus - as we 'live by the Spirit' (Galatians 5:16) by being receptive to his teaching and ready to obey whatever he tells us.  If we have problems with indecent sexual thoughts, for example, it is not helpful to read pornographic magazines.  Rather, we refuse to go near them, and deliberately seek to avoid situations where we know we will be tempted.

What habits do you need to replace?  (You will find it helpful to talk about this with a Christian friend or advisor, who will ask you from time to time how you are getting on.)

DAY 9: I am a person with a destiny.

Read 1 Peter 1:3-9,13-19.

Christians have an eternal future - a living hope!  The word 'hope' in the Bible does not mean anything uncertain; it means a future that is certain, though at the moment unseen.

What in this passage emphasizes the certainty of our future?

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

The Bible tells us something of the new creation. What good things do the following verses encourage us to look forward to?

1 Thessalonians 4:17 _________________________________________

1 John 3:2 __________________________________________________

Ephesians 1: 9,10 ____________________________________________

Ephesians 2:6,7 _____________________________________________

Romans 8:18-21 _____________________________________________

Revelation 21:3,4 ____________________________________________

Our hope is not merely 'pie in the sky when you die'.  It is a major motivation for life here and now.  Look again at the passages in 1 Peter 1.  What practical effect do expect your hope to have in your life?

Read the list on the following page each day, until the truths in it have taken deep root within you.
Thank God for what he has done, and pray for your life to reflect it.

I AM
I am united to Jesus Christ.
In union with him:
I am made new.
I am forgiven by God.
I am as righteous in God’s eyes as Christ himself.
I am accepted by God.
I am God’s beloved child.
I am a co-heir with Christ.
I am equipped for fruitful service.
I am destined for glory.
I am special.

DAY 10: I am a person with a purpose.

Read 1 Peter 2:9,10, Ephesians 2:4-10.

Notice especially the last part of 1 Peter 2:9, Ephesians 2:7, and the middle part of Ephesians 2:10.  According to these verses, what has God saved you for?

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

We know from Ephesians 1:10 that God's purpose is to unify all creation under Jesus Christ, the God-Man.  Then everything will be in harmony within creation, and God's kingdom will have come in all its fullness and he will receive the glory that is his due.

Our purpose as human beings is to glorify God.  (Look how many times words like 'to the praise of his glory' occur in Ephesians 1.)  We are uniquely able to do so, since we are made 'in his image' - our human nature reflects something of the nature of God and is able to respond to God.  (Though spoiled by sin, the image of God is still discernible; it is perfectly restored in the resurrection nature.)  Moreover, we have experienced God's amazing grace - and that is not the end of the story: God is going to pour out even more blessings on us.

We can glorify God here and now, by being 'grace-bearers' - people who have received God's grace, and can invite others to experience the same.  At the same time we are living displays of God's grace: others can see the good things God has done for us, and they can see God's grace at work in us as they see the good things we do.  This will be true for all eternity; let it be true now.  Read Matthew 5:16 and pray it into practice.

SECTION 3: 
LOVING GOD

MEMORY VERSE

Jesus said, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind 
and with all your strength.’
Mark 12:30.

DAY 11: God first.

Each of us has a 'value system'.  It is the way in which we decide what are our priorities in life: we do the things we value most.  Sometimes we are not conscious of our real values; a married man may believe that that his wife and children are number one priority, but his actions may show that in fact he values his career more highly.

Please put the following in your order of priority.  Be as honest as you can, and take as long as you need.

___  Looking after the family.

___  Having close friends.

___  Doing the will of God.

___  Making money.

___  Having time for my own
        interests.

___  Being happy.

___  Making the world a better 
        place to live in.

___  Winning other people's 
        admiration.

___  Sharing the good news of 
       Jesus.

___  Being safe and secure.

Our value systems have been formed from birth by our experiences and observations and education.  When we are born again and become citizens of God's kingdom, our value system must change to reflect the new realities of life.  We now need to decide our priorities with reference to God.  What do you think God expects to be number one priority in your life?

Now see Jesus' priority in life, shown in John 4:34 and John 6:38.

If we believe that God is God - Lord of lords, King of kings, the one with ultimate authority - and that we are accountable to him, and that he loves us, then God's will is the most important thing in our lives.  We let his will shape our whole value system, so that our priorities fall into line with his.  (We pray for that, whenever we say, 'Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.')  Our values must be the values of the kingdom of God; any inconsistent old values need to be rejected.
In the next sessions we will look at those values which are particularly relevant to us in cells. As we do so, be prepared to let God change your mindset. Talk to God about this now.

DAY 12: Fulfilling God's purposes.

Read Acts 2:42-47.

The word 'church' means different things to different people.  Some think of the building, 'I'm going to church.'  Others think of the organisation, 'The church should be doing more.'  Others think of the ordained ministry, 'She is going into the church.'  Others think of the people, either in a local area, 'My church is very lively', or world-wide, 'I believe in the holy catholic church' (the word 'catholic' means universal).  What do you first think of?

___________________________________________________________

In the Bible, the word 'church' means the people.  The Greek word translated 'church' is ekklesia, which means, 'called out'; it originally referred to troops being called out to fight a war, or citizens assembled together to govern a city.  In the Bible the church is therefore a community with a purpose, called out from the world to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and his mission.

Acts 2:42-47 describe the church as it was at the very beginning, just after the day of Pentecost when the Spirit came.  There were no church buildings - they used the temple courts and each other's homes.  But there was a church - the people of God.  Bearing in mind the fact that our circumstances are different from theirs, what can we learn from these verses about how the church should be today?

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

How does the cell group system help?

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

On the next page is a list of 'one another' instructions in the New Testament.  Notice how it is only possible to obey all these commands within a small community. That's why cell groups are so important!

'ONE ANOTHER' INSTRUCTIONS

Be at peace with each other
Love one another (repeated 16 times).
Wash one another's feet.
Be devoted to one another.
Honour one another.
Live in harmony with one another (2 times).
Accept one another.
Instruct one another.
Greet one another (4 times).
Have equal concern for each other.
Serve one another (2 times).
Carry each other's burdens.
Bear with one another (2 times).
Be kind and compassionate to one another.
Forgive each other (2 times).
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
Submit to one another.
Teach and admonish one another.
Encourage each other (4 times).
Build each other up.
Spur one another on.
Confess your sins to each other.
Pray for each other.
Offer hospitality to one another.
Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another.

For a more complete list, see a concordance, or read 'Prepare Your Church for the Future' by Carl George, p.129 (published by Fleming H Revell). 

Think of your own cell group members, and look again at the list.  Identify one instruction which you think your cell group fulfils well, and one which needs to be worked on.  Pray for your group in the light of what you have written.

1._________________________________________________________

2._________________________________________________________

DAY 13: Christian unity.

Read John 17:20-23 and Matthew 28:19,20

In some of the 'creeds' (ancient statements of faith) we say, 'I believe in the holy, catholic, church.'  The church is holy, in that it is set apart by God; it is catholic, in that it is universal, for all people everywhere.  

Why did Jesus want believers to be united?

___________________________________________________________

What in practice would he want to see in our own situation?

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

We cannot show our unity as Christians with every Christian in the world. However, we can unite with those around us. Just belonging to a cell is not enough: we also need to demonstrate our unity with other Christians. That is one reason why we value congregational worship in parish churches for example: it demonstrates our unity in Christ. It also gives us opportunities to enjoy different styles of worship, to listen to preachers, to develop gifts and ministries which are wider than a cell, and to do things which small cell groups cannot easily do by themselves.

We need also to demonstrate our unity with other Christians of other denominations. How can this be done?

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

What matters most of all is what goes on in our hearts. Do we value other Christians as members of the Body of Christ? Do we want to give expression to that at work, in our worship, and in our witness. What can you do?

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

DAY 14: Prayer.

Read Matthew 6:5-13.

If we want to develop a relationship with someone, we need to give that person quality time, and we need to do some quality listening.  It is the same with God.  Our 'inner room' (v.6) may not be a special place (though that helps); it is anywhere we can be alone with God, able to listen to him.

How you spend that time depends on you. It is helpful to use part of it to listen to God speaking through the Bible, as we have seen in the past few days.  You will also want to spend time communicating your own responses, feelings and concerns. The Lord's Prayer is not a rigid form of words (compare Luke 11:2-4).  But it is a useful framework for our praying.  Another useful structure is ACTS:
A: Adoration.  Spend time loving God, and praising him.
C: Confession.  Let God's light shine on the dark parts of your life, and admit to God anything that is wrong in your life.
T: Thanksgiving.  Thank God for the good things he has given you.  Thank him for people, and for what he is doing for them.  Thank him even for your circumstances and the opportunity for you to live for him in them (Ephesians 5:19,20, Colossians 3:16,17).
S: Supplication (Asking).  Ask God to help those on your hearts (don't forget your brothers and sisters in Christ) and for yourself (don't miss yourself out).  Use Luke 11:5-12 to encourage you, and prayers such as Ephesians 3:14-21 as a pattern sometimes!  Remember, asking is an expression of faith, and an integral part of our relationship with God).

However you spend the time, give enough time to listen to God.  Why not keep a diary in which you record the thoughts that come to your mind, some of which will be from God?  Later you can review them prayerfully.  You will find that you will soon be able to discern which are from God.

How much quality time will you spend daily with God?________________

Look again at Matthew 6:9-13. Is this prayer designed to be prayed alone?

In cell groups there is often 'open prayer', when the members are expected to pray. If you want God to do something, ask him out loud to do it, and don't worry about whether the words come out right or not - God will understand.  Don't think about what others will think: they should be praying, not criticizing!  

DAY 15: The Bible.

God speaks to us today through the Bible.  When we read it, we need to listen to what God is saying to us by his Spirit.  Our reading therefore needs to be prayerful.  If you want to listen to God speaking through the Bible:

Pray. Ask God to help you to listen to him.

Read. Expect God to speak.  You may find Bible notes or books help you to understand a passage better - but don't read the notes instead of the Bible.

Ask. Ask God what he is saying to you.  Think:
Is it about himself (Father, Son or Holy Spirit)?
Is it about myself?
Is he telling me to do something?
Is he warning me not to do something?
The Holy Spirit will answer you.  Listen to him.

Pray. Praise God for what you have heard.  Ask him to work in you so that you will live according to his Word.  Trust the Holy Spirit to change you - do not trust your own power to obey.

Now read 2 Timothy 3:10-17, using the above suggestions.  You may like to write down any thoughts or inspiration here.

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

SPECIAL NOTE: If you don't know what the Bible says, look out for books or courses which give an overview of the whole Bible and its teaching.  (Your cell leader will help you find something suitable.)  

God may also speaks to us in other ways: giving an intuition about something, putting thoughts in our minds, giving dreams, visions or pictures, even messages which seem as if someone is speaking us.  His Spirit is in us, communicating with our spirits (Romans 8:16).  He also speaks through other people.  However, he will never go against the Bible he inspired, and so we need always to check any message we have received against the Bible, to make sure it comes from God.  If it does, we need to listen, however it has come to us.

DAY 16: Worship together.

Read Malachi 1:6-14.

Old Testament worship revolved around the sacrificial system.  The law stated that animals offered for sacrifice had to be 'without defect'.  The priests in Malachi's time were guilty of disobeying this law (v.8).  Their problem was one of a wrong attitude: they regarded worship as a burden, and the sacrificial system as not worth the effort (vs 12,13).  What is God's attitude to their worship?

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

Worship together is still important.  There is a place for private prayer, but it is equally important to worship God as a body.  Thus the Lord's prayer begins, 'Our' Father - not 'my' Father.  Jesus promises that when two people agree in prayer their prayers will be answered, and to be present where two or three are met together in his name (Matthew 18:19,20).  The early church met together regularly for worship (Acts 2:42, 5:12) and gave instructions about how to meet (1 Corinthians 11:17-24, 14:26-40, Hebrews 10:25).

When we worship together, what attitude should we have?

___________________________________________________________

The more we put in to worship, the more we will get out of it.  If I expect nothing much to happen, nothing much happens. But if I expect to meet with God, and actively look for what he may be saying to me in the words and music, I will find him. The worship may not be 'without defect' in terms of its words, music and atmosphere; yet if in heart we are attentive to God and give ourselves to him, we are worshipping in spirit and truth (John 4:23,24).  The style is not as important as the heart.

DAY 17: Baptism.

Read Matthew 28:19,20, Acts 2:37-41, Acts 16:31-33, (and if you have time, Romans 6:3-4, Galatians 3:27, Colossians 2:11-13, 1 Peter 3:21).

Baptism is the ceremony that marks the beginning of the Christian life.  It has been the subject of much debate between Christians, who argue over when it should be given to a person, and how it should be done. 

The word 'baptism' comes from the Greek 'baptizo', which originally meant to dip or immerse (though some texts of Mark 7:4 use it to refer to ceremonial purifying of dining couches).  John the Baptist practised baptism for those who had repented of sin, as a sign that they were clean in God's sight.  This was not the same as Christian baptism, which was a sign that the believer is united to Jesus in order to live for him in the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-7, see Galatians 3:27).  It is most likely that at first most if not all the people who were baptised were people who listened to the message and believed, and were immediately baptised.  That is the easiest way to understand all the Bible references.

However, that's not the whole story.  It is highly likely that the Philippian jailer’s household (Acts 16:31) included young children, and by 180 AD. it was quite common to baptize infants and children.  The reason for this is two-fold: first, baptism marks someone as Christian as opposed to anything else, and Christian parents would not want anyone to count their children as pagans; and second, baptism was seen as the Christian equivalent of circumcision (Colossians 2:11,12), which was given to babies even though it was a sign of faith (Romans 4:11).  Infant baptism has been practised by the majority of churches from then until now, often in the mistaken belief that baptism was the entrance ticket for heaven.  The quantity of water used has not been seen as vital; however, until recently babies in Anglican churches were baptised by total immersion unless too weak to survive it!

DAY 18: Holy Communion.

Read Mark 14:22-25, and 1 Corinthians 11:17-34.

Like Baptism, Holy Communion is a ceremony commanded by Jesus.  It is also a cause of much debate and division between different churches.  It goes under different names: The Lord's Supper, Holy Communion, The Eucharist, The Mass.  In the early days of the church it was part of a communal meal; later just bread and wine were used, as Paul recommends to the Corinthians.  Christ gave it to us, so that we can:

a) Unite.  Strange that a service of unity is such a cause for division!  Yet Jesus wants us to be united: 'We, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.' (1 Corinthians 10:17).  Communion is more than between me and God; it is also with each other.

b) Remember.  Words and actions, bread and wine, bring back to us Christ's love in giving his life for us.

c) Participate.  We are participating in the 'body and blood of Christ' (1 Corinthians 10:16).  Some people believe that the bread and wine become Christ's body and blood in a communion service, even though their chemistry remains unchanged.  (This accounts for many of the practices of Roman Catholic and 'high' churches.)  Others believe that the bread and wine remain simply bread and wine, but stand for Christ's body and blood - i.e. his death for us.  The important thing is that when we receive them in our mouths, we receive in our hearts Jesus and all the benefits of his death for us.

d) Proclaim.  We 'proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.'  (1 Corinthians 11:26).  (It is a temporary institution!)

e) Give Thanks.  From early days the service has been called, 'The Eucharist'.  (The word 'Eucharist' means 'thanksgiving')  We receive with joyfulness and thanks!

DAY 19: Expectancy.

Read Mark 10:46-52.

What did Jesus say had made Bartimaeus well?____________________

How did Bartimaeus show that? _________________________________

There seems to be quite a lot of spiritual truth in the saying, 'If you don't ask you don't get.' But Jesus shows that we need to expect to get an answer.

What do you want Jesus to do for you:

in cell meetings? _____________________________________________

in worship? _________________________________________________

in your Bible study and prayer times? _____________________________

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in your daily life? _____________________________________________

Note that we can only really expect Jesus to do things for us that he wants to do - what he has promised, or are otherwise in character. It was in character for Jesus to heal Bartimaeus, and Bartimaeus knew that. Jesus has promised to be present wherever two or three meet in his name (Matthew 18:20), so we can expect him to be with us when we meet with other Christians. When Jesus commissioned us to go and make disciples everywhere, he promised to be with us always (Matthew 28:20), so we can expect him to be with us wherever we go as his servants (i.e. everywhere, always). God has promised to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him (Luke 11:13). so we can ask and expect the Holy Spirit's power to flow through us.

'Blessed are those who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed.' Expectations may not always be met; there may be disappointments. But Jesus wants us to trust him, and that includes asking and expecting him to act.

What do you expect Jesus to do for you in the areas mentioned above?

SECTION 4: 
LOVING OUR NEIGHBOUR

MEMORY VERSE

'Love your neighbour as yourself'.
Mark 12:31

DAY 20: Daily Life.

Read Ephesians 6:5-8 and Colossians 3:22-25.

What is your occupation (mother/teacher/manager etc.)?

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According to these verses, who is the one you really are working for?

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According to these verses, what attitude should you have towards your work?

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According to these verses, what will your reward be?

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According to you, what difference would it make to your work if you put all this into practice?

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Make up a prayer that you can use during the day to help you remember these truths.  Write it down here if you like.

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DAY 21: Living in God's World.

Read Leviticus 19:9-15,33-36 and Isaiah 1:15-26.

It is difficult to read the Old Testament without being impressed by God's love for justice and his concern for the poor and the oppressed.  The laws in the first books of the Old Testament reflect that concern, and the prophecies in the second half are full of condemnation for those who misuse their power to oppress the poor.

Where in the world do you see injustice and oppression today?

___________________________________________________________

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Did you note any examples close to home?  It is tempting to see that issues of poverty or injustice are impossible for us as individuals to do anything about.  There is a cartoon strip showing one person praying, 'What can one person do?'  The next frame shows the whole world, and thousands of individuals all praying 'What can one person do?'  One solitary individual can do nothing; but many individuals can achieve remarkable results, especially if they are acting together.  If that is so, what excuse have we to do nothing?

Look at your list above.  What does God want you to do about those issues?

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What other ways can we help the world around us to be more what God wants it to be?

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SECTION 5: 
LOVING 
ONE ANOTHER

MEMORY VERSE

A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
John 13:34,35.

DAY 22: Community Life.

Read John 13:34,35 & John 15:9-13.

In these verses Jesus is talking to a small group of disciples - his cell group, so to speak.  Not only should we love our neighbours; Christians are to have a special love for each other.  Why is this important, according to these verses?

___________________________________________________________

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How should we love one another?  David & Teresa Ferguson and  Chris & Holly Thurman identify four ingredients of love in their course, 'Marriage and Family Intimacy':
1) Affectionate Caring.
2) Mutual Giving - seeking to meet the other person's needs.  The authors identify ten top emotional needs: 
acceptance     affection     appreciation     approval     attention     comfort     encouragement     respect     security     support.
If the giving is mutual, all needs are met.  (Christian love (agape) is giving even if the partner does not give in return; we rely on God to arrange for our needs to be met.)
3) Vulnerable communication - at the level of feelings and emotional needs.
4) Joint achievement - doing things together.

Are these ingredients of Jesus' love for you?
How can you add these ingredients to your love for other members of your cell group?

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Look back at page 22, the list of 'one another' instructions. How do they help?

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DAY 23: Every member ministry.

Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-11.

Note verse 7:
What is given? ______________________________________________

To whom? _________________________________________________

What for? __________________________________________________

The Holy Spirit does not give special powers just to special people as a reward for their holiness.  He gives to each believer a special power or ministry or way of working - showing that he is at work - for the benefit of all.  Those listed here are by way of example only; other lists appear e.g. in Romans 12:6-8.  Some gifts are obviously supernatural; others appear to be natural; yet all show the Holy Spirit at work, and he is the one who decides who gets what, and when (v.11).

Notice that only one of these gifts is for personal benefit - the gift of speaking in tongues.  The speaker is the one who benefits (see 1 Corinthians 14:4), which may be one reason why this is often the first gift a new Christian receives.  The other gifts are mostly for the benefit of others.  They are not therefore 'personal possessions', 'my gift, to use as I wish.'  The gift is given to fit the need - the Holy Spirit does not give healing when no-one is sick!  However, the fact that the Holy Spirit gives his gifts to each person (v.11) implies that there always is a need for him to be at work, and that each one of us needs to be ready for him to equip us to do that work.

Do you see the gifts of the Spirit both in your cell group and in your daily life?  If not, why not?  (Talk to your group about it.)

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DAY 24: Spiritual growth.

Read Ephesians 4:7,11-16.

To whom has Christ given grace (v.7)?

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What for (v.12)?

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Easy questions!  But the answers you have written blow to smithereens most people's ideas about church life.  Church is not a passenger ship, with the majority being looked after and entertained by the minority (the crew); it is a battle ship, on which each person has a part to play.

Our mission: to attain to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (v.13).  One day the church will be perfect (Ephesians 5:27).  That day will only come as the church 'grows and builds itself up in love' (v.16) - growing both in numbers (hence the need for evangelists who prepare us to share the good news with those who haven't grasped it) and in quality of life (hence the need for pastors and teachers who prepare us to share what we have learnt with other Christians).

Read verses 11 and 12 again.  Note that the task of building up the church is not primarily the task of the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.  It is the task of every individual Christian - to each grace has been given (v.7), and the body grows and as each part does its work (v.16).  The 'specialists' are there to help us all do our part.  Each of us has different gifts; yet there is something we all do - it's in the first part of v.15.
Pray for boldness to play your part.

DAY 25: Accountability.

Read again Ephesians 4:7,11-16.

Note again verse 15: we need to 'speak the truth in love'.  Our cell groups are the obvious place to learn to do this.  There are three aspects to it:

1) Speaking the truth.  This involves,
	a) sharing truths we have learnt.  If we are growing spiritually, we are learning new truths; and if we are learning new truths, we are growing spiritually - provided that the truths are not just a matter of 'head knowledge.  All Christian truth should make a difference.  And if it is worth learning, it is worth sharing.
	b) being honest and open with each other.  One of the biggest barriers to growth is the way we so easily pretend to be other than what we really are - we are often afraid to show people what we are really like, and so we are afraid simply to be ourselves.  What do you try to hide?

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2) In love.  We speak the truth, not simply to get something off our chests, nor because we feel we need to, but only because the truth will help the hearer.  We speak the truth in a way that is genuinely loving and concerned with the other person's welfare and feelings.  Even painful truths can be spoken in love.  If we are being open, it may be for our own sakes so that we can receive the help we need; but it may also be necessary for someone else's sake.

3) The third aspect is that we need to be prepared to listen to any other Christian.  Speaking the truth in love is not something the 'haves' do for the 'have nots'.  Each of us must do it - and that means each of us needs to be willing to listen to the others, and to receive God's truth from them, even if it is truth we do not want to hear.

In cells we deliberately choose to make ourselves accountable to another person for our spiritual growth: we will be honest about our spiritual journey, we will listen to what they have to say, and we will allow them to ask hard questions!  Read 1 John 1:5-7.  What is the advantage of doing this?

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Talk to God about this now.

DAY 26: Servant leadership

Read Matthew 20:20-28.

How would you describe the general attitude in the world towards power and authority?

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How does that differ from what a Christian's attitude should be?

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What is qualities do most people look for in a leader? ________________

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How do you react to Jesus teaching in these verses? ________________

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There is a sense in which every Christian can become a leader. All of us are called to be examples to others, to show the way - and that is leadership. All those who have brought up children have exercised leadership - and that often without any kind of training, except the example of others! Yet in many circles there is a fear of being a leader, of becoming 'one of them', or an aunt sally constantly exposed to criticism. Don't let this fear gain any ground in your cell! See that you have the right attitude towards authority, and that you are prepared to be a servant leader where necessary.

Within cells, the prime qualification for cell leadership is caring for the others. Those with pastoral gifts are most needed - not necessarily those with teaching gifts. The aim is to develop community, and to bring out each person's gifts and contributions. Who do you see with those gifts?

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SECTION 6: 
MAKING DISCIPLES

MEMORY VERSE

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28:18-20

DAY 27: Evangelism.

Evangelism is sharing the good news of Jesus. It is part of the process by which we make disciples of Jesus.

Read John 3:1-15, 7:45-52, 19:38-42.

When Nicodemus first came to Jesus, he was not a disciple.  After Jesus' crucifixion he was prepared to stick his neck out and be associated with him; it is fair to assume that by then he really was a disciple.  For him, becoming a disciple was a process, not a dramatic 'Damascus Road' experience.

Very few people - if any - go from complete unbelief to committed discipleship in one leap.  The journey to Christian maturity from complete unbelief usually takes several years.  People with no awareness of Christianity may become aware of its existence, and then find out something about the good news; they may then learn the basics about Christianity, and feel positive about it.  They then see that it applies to them, and that they need it; they then decide for or against receiving Christ.  If they decide for Jesus and receive him they need to evaluate that decision and affirm it; they need to become members of a local fellowship, and grow in their faith and in their love for God, one another, and their neighbours, and bear witness themselves to God's work in their lives.  Obviously not everyone takes all these steps at the same rate; they may get stuck for a long time at one or every stage, or may move very quickly over all of them.

If we want to help people on their journey, we need to be sensitive to where they are.  Those at the beginning do not want to be asked to make a decision about accepting Christ; they need to know that God is good and Christians are OK.  Those further on need to know more about Christianity; they need to have opportunities to learn more without being forced into a corner.  When they are ready, they do need to be given the opportunity to choose Jesus - and then be built into a local fellowship.  All this is part of the process of making disciples.  Do not expect to be able to help people at every stage of their spiritual journey; but do expect to be involved at some stage.  You, too, are called to 'make disciples'.   Pray about it!

DAY 28: Multiplication.

Read Matthew 28:16-20 and John 20:19-22.

The 'Great Commission' of Matthew 28 is not yet fulfilled; there are still significant populations around the world who have not yet heard about Jesus in a way they can really understand, and many who have heard are not being taught obey all that Jesus has commanded us.  Is this true:

a) of Britain?  __________    b) of your locality?  ___________

There are a number of things you can do to play your part in the commission to reach all nations.
a) Get to know and pray for another part of the world.  (This is best done through supporting a mission partner or local church there.)
b) Support a missionary society.
c) Seek insights/support/involvement from abroad for the situation here.  (Again, mission agencies can help, for they see mission nowadays as from everywhere to everywhere.)
d) Go to wherever God calls you to be. Unless God tells you otherwise, you are called to remain where you are (1 Corinthians 7:20), and to make disciples there.

In cells we are deliberately aiming to make disciples. This is what we are for! We are seeking to do so in all sorts of ways, but chiefly through involving others in our community life. Because we love one another, we do things together; because we want the love of God to overflow, we invite non-Christian friends or relatives to join us. The Holy Spirit works in such situations; people are drawn into our caring and open community, and find the faith they see we have.

As numbers increase, the temptation is to keep growing bigger. However, that would mean that we could no longer have such deep relationships, and would lose all other benefits of being a small group. We therefore keep the groups both small and growing, by multiplying them when they are large enough. (Leaders for the new group have already been trained in the old.) There is a cost - we do not see the friends in the other group quite so regularly; but this is more than outweighed by the new opportunities to grow and to serve.

It is most helpful to have a target date for multiplication, which has been set prayerfully by the cell when it first formed. If you are in a cell, when do you hope to multiply by?  Write your answer on the next page.
TARGET DATES FOR CELL MULTIPLICATION: