Can you think of a time when God answered a prayer in a way that was unexpected?
Word
1. Homework. Did everyone read Joshua 9-16? What stood out in these chapters? Was there anything you did not understand?
2. Have there been opportunities to talk to people about Jesus?
3. Last week we talked about the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Is there anything that you experienced since then or wish to talk about further?
4. Read 1 John 2:12-14. This has been the scripture that ties everything together for last year and this year for this group. Today we start on the “Young Men” section. What does John say about the “young men” in the faith? We are going to be looking at 4 areas- Intercession, Spirit of Sonship, Spiritual Warfare and Leadership.
5. Read James 5:13-20. What does James mean in v.16? Why do you think confessing sins is important in intercession? What does the second half of the verse mean?
6. Why does James use Elijah as a role model?
7. What sorts of things can or should we pray about?
8. What stops us from having a lively prayer life or effective intercession ministry?
9. What are you going to do about your prayer life?
10. Pray for one another.
Yarrie Lake trip this Saturday. Who are we inviting? What time? Details
Break into smaller groups to pray for the people on the list.
Who would like to organise worship next week?
Where will we meet?
Read Joshua 17-24
What is your favourite style of music? What do you like about this style?
1. Homework. Did everyone read Joshua 17-24? What stood out in these chapters? Was there anything you did not understand?
2. Have there been opportunities to talk to people about Jesus?
3. What did you think of our outreach event on Saturday?
3. Last week we talked about the the power of prayer. Is there anything that you experienced since then or wish to talk about further? Have you had prayers answered?
4. Read Acts 9:1-19. What does this passage tell us about hearing God?
5. Prayer is meant to be a two way conversation. What are some things that might stop us hearing God's voice? What can we do to over come these?
6. Listening Prayer is a method of stopping to listen. It doesn't matter if you don't physically hear a voice as such. The important thing is to stop and be available.
7. Exercise: Hand out paper and pens. Read slowly Matthew 5:3- 12. Listen for key words. Listen for the heart of God. Then write down a prayer that comes from that.
8. Pray for one another.
Break into smaller groups to pray for the people on the list.
What should we do for your next outreach?
Who would like to organise worship next week?
Where will we meet?
Read Colossians
What is your favourite promise from Scripture? Why is this special?
Word
1. Homework. Did everyone read Colossians? What stood out in these chapters? Was there anything you did not understand?
2. Have there been opportunities to talk to people about Jesus?
3. Last week we talked about the Listening Prayer. Is there anything that you experienced since then or wish to talk about further? Have you had prayers answered?
4. Read Acts 3:1-11 What stands out to you in this passage?
5. How did Peter speak to the man?
6. In intercession a declaration is a statement of God's intention to a situation, a stronghold or a demonic spirit. In speaking it out, the declaration brings spiritual power to change a situation by applying the words of God. Can you think of any examples of this in Scripture?
7. Why do you think we are reluctant to do this?
8. What are some situations where we can clearly claim the promises of God's will? What are some situations where we might want to be more careful?
9. Declaration exercise. What is a situation you know of where God's will is clear? What are God's promises for that situation? Get together in pairs. Share one situation then spend time declaring God's promises, God's intent.
Who would like to organise worship next week?
Where will we meet?
Read Judges 1-10
How has your week been since we last met?
1. Homework. Did everyone read Judges 1-10? What stood out in these chapters? Was there anything you did not understand?
2. Have there been opportunities to talk to people about Jesus?
3. Last week we talked about Declaring Prayer. Is there anything that you experienced since then or wish to talk about further? Have you had prayers answered?
4. Read Acts 4:23-31 What stands out to you in this passage?
5. How would you describe this prayer? How do you feel about this kind of prayer?
6. What factors can make us bold in prayer? What kind of things stop us being bold?
7. People sometimes use the phrase “if it's your will” in prayer. Do you think this is a good thing?
8. Can you think of a time when you prayed a prayer that was right off the scale in terms of boldness? What happened?
9. Pray for one another.
Who would like to organise worship next week?
Where will we meet?
Read Judges 11-20
When was the first time that you can remember of being aware that God is real?
Your Love Never Fails
Holy Is Our God
Yahweh
1. Homework. Did everyone read Psalms 61-70? What stood out in these psalms? Was there anything you did not understand?
2. Have there been opportunities to talk to people about Jesus?
3. Is there anything that people do not understand or have trouble with accepting about the concepts of cell church we have been discussing?
4. Read 1 John 2:12-14. We've been following this as a pattern of discipleship going from New Believers to Little Children to Young Men to Fathers. What are the qualities of “dear children” in this passage? Do you feel like you match any of these groupings?
5. Dear children are people who know they are forgiven and also know the Father. What does it mean to know the Father? Do you feel like you know the Father?
6. What are some of the things that get in the way of knowing the Father? What are some things that help?
7. Read John 14:1-14. What does this say about Jesus and the Father? What does it say about the potential for our relationship with the Father? What's getting in the way? What needs to change in your life?
8. Pray for one another.
Kerry to lead this section
Who would like to organise worship next week?
Where will we meet?
Read Philippians
What was one good time you enjoyed with your Dad?
Kerry is leading worship tonight.
1. Homework. Did everyone read Philippians? What stood out in these chapters? Was there anything you did not understand?
2. Have there been opportunities to talk to people about Jesus?
3. Last week we talked about knowing the Father. Is there anything that stood out for you?
4. What do you think it means when the Bible talks about God being our Father?
5. Read Matthew 6:7-18. How does Jesus want us to talk to and think of our Father?
6. Do you find it helpful to think of God as Father? What difference does it make?
7. How does God show us His Fatherly heart? Can you think of a time when this was very real to you?
8. Pray for one another.
Break into smaller groups to pray for the people on the list.
Who would like to organise worship next week?
Where will we meet?
Read Joshua 1-8
What has been one good thing to happen this week?
Grant is leading worship tonight.
1. Homework. Did everyone read Joshua 1-8? What stood out in these chapters? Was there anything you did not understand?
2. Have there been opportunities to talk to people about Jesus?
3. Last week we talked about God being our Father. Is there anything that stood out for you?
4. Read Acts 2:1-21. How would you describe the outpouring of the Holy Spirit?
5. What were some results of the baptism?
6. Some people are scared of the baptism in the Holy Spirit? Why is this?
7. Ask some people to give their experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
8. Pray for people to receive the Holy Spirit.
Yarrie Lake trip this Saturday. Who are we inviting? What time? Details
Break into smaller groups to pray for the people on the list.
Who would like to organise worship next week?
Where will we meet?
Read Joshua 9-16
Can you think of a time when you met a group of people who had something you wanted to be a part of?
Grant is leading tonight
1. Homework. Did everyone read Matthew 1-4? Any problems? Any questions?
2. Have there been opportunities to talk to people about Jesus?
3. We are starting a new topic this week. About Cell Church and based on Ralph Neighbour's book “Christ's Basic Bodies.” Neighbour was a key founder of the cell church movement. Recommend the book especially the Kindle version. About values not information, cell group about transformation. Church is community not institution. Hand out papers with definition on it:
Christ's Basic Bodies
A community formed and baptised by the Holy Spirit. Each member is led by the embodied Christ, who edifies and reveals his presence, power, and purpose through them.
What strikes you about this definition? Do you think we are there yet? Making progress? Fail to thrive?
4. Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-17, 27-28. How does God see the church? What does this passage teach us about community or belonging together?
5. Generally speaking, how does the wider church do at generating this kind of unity?
6. Read Matthew 18:18-20. What sort of power does the church hold? What is the quorum for such a body to be together?
7. What does it mean for Christ to be in the midst of us?
8. When you think of church as community, totally united in faith together, what feelings do you experience?
9. What sort of things need to change in our thinking or in our hearts for this to become possible?
10. What do we need to pray about?
Pray for people on the prayer list
Who would like to organise worship next week?
Where will we meet?
Read Luke 1-3, and come with any questions you might have.
Look for opportunities to share the gospel.
What is the biggest crowd you have ever been a part of?
Word
1. Homework. Did everyone read Luke 1-3? Any problems? Any questions?
2. Have there been opportunities to talk to people about Jesus?
3. Last week we talked about Community and the cell as “Christ's Basic Body.” Any thoughts about this? Re-read Ralph Neighbour's definition and discuss.
4. Can you think of some of the “one another” commands in scripture? Can you see how they can only operate in a small intimate community? Include confess to one another, pray for one another.
5. Some things are best done in a larger group. Cells as fractals-- build up to clusters, congregations, movements.
6. Read Acts 2:42-47. Note the two sizes of meetings. How many believers are there at this stage?What do you think they did in the two groups?
7. Generally what are the relative advantages of large groups and small groups?
8. As a church how can we improve what we do? What are you willing to contribute to this?
9. If time, read some of Ralph Neighbour's descriptions of cells, clusters, congregations.
10. What do we need to pray about?
Pray for people on the prayer list
How about a Yarrie Lake trip during the holidays?
Housekeeping/ Homework
Who would like to organise worship next week?
Where will we meet?
Read John 1-3 and come with any questions you might have.
Look for opportunities to share the gospel.
What was one part of Christmas/ New Year that you particularly enjoyed this year?
Word
1. Homework. No homework this week!
2. Have there been opportunities to talk to people about Jesus?
3. Last year we were talking about Community and the cell as “Christ's Basic Body.” Any thoughts about this? Re-read Ralph Neighbour's definition and discuss.
4. Read Genesis 15:1-6, 16:1-4, 15-16. What do you think of the comment in 15:6 and the subsequent actions? What are some factors that might have you go from great faith one day to unbelief another day?
5. Read Genesis 21:1-21. How old was Ishmael when Abraham sent him away?
6. In some ways Ishmael represents what might be good for a time but needs to be let go of so that the best thing can come in. In what ways can the good thing become the enemy of God's thing?When have you experienced this process in your life?
7. How can churches fall into the trap of holding onto “Ishmael”? How can we avoid that trap?
8. Reformation, Pentecostal renewal- changed signs and practices but kept the old wineskin. New wineskin is about community experiences in small groups. Not so new- Wesley. Need to understand that church is not Sunday morning. Church is the community of faith. Cell is primary, celebration is gathering of cells.
9. Pray for one another.
Prayer list.
Yarrie Lake on Australia Day?
Who would like to organise worship next week?
Where will we meet?
Read Psalms 51-60
When was one time when you were forced to depend on somebody else?
1. Homework. Did everyone read Psalms 51-60? What stood out in these psalms? Was there anything you did not understand?
2. Have there been opportunities to talk to people about Jesus?
3. Is there anything that people do not understand or have trouble with accepting about the concepts of cell church we have been discussing?
4. Brainstorm- can you think of the “one another” commandments in the New Testament?
4. Read Galatians 6:1-10. How does Paul describe relationships within the church?
5. What are some practical ways we can do this in this group?
6. What would our church look like if we took this passage seriously?
7. What would you find hardest to obey in this passage?
8. Pray for one another.
How can we help or bless people on our prayer list this week?
Who would like to organise worship next week?
Where will we meet?
Read Psalms 61-70
What letter/email/phone call brought you great joy and excitement?
Word
1. Homework. Did everyone read Exodus 11-21? Any problems? Any questions?
2. Have there been opportunities to talk to people about Jesus?
3. Last week we talked about the motivational gifts of the Holy Spirit. Are there any thoughts about this?
4. Select 5 points around the room- correspond to awe, intrigue, joy, boredom, guilt. Don't tell them what the feelings are. Ask question: when you think about reading the Bible what feelings come up? Get them to move to various points as you name them. After all 5 place self between the points that represents the balance between the feelings.
5. Read 2 Timothy 3::14-16. What effect did the Scriptures have on Timothy?
6. What do you think it means to say that “Scripture is inspired by God”? How do you think that should affect our attitude to the Bible?
7. What does this passage say Scripture is useful for?
8. What needs to change in your life in respect to reading the Scriptures?
9. Pray for the outreach event.
Pray for people on the prayer list
Who would like to organise worship next week?
Read Exodus 21-30, and come with any questions you might have.
Look for opportunities to share the gospel.
Is there something that you made or produced that you are particularly proud of?
Grant is leading worship tonight
1. Homework. Did everyone read Exodus 21-30? Any problems? Any questions?
2. Have there been opportunities to talk to people about Jesus?
3. Last week we talked about the Bible as God's word to us. Did this spark any new thoughts in your mind?
4. The next few weeks we are going to track some of the great themes in the Bible and see how they are developed. Tonight it is creation. Read Genesis 1:1-31. What stands out in this passage?
5. Days 1-3 are about forming, Days 4-6 about filling. Why do you think that God went through this process?
6. Read John 1:1-5. We see Jesus the man but this is Jesus the Son of God active in creation.
7. Read Revelation 21:1-8. What does this tell us God is going to do with creation? How do you feel about this or think of it? What will be different? What will be the same?
8. God's first creation is described as a garden. His recreation as a city. Why is this?
Read Revelation 22:1-5. What sort of city might it be?
9. Pray for one another.
Pray for people on the prayer list
Who would like to organise worship next week?
What are we going to do about our cancelled outreach event?
Read Exodus 31-40, and come with any questions you might have.
Look for opportunities to share the gospel.
What parts of the bible do you have the most trouble believing or accepting?
Grant is leading this week
1. Homework. Did everyone read Exodus 31-40? Any problems? Any questions?
2. Have there been opportunities to talk to people about Jesus?
3. Last week we talked about how creation tuns as a theme through Scripture. Are there any thoughts you would like to share on this?
4. This week we are talking about the power of Scripture to change our minds and our hearts. We are going to watch a movie by Ray Comfort called “180”
5. Show the movie and then discuss.
6. Pray for people on the prayer list as below.
Pray for people on the prayer list
Who would like to organise worship next week?
Read Ephesians, and come with any questions you might have.
Look for opportunities to share the gospel.
What is one good thing to have happened for you since we last met?
Kerry is leading this week
1. Homework. Did everyone read Ephesians? Any problems? Any questions?
2. Have there been opportunities to talk to people about Jesus?
3. Last week we watched the 180 movie. What were you thoughts about this? One thing that occurs to me is that people claim to have definite ideas about a lot of things, including religion but when you press them, they quickly show they haven't really thought things through.
4. Read Genesis 3:1-24. What stands out to you about this passage?
5. What was the nature of Adam and Eve's sin? In what ways does this reveal itself today?
6. Are there signs here that God is going to fix the problem of sin?
7.Read Romans 3:21-31. How is Jesus the way of forgiveness? Can you see three things that Jesus does in this passage? (Penalty for sin, sacrifice, union with Jews.)
8. Can someone share what it was like when you first became aware that you have been set free from sin?
9. read Revelation 20:7-15. Why is judgement a necessary part of redemption? What do you say to people who find this idea offensive that God ultimately judges people?
10. Pray for people on the prayer list as below.
Pray for people on the prayer list
Who would like to organise worship next week?
Read Psalms 31-40, and come with any questions you might have.
Look for opportunities to share the gospel.