discipleship
Reaching The Campus through
Cell Groups
Think About It
What is the purpose of a small group? What role can
small group Bible studies play in reaching the university
campus for Christ?
Heart of the Matter
A cell group is a group that is going somewhere. It
is a proven way to help college students connect with
God, with each other, and the lost.
Today's students need a place to connect. Fifty percent
of today's students come from broken homes. The college
years are a fresh chance to make friends and build bonds
of trust with other people. Because students can be
skeptical of authority, they learn best in a social
(relational) context where ideas can be freely discussed.
Christian students need a safe place to process biblical
truth and develop personal convictions.
A cell group is an on-campus expression of biblical
community. Life among the family of believers in the
New Testament church is pictured in Acts 2:42-47:
| They devoted themselves to the apostles'
teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking
of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with
awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were
done by the apostles. All the believers were together
and had everything in common. Selling their possessions
and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
Every day they continued to meet together in the
temple courts. They broke bread in their homes
and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
praising God and enjoying the favor of all the
people. And the Lord added to their number daily
those who were being saved.
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This biblical community exhibited these four values:
- They had a passion for God expressed
in prayer and praise.
- They had a commitment to one another
expressed in caring fellowship.
- They had a desire to grow expressed
in biblical teaching.
- They had a heart for the lost
expressed in leading others to Christ.
Changed lives in Boston
Kohichi, a Ph.D. student at MIT in Boston, was excited
about starting a cell group with his circle of friends.
In his laser lab, he had been working with a Muslim
woman, Farzana, and for one year had been sharing Christ
with her. After seeing Kohichi's life and other Christians,
Farzana received Christ. She began attending Kohichi's
cell group and has been growing in her relationship
with God ever since. She is deeply touched by the way
the cell group loves and accepts her. Stacey's cell
group included students at various spiritual maturity
levels. One of her members, Jennifer, had been slowly
drifting from God. Because of the structure of the cell
group Jennifer still felt free to come and participate
in the group meetings. The cell group was her only involvement
with Campus Crusade and God used it to restore her walk
with God. The following year Jennifer and Stacey were
both student leaders on their campus.
What is a Cell Group?
A cell group consists of 5-15 people that
exists for the purpose of turning lost students
into Christ-centered laborers.
A cell group has LIFE, and because it
has life, it grows. As a cell group grows, it
multiplies by giving birth to new cell groups,
which give birth to more groups.
A cell group is the means of taking the
gospel to every student on campus. Members of
cell groups creatively and prayerfully reach out
to lost students.
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A cell group is not...
- just a Bible study, though Bible study
is a vital part to a Christian's growth.
- just a fellowship, though relationships
can make or break a group.
- an end in itself, but a means of taking
the gospel to the campus.
The Benefits of a Cell Group
- Christian students are strengthened
in their relationship with God through prayer and
Bible study.
- Friendships are developed through group
discussions and social activities.
- The group provides a team context for
evangelism through prayer for lost friends and training
in ministry. Members of the group are encouraged to
build common-ground relationships with the lost on
campus. Periodic parties and Bible studies support
the evangelism process.
- New believers (as well as other Christian
friends) are easily incorporated into the group. A
chair is left empty at each meeting to symbolize openness
to new people. In most cases the new Christian has
a comfort level with the group from having been at
parties and other events with the Christian students.
- Spiritual growth occurs in the context
of community. Modeling takes place because of the
mix of mature Christians and young Christians. One-on-one
discipleship can be arranged as needed outside the
group. Personal follow-up and mentoring can be handled
by various people, not just the leader.
- The group can be co-ed, or can be divided
into men's and women's groups.
- The cell group can be a bridge to the
local church. New believers will naturally want to
attend church with their friends. In fact, church
volunteers and Christian faculty can lead cell groups
on campus or in homes.
- Tools and resources are available to
help the cell group leader prepare for the group.
Campus Crusade's InterActa Bible studies (see additional
resources) are easy to use, student-friendly, relevant,
and suitable for various levels of spiritual maturity.
- A cell group can have an influence
on the entire campus. For example, a student interested
in mass communications can utilize a mix of campus
media to expose the student body to a Christian worldview
on a regular basis. Resources for evangelistic outreaches
are available from Campus Crusade.
- Leadership development and student
ownership are enhanced through cell groups. Each group
begins with a leader (facilitator) and apprentice
(assistant). Since the optimum size of the group is
4-10, it will one day need to form a new group. While
the new group can happen in various ways, each begins
with a leader and another apprentice.
- An initial cell group can be the beachhead
for an eventual campus-wide ministry. As new groups
are born, the group leaders meet weekly for a "VHS"
(vision/huddle/skills) meeting. In fact, the "VHS"
meeting can provide a touch point for cell groups
on more than one campus. This can be especially helpful
for expansion to new campuses in metro areas.
- Finally, a cell group can have an impact
on the world. The group can pray for and participate
in international partnerships through the Worldwide
Student Network (WSN--see additional resources). Each
year students from all across the United States participate
in overseas missions opportunities. A student in the
cell group can be designated to spearhead the effort
and facilitate world vision.
Berkeley:
Pursuing Truth in the Context of Relationships
Under the leadership of Rod Howard, the Campus
Crusade ministry at Berkeley has adapted the cell model
to help students become the primary leaders of the ministry.
Just a few years ago, the ministry at Berkeley had only
10 students involved. Within two years, after adopting
the cell model, more than 20 students were involved
in the small group leaders' training representing team
leaders from 12 small groups.
Small groups have become an important means
of taking the gospel to the campus. Students invite
non-Christians to participate with Christians in the
small groups so that truth can be pursued in the context
of relationships. Students have been taking the lead
to do evangelism and lead their friends to Christ. During
a recent fall semester 20 students trusted Christ with
12 being incorporated into the ministry.
Steps to Take
Select both a leader and an apprentice.
The qualifications for these positions are a track record
of spiritual growth, ability to build relationships,
and a commitment to the mission of the group.
Recruit students to be members of the group.
Look for students who share the values of Acts 2:42-47.
Explain that this is more than a Bible study--it's a
group that's going somewhere. But don't overload students
with too many qualifications. Remember, spiritual growth
will happen in the context of the group.
Promote group interaction.
Keep it informal. Include discussion-oriented Bible
study, and share prayer requests. Success is not measured
by how much the leader says, but by how much people
talk about meaningful things.
Encourage outreach.
The InterActa Bible study Two Worlds will help you set
the stage for outreach. Encourage each person to pray
for three friends who do not yet know Christ.
Welcome new people into the group.
These can be new believers or other friends from around
campus. An empty chair is always a visible reminder
that guests are welcome.
When the time comes, birth a new cell group.
You know it's time to birth a new group when you have
10-15 people. As with all births, it will be both painful
and exciting. Either the apprentice or the leader can
start the new group. Reassure students that there are
many ways to maintain relationships between the groups.
Once you have several groups, begin a VHS meeting.
Cell group leaders will need shepherding and input on
a regular basis. They'll also have plenty of problems
to solve. The VHS meeting is a chance for you to develop
these leaders.
Cell groups and the challenge of the Big Apple
Campus Crusade staff member Chris Whitford works in
New York City and has a vision for reaching college
students on the many campuses in Manhattan. She has
a big heart for the people and she enjoys the ethnic
diversity and cultural life in New York, but some difficult
years ministering at Columbia University convinced Chris
she needed a new approach.
So Chris joined forces with Redeemer Presbyterian Church
which shares a similar vision for reaching Manhattan.
She then organized the student ministry after the cell
model to foster community, develop leadership and encourage
growth of the ministry to additional campuses.
Despite formidable obstacles, Chris has been very encouraged
by what God has done so far:
Alumni volunteers have found cell groups a rewarding
way to contribute to the ministry with their limited
time. Ryan is involved at Columbia. Leah, a graduate
of the University of Virginia, is adviser to a group
at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Kevin had experience
in Campus Crusade at Queens and Intervarsity at Oberlin,
and now is a volunteer with the ministry.
Jenny was involved with a cell group at New York University
and had such a positive experience that she is beginning
one at the School of Visual Arts.
After attending a Campus Crusade summer project at
Wildwood, N.J., Paul began a cell group with students
from Manhattan School of Music and Mannes School of
Music. No official religious activity is permitted on
these campuses. The off-campus location of the cell
group has helped Christian students to connect with
one another.
A cell group at Columbia has been a good place for
two seekers to consider the Christian faith.
The cell model has been a helpful addition to the overall
Metro Strategy recently begun in New York City. A Christmas
party drew 200 students, including students from the
above campuses, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, and several
flourishing Student LINC campuses. (See additional resources.)
Chris gives direction to the student cell group leaders
at the "VHS" meeting. According to Chris, the cell model
is an easier model to manage ministry growth while maintaining
oversight. It has been a boost to the smaller ministries
in the city, and has provided her with more venues for
influence.
Key Roles in a Cell Group
- The leader organizes the group and
gives it direction. The leader needs to cast vision
and coach the group. Sometimes the leader facilitates
the Bible study, but this can be done by others also.
- The apprentice (assistant) is being
mentored for future leadership. This person will have
the chance to lead various segments of the cell group
and do some mentoring outside the group.
Other Potential Roles
- The hospitality person organizes
food and helps ensure a fun, informal environment.
- The media/communications person
arranges for publicity on campus and facilitates broad
exposure strategies using campus media.
- The prayer coordinator leads
praise and intercession in the group and develops
a prayer plan. This person may put people in prayer
partnerships or implement other creative ways to encourage
prayer and dependence on Christ.
- The evangelism coordinator encourages
personal evangelism by doing it and bringing others
along. The coordinator also provides periodic training
(how to share Christ, giving a testimony, etc) and
helps people organize four-week evangelistic discussion
groups with friends. Parties now and then where people
can bring their non-Christian friends are also an
idea for the coordinator.
- The missions person encourages
prayer and involvement in an overseas partnership.
It gets exciting when the group (or all the cell groups
on campus) decide to get involved.
Top 10 Mistakes To Avoid In
Organizing Cell Groups
- Starting a group that is not
going anywhere, an end in itself.
- Doing all the talking.
- Being too formal or having no
refreshments.
- Starting a group without an apprentice.
- Not having an empty chair--a
closed group.
- Missing the importance of relationships.
- Not sharing responsibility or
developing student ownership.
- Becoming cocooned as a group
and not engaging non-Christian students.
- Not having an atmosphere of acceptance.
- Neglecting to pray and trust
God for the group and its mission.
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Sample Format for a Cell Group Meeting
The group can meet in a dorm room, dorm lounge, a comfortable
room in the student center, or in someone's apartment
or home. The more informal the atmosphere the better.
- Mixer/ice-breaker: Relax, laugh,
have some refreshments. One bi-weekly cell group met
every other Sunday after church in a home and called
the meeting "Sunday Brunch." Scrambled eggs and English
muffins were a big hit.
- Welcome/vision: Guests are introduced,
the leader sets a tone for the meeting. This can be
a good time to introduce the theme or restate the
vision for the cell group.
- Bible study: The InterActa Bible
studies on a variety of topics can be obtained through
Campus Crusade for Christ. You'll never run out of
good things to talk about.
- Prayer: Invite people to share
prayer requests related to the Bible study or other
personal issues in their lives. This is also a good
time to pray for the campus and for lost friends.
- Announcements: This is a good
time to hear from the hospitality coordinator or evangelism
coordinator about upcoming events. Something like:
"We're going to the football game together this Saturday
and meeting at Mary's afterward for a fifth-quarter
barbecue. Feel free to bring friends."
- Tool time:
Occasionally you might want to equip the
group with a particular ministry skill tied to real
life. For example, people might enjoy hearing ideas
on how to organize a four-week discussion group with
some lost friends in the dorm.
This is only a sample, so feel free to mix and match.
Other things could be added, such as having people share
("I had an answer to prayer this week.") or asking a
group member to share their testimony. (Ask in advance-don't
put someone on the spot.) Be sure to finish on time,
and remember, the more relational the better.
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