What is a Cell Group?

          A Cell Group is a group of 4-15 people who meet and share life together on a regular basis with the goal of building up the body of Christ (Eph 4:16).  CGs meet together weekly in a member's home to experience Christ in their midst (Matt 18:20).  During each meeting the member's try to fellowship with each other, worship God together, study and apply God's word to their lives, and minister to the lost and the hurting (Acts 2:42-46).  The main goal of each group is to live out the Great Commandments and the Great Commission (Matt 22:36-40 and Matt 28:18-20).

          Living out the Great Commandments and the Great Commission leads to one goal Biblical Community (Acts 2:42-47).  This type of community requires mutual efforts.  First, it involves a commitment by each member to be an obedient and growing disciple of Christ.  Secondly, it neccesitates that each group member be accountable to the rest of the group.  Finally, it involves an active decision on the part of each group member to live sacrificially with their time, energy, and lives; meaning that each group member must choose to reach out to and to minister to other group members, even when they do not 'feel like it.'  Also, Biblical Community includes reaching out to, including, and converting lost people (Acts 2:47).  Cell Groups are not closed groups, instead they are intended to be open groups where the lost and unchurched can feel welcome and comforted by the grace of God.

           Finally, cell groups are designed to grow.  That is where the name 'cell' groups comes from - from the 'cells' that make up your body.  We are all a part of the body of Christ and each cell group is designed to be the smallest component of that body.  We were not meant to live this life alone as believers and we were not meant to hoard God's Word.  As such each group should be reaching out to the lost friends, family, and co-workers around them, leading them to Christ, and discipling them in the way of the Lord.  As each cell brings in nutrients it produces new cells and the body grows.  In this manner the body of Christ grows - through evangelism and discipleship.