Month: September 2007

Even though worship in the cell needs to go beyond singing, it does normally include singing. I counsel cell worship leaders to pick five to six songs before the group begins. Or the worship leader might invite small group members to select the songs before the worship time and then sing them in sequence. I encourage the small-group leader to type the words of these five or six songs on a piece of paper and then distribute those song sheets to everyone in the group. Those who know the songs really well won’t need the sheets, but many will need them.

It’s a good idea for the leader to first give an exhortation to begin the worship time. One particular small-group leader would say, “Remember that God is looking at your heart. Reflect on the words of the songs while you’re singing and know that above all else, you’re pleasing God.” I’ve discovered that a simple exhortation like this makes a huge difference in the atmosphere.

When children are present during worship, I try to encourage them to understand that God loves them and wants to hear their praises to Him. Between songs, I might even ask one of the children to pray. Help your group to become sensitive to God, while asking Him to show you how to reach non-Christians. Put Him first in your group, and He’ll give you a new, dynamic atmosphere that will edify the saints and evangelize unbelievers.
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Joel

By Steve Cordle

My wife, Linda, mentors some young mothers of pre-schoolers. This week one of the moms asked Linda to recommend a devotional book for women/moms she could use that would help her grow, since she’s just starting out and she’s had virtually no church background.

Linda replied that the best book to help her grow is the Bible (then offered some suggestions on how to engage it). Linda added that while other people’s thoughts about the Bible are helpful, they are not a substitute for the actual Word itself.

In order to create a climate of spiritual growth, it is vital to create a culture in which the Bible is central. I’m sure I don’t have to convince readers here of the importance of the Bible, but I’ve learned not to assume anything when it comes to people living out what we know is important. Many Christ-followers know the importance of the Bible, but their only exposure is during the worship celebration or group time. If it’s our spiritual food, we need it daily! Without it we are weak.

One of the most common reasons we hear from people about why they can’t lead a grop is the ydon’t know enough about the Bible. So let’s teach them!

Some of the ways churches have made the Bible central include:

– preaching through books or significant sections of the Bible in worship

-New Christian’s Classes and Membership Classes which include how to study the Bible

– Add a “Going Futher” section to the weekly cell material, encouraging indiviual study of a passasge

– Offer equipping courses teaching study techniques and books of the Bible

– Give away Bibles to anyone who is new

– Encourage significnat Bible study in 1-on-1 discipleship relationships

What other ideas do you have to move the Bible from our tables to our hearts?

Singing is an important part of worship, but it’s not the only activity. At a small-group seminar, one participant shared, “It’s important to go beyond singing songs. Our group has experienced God’s presence through reading psalms together, praying sentence prayers or even waiting in silence.”

Many leaders feel inadequate to lead times of worship because in their minds, they feel that they have to play guitar or worship like Matt Redman to lead God-honoring worship. I’ve experienced worship times in which the members choked out a joyful noise (and I do mean noise). Due to lack of guitar talent, some groups play a tape or CD, while the members follow along. I think this is a great idea, and we’ve done it in our own group on occasion. God doesn’t require a tabernacle choir. He looks at our heart motivation as we sing to Him.

Beyond the songs themselves, worship in an experience of drawing near to God and allowing God to draw near to us. It’s more than simply music; it’s coming before the living God with all of our hearts and seeking His face. It’s loving Him with all of our hearts and wanting Him above all else. Our inward motivation is critical to worship. Only God can break down the pride and carnality of a hardened heart. The worship experience tenderizes the hearts of those who are about to hear His Word, and He begins to work mightily in the lives of those who hear. It’s God’s Word that makes this possible.
Comments?

Joel

Lisa entered into the den of her home.  It was on her husband’s desk that she found, on a folded piece of paper, a passage quoting Teddy Roosevelt.  It read as follows:

“The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena…who strives valiantly, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in worthy causes.  Who, at best, knows the triumph of high achievement and who, at worst, if he fails, fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

Lisa’s discovery occurred just weeks after her husband, Todd Beamer, died while aboard United Airlines Flight 93 (9/11/01).  A Newsweek reporter wrote, “The hijackers of UA 93 didn’t bank on the plane’s passengers banding together to take them on.  By charging the cockpit, these heroes prevented the plane from crashing into the nations’s capital– where it seemed to be headed.”  Todd “Let’s Roll” Beamer gave his life so that others might live.  It is true that many, many others did the same on that horrific day six years ago. 

Pause for a moment and remember.

I’m also remembering today that the greatest model of abandonment and risk remains to this day– Jesus Christ.  He stepped out of the comfort of heaven to show us the love of God.  He risked being God with skin on in the midst of religious persecution and tyrannical rule.  He risked by loving the unlovely.  He risked by charging his disciples to receive the power of the Holy Spirit and spread the gospel to all nations.  This abandonment of comfort and risk led him to a cross where he gave his life for all the world.  He gave his life so that the church might be filled with life.

Todd Beamer knew Jesus Christ as friend, Lord and Savior.  He emulated to us the greatest hero of all time– Jesus Christ.

Today, “spend yourself in a worthy cause.”  Know the “triumph of high achievement.”  “Dare greatly.”

by Rob Campbell

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Many intergenerational/family small groups allow children to stay in the small group during worship, but they then leave during the Word time for their own small-group lesson. Children often bless the small group with simplicity and clarity and remind adults that worship is not complicated. In my opinion, children super-charge the small-group atmosphere during times of praise and worship.

Some people think that children are a distraction, but I’ve found that just the opposite is true. Children reflect Christ’s nature and often draw others into His presence. And the side benefit is that children grow through watching their parents worship in a small, loving environment. At times, I like to stop and ask the children to pray or remind them of the words of the song.

My children lead worship in my family cell on Sunday evening–Nicole plays guitar and Chelsea plays drums. They not only bless the adults through their worship but they also grow in their musical talents. Children are a great blessing to cell ministry! 

Comments?

Joel