Cell group

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Women's Bible study aboard the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67).

The cell group is a form of church organization that is used in many Christian churches. Cell groups are generally intended to teach the Bible and personalize Christian fellowship. They are always used in cell churches, but also occur in parachurch organizations and other interdenominational settings, where they are usually referred to as Bible study groups. In Methodism, they are known as class meetings and are a means of grace; in Catholicism, they are known as basic ecclesial communities. [1] [2]

Contents

The cell group differs from the house church in that the group is part of an overall church congregation, whereas the house church is a self-contained congregation.

Terminology

The term cell group is derived from biology: the cell is the basic unit of life in a body. In a metaphorical sense, just as a body is made up of many cells that give it life, the cell church is made of cell groups that give it life.

These groups are known by a variety of other names, including life groups, small groups, [3] home groups, classes or class meetings (used historically in Methodism) [4] and fellowship groups.

Colin Marshall uses the term growth group, suggesting that the aim is for group members to "grow in Christ", and, through the group, for the gospel to "grow and bear fruit." [5]

Another term, typically employed in Missional Communities, [6] is huddle. This refers to a small group in which discipleship is emphasized and in which membership is by invitation only.

History

Christian Bible

David Hunsicker points out that while house churches are mentioned in the New Testament, the institution of a "well-organized, structured church" resulted in the decline of the small home groups. [7]

Radical Reformation

The concept was resurrected at the time of the Radical Reformation and "Ulrich Zwingli inadvertently pushed the Anabaptists in the direction of small groups when he started meeting with a small gathering of men who were interested in learning New Testament Greek. [7] The concept of small groups was revived again in the late seventeenth century by Anthony Horneck in Great Britain and Philipp Jacob Spener in Germany. [7]

Pietistic Lutheranism

Philipp Jakob Spener published his Pia Desideria in 1675 and laid out his program for the pietistic revival of the Lutheran Church, emphasising the use of small groups. He suggested the reintroduction of "the ancient and apostolic kind of church meetings," held "in the manner in which Paul describes them in 1 Corinthians 14:26–40." Spener goes on to suggest:

This might conveniently be done by having several ministers (in places where a number of them live in a town) meet together or by having several members of a congregation who have a fair knowledge of God or desire to increase their knowledge meet under the leadership of a minister, take up the Holy Scriptures, read aloud from them, and fraternally discuss each verse in order to discover its simple meaning and what- ever may be useful to the edification of all. Anybody who is not satisfied with his understanding of a matter should be permitted to express his doubts and seek further explanation. On the other hand those (including the ministers) who have made progress should be allowed the freedom to state how they understand each passage. Then all that has been contributed, insofar as it accords with the sense of the Holy Spirit in the Scriptures, should be carefully considered by the rest, especially by the ordained ministers, and applied to the edification of the whole meeting. [8]

Methodism

Influenced by Pietistic Lutheran conventicles, John Wesley took on the concept of small groups, and has been called the "Father" of the modern small-group concept. [9] Wesley encouraged different kinds of small groups to develop, so that both leaders and members of the Methodist societies could receive support and challenge in their faith. He formed class meetings to "bring small numbers of people together (usually twelve) to pray, read the Bible and listen to exhortations, and to encourage and enjoy each other's company." [10] Specifically, the format of the class meeting is described as follows: [11]

...following an opening prayer and the singing of a hymn, the class leader shared the status of his or her own spiritual standing, thanking God for victory and progress, and then honestly reported any failures, temptations, and struggles. Following the leader's testimony, each person in the group responded to the all-important question, 'How does your soul prosper' or rephrased 'How is your life with God?' and related any failures of the previous week. The honest answers to direct and specific questions were contagious—accounts exist of members who, having lapsed spiritually since the last meeting, were stricken with conviction and sought pardon and restoration during the class meeting. In order to maintain the confidentiality and privacy of the members, visitors were permitted to visit twice before deciding to join a class. If that visitor decided not to become a member of the class, he or she was excluded from any future meeting of the class. [11]

Class meetings, in Methodist theology (inclusive of the holiness movement), are a means of grace for one's sanctification. [12] Louisa Thomas writes, with regard to Methodist class meetings, that: [11]

Class meetings were intentionally limited to a small group; composed of only ten to twelve members, the group met once a week for an hour with the aim of maintaining personal supervision of the group's spiritual growth. Each member frankly and honestly shared his or her victories and struggles with the others. The groups were coeducational in composition and often were a curious mixture of age, social status, and spiritual maturity. Within each class Wesley intended a blending of the seasoned saints with babes in Christ as a means of educating and encouraging the newest converts. [11]

The first class meetings can thus be summarized as a weekly gathering of Methodists who "spoke about their temptations, confessed their faults, shared their concerns, testified to the working of God in their lives and exhorted & prayed for each other." [13] With respect to the practice of confession among Methodists, it is done "To speak each of us in order, freely and plainly, the true state of our souls, with the faults we have committed in thought or deed and the temptations we have felt since our last meeting." [13]

Class meetings continue among certain Methodist connexions today, such as the Lumber River Conference of the Holiness Methodist Church, which holds them on the Lord's Day "for instruction, encouragement, and admonition that shall be a profitable means of grace to our people." [14] Class leaders are examined and appointed by the pastor; in addition to discipling church members in class meetings, the class leader (along with the pastor and board) recommends probationers to membership in the church after a period of six months during which probationers are "taught the doctrines, rules, and regulations" of the Lumber River Conference of the Holiness Methodist Church. [14] Class meetings are held on Friday evenings (the historical fasting day in Methodism) in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, in which the pastor and class leader are to ensure "that all persons on probation be instructed in the Rules and Doctrines of The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church before they are admitted to Full Membership" and that "probationers are expected to conform to the rules and usages of the Church, and to show evidence of their desire for fellowship in the Church". [15] The Book of Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church states: [15]

¶103. The design of organizing the membership into Classes and the holding of Class Meetings is:
1. To establish a system of sub-pastoral oversight that shall effectively reach every Member of the Church.
2. To establish and keep up meetings for social activities and religious worship, for instruction, encouragement, and admonition, that shall be a profitable means of grace to our people.
3. To aid in carrying out our general financial plan.
4. To aid in carrying out the system adopted from the support the Pastor and the Poor of the Church.
¶104. A Class shall consist of from twelve to twenty persons. As soon as there are thirty persons in any one Class, the Pastor shall make provisions to have it divided into two Classes. A Less number may be divided if necessary.
¶105. Those persons who willfully neglect their class meetings shall be visited by the Leader or Pastor and shall be informed of the consequences of willful neglect. If they do not amend, they shall be excluded from the Church. However, no member in full membership shall be expelled without the due process of a trial and conviction by a Committee.
¶106. Persons who are absent from the class meeting three successive times and do not amend, after they have been duly admonished, shall be brought to trial to answer for such neglect.
¶107. In the arrangement of class meetings two or more classes may meet together, and be conducted according to the plan agreed upon the Pastor and leaders.
¶108. Let care by observed that the Members of the Classes do not fall into formality through the use of a uniform method. Let speaking be voluntary and the services fresh, spiritual, and of permanent religious profit. [15]

Before the Lord's Supper is celebrated on Sunday, the pastor meets with the class leader and class meeting on the preceding Friday to "inquire how their souls are prospering; to exhort, reprove, advise, etc., as duty may require, preparatory to their receiving the Lord's Supper." [15]

Those members of class meetings who are backsliding, often join Methodist penitent bands for counsel. [16]

Catholicism

In the Catholic Church, small groups that meet to reflect on Scripture are known as basic ecclesial communities. [2] These became popular after the Second Vatican Council. [2]

Ecumenical Era

Cell groups have become more common in the 20th and 21st centuries. Hunsicker suggests that the concept of cell groups "is becoming prominent in almost every denomination in American Protestantism." [3]

Structure

Cell groups are made of small numbers of Christians, often between 6 and 12, and led by a cell leader. Members may be in the same cell group because of common locality, schools or interests. Cell meetings are usually not conducted in the church sanctuary, if any, but in any of the members' homes, rooms in the church building or other third-party venues.

Cell meetings may consist of a fellowship meal, communion, prayer, worship, sharing or Bible study and discussion.

The use of small Bible study groups is related, but not exclusively associated with, the large churches sometimes called megachurches. In these congregations, small groups perform much of the ministerial work of the church, including teaching the Bible. [17] David Hunsicker suggests that Willow Creek Community Church "has exploded through an effective use of small group strategy." [3]

A number of lesson plans, workbooks, and programs have been developed to facilitate the study of the Bible in small groups. The Alpha Course, originally developed in a Church of England context, but now ecumenical, is one such course intended for use by small groups that provides a synoptic introduction to the entire Bible. The more theologically evangelical Christianity Explored course was devised as an evangelical response to the Alpha Course. Other denominations have similar resources available, such as the Roman Catholic Great Adventure Catholic Bible Study [18] and the United Methodist Church's Disciple series. [19]

See also

Related Research Articles

Methodism, also called the Methodist movement, is a Protestant Christian tradition whose origins, doctrine and practice derive from the life and teachings of John Wesley. George Whitefield and John's brother Charles Wesley were also significant early leaders in the movement. They were named Methodists for "the methodical way in which they carried out their Christian faith". Methodism originated as a revival movement within Anglicanism with roots in the Church of England in the 18th century and became a separate denomination after Wesley's death. The movement spread throughout the British Empire, the United States and beyond because of vigorous missionary work, and today has about 80 million adherents worldwide.

The Methodist Episcopal Church (MEC) was the oldest and largest Methodist denomination in the United States from its founding in 1784 until 1939. It was also the first religious denomination in the US to organize itself nationally. In 1939, the MEC reunited with two breakaway Methodist denominations to form the Methodist Church. In 1968, the Methodist Church merged with the Evangelical United Brethren Church to form the United Methodist Church.

The Holiness movement is a Christian movement that emerged chiefly within 19th-century Methodism, and to a lesser extent influenced other traditions such as Quakerism, Anabaptism, and Restorationism. Churches aligned with the holiness movement teach that the life of a born again Christian should be free of sin. The movement is historically distinguished by its emphasis on the doctrine of a second work of grace, which is called entire sanctification or Christian perfection. The word Holiness refers specifically to this belief in entire sanctification as an instantaneous, definite second work of grace, in which original sin is cleansed, the heart is made perfect in love, and the believer is empowered to serve God. For the Holiness movement, "the term 'perfection' signifies completeness of Christian character; its freedom from all sin, and possession of all the graces of the Spirit, complete in kind." A number of Christian denominations, parachurch organizations, and movements emphasize those Holiness beliefs as central doctrine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">African Methodist Episcopal Church</span> Predominantly African American Protestant denomination

The African Methodist Episcopal Church, usually called the AME Church or AME, is a Methodist denomination based in the United States. It adheres to Wesleyan–Arminian theology and has a connexional polity. It cooperates with other Methodist bodies through the World Methodist Council and Wesleyan Holiness Connection.

The Wesleyan Church, also known as the Wesleyan Methodist Church and Wesleyan Holiness Church depending on the region, is a Methodist Christian denomination in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Indonesia, and Australia. The church is aligned with the Wesleyan-Holiness movement and has roots in the teachings of John Wesley. It adheres to Wesleyan-Arminian doctrine and is a member of the World Methodist Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christian perfection</span> Process of achieving spiritual perfection

Within many denominations of Christianity, Christian perfection is the theological concept of the process or the event of achieving spiritual maturity or perfection. The ultimate goal of this process is union with God characterized by pure love of God and other people as well as personal holiness or sanctification. Other terms used for this or similar concepts include entire sanctification, holiness, perfect love, the baptism with the Holy Spirit, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, baptism by fire, the second blessing, and the second work of grace.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conservative holiness movement</span>

The conservative holiness movement is a loosely defined group of theologically conservative Christian denominations with the majority being Methodists whose teachings are rooted in the theology of John Wesley, and a minority being Quakers (Friends) that emphasize the doctrine of George Fox, as well as River Brethren who emerged out of the Radical Pietist revival, and Holiness Restorationists in the tradition of Daniel Sidney Warner. Schisms began to occur in the 19th century and this movement became distinct from parent Holiness bodies in the mid-20th century amid disagreements over modesty in dress, entertainment, and other "old holiness standards". Aligned denominations share a belief in Christian perfection, though they differ on various doctrines, such as the celebration of the sacraments and observance of ordinances, which is related to the denominational tradition of the specific conservative holiness body—Methodist, Quaker, Anabaptist or Restorationist. Many denominations identifying with the conservative holiness movement, though not all, are represented in the Interchurch Holiness Convention; while some denominations have full communion with one another, other bodies choose to be isolationist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black church</span> Christian congregations in the U.S. that minister predominantly to African Americans

The black church is the faith and body of Christian denominations and congregations in the United States that predominantly minister to, and are also led by African Americans, as well as these churches' collective traditions and members. The term "black church" may also refer to individual congregations, including in traditionally white-led denominations.

Outward holiness, or external holiness, is a Wesleyan–Arminian doctrine emphasizing holy living, service, modest dress and sober speech. Additionally, outward holiness manifests as "the expression of love through a life characterised by ‘justice, mercy and truth’." It is a testimony of a Christian believer's regeneration, done in obedience to God. The doctrine is prevalent among denominations emerging during the revival movements, including the Methodists, as well as Pentecostals. It is taken from 1 Peter 1:15: "He which hath called you is Holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evangelical Methodist Church</span> Methodist denomination in the US

The Evangelical Methodist Church (EMC) is a Christian denomination in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The denomination reported 399 churches in the United States, Mexico, Burma/Myanmar, Canada, Philippines and several European and African nations in 2018, and a total of 34,656 members worldwide.

The Bible Missionary Church, founded in 1955, is a Methodist denomination of Christianity aligned with the conservative holiness movement. It is headquartered in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Religion of Black Americans</span> Religious and spiritual practices of African Americans

Religion of Black Americans refers to the religious and spiritual practices of African Americans. Historians generally agree that the religious life of Black Americans "forms the foundation of their community life". Before 1775 there was scattered evidence of organized religion among Black people in the Thirteen Colonies. The Methodist and Baptist churches became much more active in the 1780s. Their growth was quite rapid for the next 150 years, until their membership included the majority of Black Americans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wesleyan theology</span> Protestant Christian theological tradition

Wesleyan theology, otherwise known as Wesleyan–Arminian theology, or Methodist theology, is a theological tradition in Protestant Christianity based upon the ministry of the 18th-century evangelical reformer brothers John Wesley and Charles Wesley. More broadly it refers to the theological system inferred from the various sermons, theological treatises, letters, journals, diaries, hymns, and other spiritual writings of the Wesleys and their contemporary coadjutors such as John William Fletcher, Methodism's systematic theologian.

The Wesley Study Bible is a Methodist-oriented biblical study text with introductory text for each book, explanations and commentary 'to help the reader to understand the biblical text', and with 'special references to the writings of John Wesley'.

Methodist views on the ordination of women in the rite of holy orders are diverse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Methodism in the United States</span>

The history of Methodism in the United States dates back to the mid-18th century with the ministries of early Methodist preachers such as Laurence Coughlan and Robert Strawbridge. Following the American Revolution most of the Anglican clergy who had been in America came back to England. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, sent Thomas Coke to America where he and Francis Asbury founded the Methodist Episcopal Church, which was to later establish itself as the largest denomination in America during the 19th century.

Pentecostalism is a renewal movement within Protestant Christianity that places special emphasis on a direct personal relationship with God and experience of God through the baptism with the Holy Spirit. For Christians, this event commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the followers of Jesus Christ, as described in the second chapter of the Book of Acts. Pentecostalism was established in Kerala, India at the start of the 20th century.

In Methodism, inclusive of the holiness movement, a penitent band is a group of Christians that meets on Saturday night to keep themselves away from temptation and confess their sins. Saturday was the day that the founder of Methodism, John Wesley, had penitent bands meet because that was the day of "the night of greatest temptation for many" as bars experienced much traffic. Penitent band meetings "were very formal, and the hymns, prayers, and teachings were designed to apply to the types of problems the members were experiencing." Members of penitent bands often included those who continually backslid from the expectations of their class meetings. As such, four questions are asked during services of the Methodist penitent bands:

What known sins have you committed since the last meeting?

What temptations have you met with? How were you delivered?

What have you thought, said, or done which may or may not be sin?

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Church membership</span> The state of being accepted into a local church congregation

Church membership, in Christianity, is the state of belonging to a local church congregation, which in most cases, simultaneously makes one a member of a Christian denomination and the universal Christian Church. Christian theologians have taught that church membership is commanded in the Bible. The process of becoming a church member varies based on the Christian denomination. Those preparing to become full members of a church are known variously as catechumens, candidates or probationers depending on the Christian denomination and the sacramental status of the individual.

In Methodism, a steward is a member of a local church who is elected by the congregation to help in the practical life of the church. The position of stewards is a hallmark of classic Methodism.

References

  1. ↑ Watson, David Lowes (22 April 2002). The Early Methodist Class Meeting: Its Origins and Significance. Wipf and Stock Publishers. p. 1. ISBN   9781579109394.
  2. 1 2 3 Cummings, Kathleen Sprows; Matovina, Timothy; Orsi, Robert A. (2018). Catholics in the Vatican II Era: Local Histories of a Global Event. Cambridge University Press. p. 69. ISBN   978-1-107-14116-2.
  3. 1 2 3 Hunsicker, David (1996). "John Wesley: Father of Today's Small Group Concept?" (PDF). Wesleyan Theological Journal. 31: 192. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 September 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  4. ↑ "Try a Methodist Class Meeting". Methodist Church. Archived from the original on 2 January 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  5. ↑ Marshall, Colin (1995). Growth groups: a training course in how to lead small groups. Matthias Media. pp. 109–110.
  6. ↑ Mike Breen and Alex Absalom, Launching Missional Communities: A Field Guide. 3DM Press, 2010.
  7. 1 2 3 Hunsicker, David (1996). "John Wesley: Father of Today's Small Group Concept?" (PDF). Wesleyan Theological Journal. 31: 193–194. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 September 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  8. ↑ Philipp Jakob Spener, Pia Desideria ch. 1, quoted in Peter C. Erb, The Pietists: selected writings (Paulist Press, 1983; ISBN   0-8091-2509-9), pp. 32–33
  9. ↑ Hunsicker, David (1996). "John Wesley: Father of Today's Small Group Concept?" (PDF). Wesleyan Theological Journal. 31: 210. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 September 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  10. ↑ Wilson, John P. (April 2004). "From House Church to Home Groups". Reformed Theological Review . 63 (1): 9.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Thomas, Louisa (August 2018). "The Relevance of the 18th Century Wesleyan Class Meeting in the 21st Century Church". The Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist. 80 (8). Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection: 8–9.
  12. ↑ Snyder, Howard A.; Runyon, Daniel (7 November 2011). The Divided Flame: Wesleyans & The Charismatic Renewal. Wipf and Stock Publishers. p. 69. ISBN   9781610976619.
  13. 1 2 "Methodist Christianity". The Order of Saint Patrick. 21 April 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2019. The society groups could be divided into smaller groups called "classes" that would provide for even more intimate spiritual support and nurture. These classes were composed of about a dozen people who met once a week for spiritual conversation and guidance. Members spoke about their temptations, confessed their faults, shared their concerns, testified to the working of God in their lives and exhorted & prayed for each other. Every Methodist was expected to attend class meetings.
  14. 1 2 Sanderson, Jimmy; Scott, Stanley; Hunt, Elton B.; Belcher, Dianne B.; Woods, James H. (2011). Doctrines and Discipline of the Lumber River Conference of the Holiness Methodist Church. pp. 17–18.
  15. 1 2 3 4 The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. 2012. ISBN   978-1-4969-5704-7.
  16. ↑ Burnett, Daniel L. (15 March 2006). In the Shadow of Aldersgate: An Introduction to the Heritage and Faith of the Wesleyan Tradition. Wipf and Stock Publishers. p. 57. ISBN   9781621899808.
  17. ↑ John Dart, "Close-knit Megachurches", The Christian Century , September 12–19, 2001, pp. 11 and 13 Archived 2010-06-20 at the Wayback Machine
  18. ↑ "Ascension Press". Archived from the original on 2010-12-26. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
  19. ↑ "Cokesbury Press". Archived from the original on 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2010-12-16.

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