Watch a bird in flight, and you will notice the two wings do not flap randomly; they are in perfect sync with one another. The cell church is often called a “two-winged” church, able to reach new heights because of the connection of its large-group and small-group wings. Just as in the early church, a synergy combines the dynamic of corporate gatherings and the intimate sharing of home groups (Acts 2:42-47).
What does it mean for your large-group and small-group wings to move in harmony with each other? Most cell churches create this synergy in part by dovetailing their home groups to their Sunday sermon themes. (For example, seven of the eight major cell churches researched by Joel Comiskey for Home Cell Group Explosion tie their cell themes to the Sunday messages.)
Write Dynamic Agendas for Your Home Groups
Correlating your cell agendas to your sermon themes is not difficult, but a few important things really make it work. If you write dynamic cell agendas tied to your Sunday messages, your two-winged church can soar to new heights.
WHAT NOT TO DO
The cell groups are to follow the same theme and Scripture as the Sunday message, but they are not to discuss the sermon. Your goal is to have people interact with God’s Word, not with the sermon. Also, if the sermon itself is the reference point, visitors and those who missed the celebration service will feel left out.
When you write questions for the cell agendas, do not include questions that assume previous Bible knowledge. Focus on the plain meaning of the passage and its application. I remember leading a cell group with two brand new Christians in it. I asked how the message of the passage was exemplified in incidences from Jesus’ own life. While it created lively discussion, the new believers sat silent, intimidated by others’ Bible knowledge. Unfortunately, they did not return to the next week’s cell gathering. Cell groups are different from Sunday school classes. The focus is on life application of the Word, not knowledge of the Word. Focus your questions on the simple, powerful message of the Bible passage and on how we need to respond to God.
