Disciple Na Ako! (DNA ng tunay na Kristyano)

8. Forming Your Own Cell Group

Ngayong part ka na ng cell group, hindi nagtatapos ang journey mo na member ka lang o attendee. You are called to lead.

Jesus called out to them and said, "Come and follow me, and I will transform you into men who catch people for God. -Matthew 4:19 TPT

How do we establish or form our own cell group? What I'm about to share is based on my experience on our Church.

Considering na may bago akong na-invite sa Church, after the gig or service ay ipapa-connect ko siya sa Connect Ministry. Dito dinadala ang mga new comers kung saan aabot lang ng 5 to 10 minutes ang discussion. The Connect ministers will talk about the concept of cell group at ie-encourage siya na maging part nito. Kung sino ang nag-invite sa kaniya, ipapaubaya siya rito.

Kung member pa lang ang nag-invite, magiging magkapatid sila sa cell group. Pero kung leader na ang nag-invite sa kaniya, magiging anak siya ng leader. Still, depende pa rin. Minsan kahit ikaw ang nag-invite, napupunta siya sa ibang leader o cell group. This happens kapag may solid 12 ka na at willing ka namang magbigay ng disciples sa ibang leader na nangangailangan. This also happens kapag halimbawa, mas convenient sa invite mo na mapasama sa iba because of some factors like place or school. It really depends.

Kung walk-in naman ang newcomer, ipapaubaya siya sa mga leaders na available at naghahanap ng idi-disciples.

After the connect, what comes next? Magba Bible study na ba kayo agad?

It's best to build fellowship with the person first. Lalo na kapag hindi kayo close o magkakilala. Know your common ground at gamitin mo ito para maging close pa kayo. Like for instance, pareho kayong KPOP fan, then talk about KPOP stuffs. Or kung pareho kayong Wattpader, mag-chikahan kayong dalawa about Eternally Found (charot, not plugging). Pero 'yun nga, establish relationship with the person first. Pwede mo siyang librehin ng milk tea o ano ba para makapag-kwentuhan kayo. Use the wisdom God has given you.

Kaya nga sabi ko sa previous chapter, discipleship costs everything. You need to invest time, effort and even money to get to know the person and disciple them.

Kung magaan na ang loob niya sa'yo, pwede mo na siyang isama sa cell group meeting. Just keep in mind na baby Christian pa lang ang hina-handle mo. Iba dapat ang approach mo sa matured disciples na at baguhan pa lang. Make the person feel comfortable and welcomed. Kung may mga disciples ka na at nadagdag lang itong newcomer, make sure na makisama sila sa isa't-isa. I know sa isang barkadahan, hindi mawawala ang tropa nating friendly to the highest level kaya itabi mo siya rito. The least thing a person wants to feel is to feel left out and out of place.

In preaching God's word in the cell group meeting, hit the need. Ngayong close na kayo nitong new Christian, alam mo na rin ang kwento ng buhay niya. Kung may problema siya sa family then preach something about it. Kung pessimist ang taong 'to, preach something about the hope that comes from believing Christ. Kung pakiramdam niya walang nagmamahal sa kaniya, preach about God's love.

Let the person feel belonged and appreciated. Huwag mo siyang susukuan. Ituring mo siyang anak. In our church, we call our leaders nanay/mommy/mashie/tatay/dad. Leaders call their disciples anak/'nak. Fellow members call each other 'tid/kapatid. Because a Church is not a religious organization. The Church is a spiritual family.

NEXT UPDATE: Structure of a Cell Group Meeting