Cell Leader Notes for w/b 9th October 2011 Theme: A suicidal intrusion Welcome: 10 mins Have you ever turned up to something in the "wrong trousers" - hopelessly over or underdressed? What happened? Word: 20 mins Read Matthew 22:1-14   a.. Having read it as a parable, note: 1) why it is held 2) who is invited 3) how they respond 4) who is subsequently invited and 5) the problem with one guest (hint: make it snappy - 5 mins max in total)   b.. When did Jesus first call you to the banquet? How many times did he have to ask before you responded?   c.. How does the poor guy who turns up in jeans and t-shirt make you feel?   d.. If we take these parabolic statements about judgement seriously, what are the implications for us and our posse*? (see below)   e.. What does it mean to be (in)appropriately dressed for the banquet? Worship: 15 mins response to vs 11-13 Get into pairs (or three if an odd number) and pray through Colossians 3:1-14 if poss pray for one another as well as quietly on your own (warning - this could be quite intense. be sensitive to one another's needs and space) Witness: 15 mins Is your witness well-dressed/a bit last season/string vest? *Let's ditch the word oikos and claim the word "posse"! Did you take the next step with your posse last week?

Cell group leader notes w/b 25.9.11 Mouth or trousers? Welcome: (10 mins) As a child, what kind of worker were you? How much did your parents/teachers have to scream and yell to get you to work? Worship: (10-15 mins) Choose any song that seems appropriate to the theme. Youtube and spotify both have many good Christian tracks and artists available free. Quiz: Who is the US president? Who is the US Vice-President? Who is the PM? Who is the Chancellor of the exchequer? Who is president of Russia? Who is the richest man in the world? What was the name of each of these people 10 years ago? 20 years ago? Read Philippians 2:9-11 Reflect and pray Word: (up to 40 mins) Read Matthew 21:1-32 Re-read vs 23-32 from a looser translation How is Jesus’s authority linked with John’s? When it comes right down to it, whose opinion do you care about more – God’s or people’s? How does that show? How does the parable tie in with the Chief priest and elders run in of 23-27? Which son’s story is most like your own? Why? Witness: (15 mins) Who are you praying for from the oikos? How does the parable tie in with them? How will you and the group pray for/witness to them in light of this teaching?

Cell group leader notes w/b 18.9.11 First and last and always Welcome: (10 mins) Describe a time, or the most recent time when you served up some new dish and your family asked “What is that?” Worship: (10-15 mins) Read Psalm 23 Use this meditation: The Lord is my shepherd The shepherd is totally responsible for his sheep. He knows them by name, he feeds them, he guides them and defends them with his life. Lord, your commitment to me is complete – the Shepherd has already laid down his life for me. I shall not be in want You have given me everything I need. All the strength, all the patience, all the wisdom, all the passion, all the love that Jesus exhibited in his life is there for me, too. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters In the busyness and pressure, you promise rest. Filling every day with relentless work, shouting at the children, worrying about bills, might be my way of dealing with things, but it’s not yours. I want the peace of your presence to be part of my life. He restores my soul Feeling weary, dry, beaten up by the pressures, is part of life. It’s even part of the Christian’s life. That’s why I need to be restored regularly in my inner being. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake Lord, thank you that I’m going somewhere. I’m not just stuck in the sheep-pen waiting for the rapture. And thank you that, for every situation I can think of, no matter how hopeless it appears, there is always a right way to walk, a right path to take. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. God, I confess that sometimes I have thought that you got it wrong, and told you so. There I am in the dark valley, waiting patiently for the cavalry to appear on the horizon, for the sound of the helicopter that’s going to airlift me out of here. And all you say is “Keep walking”. A gentle rod in the back is not necessarily my idea of comfort, but it tells me you’re with me in this, and it’s all I need to know. The valley of the shadow of death it’s the one path that we all know we are going to walk one day. Thank you that it’s only a shadow; and the light beyond it is indescribably beautiful. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies You know I’d prefer a quiet table in the corner for dinner. But enjoying the delights of God in full view of a world that hates you, at least it shows them what they are missing, and the feast becomes an invitation. Extolling the virtues of the local restaurant is one thing; the outdoor smell of a barbecue is quite another. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows Drenched inside and out! Your blessing on my work for you, and your refreshing for my inner being. Surely goodness and love shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. I couldn’t ask for two better bodyguards. Even when the path isn’t clear, or I’ve deliberately chosen to explore a hazardous cliff edge, goodness and love are close behind. And I can still hear your voice. It thrills me now, and it’s a sound I’m going to hear and delight in forever. Spend a moment in quiet, reflective, prayer. Word: (up to 40 mins) Read the whole of Exodus 16 If the equation of manna with God’s word is a reasonable one to make… are you gathering your manna on a daily basis? How? What has been the value of the Sabbath rest in your life lately? What Sabbath activities do you consider truly restful and which are drudgery? How can God help you observe the Sabbath rest? Read Matthew 20;1-16 If you had been the first hired, how would you feel about this system? How do you feel realizing that those who are not lifelong believers will get the same benefits as you in the kingdom? Witness: (15 mins) How can your actions and choices work to give somebody who has no Sabbath rest the chance to stop? Who do you know who really needs a breather? How can you or the group help to give them that? Who do you know who is drinking in the last chance saloon? Is there 1/6th of a gill of the gospel that you could use to spike their drinks?

Cell group leader notes w/b 11.9.11 Forgiveness Welcome: Where were you on 9/11/01? Worship: Read Psalm 103:1-12 1 John 1:8,9 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  Place a cross in the middle of the room Song – listen and words below I know a place A wonderful place Where accused and condemned Find mercy and grace Where the wrongs we have done And the wrongs done to us Were nailed there with Him There on the cross At the cross, He died for my sins At the cross, He gave His life again Spend a moment in quiet, reflective, personal confession before God. Thanksgiving prayers thereafter Word: Read Matthew 18:21-end Offenders in Jesus’ day were forgiven up to three times – a 4th offence need not be forgiven. What does JC’s response say about forgiveness in the kingdom? Self-audit In the parable, what disturbs you? What reassures you? Based on this parable, is God’s forgiveness of us limited or unlimited? Conditional or unconditional? Likewise our forgiveness of others? How can we forgive, yet not encourage irresponsibility? How can you forgive someone from the distant past who has hurt you deeply? Does anyone have a good, shareable forgiveness story? Witness: Who is rightly offended by you right now? What would it mean for you to repent? Who do you need to forgive? What is stopping you? Where, among your oikos, can you see unforgiveness ruining a relationship? What will you be doing to enable the “fresh air of forgiveness” to be breathed in that situation?

Cell group leader notes w/b 26.6.11 Slaves of Righteousness Welcome: Who was your first boss? Were they easy to work for or a slavedriver? Worship: Activity:- “What has God ever done for me?” Grab a piece of paper, as the song plays, write down on the paper what God has done for you – and this means you personally, in your life, not just other Christians of your acquaintance. Song playing in background: ALL MY DAYS I will sing this song of gladness, Prayer time to follow Word: Read Romans 6:15-23 From this passage (though cf 1:18-32) what were the members of the church doing before they turned their lives over to Christ? What would Paul say to the psychologist who says you can’t change inherited behaviour? What is the difference between the pension plan that the old slave owner of your life offered… and the new owner’s plan? What enslaves our society? Our immediate context? Us? What enslaves the Christian community? Witness: What would liberation look like for you? Your family? Oikos? Town? How have you done as God’s willing servant this week? Put another way, if you had acted as God’s willing servant in the past week, what would have been different? Wield the axe: Over the last 5 weeks or so, what has felt most like slavery? Freedom? Nominate an unequivocal improvement. Nominate a feature that must not be lost.

Cell group leader notes w/b 19.6.11 Go tell it on the mountain Welcome: Name three kinds of work you would like to do. Worship: Share experiences of God's presence Presence: Read a segment; pause; reflect; pray; repeat. A minute each sort of thing. Psalm 27:4 Matthew 18:20 Psalm 42:1,2 Psalm 139:7-10 BE STILL, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is here; Come bow before Him now with reverence and fear. In Him no sin is found, we stand on holy ground; Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is here. Be still, for the glory of the Lord is shining all around; He burns with holy fire, with splendour He is crowned. How awesome is the sight, our radiant King of light! Be still, for the glory of the Lord is shining all around. Be still, for the power of the Lord is moving in this place; He comes to cleanse and heal, to minister His grace. No work too hard for Him, in faith receive from Him; Be still, for the power of the Lord is moving in this place. Share bread and wine - communion Word: Read Matthew 28:16-20 How do the disciples respond to the risen Jesus? Why is doubt mingled with worship? What do they doubt? What is the central command Jesus gives to his disciples? How are they to carry it out? Witness: In what ways can you fulfil the Great Commission in the context of your family? Work? Community? And what does this specifically mean in terms of your witness this week?

Cell group leader notes w/b 12.6.11 Power to the People Welcome: Have you ever traveled where you did not speak the language? What happened? Worship: The names of the Holy Spirit: Take one each. Each person reads out the name and the short reading VERY BRIEFLY – what does the scripture tell us about the person and work of the Holy Spirit? Respond with a short prayer of praise. Breath of the Almighty (Job 33:4) Comforter/Counsellor (John 14:16,26; 15:26) Spirit of Christ (Rom 8:9; 1 Peter 1:11) Spirit of the Father (Matt 10:20) Spirit of Grace (Zech 12:10; Heb 10:29) Spirit of Prophecy (Rev 19:10) Spirit of Adoption (Rom 8:15) Spirit of Wisdom (Isaiah 11:2; Eph 1:17) optional song as attachment – warning 80's cheese! ANOINTING, FALL ON ME, Anointing, fall on me; Let the power of the Holy Ghost Fall on me, Anointing, fall on me. Touch my hands, my mouth and my heart; Fill my life, Lord, every part. Let the power of the Holy Ghost Fall on me, Anointing, fall on me. Word: Read Acts 2:1-13 – NIV and also Message (below) When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them. There were many Jews staying in Jerusalem just then, devout pilgrims from all over the world. When they heard the sound, they came on the run. Then when they heard, one after another, their own mother tongues being spoken, they were thunderstruck. They couldn't for the life of them figure out what was going on, and kept saying, "Aren't these all Galileans? How come we're hearing them talk in our various mother tongues? Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; Visitors from Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene; Immigrants from Rome, both Jews and proselytes; Even Cretans and Arabs! "They're speaking our languages, describing God's mighty works!" Their heads were spinning; they couldn't make head or tail of any of it. They talked back and forth, confused: "What's going on here?" Others joked, "They're drunk on cheap wine." How do you visualize the events of Pentecost? What does Pentecost achieve? How does being filled with the Spirit relate to bearing witness to Jesus? (in this passage) When have you experienced an empowering from God to witness about Christ? How do the onlookers/hearers react? What reactions have you had to your witness? Witness: Who are you praying for? Has the Holy Spirit given you any impetus in your witness to them? What barriers of language/culture need to be crossed for them to hear about Jesus? Do you have any stories of how this is happening/has happened for you? Pray accordingly

Cell Leader Notes for w/b 5th June 2011 Theme: You raise me up Welcome: Where would you live if you could, and what would you do there? Worship: Focus: Jesus - ascended Read Ephesians 1:18-23 Artwork: (below) Music: files attached You raise me up Praise: for Jesus as supreme Lord Intercession: all who need to be raised up by the mighty Lord Word Acts 1:1-11 How do you picture the ascension taking place? What do you think the ascension achieves? You have one question to ask the Lord Jesus before he departs... What do you ask? What question did the disciples ask? Why do you think they asked it? What answer do they get? What is the overall message from Jesus as he drifts up into the ether? (From these verses) Witness vs 8 is pretty crucial for our understanding of what it means to be disciples... What does it mean to be a witness? Are you? How is the oikos writing and praying going? Can we think of something genuinely pleasant and unthreatening that we might invite a few of these people along to – group organised? Any answers? Have the group got any thanksgiving testimonies and prayer answers to share from the previous few days? Particularly those prayed for over the past week in the cells. Any Questions? Share and pray for the group's present needs.

Cell Leader Notes for w/b 30th May 2011 Theme: Believe in better Welcome: When you were sick as a child, what was the best thing that your parents did to make you feel better? Worship: Focus: God's love Read John 14:19-21 subsid readings: Ps 36:5-7; Romans 8:38-39; Ephesians 3:17-19; 1 John3:1 Artwork: “you in me in you” (below) Music: files attached I stand amazed Such love Praise: for God's love Intercession: for a fresh experience of God's love Word (and latterly witness): John 14:11-21 vs 11 “the evidence of the miracles themselves” vs 12 “...what I have been doing” Spend a moment listing the miracles of Jesus from the group's memory vs 12 again: “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. They will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” What experience do you have of yourself or of the church “doing what Jesus has been doing?” Does anyone have even a story of a Christian or the Church doing a “greater thing?” What do you think Jesus means by “Greater things” here? Vs 13 and 14: What does it mean to “ask in Jesus' name”? Vs 16 and 17: What do you learn about the Holy Spirit from these verses? Vs 19-21: List the promises in this short passage. Which one flicks your switch most and why? Thinking about your oikos/network/new word which is better than both... what might one pray/do to bring any member of that pool into the whirlwind of God's love? Describe. Intercession: Pray for the people in the last bullet. Any answers? Have the group got any thanksgiving testimonies and prayer answers to share from the previous few days? Any Questions? Share and pray for the group's present needs.

w/b 22nd May The Church in 1 Peter 2 Link here http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%201:15-2:10&version=NIV Questions: This passage contains several key terms for Christians: What do you understand by: Be holy? Being constituted by God as a holy or royal priesthood? Living stones? Being built into a spiritual house? Chosen by God? A people belonging to God? A holy nation? And moreover, how do these expressions apply to you right now? In terms of your life and faith? How might they shape the immediate/medium term/long run future for you? Your group?

w/b Sunday 28 November

The topic is Being watchful for Christ’s Second Coming

The passage is Matthew 24.36-44 - follow this link...
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2024:36-44&version=NIV

‘Watching is a communal discipline that is sustained and nurtured through story, prayer and faithful listening to the voices of the hungry, naked, sick and imprisoned.’ So runs a comment on Matthew 24.36-44.

Do you agree? If so, how can we as a church community help each other to be watchful?

Thinking about our hope for the future is much more than idle speculation. How can thinking about the future practically affect our way of thinking and acting now? Look at Matt 24.36-44 and 2 Peter 3.11-14.

Jesus compares his Second Coming to a thief breaking into a house (Matt 24.42-44) and a master returning home (Matt 24.45-51). What does each story emphasise about

a. the nature of the Lord's return

b. our responsibility?

How can this topic of Christ’s Second Coming be driven by fear? In what ways can we make it more positive whilst retaining Jesus’ original emphasis?

w/b 21st November

The focus for this week was the theme "Christ the King"

The main reading used was Luke 23:32-43.

Click on this link to view the passage on Bible Gateway:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2023:32-43&version=NIV

The sermon from Sunday 7th November was about Death, Dying and New Life

Readings were Luke 20:27-38; Romans 5:1-11
Click the links for readings in NIV from Bible Gateway:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%205:1-11&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2020:27-38&version=NIV

Do you agree that we find it more difficult to come to terms with death today than in previous generations? If so, why do you think this might this be?

What did Jesus teach in Luke 20 about life after death?

What practical steps can we take prepare for our own death when the time comes?

How best can we help and support someone who is dying?

Who should you be supporting at this time?

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields. 

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields. 

- John McCrae

Sunday 31st October

Last Sunday's sermon focused on Ephesians 1:11-23
Click on this link to go to the Bible Gateway's NIV clip of the text:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%201:11-23&version=NIV

For group and individual study
Look at Paul's prayer for the Ephesians in verses 17-19a
What specific things does Paul pray for the Ephesians here?
What would the impact be if this prayer was answered in your life?
For whom might you make this your prayer?

Re-read verses 19-21 slowly
Have a think about the nature of the power that is at work in "us who believe".

In verse 17, we see that the goal of Paul's prayer for them is that they may know God better.
Pray for those in your social circle - that they may know God better.
How can you show God better in your life?