Cell ideas: writing outlines

As well as using the cell outlines given in this section of the web site, you can write your own. This is often done by the central leadership team in the church and distributed to the cells. The main area focused on is the ‘Word’ Section that is linked to the Sunday preaching theme and scripture passage. The ‘Word’ Section of the meeting is the time for edification through interaction with Scripture, ministry and prayer.

Here are a few helpful suggestions to assist you as you write your own ‘Word’ outlines:

Sample passage: Philippians 3:7-14
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law but that which is through faith in Christ – the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.

• It is helpful for you to clearly state an objective or two for this portion of the meeting.
  1. For example, for the theme “New Beginnings” and Philippians 3:7-14, you might have the objective:
     Cell members will identify the things God is calling them to leave behind as they move with Him into the new year. They will bring these things to Him in prayer as they focus anew on Christ and what He has in store for them.
  2. By clearly stating an objective, you give the cell leaders a goal to aim for in place of a lesson to cover or complete.
     
• Cell group questions should be centred on life application. They must be clear and to the point. The focus must be on hearing and responding to God.
  
• Do NOT use questions that assume previous Bible knowledge if you want non-Christians and new Christians to feel at home. Questions like, “What other Bible passages say something similar to this one?” or “What is the cultural background to this passage?” are not appropriate unless you want to restrict your groups to well-established Christians!!!
  
• Here are four questions that can be used repeatedly with some variation:
  1. What stands out to you in this passage?
  2. What seems to be the main point of this passage?
  3. Can you illustrate this truth from an experience in you own life? (This is a very powerful way to draw people in and help them see the relevance of a truth.)
  4. What is God saying to you right now?
     
• For our sample passage and the objective stated above, you might offer the following suggestions for your cells:
  1. Invite someone from the group to read Philippians 3:7-14 aloud.
  2. Ask: “What stands out to you in this passage?”
  3. Ask: “What is something that you gave up to follow Christ?”
  4. Note that some people give up obvious and ugly sins to follow Christ, but other like Paul have to give up things like religious legalism and self-righteousness.
  5. Have someone re-read verses 13 and 14.
  6. Discuss: “What are some obstacles that hold Christians back from going on with God today?”
  7. Move into smaller groups with three or four men or women in each group to share and pray together around this question: “What is God asking you to leave behind and is God calling you to reach for in the year ahead?”
     
• Frequently instruct people in your agendas to move into smaller groups. Even in a cell group of 10 people, there is not enough time for everyone to minister and be ministered to if it stays together the entire time.
  
• Notice that the sample instructions for the Word time given above are only 14 short lines and only include four questions. Do not give cell leaders numerous questions. It is better to include several quality questions with clear, simple instructions. If you include too many questions the groups can easily become centred on Bible study instead of focusing on responding to God in prayer. If an agenda has more than six questions, instruct the cell leaders to pick the best four or five for their group.

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