Cells and Discipleship

Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV) 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with your entire mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Greatest command great commission of Discipleship

Discipleship in itself is not the goal— our aim is not to just be better people Goal of discipleship is fellowship with the father and people Go therefore 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 that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Acts 2: They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Cells and Discipleship A cell group is an expression of biblical community Acts 2: This Biblical community exhibited four values: They had a passion for God expressed in prayer and praise. They had a commitment to one another expressed in caring fellowship. They had a desire to grow expressed in Biblical teaching. They had a heart for the lost expressed in leading others to Christ.

Cells and Discipleship The Greek word for fellowship is koinonia ---- Communion, Participation, Partnership contributory help, sharing in, spiritual fellowship

Cells and Discipleship Biblical Mandate Love God Love People Make disciples

Cell groups

Romans 12 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your [a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, [b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfullyab

Cell groups 1) Cell group helps me GROW IN MY FAITH We can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (2 Corinthians 1:4) 2) Cell group helps in identifying my gifting and grow in them. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (Hebrews 10:24)

Cell groups 3) Cell helps in taking ownership of the kingdom of God. ‘ He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, Jesus gave them this answer. Ephesians 1:5 4) Cell helps me to grow in godly love towards each other … that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. Romans 1:12 5) Cell helps me to become a disciple maker.

The Cosmic Wedding

Mohar – The bride Price 1 Peter 1: For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect

The Cosmic Wedding Eph 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.