You can’t be a fruitful Christian without a cell group leadership role
I believe every Christian has been called to be a cell group leader. I believe every Christian has been called to be a shepherd. The traditional word for a cell group leader is a shepherd. This is because he puts a group of Christians together and cares for them spiritually. A Christian should be a cell group leader before they even think of starting a business or being serious with anything in this world. Being a cell group leader is not for a privileged few. God wants us all to become shepherds (cell group leaders) and the following 5 reasons should cause you to consider being one because it is the only thing that really validates your Christianity. Nothing else proves you are a Christian.
1. To fulfill the great commission
Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28:19-20
If at this point you believe the great commission is for specific believers, then you should really think twice about your salvation. This is because the great commission is for every Christian. The Great Commission involves 2 major things: preach the gospel and make disciples. This is what a cell group meeting involves. A cell group with multiplication in mind in a group setting ministers the good news of Jesus Christ and also trains assistants to start new groups. This is also discipleship, that is, the ability to train new believers to go and win and shepherd others. The best way to fulfill this commission is to start and multiply a cell group. You will either make disciples who will continue to fulfill this commission or you will win souls in your group or both. Whatever the case may be, this is proof that being a cell group leader is for everyone who has been called to fulfill the Great Commission and that includes you.
2. It is a natural stage of growing in the Lord
In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.
Hebrews 5:12-13 (NIV)
This verse tells us that there is a time God is expecting us to teach the word of God. This is called feeding and I believe from this verse we are all supposed to get there as Christians. The book of Jeremiah says that God will give shepherds who feed with knowledge and understanding. That is called teaching and that is why we know that the shepherd’s spiritual feeding work is basically teaching.
Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding.
Jeremiah 3:15 (NASB)
Shepherds feed the flock of God. That is why I believe God expects every Christian to be a shepherd at some point.
You have been called to be a shepherd because to God it’s a natural stage of development. When a human is born, they start as babies but we expect them to grow to become adults and give birth and feed their babies. It’s a natural stage in the physical life and I believe it’s a natural stage in our spiritual lives also.
3. There is a great need for cell leaders or shepherds
There is so much need for shepherds as people keep fainting and are weary that God is looking for as many people that are willing to help in the work. If there were no jobs available, then you could say that I can choose not to be one but when there are more fainting and dying sheep than shepherds, you can’t afford to say that.
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, the harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Matthew 9:36-38
Look at the people perishing. Look at others fainting. Look at those that are confused and tell me you have nothing to give. God is looking for shepherds to feed and guide them to the Promised Land. That’s why the verse 38 says let us pray for God to send more shepherds into the harvest. The great need should minister to you that God wants to involve everyone as much as possible. What else is there to do? His priority is souls that are perishing and backsliding and there is a great many of them for him to exclude you in the work. You are called to be a cell group leader.
4. God’s people are scattered and He is doing something about it
So, they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals.
Ezekiel 34:5
If there’s one thing God doesn’t like it is the fact that His people are scattered and no one is able to gather them. There is safety in the gathering. There is guidance in the gathering and he is looking for shepherds who will devote themselves to gathering his flock so that they won’t become prey to the enemy. The enemy preys on the scattered one at a time and God sees it and he knows it’s only by gathering that this will stop. He is looking for a cell leader to gather his scattered sheep. Why can’t you be that shepherd?
5. Everyone has been called to be fruitful
When Jesus chose us, and sent us out, he had fruits in mind. Jesus wants us to be fruitful and multiply. When a man is fruitful, he is able to give birth and reproduce after their kind. Spiritually, God wants us to give birth and reproduce after our kind. Some fruits will one day be accounted to you and I’m talking about people who through the gospel you have given birth to. Fruitfulness is what we have been called and ordained for.
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you
John 15:16 (NIV)
It continues to say that even answered prayer is tied to our ability to produce after our kind spiritually. I’m yet to meet a believer who doesn’t want their prayers answered by God. If you think that God intends to answer prayers of only certain people, then think twice. God wants to answer everyone’s prayer and that’s why you have been called to be fruitful. The best way to be fruitful and give birth to your kind is through leading a cell group. If you desire to multiply your group, you will use it to win souls and disciple as you go along.
Very soon, you will have fruits and a crown waiting for you who will be the people you won in Christ and discipled.
…for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
1 Corinthians 4:15
After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you!
1 Thessalonians 2:9
If you want God to answer every prayer you have, pick up a cell group leadership role. I think many Christians just do not think about others. We have become so selfish that we need to do very well and make a lot of money before we will actually lift up our eyes to see a perishing world. This need not be so. If you will think about others, I know you will join God’s work force in faith believing that you can do all things through Christ who will give you strength.