Integrating others into cell life does not mean simply attending a cell gathering each week. Integration means joining up with others in a set of relationships. One lady recently said, “My husband is out of his element during our actual cell gathering, but when our cell group ministers through sports camps in a poor neighborhood, he comes alive.”
In a recent survey, 67 percent of Americans resist change. I must confess I don’t get this reality. I’m in the minority. I embrace change. I like change. Mind you, I’m not for change just for change sake. I am, however, for change that keeps things fresh, exciting, life-giving, and battles the mundane.
Is it time for a wakeup call for your cell? Certainly, you’ve heard the phrase: “Familiarity breeds contempt.” Maybe a change for how you do cell life is at hand. This change may attract those that reduce cell life to merely showing up at a meeting. Your desire to integrate others just might expand as you think creatively. Let me give you one thought on how you might change the life of your cell group.
For illustrative purposes, let’s agree that a healthy cell gathers together weekly. Joel is a big advocate of such a thought, and I concur. Gathering together weekly does not mean that the cell has to do the same thing every week. Isn’t this correct? For example, what would it look like if your cell gathered together the first and third week of every month in a home for a “traditional” cell gathering? In other words, your cell connects with God and each other in a living room filled with worship, discussion, prayer and more. I trust there is a lot of laughter, encouragement and such in the house.
Let’s continue. Now, what would it look like if on the second week of each month your cell served the neighborhood? For example, your cell hosted a free cookout for your block, cleaned up the neighborhood park or spruced up an elderly neighbor’s yard. Indeed, your worship would look different this week!
Further, what if your cell served the city on the fourth week of every month? Your cell could feed the homeless, rake up leaves at the city park or replenish the local food bank. I’m convinced that a cell needs to permeate the neighborhood and city with the love of Christ. The suggested methodology described above will help one battle the mundane.
Break out of the four walls. Get visible. Meet needs. Be the hands and feet of Christ. I trust that you will find new life in your set of relationships as you serve others.
This article originally appeared here.
