And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus. Acts 5:42 

Acts 2:42-47; Exodus. 18; Mark 3:14

Recurrent Thought

Intentional small groups consumed with a dedication (devotion) and passion for it, are key for every form of community transformation

The Church is God’s plan. The worldwide church, also known as the Universal (Catholic) Church consists of believers who are never confined to geographical spaces, or ethnicity.  It is a community of People who have had an encounter with Jesus, believed in His substitutionary death on the cross and who courageously tell others about His salvation for the World.  Jesus, as the head of the Church, commands it (the Church) to disciple people from all nations (Math. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24: 45-49).

The Church also meets in specific geographical spaces to fellowship with one another and effectively interact with the Apostles teachings (Acts 2: 42-47: 5:42). This assembly, which meets in local geographical places, is our primary concern, because it is in these spaces that believers are able to disciple and be discipled. From the onset, the Church had two forms of meetings. It had meetings in temple courts and from house to house (Acts 5:42): Large Church Worship and small group fellowship. Following, this NT example, every church must grow larger and smaller at the same time.

Basis and Need of Small Groups

Leading (Discipleship) through small groups is foundation for all forms of human transformation. Apart from the fact that Small Groups are biblical and Jesus formed one, they are Personal, very flexible, expandable and very economical (Rick Warren).  At the International Christian Assembly, small groups, which we call Cells, are not a program;  Super12 Cells are the essence of the congregation. If one wants to minister to people well, or reach a huge community effectively, it is essential to work through smaller groups. In Exodus 18, Jethro, the Father in Law to Moses gave him the wisdom of delegating and cascading community support through small groups. He was told to have leaders of tens, fifty and hundreds (Exodus 18).

Jesus conducted his ministry through a small group of twelve disciples. The Church continued with the practices of using small groups even when Jesus had gone to glory. 

The New Testament Church grew exponentially to the end that after twenty five years half of the  population of Jerusalem could have become followers of Jesus. From one hundred and twenty (120) that met on the day of Pentecost to the point where Jerusalem was filled with the apostles teaching (Acts 5:28) and twenty five years later tens of thousands followed Jesus (in Gk: Tens of tens thousands Acts 20:21).

Eight Things We do in Super12 Cells as inspired by the NT Church (Acts 2:42-47)

1. We Study the Bible Together  
   • The New Testament Church reflected and interacted with the Apostles Teachings. 
   • The Apostles Teachings is what is contained in the New Testament books.
   • We reflect and unpack what is taught during the celebration meetings
2. We Fellowship Together
   • Devoted themselves to fellowship. 
   • Fellowship is essential for emotional, psychological and spiritual growth.
3. We Eat Together 
   • Fellowship is conducted over a meal. Eating together relaxes one and allows people to bring their guards essential for proper bonding
   • Something we have not practiced, which we must do as we expand is to Break Bread Together. This is having the holy Communion in homes.
   • This is more practical. During the celebration, you may have more nonbelievers who do not understand the essence of the Lords table.
   • Weekly communion in homes may be ideal for bigger congregations. 1 Cor. 11. One purpose of Communion is to promote Koinonia
4. We Pray For One Another, Together 
   • The New Testament believers devoted themselves to pray for one another
   • Similarly, we pray for one another. We pray for our physical and spiritual needs.
5. We Practically Help One Another, Together
   • They brought the goods and distributed to others. They committed to practically help each other
   • Similarly, in the Super12 we do hospital visits for those in the Cell. We help one another where we see needs 
   • This helps to multiply the capacity of care for the whole congregation
6. We Praise and Worship the Lord, Together 
   • Just as they sang, we also sing praises to the Lord. We bring Worship and Praise to the Lord together.
7. We Bring Unbelievers to Jesus together 
   • In the this atmosphere the Lord Blessed them with inquiring nonbelievers
   • We too can see the power of the Lord bring the nonbelievers to our Super12 Cell meetings
8. We Experience the Miraculous Together 
   • As they consistently followed the teachings of the Lord and, fervently worshiped him they experience the miraculous
   • Similarly, the Lord whom we cannot coerce regularly meets the needs of his Children, miraculously.

Disciples (Leaders) are Key to the Power of Small Groups (Super12 Cells)

Leaders (Disciples) of small groups are critical for their continued existence. Jesus strategy (Mark. 3:14), of Selecting, Shaping and Sending becomes a template and model for the Modern Church to imitate. Within this strategy, the Disciple(r) is foundational. Disciples execute leadership, give direction and facilitate the management of the small groups.. What are the marks of a good Disciple(r)

1. A Good Disciple is an Obedient Learner
   • There are no qualifications to follow him, except that one has had an encounter with Jesus, repented of their sins and called upon his name for salvation (Rom. 10:13; 9-10)
   • The hallmark of a disciple is that they are obedient, loyal and avid learners (Math. 28:19)
2. A Good Disciple Produces Fruits
   • The basic fruit they produce is the fruit of Spirit (Gal. 5:22-25) which is largerly the character after Jesus Christ.
   • Practically, they are Produce fruits like them, other disciples.
   • Disciples are “prunable” (flexible) and are willing to be stretched for the sake of producing fruit (John 15: 1-5)
3. A Good Disciple focuses on Relationships that Produce Quality Fellowship 
   • The first essential relationship the disciple cultivates is one with Jesus. Under the tutelage of Jesus they obey his commands
   • Effective disciples relate with other believes within the community of the sanctified.
   • Disciples also maintain relationships with people who are unchurched and do not have a relationship with Christ(Lost people unchurched  people)

Altar Time

1. Lord make me a Good and Faithful disciple
2. Lord make available to facilitate a Super12 Cell