HOW TO START A BIBLICAL HOME CELL SYSTEM
by Peggy Kannaday
The Authentic Home Cell System 
HOW TO START A BIBLICAL HOME CELL SYSTEM

The first home cell system is found in the New Testament, and it was initiated, inspired and led by the Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus Christ was its Head.

Ephesians 1:20-23, "Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all."

I. The first home cell system was started on the Day of Pentecost (See Acts 2).

It started while waiting upon the Lord in prayer, and the 120 Christians who were praying were in one accord.

Acts 2:1, "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place."

A. These two elements (prayer and unity) are crucial to bearing true fruit in the Kingdom of God.

B. Our prayers must also be in alignment with the sovereign Word of God and the Holy Spirit must lead our prayers.

II. The home cell system was an informal system that was totally led by the Holy Spirit. This system is not a method, technique or tactic, but it is an open-ended system whereby the Lord Jesus Christ can move freely by the power of the Holy Spirit to perform His mighty works in all areas among His people.

Romans 8:14, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."

The first home cell system had the 5-fold ministry as found in Eph. 4:11. All five of these ministries are needed in the church. Ephesians 4:11-12, "And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:"

These ministers were used by God to perfect the saints so that they could do the work of the ministry. These ministers trained the saints to be disciples of Jesus Christ in order to do His work in the church. 

They were empowered by the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit imparted these gifts to the saints.
All the gifts of the Holy Spirit were given severally as the Lord Jesus Christ willed.

III. The saints were in communion with God first and then each other daily. 

Acts 2:41-47, " Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 
And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

IV. The Apostle Paul taught the people who were saved publicly and from house-to-house: 

Acts 20:20-22, "And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."

SUMMARY:

A home cell system must first start with waiting upon the Lord, prayer and being in one accord. The Lord will lead as we inquire of Him.

Seven people that are in one accord can put one billion to flight. If possible and preferable seven people can be chosen from the congregation that are honest, faithful and that are led by the Holy Spirit. Seven is the Biblical number of fullness.

The Lord is making His House a House of Prayer for all nations. He does not want His House (we, Christians are His house) to be a den of theives and a house of merchandise.

Matthew 6:33, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

The Pastor will train these seven ministers by placing them in his own home cell group. These seven can be trained in prayer, repentance, the Word of God and evangelism so that they will learn how to lead their own home cells. 

They will learn how to be in submission to the leader, and how to support and assist the leader. Submission to the Lord and others is a prerequisite requirement for leadership in the Body of Christ.

The leader will maintain a servant's heart toward the seven, and the seven members will be discipled for the period of time needed to be able to start their own home cell groups. All decisions will be preceded by inquiring prayer.

When the seven original home cell members are equipped to lead their own home cells, then a map of their area can be divided into seven districts according to the sites where the home cells will be conducted on a weekly basis.

After the seven home cell members become the seven home cell leaders, they should meet together at least once a week for intensive, intercessory prayer for their country, their city, their church, their home cell members and as the Lord leads in prayer. 

The Sr. Pastor of the congregation will act as a teacher, overseer, and counselor for the 7 home cell leaders. The pastor will attend the weekly prayer sessions of the seven home cell leaders in order to be a support, encourager and resource for the home cell leaders on a consistent basis.

When a home cell becomes too large for a particular location, and if a new home cell leader has been raised up from within the home cell, that new leader can start a new home cell in their own home. 

Through this cell division process, the home cell system can grow throughout the area and the city. This process creates a type of "fishing net" over the areas. We are told by the Lord Jesus to become "fishers of men".

Matthew 4:18-20, "And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

For example: if a home cell group reaches around 30 members, then a new leader can take one half of those members and start a new home cell. 

However, each home cell leader must seek the Lord for his or her direction regarding the person to lead and the timing of the cell division process.

The home cells will be a place where new converts and saints can be taught and equipped for the work of the ministry. 

Matthew 28:16-20, "Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Everything should be done decently and in order, and prayer should be paramount. After inquiring of the Lord, the brethren should be led by the Holy Spirit in all activities in the home cell system.

1 Corinthians 3:6-8, "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase."

The New Testament Home Cell System must be built upon the solid Rock of Jesus Christ as He provides the increase in the church. He is the head, and his church functions under His leadership.

It is His church, which has been bought with the price of His precious blood. We have been commissioned to make disciples of Jesus Christ; not disciples or followers of our churches, our doctrines, our denominations, or ourselves.

We must deny ourselves and our own agendas and take up our crosses and follow the Lord, and we in turn must teach, enable and encourage others to do the same. 

The Home Cell System is a wonderful method to attain this ultimate goal of perfecting the saints for the work of the ministry:

Ephesians 4:13, "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:"