Home cells
The heart of a leader
Before we start, note that these lessons contain many references. We are not going to make all of them available here. Take your Bible and search the references. Do not just look at the specific verse, but also note the receding and verse following the target text. This becomes a Bible study in itself.
No home cell will function properly if the leader is not totally committed to the task. He is no different from any other pastor – he is responsible for a small group of people, the sheep, whom he guides, as their shepherd. In a way the home cell leader has more intimate contact with those in his care. He sees them close up, listens to their story, and is available to give advice.
Prospective home cell leaders must consider their task carefully. Since you will be working very closely with people, their lives will eventually live out before you and you will come to know things about them that even the local pastor does not know about. Can you be trusted? This is the most important question. What is said in Vegas, stays in Vegas, or so the saying goes. It should be the same in your home cell.
Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 4:15; Galatians 4:19; and Ephesians 4:16.
- The advantage of working the way the organigram proposed is that everyone is cared for, and the members can grow and mature (see Hosea 4:6). They will also know who to report to.
- The importance of unity is seen in 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Peter 4:10; Philippians 2:4-5; and 3:16; Ephesians 4:3-4; and Romans 12:16.
Other words that can be used are accord, agreement, consensus, harmony, peace, and solidarity.
- There is a need for the “right” leaders. They
- must be teachable and trained to perform the task – Acts 2:42; 2 Timothy 2:1-2; and Hebrews 5:12.
- must share or have a vision for the task – Proverbs 29:18; and Nehemiah 2:17-18.
- must have compassion for people who are entrusted to them – Matthew 9:36-38; 2 Corinthians 5:11 and 17-21.
- must be committed to the great commission to spread the gospel – Matthew 28:18-20; John 17:18 and 1 Peter 3:15.
- must know their calling – Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-20; Ephesians 2:10.
- must comply with Deuteronomy 1:13; Acts 6:3; and Nehemiah 7:2.
- must have a servant’s heart – John 13:5-15; Luke 22:24-27; Mark 9:34-35; Mark 10:42-45; Philippians 2:5-8; Romans 12:16; and 1 Peter 5:2-4.
- Must stay away from the following: 1 Timothy 6:3-10; Romans 14:17; 2 Corinthians 2:17; Philippians 3:17; and 1 Timothy 6:5 and 10.
Homework
Study Isaiah 56:10-12; Jeremiah 23:2-4 and 50:6-7; Ezekiel 33:1-11 and 34:6-10; Malachi 2:4-8.
Look at the task of a leader as seen in Exodus18:19-20; Deuteronomy 6:1-3; and Acts 6:4. We look at the person, but God knows his heart, as shown in 1 Samuel 16:7.
Memory verses: Matthew 28:19-20 and Ephesians 2:10.
Here is something for you to think about: What is the difference between “calling” and “vision”?