Home cells

Making the right choices

As we saw in the first lesson, it is our responsibility to select the right leaders. This means it is not the task of only the pastor or a select few, usually the “church council”. However, we must ensure that we choose wisely. Let us read the selection of the first deacons again:

¹And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. ²Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. ³Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. ⁴But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. ⁵And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: ⁶Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. – Acts 6:1-6

While the delection of the first seven deacons was very important, and deacons still have an important role to play in the local church today, home cell leaders are anywhere as vital. A good home cell leader gets to know the members of their group much better than the deacons. It is thus vital that they are chosen with care. In this lesson, we look at how to make the right choices.

1. Discuss the homework on Deuteronomy.1:13 and Acts 6:3. The task of the “Moses”: the responsibility of the people and the processes that follow. See 1 Timothy 3:6 and 10; and 5:22.


2. Let us break down the text as found in Acts 6:


• First, there was not only an increase in the number of believers, but also of disciples – see the words “multiplied” and “multitude”. This shows that the initial work done by the apostles was successful – their converts reached others with the gospel, making these first converts disciples.
  
  To explain this better, let us use the analogy of teaching, and discipleship training is just that. If I have brought someone to Christ, then that person is a convert. Once that person reaches someone else who also accepts Jesus as Lord and Saviour, then only have I been successful with the first person, who is now no longer a convert, but a disciple. If the biblical process is followed, converts who successfully reach others become disciples.


• The eleven original disciples, as well as Matthias (Acts 1:26), formed the core. They were now called apostles.


• There was a problem in that there were not enough workers to take care of the needs of people.


• The twelve apostles called the multitude of other disciples. The latter, not the apostles, were given the responsibility to select individuals who could take care of practical matters. It does not mean that they had to do this themselves. They had to oversee the work that was done by others under their supervision.


• There was a requirement for the seven deacons, and today we must apply the same requirements:
  • honesty;
  • filled with the Holy Spirit; and
  • filled with wisdom.
  
  
• Once the seven had been selected, they were properly commissioned by the laying on of the hands of the other disciples.



What is important to note is that the congregation was involved in the selection process. I am not going to be popular for saying this, but too often we see individuals that are selected to serve on church councils because the pastor needs a wall of protection around himself. This is in effect to ensure that the elders and deacons become a rubber stamp to approve decisions the pastor has already made, without consultation. When leaders are chosen for this purpose, the crucial work in the church is not done. Choose the most effective workers, not the most popular ones.

3. Discuss the following: 1 Corinthians 4:15 and Galatians 4:19. Look at the huge responsibility of being a leader, in practice and application.



¹⁵For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. – 1 Corinthians 4:15

¹⁹My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, ²⁰I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you. – Galatians 4:19-20

4. Look at the task of the leader as shown in Exodus18:19-20; and Acts 6:4.



¹⁹Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: ²⁰And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. – Exodus 18:19-20

⁴But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. – Acts 6:4

Discuss the task of the leader. See also: Acts 20:20; 2 Timothy 2:1-2; and Ephesians 4:10-16.

5. Read Exodus 18:13-27 and discuss. Look at what we can call the Jethro organigram:


• 1/1000 – the leader
• 1/100 – 10 leaders over 100 each
• 1/50 – 20 leaders over 50 each
• 1/10 – 100 leaders over 10 each



When we look at this, we will see that all the people are cared for, and this assures fellowship. People in your local church fade away when they feel that they are not noticed and cared for. If you think this is not possible, see if you can locate members who have left your church. Most of them will admit that they left because they felt that they were not valued. This is a very sad truth. It is because of this that a home cell leader must be a mature believer, someone who has compassion, and someone who uses two ears and one mouth in the correct relation: listen double the time that you speak. You must learn to be a good listener first and foremost.

6. See what Jesus did by studying Matthew 9:35-38.



³⁵And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. ³⁶But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. ³⁷Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; ³⁸Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. – Matthew 9:35-38

Discuss the following:

• He saw the multitudes – we should be aware of the number of people in the local church that are in need to spiritual nurturing.


• He had compassion for them – spiritual leaders must have compassion for those in their care and be able to identify needs. Discuss the similarities and differences between the following words:
• sympathy;
• empathy; and
• compassion.


• His warning that the workers are few – he identified the need because He had already planned ahead. Too often in the local church there is little in the way of planning. The adage that applies in business applies in the church as well: Failing to plan is planning to fail.

Memory verses

Acts 20:20 and 2 Timothy 2:2. Study these verses and learn to apply them.

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