2014 MARCH HOME CELL STUDY / ACTIVITY

MARCH

Week 9	2nd	Family Day
Week 10	9th	How to Receive the Fire
Week 11	16th	Experiencing the Fire
Week 12	23rd	What is Mentoring?
Week 13	30th	Importance of Mentoring

WEEK 9-FAMILY DAY-SPENDING QUALITY TIME WITH CHILDREN.

Smile Awhile (focus on fellowship- 10 minutes)

Lead children in the cell to share the most interesting moments of the week

Into His Presence (focus on worship- 10 minutes)

A member of the group should lead the cell in a time of adoration as directed by the Holy Spirit.

Digging Deeper (focus on the Word- 40 minutes)

Topic: Spending Quality Time with Children

Main Text                        Deuteronomy 11: 18- 21

Memory Verse - “Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from Him” Psalms 127:3 (NIV)

Introduction

It is said that Children learn by observation and imitation and this is very true in many respects. Most children if not all are imitators who believe what they see and would repeat or imitate. There are several media competing with the parent over the mind and lifestyle of our children and some of these mediums are very powerful and influential. These media would use approaches and strategies that are deliberately designed to impart certain values into our children but which are contrary to Christian ethics and standards. Today, the media, be it electronic or print is influencing our children- or having quality time with them, but in the negative sense. Teachers have become role models and their values whether negative or positive have effects on our kids. Friends who come from various homes and backgrounds are affecting our children. We can only win over these competitors when we deliberately and consistently spend quality time with our children. Time with them is time to transmit values and virtues.

Discussion Questions

1.    How can Christian Values be transferred or impressed on Children?

2.    How can we influence our Children more than the media?

3.    In the thinking of children, how could parents make their time with them enjoyable?

4.    What activities prevent parents from having quality time with their children?

5.    How could parents make time for their kids in the midst of their heavy schedules?

Conclusion

The only way by which children could be truly and properly impacted is to spend consistent quality time with them living out what is preached and opening up for them to ask questions. We must spend time to sit with them for a chat, take a walk with them along the road and even lie down with them telling them Bible stories before they sleep. Again, we need to give them the opportunity to be around us when we are engaging in chores that are not hazardous to them. Allow them to suggest and recommend the best ways they expect parents and guardians to share time with them.

Stand with Me(focus on praying for members’ needs- 10 minutes): Parents should pray for the grace to care and have quality time with children.

Making Jesus Known(focus on evangelism- 10 minutes)

The family members should pray for street children in the community who do not have the privilege to enjoy fellowship with parents/ guardians and seek to reach theme with the Gospel.

WEEK 10- HOW TO RECEIVE THE FIRE

Smile Awhile(focus on fellowship – 10mins)

Lead cell members to share challenges they faced in their jobs last week.

Into His Presence(focus on worship – 10mins)

The Cell leader/Cell member leads the cell in a time of adoration to God.

Digging Deeper(focus on the word – 40mins)   

Topic: How to Receive the Fire

Main Text: Acts 19:1-7

Memory Verse: “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with Holy Spirit and fire”-Matthew 3:11 (NIV)

Introduction

There cannot be a successful Christian life without the Holy Spirit. This is the reason why the Church of Pentecost upholds baptism in the Holy Spirit as foundational to any level of ministry in the church. The fire is one of the symbolisms of the presence of the Holy Spirit. God is described in the Old Testament as a consuming fire. The Spirit (fire) comes to empower, quicken, convict and even chastise those He fills.

Discussion Questions

1. Which group of people did Paul encounter at Ephesus? Acts 19:1

2. According to Paul, what is the next thing after believing in Jesus? Acts 19:2a

3. What was the response of the disciples? Acts 19:2b

4. How did the disciples receive the baptism of the Spirit? Acts 19:6

5. What evidence do you have to show that you have received the Holy Spirit baptism?

6. Why do you think that the baptism of the Holy Spirit (fire) is relevant today?

Conclusion

The Holy Spirit is essential for an effective and victorious Christian life. There are many ways to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit (fire). These include; earnestness in prayer (Luke 11:13), hearing messages with Pentecostal content (Acts 10:44) and the laying on of hands which is evidenced in today’s study. Receiving the Holy Spirit is NOT enough for a believer. One must continually be filled with the Spirit by a lifestyle of sanctification, fellowship with fellow believers and a disciplined personal devotional life.

Stand with me(focus on praying for members’ needs- 10mins)

Members should pray for Holy Spirit experience.

Making Jesus Known(focus on evangelism – 10mins).

Cell leader/member leads the Cell to pray for unbelieving friends and co-workers who must come to the Lord.

 

WEEK 11- EXPERIENCING THE FIRE 

Smile Awhile(focus on fellowship- 10mins)

Lead cell members to share how they are preparing for the week.

Into His Presence(focus on worship – 10mins)

The Cell Leader/Cell member leads the Cell member in a time of adoration to God as led by the Holy Spirit.

Digging Deeper (focus on the Word – 40mins)

                  

TOPIC: Experiencing the Fire 

Main Text: Numbers 11:24-28

Memory Verse: “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him”                     (Luke 11:13, NIV)

Introduction

God expects all His children to have an encounter with His Spirit. In the book of Joel, God reveals to Prophet Joel how all men can receive the Spirit of God. (Joel 2:28). It is essential for every believer to encounter the Spirit of God. Our memory verse talks about how willing God is to give His Spirit to His children. The fire which is the Spirit of God produces some gifts that benefit the church greatly when they are put to use. Today’s study looks at how God allows people to encounter His fire through His Spirit.

Discussion Questions

1. Why were the seventy elders made to stand around the tent? Numbers11:24

2. What did the LORD do to the seventy elders? Numbers 11:25a

3. What happened to the elders after their experience with Spirit of God? Numbers 11:25b

4. How did Eldad and Medad experience the fire of God? Numbers 11:26

5. Have you had an experience with the fire of God? Explain.

6. How has that experience affected your life?

7. How does the lesson practically apply to your life?

Conclusion

God looks forward to pouring His Spirit on all men. The fire experience today is not for a selected few; rather it is for every believer who desires to have such experience. The fire of God brings divine enablement that manifests the presence of the Holy Spirit. A church that truly experiences the fire of God is set ablaze for the work of God and also impacts generations.

Stand with me(focus on praying for members’ needs- 10mins)

Members should be pray for an experience with the fire of God.

Making Jesus Known(focus on evangelism – 10mins)

Cell leader/member leads the Cell to pray for family members who must come to the Lord.

WEEK 12- WHAT IS BIBLICAL MENTORING?

Smile Awhile: (focus on fellowship – 10 mins)

Lead members to share their experiences with a mentor who impacted their lives.

Into His Presence(focus on worship – 10 mins)

Lead the cell members in a time of adoration to God as led by the Holy Spirit.

Digging Deeper (focus on the word – 40 mins)

Topic: What is Mentoring?

Main Text: John 13:4-5,12-17

Memory Verse: “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you”. John 13:15

Introduction

Mentoring is the privilege of identifying and developing budding leaders into great leaders. Mentoring is one of the greatest responsibilities every leader faces. In fact, it is the ultimate goal of every good leader to develop successors who could successfully take up leadership mantle from them. Jesus, our perfect example, demonstrated the role of a mentor through what he taught and did throughout His earthly ministry. In this lesson, we will examine one of the mentoring sessions Jesus had with his disciples and how he practically demonstrated what the concept of mentoring is all about. Jesus used the washing of feet to teach a timeless Christian leadership principle, which clearly brings out the meaning of mentoring.

Discussion Questions

1. Identify the practical things Jesus did in the presence of His disciples. John 13:4-5.
2. Why didn’t He (Jesus) only tell the disciples what He intends to teach them but decided to demonstrate it?
3. Taking Jesus’ mentorship as an example, how will you define mentoring in the church?
4.  What other roles do you think are available to mentors in our day?
5. In which areas of your life will you apply the lessons learnt from today’s study?

Conclusion

“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you”. Jesus taught the disciples that what he did for them was not for fun. It was for them to learn and do likewise. He demonstrated to them that mentors are expected to teach and show practical examples of what they want the ensuing generations to know and do. He also demonstrated that mentors share their practical presence, their emotions and their affections with their mentees. This is what we can refer to as Biblical mentoring. These roles need to be communicated and demonstrated among followers.

Stand with Me: (focus on praying for members’ needs – 10 mins)

Members should pray for their mentors and mentees. Cell members should pray for all church leaders to make time out of their busy schedules and mentor the young generation. Members should also ask for God’s favour, guidance and protection for people who matter in their lives. Any other prayer needs could be raised.

Making Jesus Known(focus on evangelism – 10 mins)

Lead members to pray for unbelievers within the community, asking the Lord to save them from the power of sin and Satan. Pray also for missions work and missionaries in very difficult countries. 

WEEK 13- IMPORTANCE OF MENTORING

Smile Awhile: (focus on fellowship – 10 mins)

Lead members to share their experiences and attempts to mentor people younger than them. They can share both successes and failures in this attempt.

Into His Presence(focus on worship – 10 mins)

Lead the cell members in a time of adoration to God as led by the Holy Spirit.

Digging Deeper (focus on the word – 40 mins)

Topic: Importance of Mentoring

Main Text: Judges 2:8 -16.

Memory Verse: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Tim. 2:2, NIV)

Introduction

Mentoring is important because whether willingly or unwillingly, every leader would terminate for others to take his or her place. It is therefore important to consciously and intentionally prepare for this exit by mentoring the right people who will take over leadership responsibilities and lead the organisation towards the right direction, than the other way round. Moses mentored Joshua and successfully handed over to him. Joshua, however, was not able to mentor anybody who could take over from him. In effect, after the death of Joshua and his generation, Israel could not relate with the God of their fathers. Today’s lesson looks at the importance of mentorship and the consequences of the failure to mentor the next generation.

Discussion Questions

1. How old was Joshua when he died?
2. We did not hear of Joshua’s successor or his retirement until his death at a very old age. What do you think caused this situation?
3. What do you think was the problem of the Joshua generation? (Jud. 2:10)
4. What will you say are the importance of mentoring?
5. How is this lesson relevant to you as an individual?
6. How does this apply to your local congregation?

Conclusion

If the church fails to consciously mentor the young ones, a generational gap will be created as in the case of Joshua and the children of Israel. Mentoring is important for the right training to be given to the ensuing generation. This ensures that the right values are transferred from generation to generation to ensure continuous growth of the church. The older generation cannot succeed if they do not mentor the next generation to boldly take up the mantle of leadership. The younger generation will suffer the consequences if they fail to submit and make themselves available for mentoring. 

Stand with Me: (focus on praying for members’ needs – 10 mins). Encourage members to write the names of five people they want to mentor and pray for the people whose names they have written. Cell members should also remember to pray for their teachers, and church leaders who mentored them. Any other prayer needs could be raised.

Making Jesus Known(focus on evangelism – 10 mins)

Lead members to discuss what kind of evangelism will be appropriate for their environment and discuss strategies of embarking on such an outreach. Set a date and time for the outreach. Any strategy intended should be well communicated to members of the cell for necessary actions.