THE CELL

VISION

Biblical Reference

-Jesus went through all the towns

and villages, teaching in theirsynagogues, preaching the goodnews of the kingdom and healing

every disease and sickness-

(Mawhew 9 : 35).

Objectives

1. To identify the main characteristics of cells.

2. To re'cognize the biblical foundation for the cell vision'.

3. To recognize the fundamental importance of cells in the

formation of the church.

INTRODUCTION

Every believer, as soon as they become a follower of JesusChrist, can experience the blessing of opening
their home sothat the message of Christ can be shared in it. In this way, the

Gospel can spread among their family, relatives and neighbors.God has given International Charismatic
Mission a vision whosebasic strategy for reaching multitudes for Christ revolves aroundworking in
homes (the cell vision). This strategy is part of the

anointing of multiplication that the church has received and hasclear biblical foundations.

Acts 10 describes the birth of the Early Church. It outlines the

events that took place in the house of Cornelius, a Gentile who

gathered all his relatives, friends and acquaintances togetherto hear the Gospel through Peter. From
that time on, houses

became opportune places for the message of christ to be spreadand even for miracles to happen in
Jesus'name, resulting in thestrengthening of the body of Christ.

The cell vision, the central theme of this lesson,

allows us to understand the importance of

opening homes to share the Gospel, and puts the

cell model into practice,

It causes great numerical multiplication, as well as the spiritualgrowth of the church in these times.
Simultaneously, it ensures thatthe richest of blessings are received by those who decide to opentheir
homes for a cell to take place there.

1. WHAT ARE CELLS?

"Cells are small groups of people who meet once

a week with the goal of developing all-round

growth centered on the Word of God,-

Those involved in these groups are

The Host, who provides the location.

The Leader, the person equipped to lead the cell.

Th. Timothy, the leader's right hand.

The Attendees, all the active members and people invited tothe meeting.

Cells are small centers for studying the Bible in a simple and practicalway, where those who attend are
built up, including those who arewon for Christ week after week. The principle of cells originatesfrom
the Early Church whose congregations grew through meetingsin homes. This is why the Word of God
says

'"So the word of God spread. The number of disciples

in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of

priests became obedient to the faith"(Acts 67).

2. BIBLICAL RECORDS OF CELLS

Jesus continually ministered in houses (Matthew 9 : 10).

Jesus healed people in houses (Matthew 9 : 23-24).

Jesus used homes to form His twelve (Mark 9 : 33-35).

The Last Supper was shared for the first time in a house(Matthew 26 : 17-18).

The Holy Spirit was poured out for the first time in a house(Acts 2 : 2-4).

The church was founded in houses (Acts 2 : 42).

Zacchaeus repented when Jesus went to his house (Luke

Jesus sent the demon-possessed Gerasene to testify, to thosein his house and those he knew, about
what God had done inhis life (Mark 5 : 19).

, Jesus compared Christians to lights that shine in a house(Matthew 5 : 15).

, The apostles preached every day in houses (Acts 5 : 42).

, Saul persecuted the church from house to house (Acts 8 : 3).

Cornelius gathered his family in his house and sent for Peter tocome and preach to them (Acts 1 0 : 32-
33).
Houses were used by the disciples to come together and pray

(ACts 12 : 191

JAN 19, 2020, 8:30 PM

The jailer in philippi took Paul and Silas to his house wherehe repented and was baptized, along with his
whole farnily

(Acts 1 6 : 32-33).

Paul preached in houses in Ephesus (Acts 20 : 20).

In Rome, pau \ welcomed all who came to his house,speaking to them and teaching them about Jesus
Christ(Acts 28 : 30-31).

Aquilla and priscilla's church met in their house (1 Corinthians16 : 19).

Nympha had a church in her house (Colossians 4 : 15),

p hilemon had a church in his house (Philemon 1 : 2).

3. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CELL VISION

Keep in mind that opening the door of a house for a cell is like takingthe Ark of God to that home ; the
goal is to illuminate the wholeneighborhood with the light of the Gospel.

When we are faithful with the li*le (a cell), the

Lord will be sure to give us much more,

a. The success of the church is in the cells

As the church applies the cell vision and endeavors to develop

it, success will come from within the congregation and will bereflected in spiritual and numerical
growth.
The cell vision facilitates the training and equipping of disciples

who can then spread the message of christ to all,

b. cells make personal pastoring possible

Jesus was always concerned about meeting the needs of

individuals and He developed His ministry through personal

contact with people, without the limitations of a building (Mark

6 : 34). The cell vision allows us to do what Jesus did ; even the

most unassuming believer can gather their family so that thecell leader can directly pastor each person.

The pastoral work is made easier when all the work is not

simply left to one person. When a pastor manages to involve

the church in cell work, the results are more efective and everymember of the congregation will always
feel cared for.

c, Cells are small groups that strengthen the church

Evangelism is carried out within the cell because the new

people who are invited every week can be won for Christ. The

new believer is also built up in the cell through the teaching ofthe Word, helping them become a useful
instrument, preparedfor the multiplication of the cell (1 Peter 5 : 10).

d. Cells are a means of meeting people's needs

As well as having spiritual and emotional needs, the membersof every congregation also have material
needs. Meetings inhomes contribute towards their needs being met, just as in theEarly Church (Acts 2 :
44-47).

e. Cells are the mines from which you extract your twelve
The strategy of multiplication, which is developed alongside

the cells, involves groups of twelve. This is founded on Jesus'

model, who chose twelve disciples to develop His ministry.

The cell is an efective way of training and selecting our team of

twelve. We should choose those in our cell who show the most

fruit, and should pray to confirm that it is God's will for them to

form part of our foundational team of leaders who will support

us in the ministry (Luke 6 : 12-17),

CONCLUSION

The cellular vision is a strategy from God for the

muwplication of the church in our times, with roots

in the Early Church, Opening a cell is a double

privilege : firstly, we bring the Ark of God into our

homes, and secondly, we imparf life to peoplethrough personal pastoring,

If you have not already done so, make sure you

open your home for a cell to take place there,

1 NESTIONS 9

THE CELL VISION

1. What strategy has God given us to reach the multitudes?

2, According to Acts 10, how did the Church b _in?

3. What do you consider to be the advantages of opening a home for a cell meeting?

4. What is a cell group? Who is it made up for?

5. According to Matthew 9:32-34, what characterized Jesus’ ministry?

6. What makes the cell vision important?