FORMAT OF THE CARE GROUP MEETING

Text Box: ICE-BREAKER QUESTIONS are questions that · Do not require Bible knowledge · Are not controversial · Have no wrong or right answer · Could naturally lead to Bible study topic

WELCOME (10 minutes)

  • Introduce new people, welcome guests, and brethren
  • Ice Breaker. A single question to be answered by everyone. . Then, `silence’ is broken!

  • Transition Statement by leader and/or an Opening Song

    WORD(40 minutes)

    Text Box: Guidelines for the Cell Leader: 1. Do not lead the group as if you know everything. 2. Being the leader means you set the example for others to follow. You are also a participant in the group. 3. let the Bible speak for itself. You do not have to belabor to explain what the Bible already clearly states. 4. Encourage and facilitate participation. Designate who will answer first. 5. Never allow argumentative or critical spirits to dominate. 6. Remember the goal of the meeting is to minister to the needs of the members, not to finish a Bible lesson. Be led by the Spirit, not by the material.

  • Discovering and Sharing insights on God’s Word thru guide questions. The cell leader serves as guide and discussion facilitator, not a lecturer.
  • Applying God’s Word to daily lives. A time of personal application where each person is encouraged to share how  they can put the Bible truth into practice.
  • Summarizing. Care group leader briefly summarizes what the group have discovered and shared.

    • WORSHIP( 25 miutes)

  • Praise & Worship. We enter God’s presence; focus on Jesus Christ who is in our midst.
  • Practice of Spiritual Gifts
    • . God manifesting His Presence, body ministry, touching lives and meeting needs.
  • Prayer. Allowing God’s Presence to bring provisions

    • Text Box: SOME BEWARES!!! 1. Do not discuss business opportunities. 2. Do not bring political interests in cells 3. No matchmaking and courting in cells 4. No Borrowing money. 5. No promoting of other meetings or organizations that will later be in competition with the cell meeting.

    WORK(20 minutes)

  • Visioning. Planning ways how to reach or follow-up people. Plan for growth.
  • Problem solving. Evaluation time, receive suggestions and solutions, determine actions to do, make assignments
  • Group project planning.





    A Care Group Experience

    This guide provides an opportunity to experience some of the mechanics of a care group meeting.

    THEME: ACCEPT ONE ANOTHER

    WELCOME

    Opening by Leader: Tell your name and three striking things about yourself. Then proceed to give the instructions for ice breaking.

    Icebreaker: Discover three interesting things about another member in the group and introduce him/her to the group in that manner.

    Welcome Song:

    Transition: It is God’s work to call people from all walks of life  into His Kingdom. The fact that we are here gathered here today is a proof to that. If God accepted each one of us, the most reasonable thing to do is to accept one another as well.

    WORD

    Bible Discovery & Sharing: Let members study by pairs the passages to find answers to the sharing questions below.

    Passage to Study: Romans 15:1; Romans 9:22-26

    Sharing Questions:

  • Why should we accept one another
  • How should we accept one another?
  • What is Christ’s intention in accepting us?

    • (Let pairs take turns in answering. Make it clear that they don not have to repeat what has been already shared by another pair. Appoint first pair to give answer to first question. When all possible answers have been exhausted, proceed to next question)

    Bible Application:

    1. Essential to accepting another person is our own acceptance of ourselves. Share about something unacceptable about yourself but that you thank God for that He accepted you anyway.
    2. Share how the truth of God’s acceptance of even the worst sinner can change the way you treat others.

    Summarizing:Leader summarizes answers given by members.

    WORSHIP

    Praise & Worship: Lead group to thank God for accepting us, allow the Holy Spirit to make a deep work in the their hearts until they feel a higher sense of appreciation for God’s acceptance.

    Practice of Spiritual Gifts: Be open to the Holy Spirit. There could be people who need special ministry such as those who needs to be free from guilt, or there might be some people who need to express acceptance of another person in the group. There are many possibilities.

    Prayer: Let each one pray a sentence prayer of thanksgiving for accepting him/her and another member of the group. Do it in their sitting order in a circle. Leader starts to set example.

    Example: “Father, I greatly thank you for opening my eyes to see your forgiveness to me. Thank you for accepting a man like me who was addicted to lying. I also thank you for my brother here, `________’. He has testified of his past life of bondage to anger. Thank you for accepting Him. I pray that you continue to shower him with your grace for your gentleness makes us great.”

    Song: Any Song of Thanksgiving for Salvation

    WORK

    Visioning: Leader share about the Governing Core Values for Care Groups, and the C-A-R-E acrostic

    Planning. How to reach those who are in the list but are not yet attending the care group. Give follow-up assignments. Plan also for next meeting.